Insane?
Everyone stared at the white-haired youth perched on the windowsill, and a collective gasp swept through the room.
Causing trouble all the way to Headquarters, and right inside the Fleet Admiral's office... if that wasn't madness, what was?
"Who are you?"
Admiral Fujitora opened his eyes, revealing only the whites. Through his Observation Haki, the aura emanating from the stranger was no different from that of an ordinary person.
Just a regular human physique. But could an ordinary person catch his Gravity Slash with bare hands?
Impossible. Even more so — the man had sent the attack right back at him, completely unchanged.
"Calling yourself a civilian expert... that's nothing short of ridiculous."
"You don't believe me?" Vladimir sat with legs crossed, looking calmly at the marines surrounding him.
"I know who you are. Your real name is Issho. Before becoming an Admiral, you were just a master swordsman from the countryside. What right do you have to question me?"
Fujitora replied, "Every civilian expert who comes to Headquarters is registered in the roster. I do not recall anyone like you. This World Conscription was organized quickly, but I personally oversaw every procedure. All candidates who made it here passed the initial screening. You, however... appeared out of nowhere."
"I see."
Vladimir laughed. "That's easy to fix. Register me right now. I'm thinking of applying for the title of Fleet Admiral just for fun."
Of course, it was only a joke. He had no interest in having one of his Avatars formally join the Marines.
But hearing this, Fujitora frowned slightly.
"Registering your details is no problem." He turned his head toward Sengoku, even though he could not see him.
Sengoku took a deep breath and snorted. "This is absurd! You wrecked this place, but I'll overlook it for now. If you want to be registered, fine — I'll ask. What is your name?"
"Accelerator."
Sengoku fell silent for a moment, then said, "Your real name."
"I forgot it a long time ago. I only remember my surname was two characters, and my given name was three." Vladimir grinned.
"What does it matter anyway? You're looking for powerful fighters for your conscription, not hosting a social gathering. Do you really need to know everyone's name?"
Veins bulged on Sengoku's forehead. He was furious. If this man hadn't clearly displayed considerable strength, he would have ordered his arrest and imprisonment immediately.
The only reason he held back was the conscription itself. Throwing a candidate in jail would damage the Marines' reputation if word got out.
Sengoku breathed out heavily and waved his hand, dismissing the soldiers who had rushed in.
"Accelerator... state your gender, age, place of birth, preferred combat style, and special abilities."
Vladimir was disappointed that Sengoku hadn't lost his temper.
He had been hoping for a fight. If things had escalated, he could have spread the news that the Marines were using force against civilian candidates.
If the situation got messy enough, the whole conscription might have fallen apart.
Still, Sengoku's restraint was exactly what Vladimir expected. That was always his style — cautious, steady, and patient.
"Male. 16 years old. Born in Academy City. I am a Level 5 Esper. My specialty is Vector Control."
"Academy City?"
"Esper?"
Both Sengoku and Fujitora froze in unison.
"Go investigate where Academy City is yourselves. An Esper means... a person with superhuman abilities. Hahaha. There, does that satisfy you?" Vladimir laughed loudly.
"Is Vector Control the name of the power you used to reflect my attack earlier?" Fujitora asked. "That sounds like a Paramecia-type ability. I will register it as such for now."
"Do whatever you want. It makes no difference. Once I defeat or eliminate every other so-called 'expert' who came to apply, you'll have no choice but to recruit me, right?"
"Try it, if you think you can," Sengoku said sternly. "Guards! Take him to the guest quarters."
A Vice Admiral entered from outside — a tall, curvaceous woman with striking features: Vice Admiral Tsuru? No — it was Momousagi.
"Boy, come with me." She signaled to Vladimir with a look.
Vladimir leaped lightly from the window and followed her. "Miss, if you call me 'darling', I might be in a much better mood."
Momousagi rolled her eyes, too lazy to respond, and led the way in silence.
Once they were gone, Fujitora spoke up. "His origins are unknown, but his power is undoubtedly formidable. Fleet Admiral... what do you propose we do?"
"Leave him be for now. Have Intelligence investigate his identity immediately. Hmph... he might very well be a troublemaker sent by the pirates."
Sengoku paused, then asked, "Have the Warlords arrived yet?"
"Five are already here," Fujitora replied. "Mihawk, Gluttony, Kuma, Jinbe... and Doflamingo just arrived."
"Doflamingo is here too?" Sengoku frowned. "What is he doing here?"
Doflamingo's status was complicated. He was more than just a Warlord.
Outwardly, relations between the Marines and him remained peaceful — at least for now, there was no easy way to deal with him.
But for him to come voluntarily without receiving a summons... Sengoku had a very bad feeling.
Especially now, with Phantom having returned — who knew what kind of chaos might unfold.
"Keep a close eye on him!" Sengoku ordered.
"Assign Kuma to watch him. If he makes any suspicious move, stop him first, then report to me."
"Understood."
Fujitora nodded, while inwardly sighing. The Warlord system was unreliable and should have been abolished long ago.
Though, currently, he did not have the authority to make that happen.
"Hancock and Tianyan haven't arrived yet."
"Send them reminders!" Sengoku said with a headache.
"Both of them are extremely powerful. We need their strength here, just in case!"
"I understand."
Fujitora acknowledged the order, shook his head, and turned to leave.
---
Meanwhile, deep within the Triangle Current, a massive pirate ship was gliding slowly toward the Gates of Justice, carried by the powerful currents.
Standing proudly on the deck was a flamboyant man with heavy makeup.
He pressed his index and middle fingers against the bags under his eyes, a strange smile playing on his lips.
"Captain, what are you looking at that's making you so happy?" a large, stout man shouted.
"Idiot... obviously I'm seeing something very interesting."
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