In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, news of Zephyr's defeat descended upon the Room of Authority, leaving the Five Elders in a long, oppressive silence.
Even the former Admiral 'Black Arm' had fallen. What kind of monster was this boy named Takero?
"This cannot be allowed to continue."
At last, Topman Valkyrie Saint, the Warrior God of Legal Affairs, rose slowly to his feet. His eyes held a bone-chilling killing intent that no one in the room had seen before.
"That boy and the 'Devil Child' at his side have become a severe threat to the world's balance. We must… enact the final measure." He turned his cold gaze to the Transponder Snail, where Spandine was already trembling in fear on the other end.
"Spandine," the Elder's voice was devoid of emotion, like the final judgment of a god. "In the name of the World Government's highest authority, I grant you permission to use the Golden Transponder Snail. Activate the Buster Call."
"What?! That idiot Spandine activated the Buster Call?!"
In the Fleet Admiral's office at Marineford, Sengoku slammed his fist on his desk, sending a storm of documents scattering through the air. The Buster Call was the Marines' highest level of military force—an indiscriminate, overwhelming assault with the power to annihilate. Each activation meant another island would be wiped from the maps forever. It was a last resort, a tool of violence the Marines used with the greatest reluctance.
Just then, a staff officer rushed in, his expression grim. "Fleet Admiral!" he reported with a sharp salute. "We've confirmed it! Zephyr-sensei… has been defeated! He's receiving emergency treatment on a returning warship, but his condition… is critical!"
The news struck Sengoku's heart like a sledgehammer. Even 'Black Arm' Zephyr, the man who had fought alongside him for decades and trained countless Marine elites, had been beaten. It was no wonder they had resorted to the Buster Call.
"This is a disaster…" Sengoku muttered, a never-before-seen gravity in his eyes. "This man will become a greater threat than Roger, greater even than Whitebeard. He could shake the very foundations of the world!"
He whipped his head around, his gaze landing on the old fool in the corner of the office who was casually popping the last of a rice cracker into his mouth.
"GARP! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!" Sengoku roared.
"Hmm? Ah?" Garp looked up blankly, patting cracker crumbs from his hands. "What is it, Sengoku? Why are you yelling? You made me drop a piece of my senbei."
"I'm ordering you!" Sengoku pointed a shaking finger at him, his voice leaving no room for argument. "You will personally lead this mission! You must capture this kid, Takero!"
Garp simply dug a finger in his ear, whistled, and began to stroll toward the office door as if he'd heard nothing.
"Hey! Garp! Get back here!" Sengoku bellowed in exasperation.
"My, the weather is nice tonight," Garp said, waving a hand over his shoulder without looking back. "I've got things to do. See you later!"
With that, he slipped out of the office, leaving behind an infuriated Sengoku who looked as if he was about to have a stroke.
"That… bastard…" Sengoku slumped back into his chair, convinced his old friend would one day be the death of him. In desperation, he turned his gaze to the only other Admiral available—the 'Flash' who had recently returned from the North Blue.
"Borsalino!"
Admiral Kizaru, who had been lazily scribbling a report, stiffened at the summons.
"Oooh, Fleet Admiral Sengoku," he drawled, turning around slowly with a smile that looked more painful than pleasant. "Is there something you need? If not, I was just about ready to get off work…"
"You will go to Ambri Island," Sengoku ordered, his voice cold and resolute.
The smile on Kizaru's face froze instantly. No… not again! he wailed internally. Even the great Zephyr-sensei lost! If I go back, that monster will use me as a punching bag! He began to pray frantically. I hope he's forgotten about me! Please, please don't let him remember me!
Back on Ambri Island, Takero's figure descended from the night sky into the villa's courtyard. Tesoro, who had been waiting anxiously, immediately rushed forward to greet him.
"Boss! You're back!" His voice was filled with excitement. Seeing that his boss had returned alone while the massive Marine fleet was nowhere in sight, a wild guess began to form in his mind. "Boss… you didn't… take out that entire Marine fleet, did you?"
"Oh, that," Takero waved a hand dismissively. "The old man in charge, Zephyr, was pretty tough, but I knocked him down, so I came back. The others are probably still fishing their friends out of the sea."
Though Takero said it casually, the words hit Tesoro like a bolt of lightning. He defeated a former Admiral?! The news ignited a fire in his blood. An incredible sense of pride and fanaticism surged through him. This was the man he followed—a true force of nature capable of trampling legends underfoot.
"Alright, stop standing there looking like an idiot," Takero said, patting his shoulder. "I'm hungry. Go tell Monet to prepare a ten-person supper for me."
"Yes, Boss!"
Takero walked into the living room and found Nico Robin standing by the window, her expression complex. The moonlight spilled over her, casting a long shadow, and her deep blue eyes seemed filled with worry.
"Hey," Takero said, walking up to her. "You think way too much for a kid. Isn't it exhausting?"
Robin slowly turned to look at him, and for the first time, her calm eyes showed clear, undisguised gratitude. "Thank you… Takero," she said, her voice soft but solemn. "I never expected that you would… take on an Admiral… for me."
"Is there something wrong with your head?" Takero interrupted her rudely. "How many times do I have to tell you? I just wanted a good fight with someone who wouldn't break. Saving you was just a bonus."
His words were as blunt and unfeeling as ever. But for some reason, this time, Robin didn't feel disappointed. Instead, she let out a small chuckle. Yes, that was exactly the kind of person he was. Powerful, direct, overbearing, and unreasonable… yet he possessed an irresistible, gravitational pull. Perhaps staying by his side, helping him uncover that lost history, and watching him smash the world's hypocrisy with his bare fists would be an interesting life.
Saul, she thought, is this the kind of companion you were talking about?
Just then, a guard burst into the room, forgetting to even knock. "Lord Takero! It's an emergency! Those agents we were monitoring—they all tried to flee the island at once!" he reported breathlessly. "We caught one, and he told us something terrible! He said… he said the Buster Call… is coming!"
"Buster Call."
The two words struck Nico Robin's heart like black lightning. The color drained from her face, and the faint smile in her eyes was replaced by absolute terror.
"Run! Takero, we have to run!" she shrieked, grabbing his arm, her entire body trembling. "We have to leave now! The Buster Call… it will destroy everything!"
Takero just gave her a strange look, his face a mask of confusion. "Buster Call? What's that?"
In a trembling voice, Robin quickly explained what it was. "My home… Ohara… it was destroyed by a Buster Call!"
She expected him to finally understand the gravity of the situation. Instead, after hearing her panicked explanation, Takero just said, "Oh," with the same indifferent expression. He even yawned and rubbed his stomach.
"Alright, I get it. But I'm hungry now." He pointed toward the kitchen. "Go help Monet with my supper. I'm starving."
With that, he turned and walked alone out onto the villa's terrace. He looked up at the large, silver moon hanging in the night sky, admiring it as if it were a beautiful painting.
"Tonight's moon… is really round."
A full moon. For a Saiyan, it was the perfect backdrop for the stage.
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