"Um? There's no next step?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru, who had already braced herself for Kaido's assault, blinked in surprise. After unleashing his fiery breath, Kaido simply… stopped. He didn't follow up with anything.
"Could it be…"
A possibility flashed across Tsuru's sharp mind.
She shifted her stance, staying alert, keeping her eyes on Kaido above while quietly observing the battlefield.
The Beasts Pirates were pressing forward, their cannons hammering the G-1 base as their ships steadily drew closer. Finally, when they had closed enough distance, the battleship stopped.
"Demolishing Wind!"
Kaido roared, unleashing another blast.
But this time, the attack wasn't aimed at Tsuru herself. Instead—
It slammed into the outer wall of the G-1 base.
Tsuru narrowed her eyes, her composure unwavering. She made no move to intercept.
The G-1 base was just that: a standard naval stronghold. Its walls were nothing special — solid against ordinary men, but meaningless before monsters like Kaido.
So why try to stop it? Would it matter?
In truth, Tsuru even wanted to see this through — to confirm if her suspicion was correct.
BOOM!
The base wall crumbled, a massive gap torn open.
"Governor Kaido's cleared us a path! Charge through the gap!"
The Beasts Pirates howled with excitement. They leapt down from their ship, surging across the battlefield and storming the breach Kaido had created. Chaos erupted as they clashed with the G-1 Marines at close quarters.
"…As I thought."
The sight before her only reinforced Tsuru's guess. But it was still just that — a guess. She could confirm Kaido's current intent, but she couldn't say if he'd stay committed to this plan or shift direction at a whim.
For now, adaptability was everything.
Buru buru buru~~
The transponder snail in her pocket suddenly rang.
Even in the heat of battle, Tsuru's attention didn't waver. Her eyes stayed locked on Kaido in the clouds as she calmly reached into her pocket, lifting the receiver to her ear.
"This is Tsuru."
"Tsuru, it's me — Sengoku."
The familiar voice of the Fleet Admiral carried through the line, followed by a sharp question:
"Is the target of the Beasts Pirates really the G-1 base?"
"That's correct," Tsuru replied evenly. "They've already begun their assault here."
Her tone was steady, calm as ever.
"Don't worry. I asked Sakazuki to move out last night. By my estimate, he should arrive within half an hour."
Sengoku's steady voice carried reassurance through the transponder snail, as if signaling Tsuru herself to relax.
"Half an hour… that's enough."
Tsuru exhaled lightly, her eyes still locked on Kaido's massive form in the clouds.
With her own ability, defeating Kaido was out of the question. But stalling him? Buying time? That much she could do. And judging from his current stance, Kaido didn't seem eager to press the attack.
"Tsuru," Sengoku's tone suddenly sharpened, turning serious. "I have something to ask of you."
"If you need something, just say it." Tsuru's reply was calm as ever, composed despite the battlefield raging below.
"…If possible, I want you to train Sakazuki."
"...What?"
For the first time, Tsuru's eyes widened, genuine surprise flickering across her face. She instantly understood the weight of Sengoku's words.
"Are you serious, Sengoku? To make such a decision so suddenly—is that really alright?"
Wasn't this too hasty? After all, Sengoku had only been Fleet Admiral for a few years. Up until now, the balance of power in the high command still leaned toward Kuzan.
And yet, in the short time she'd been away from Headquarters, things had shifted so drastically?
"Kuzan… gave up."
Sengoku's voice was heavy, but steady.
"…I see."
At that, Tsuru's expression softened, the pieces falling into place. That alone explained Sengoku's sudden shift in judgment.
"In that case, I'll take him under my wing."
Her answer was decisive.
"Thank you, Tsuru." Sengoku's voice, carried through the snail, grew gentler — less the Fleet Admiral, more the comrade who had fought at her side for decades.
Half an hour later, with the arrival of the reinforcement warship, Sakazuki finally set foot on the battlefield.
His coat billowed as he strode forward, magma simmering at his fists... ready to unleash a devastating blow and teach the Beasts Pirates what true cruelty meant.
"...Sakazuki, wait."
Just as he prepared to strike, Vice Admiral Tsuru's calm but firm voice cut through the chaos, halting him in his tracks.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru?"
Sakazuki turned, confusion flickering in his eyes. Still, he stopped moving. No matter what, he respected Tsuru.
How could he not?
Anyone foolish enough to disrespect Tsuru would, sooner or later, find themselves dragged into a back alley by two mysterious men named Garp and Sengoku who "just happened" to be passing by after work.
Needless to say, the beating would be legendary. Who in their right mind wanted that?
Tsuru's gaze was sharp as she addressed him.
"Sakazuki, you're not just a fighter anymore. You're a representative of the Navy's core. Charging blindly is easy but before that, you should learn to position your forces."
"...But, Vice Admiral Tsuru…"
Sakazuki's brow furrowed. Charging head-on? That was his specialty. But commanding troops? That was another story. Strategy was never his strongest suit, and he knew it.
After all, this was not yet the Sakazuki of the future... the one known for his ruthless cunning and merciless tactics.
"Do you plan to rely on me forever?"
Tsuru's tone was cold, her expression unreadable as she stared at him.
"Uh…"
Even Sakazuki, with all his usual bravado, faltered under her gaze. He scratched at his neck awkwardly, embarrassed.
Tsuru gave him no room to retreat. She turned her eyes back toward the battlefield and asked:
"Sakazuki, think carefully. Who is your true target here?"
For a moment, the Admiral clenched his fists, magma dripping and hissing against the stone. Then, his eyes shot up toward the towering figure looming above.
"…Kaido."
"Correct."
Tsuru nodded once.
Even a fool should have known the answer to that.
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