Those wearing armbands were the Military Police — the enforcers of army discipline. They ensured orders were carried out and could convene a military tribunal at a moment's notice. They were, in every sense, the police within the army.
Brian raised an eyebrow and said teasingly,
"What's this, little chili pepper, you've lost your mind?"
"Colonel Brian, during the operation to encircle Astona, you defied orders, disobeyed commands, and caused a critical delay that resulted in heavy casualties across multiple West Blue branches, including the Seventh Division. The West Blue Governor's Military Police are now arresting you in accordance with military law."
Ann's voice was cold, her expression icy. Though she tried to restrain her emotions, her trembling shoulders and heaving chest betrayed the depth of her anger.
"Desertion, disobedience, dereliction of duty — any one of those alone is enough for dismissal and execution!"
"Exactly. A soldier, and a branch commander at that, daring to ignore military discipline — he's just asking to die."
"Serves him right. Ever since Brian came to the West Blue, he's thrown the whole place into chaos and disgraced the Navy!"
"Extortion, bribery, disturbing local order, trafficking arms — if they really investigate, he could be shot ten times over."
The gathered branch commanders whispered among themselves, their tones laced with glee and spite, delighting in his downfall.
Amid the murmurs, a tall, handsome officer with a commanding presence stepped forward.
The armband on his arm revealed his identity — Colonel Locke, Captain of the West Blue Governor's Military Police.
Locke unrolled a long scroll of paper with a snap, the densely written text filling the page.
"Colonel Brian, take a good look. Your crimes are listed right here. Cooperate and come quietly."
"Oh? So many?" Brian took the so-called "list of charges" in one hand, didn't even glance at it — and tore it to shreds in front of everyone.
"What are you doing?!" Locke's voice leapt an octave in rage.
Brian rolled the scraps into a ball and smiled.
"Tell me, did Headquarters order my arrest?"
Ann crossed her arms.
"I've already reported everything to Admiral Zephyr. He will deal with this impartially — and Headquarters will never protect a criminal like you!"
"Heh." Brian chuckled softly and stepped closer, locking eyes with her.
"You're right — Zephyr will handle me. But as for Headquarters… that's another story."
"Headquarters…" Ann froze, shaking her head violently.
"No! Headquarters would never— mmmph!"
Before she could finish, Brian seized her and kissed her forcefully, right in front of everyone.
It took several seconds before Colonel Locke came to his senses. Enraged, he charged with his men to seize Brian.
"Not wearing lipstick, yet a hint of blood… and a strangely sweet taste."
Brian licked his lips as if savoring it, utterly ignoring Locke's incoming punch.
Bang!
Locke's knuckles nearly cracked — it was like punching solid steel.
"Hurt, doesn't it?" Brian taunted, not even turning around.
Locke clutched his swollen fist and shouted,
"Seize him!"
A hundred Military Police surged forward — men no one dared provoke. Those they arrested rarely dared resist, since the MPs had authority to act with lethal force in emergencies.
As they lunged, Brian leapt upward, stepping into the air with Moonwalk, soaring above their heads — and then vanished from sight.
Of course, he hadn't really vanished; he was simply at a height beyond human vision.
"Where'd he go?!"
"Look — he's coming down!"
"Fire! Shoot him!"
They looked up to see Brian plummeting headfirst like an inverted meteor. Panic erupted as the MPs raised their rifles and opened fire.
But to their horror, Brian caught the hail of bullets in one hand — effortlessly.
"Moonwalk — Meteor Strike!"
The moment his palm struck the ground, a thunderous boom tore through the base. The entire Seventh Division shook violently, as if struck by an earthquake.
The technique borrowed the upward momentum of Moonwalk, using the energy of the fall to unleash a devastating shockwave. Brian had held back, but even so, the blast still flattened everyone nearby.
As the stunned MPs and officers lay scattered across the ground, Brian looked down at them with contempt.
"Honestly, I can't stand you discipline dogs — no real skills, yet you strut around waving feathers like they're orders."
"Brian, you… cough cough… you dare violently resist arrest…"
Locke gasped, clutching his chest — his lungs had taken serious damage in the blast.
"Resist arrest? Oh no," Brian said lazily.
"You've got it wrong."
"What… what did you say?!" Ann coughed, shaken but not seriously hurt.
"Do you really think Headquarters would punish a super-genius with the power of an admiral?"
As he spoke, Brian kicked toward the nearby cliff — a single strike cleaved the entire rock face clean in two.
Hiss—
Everyone gasped in unison.
"And I should thank you," Brian added with a smirk.
"If you hadn't caused such a big scene, Headquarters might not have noticed me so soon."
Ann's chest tightened; her breath caught. A horrifying suspicion began forming in her mind.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi in her arms rang.
It was the direct line from Naval Headquarters — the call she'd been waiting for.
"Yes! The arrest order from Headquarters!" she said, spirits lifting as she silently scolded herself.
What was I thinking? Headquarters would never cover for such a disgrace!
"Colonel Ann," came the calm voice from the line.
"After review, Headquarters has dismissed all charges against Major General Brian…"
"Dismissed— wait, Major General?!" Ann's eyes widened in shock.
"Effective immediately, Colonel Brian is promoted to Fortress Commander, assigned to garrison the Nasia Kingdom waters."
"Impossible…"
When the call ended, Ann stood there like a soulless statue, eyes blank and unfocused.
All around her, the officers and even Colonel Locke glared at Brian — not just with anger, but with bitter, helpless resentment.
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