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"Bang!"
The heavy crack of a fist slamming into a desk echoed through the office. Sengoku's face had gone dark.
He'd never imagined that after so many years in the Navy, Jaguar D. Saul would actually defect.
But orders from the World Government didn't care about personal feelings. The mission would proceed—no matter what.
"Kuzan. Sakazuki."
After a brief pause, Sengoku looked at the two men standing before him. He was about to assign their roles when a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
"…Call Borsalino as well."
Kuzan's eyes flickered, a faint crease forming between his brows. Beside him, Sakazuki remained stone-faced as ever.
It didn't take long before Borsalino strolled in. The moment he sensed the suffocating tension in the room, he let out a lazy chuckle.
"Well now… this feels serious. What happened?"
Sengoku lifted his head. "You've been summoned for a top-secret operation."
Borsalino's expression twitched slightly. "Ah… I really don't feel like taking on a 'top-secret' job."
Unfortunately for him, this wasn't a request. Sengoku wasted no time outlining the essentials of the mission and laying out their objectives.
"The West Blue. Ohara."
Borsalino muttered the name under his breath, helplessness creeping into his tone.
"…Isn't that where that guy is stationed?"
Kuzan nodded. "More than that. Ohara's his hometown."
"Well now," Borsalino sighed, looking genuinely unsettled. "That's a real headache."
"Stop looking terrified just because you thought of Kyle!" Sengoku snapped. "Don't forget who you are. He's a Marine too."
"This is a highest-level classified mission. Even if he stood right in front of me, there would be no room for objection."
His voice was firm—but the frustration beneath it was obvious.
He knew full well how highly the Navy regarded Kyle. He also knew the gap between the three men before him and that "monster." And beyond rank and power, there were bonds—real ones.
Borsalino forced a smile. "Hypothetically speaking… if Kyle ends up standing in our way, what exactly are we supposed to do?"
If it wasn't absolutely unavoidable, he had zero interest in fighting that freak of nature.
"Don't ask childish questions," Sakazuki said coldly. "Know your place."
"Even that man—if he interferes with Headquarters' mission—won't walk away unscathed."
Sengoku frowned, studying the three of them. He didn't add anything else. But he could feel it.
On the eve of the Buster Call, morale among those tasked with carrying it out was… fragile.
After they left, a staff officer quietly asked, "Should we notify the West Blue G-18 Branch about Vice Admiral Kyle's involvement?"
Sengoku shot him a glare. "You think this situation isn't complicated enough?"
He sat back down, flipping through the Ohara files spread across his desk. The more he read, the more restless he felt.
A Buster Call… on a group of defenseless scholars.
This would be the first time in history.
Even Sengoku couldn't shake the feeling that it was cruel.
But orders were orders.
A moment later, the office door opened.
"Zephyr?"
Sengoku looked up in surprise at the tall figure who entered.
Zephyr's voice was low. "Fleet Admiral Kong sent me."
Kong.
Sengoku froze for a split second—then understood.
"…For that brat?"
Zephyr gave a silent nod.
Five Vice Admirals would initiate the Buster Call. Two Admirals would remain on standby, ready to move at a moment's notice.
That was the Navy's stance toward Ohara.
And the stance of the highest authorities in the World Government.
"Kyle…"
Sengoku's fingers slowly tightened into a fist.
"I hope you make the right choice."
"Otherwise…"
—
West Blue, G-18 Base.
Hurried footsteps pounded across the stone courtyard before a young officer burst in.
"Vice Admiral, there's a letter for you."
Kyle looked up, puzzled. "For me?"
"It's from Vice Admiral Saul at Headquarters."
The name alone made Kyle's expression sharpen.
Saul.
He waved the officer away and tore open the envelope.
The handwriting was messy, rushed. There weren't many words—but each one weighed heavily.
My best friend, Kyle.
Forgive my recklessness. You might be the only one who can help me.
Headquarters plans to launch a Buster Call on Ohara.
…
It was a plea for help.
Saul briefly explained his stance, the pain of choosing to defect, his confusion about justice—and, most importantly, the impending destruction hanging over Ohara.
He asked Kyle to save the innocent scholars if he could.
The letter trembled slightly in Kyle's hand. His face turned grave.
The next second, a faint spark of lightning flickered across his fingers.
The paper ignited—reduced to ash.
Then he vanished.
When he reappeared, he was standing before Rouge and Ace.
"Ace."
"Want to go on a trip?"
The boy's eyes lit up instantly, practically bouncing in excitement. Rouge, on the other hand, paled. She understood at once.
Half an hour later, Evans led the Rokushiki squad aboard a small warship and quietly departed the fortress, heading east.
At the same time, alarm lights began flashing across the base. Sirens wailed, shrill and urgent.
Marines poured out, forming ranks with tense, serious faces as they awaited their commander.
"Douglas Bullet!"
"Crocodile!"
"Old T!"
"All hands, assemble!"
Kyle stood high above them, his voice booming like thunder.
A young officer ran up to him, pale. "Vice Admiral, what's happening?"
Kyle grinned.
"We're going to carry out a mission."
"A mission to protect the bottom line of justice in our hearts."
His smile was easy—but his eyes were ice-cold.
Warships surged from the harbor one after another, cutting through the sea toward Ohara.
When the details finally sank in, the officer's face drained of color. Her whole body trembled.
Meanwhile, Kyle lifted the Den Den Mushi receiver.
"Teacher. I might need you to look after Ace for a while."
On the other end, Monkey D. Garp sat by the shore of Foosha Village, letting the sea breeze ruffle his hair.
He didn't sound particularly surprised.
"If you've made your choice, then don't look back."
"Kid… I'm proud of you."
"You're always doing the things I want to do—but can't."
"You've got more guts than I do."
"Whether you're right or wrong… let the future decide."
The call ended quickly.
A smile tugged at Kyle's lips.
The sea wind swept across his face. For the first time in a long while, his heart felt light. A long-forgotten heat stirred in his chest.
Because he knew exactly who his enemy would be next.
The world itself.
—
Marine Headquarters.
"Latest report! Vice Admiral Kyle has departed G-18 Base!"
"His heading is Ohara!!"
The trembling voice snapped Sengoku's attention. His fist clenched—then slowly loosened.
Minutes later, a voice rang out across the port, half thrilled, half afraid.
"'Buddha' Sengoku!"
"'Black Arm' Zephyr!"
"The two Admirals are moving out!!"
"..."
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