So many Marines had been sacrificed—most of them elite officers whose very bones now lay mingled together in death. As the Admiral leading this operation, Sakazuki absolutely could not allow Buggy the Clown to escape. He demanded blood payment to honor the fallen heroes.
Marine Headquarters held a different perspective. They had to consider the broader strategic situation, and Admiral Sakazuki had already been defeated once. There was no guarantee he wouldn't suffer defeat again—losing an Admiral's combat power would be unacceptable to the entire Marine.
"Sakazuki, I order you to collect the remains of our fallen Marines," Fleet Admiral Sengoku's voice crackled through the Den Den Mushi. "Do not pursue Buggy the Clown alone. Admiral Borsalino is already en route to reinforce your position."
The call from Fleet Admiral Sengoku wasn't a discussion—it was a direct command. While Buggy the Clown possessed tremendous personal strength, his pirate crew remained relatively weak, and the Marine had more pressing concerns at the moment.
"Buggy the Clown has sustained serious injuries, and his stamina is nearly depleted," Sakazuki argued. "I believe if we pursue immediately, Borsalino and I can eliminate him together."
Sakazuki expressed his tactical assessment. He sought vengeance for his Marines and refused to commit the strategic error of allowing a dangerous enemy to escape and recover.
"Do not act alone. Wait for Admiral Borsalino's arrival. And cut that damned broadcast signal immediately."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku terminated the communication, leaving Sakazuki's expression visibly darkened. This man, driven by Absolute Justice, contemplated defying direct orders while operating in the field.
"You wait here for Borsalino," Sakazuki declared to his surviving forces. "I'll pursue Buggy the Clown alone."
Despite being driven into the ocean during their previous battle, Sakazuki possessed superior stamina compared to Buggy. As someone who will fought Admiral Kuzan for ten days and nights, he feared no prolonged engagement.
This mysterious blonde girl had voluntarily aided the Marines but made peculiar statements about destroying islands. Her speech patterns and behavior remained somewhat strange.
"I have been searching for Buggy the Clown for quite some time," Artoria explained with controlled intensity. "I seek vengeance for the people of my town. If I don't kill him today, the hatred in my heart will never fade."
In her subsequent explanation, Artoria described the typical pirate atrocities. The island she had once called home was indiscriminately bombarded by Buggy the Clown, resulting in massive civilian casualties and the theft of countless treasures.
To avenge her townspeople, she had been rowing a small boat in pursuit of the Buggy Pirates. However, lacking navigational knowledge, she frequently became lost in East Blue's waters. Without the Sky Screen's revelation that Buggy would appear in Loguetown, she might never have found her target.
With guidance from kind-hearted individuals, the blonde girl had finally caught up to the battle in Loguetown. She rescued Smoker at the critical moment and potentially saved the Marine's future. This chivalrous warrior naturally aligned with Marine interests.
Her bearing suggested no evil intentions. Additionally, her hatred of wickedness meant she would never join any pirate crew—she naturally belonged to the Marine's camp.
Good, Kaito thought from his distant position, Artoria's cover story is working perfectly. No one suspects she's actually with me. Her acting as an independent revenge-seeker gives us the perfect excuse for her intervention.
"Then accompany me," Admiral Sakazuki agreed with the blonde girl's proposal. "With a swordsman of your caliber assisting, Buggy the Clown won't leave here alive."
The surrounding Marines urged him not to disobey Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders, but Admiral Sakazuki never heeded such advice—he had violated superior commands multiple times before. No one present possessed the authority to stop him.
A golden flash appeared on the horizon, and a man wearing sunglasses with a distinctly unpleasant expression materialized within the Marines' field of vision. This was Admiral Borsalino, codenamed Kizaru, wielder of the Logia-type Pika Pika no Mi.
"Fortunately, I arrived in time and wasn't late," he announced in his characteristic drawling tone.
This man floated in midair with his hands casually tucked in his pockets, sporting an expression that practically begged for violence. He and Sakazuki had joined the Marines together—both were genuine monsters in their own right.
"Your timing is perfect," Sakazuki declared. "With your speed, you should be able to intercept Buggy the Clown. Help me delay him temporarily."
"Buggy the Clown is such a frightening monster," Borsalino replied with obvious insincerity. "I may not be capable of defeating him. Sakazuki, you should simply follow the Fleet Admiral's orders."
The Admiral who embodied the philosophy of "Unclear Justice" clocked in daily for the most leisurely job possible, constantly anticipating his eventual retirement. Why should he exert maximum effort for his Marine salary?
"Can you even call yourself an Admiral behaving like this?" Sakazuki demanded.
Borsalino began cleaning his ears while airborne, pretending complete deafness. He was simply the reincarnation of indolence itself. When the moment called for showing off, he performed better than anyone—but he cared nothing for prestige or influence within the Marine hierarchy.
Admiral Kizaru and Admiral Sakazuki held equal rank within the Marines. Neither could command the other; they only answered to Fleet Admiral Sengoku's authority. Borsalino had received orders merely to reinforce Sakazuki, with no mention of hunting down Buggy the Clown.
His vulgar expression and indifferent attitude made the furious Sakazuki want to physically assault Borsalino. Promoting him to Admiral had been a tremendous mistake.
After reflection, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Kizaru, and the surviving Marines all opposed Sakazuki acting independently. To preserve his standing within the Marine, he decided to place his hopes on the blonde girl before him.
"Artoria, employ whatever techniques you possess," Sakazuki declared solemnly. "If you can truly eliminate Buggy the Clown here, the entire Marine will owe you an enormous debt. Even if you fail and destroy this island afterward, you won't be held accountable. I promise this in my capacity as a Marine Admiral."
"Very well, remember your promise," Artoria replied with regal authority. "All of you, stand back. I must release my sword."
When Artoria spoke of releasing her weapon, her entire demeanor transformed dramatically—like an ancient monarch commanding the world itself.
This is it, Kaito realized with anticipation. Time to see if the Grand Tale System's ultimate summon lives up to its reputation. Excalibur in the One Piece world... this should be interesting.
The present Marines dragged their wounded comrades back to the sole remaining warship. They positioned themselves along the shoreline, eager to witness this blonde girl's next devastating sword technique.
Artoria raised her invisible weapon overhead, removing the Wind King Barrier's concealment. The blade continuously revealed its true form within swirling blue storms and blinding radiance. This was the Holy Sword of the Stars—the Sword of Promised Victory.
After the weapon's true form was fully revealed, tremendous winds erupted from its surface, stirring massive waves along the entire coastline and causing the Marine ships to pitch violently. The girl held the golden-gleaming sword high above her head, moving every Marine present to speechless awe.
"I'm witnessing something truly incredible," Borsalino murmured, abandoning his nonchalant expression.
As someone who understood light better than anyone else, when this radiant blade appeared before his eyes, the Devil Fruit power within his body actually filled him with yearning for the mysterious girl.
"Is this sword a Supreme Grade Blades? It feels even more powerful than that supreme grade," observed Vice Admiral Onigumo, who had extensive experience with bladed weapons.
For any swordsman, possessing a superior weapon was like adding wings to a tiger—the difference was immeasurable.
"Was she once royalty?" Sakazuki wondered aloud, detecting traces of true kingship in this blonde girl's bearing.
The aura of absolute authority she emanated was unmistakable. Who exactly was she?
Oh, if you only knew, Kaito thought with dark amusement. She's the legendary King of Knights herself. Too bad I can't stick around to watch Excalibur in action—but I need to get far enough away to avoid being caught in that blast radius.