The trembling finally stopped. Morgans looked at Stussy with wide, astonished eyes.
This... this woman the Queen of the Pleasure Districts!
How could she possibly be an agent of the World Government much less part of CP0, the most terrifying organization under its command?
Morgans felt his mind spin. Everything he thought he knew about her was shattering before his eyes.
Meanwhile, Stussy herself was reeling. Panic coursed through her veins as she tried to maintain composure.
How could this Marine this man know her true identity?
No, that was impossible. He couldn't know.
He must be bluffing!
Yes, that had to be it.
But as that thought crossed her mind, Ezra D. Vale caught the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. He'd seen it before.
That look of denial, of someone desperately trying to convince themselves of a lie it reminded him of someone else he'd once faced.
With a weary sigh, Ezra spoke.
"Don't bother doubting it, Stussy. I really do know who you are."
Stussy froze.
Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. For the first time in years, she was speechless.
Ezra leaned back, voice steady and calm. "Like I said before if you want to know about me, you can ask the World Government directly."
The moment those words fell, Morgans' feathers practically stood on end.
His mind flashed back to the warning from the Five Elders.
"Do not, under any circumstances, let the Young Master remember who he is."
Wait... did that mean Ezra already knew?
Morgans felt his blood run cold.
If Ezra had regained even a fragment of his past memories, then everything the balance of power, the hidden truths could collapse in an instant.
"Damn it, Stussy!" he thought, panic twisting his gut.
The Five Elders had been clear: never provoke him. And now she had done exactly that.
Morgans glared at her with fury and dread.
You're going to get us all killed, you fool!
Of course, Ezra had no idea what was running through Morgans' head. He didn't even know that his "identity" was a matter of such terror among the higher-ups.
To him, it was simple. He was a Marine. His records were kept in the World Government's archives.
If Stussy wanted to investigate, she could just dig up the files.
How could he have known that a simple sentence would strike such fear into two of the most powerful figures in the underground world?
Still, Stussy's panic only deepened. Her breaths came quick, shallow. Then, taking a deep breath to compose herself, she forced out her next words.
"Vice Admiral Ezra... since you already know who I am, I can't simply let you walk away. Even if you're the Navy's rising star their so-called beacon of hope this information cannot leave this room!"
Ezra raised an eyebrow, mildly amused.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Her meaning was clear she intended to silence him.
Ezra exhaled softly, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
"Really now... you plan to kill me?"
He tilted his head slightly. "I thought CP0's intelligence was supposed to be sharper than that."
Morgans' heart sank. He could tell from Ezra's tone someone was about to die.
And it wasn't going to be Ezra.
"Don't tell me..." Morgans muttered under his breath. "She's actually attacking him?"
Stussy's expression hardened. "Farewell, Vice Admiral."
Her hand shot up two fingers aimed straight at his chest.
"Shigan: Finger Pistol!"
The air cracked.
A sharp, crescent-shaped blast of compressed air streaked toward Ezra's heart.
But before it could even touch him
A faint pop.
Ezra's right hand, glowing faintly with spiritual pressure, swatted the projectile aside like dust.
The shockwave dissipated into the air, harmless.
Stussy's eyes went wide. "What how?!"
She took a step back, disbelief twisting her face. "That's impossible! No one's ever blocked that before!"
Ezra's calm expression finally darkened. His voice, once steady, now carried a quiet, deadly chill.
"Stussy, I don't mind a fight..." He stood slowly, each movement deliberate, regal. "But I hate cowards who strike from behind."
His aura changed.
The warmth vanished, replaced by something ancient and merciless.
It was as if a king had descended from his throne to pass judgment.
The room shook.
His spiritual pressure exploded outward, pressing down on Stussy like a mountain.
"Wha what is this?!" she gasped, knees buckling under the weight.
Within seconds, she was forced to the ground, her palms digging into the cold floor.
The crushing force left her trembling, barely able to lift her head.
No wonder... she thought, fear flooding her mind.
No wonder the Five Elders said he didn't need protection...
This power... it's dozens of times greater than mine!
Tears welled in her eyes not of pain, but of pure, raw terror.
Ezra raised his right hand slowly. Spiritual energy began to swirl around it, condensing into a sharp, crackling aura.
Murderous intent filled the room.
Morgans, for once, found clarity in his panic.
"Y-Young Master! Wait!" he shouted.
Ezra turned his blood-red eyes toward him. The mere glance made Morgans' feathers tremble.
Swallowing hard, Morgans forced himself to speak.
"Please, forgive my interruption! But this woman she could be useful!"
He spoke faster, desperate.
"You could keep her under your command. She'd serve you well! After all, her public identity is still the Queen of the Pleasure Districts!"
Ezra paused, lowering his hand slightly.
He frowned, thoughtful. Morgans wasn't wrong Stussy's influence and connections were extensive. Having her under his control could prove advantageous.
Still... she had dared to attack him.
Ezra's voice came out cold, merciless.
"Hmph. Then let it be as the saying goes death may be spared, but punishment will not."
He raised his right hand again.
"Hadō Number Four Byakurai!"
A blinding flash of white lightning burst from his fingertips, tearing through the air with a thunderous crack.
The entire room illuminated in pure, searing light
and Stussy, pinned beneath his overwhelming power, could only watch in shock as divine retribution descended upon her.
_______________________
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