Chapter 97: The Test of Fire
The seas surrounding Marine Base G-8 had become crowded with pirate ships. Ever since the news broke that Admiral White Dragon was stationed here, ambitious crews from across the New World had gathered like sharks smelling blood in the water. They all shared the same foolish dream: to take down the youngest Admiral in history and prove he was nothing but hype.
"Wait... is that the flag of the Beasts Pirates?"
A massive pirate vessel emerged from the center of the gathered fleet, its dark sails billowing as it cut through the water. The ship dwarfed every other vessel present, and the moment the other pirates saw the distinctive flag bearing Kaido's mark, their bravado evaporated.
These were small-time crews. None of them had the guts to challenge one of the Four Emperors.
"That's Ember! The Wildfire!" someone shouted, their voice cracking with fear. "He's one of the Three All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates!"
The figure standing at the bow was unmistakable. Tall, dark, and wrapped in black leather with flames dancing behind his head, Ember was Kaido's right-hand man. For pirates of their caliber, even seeing him was a death sentence.
"Lord Ember is going after that fake Admiral himself? This is going to be good. He'll expose that Marine brat for the fraud he is."
The whispers spread through the fleet as the watching pirates settled in to witness what they assumed would be a one-sided slaughter.
Inside G-8, the lookouts spotted the approaching ship immediately. When they identified the flag, every Marine at the port straightened their backs and reached for their weapons.
Since Satoru's promotion to Admiral, they had dealt with constant harassment from pirate crews. But those had been weak nobodies that the base could handle even without their commander. This was different.
This was a ship bearing the mark of Kaido of the Beasts.
The last time Kaido himself had shown up, he had nearly destroyed their entire base. The memory of that chaotic battle was still fresh in their minds.
"Admiral! The Beasts Pirates are approaching!" a Marine shouted into the Den Den Mushi.
In his office, Satoru leaned back in his chair and let out a short laugh.
"So the first real test comes from Kaido's crew, huh? That drunk idiot really doesn't learn."
He stood up, adjusting his Marine coat. A smile played across his lips, but there was no warmth in it. Only cold amusement and a hint of disdain.
Kaido had fought him before. The Emperor knew exactly how strong he was. Yet here he was, sending one of his top commanders to "test" him anyway. Either Kaido had a short memory, or he was just that stubborn.
What Satoru didn't know was that Ember had come on his own initiative. Ever since Kaido had returned from G-8 and admitted that the White Dragon Admiral was no easy opponent, Ember had been bothered by it. He couldn't accept that his captain had acknowledged a twelve-year-old Marine. Now that Satoru was back at G-8, Ember wanted to test the kid himself and prove to Kaido that he could handle what his captain could not.
In the next instant, Satoru vanished from his office.
He reappeared at the port, materializing in the middle of his assembled Marines. They didn't even flinch. After a full year of serving under him, they had grown used to their Admiral's habit of teleporting around the base.
Satoru looked out at the approaching ship, his pale blue eyes narrowing behind the white hair that fell across his forehead.
"Kaido's second-in-command. I can't tell if he's overestimating me or underestimating me."
On one hand, Ember was the strongest subordinate in the Beasts Pirates, second only to Kaido himself in both strength and authority. On the other hand, he wasn't Kaido. And that fact annoyed Satoru more than he wanted to admit.
A year ago, Kaido had overpowered him. That humiliation still burned in his chest. One day, he would return the favor. One day, he would pin that drunken beast to the ground and grind his boot into Kaido's face the same way he had done to White Fox.
"Admiral White Dragon! Come out and die!"
Ember's voice carried across the water, dark and mocking.
A massive slash of sword energy erupted from his blade, tearing through the ocean and splitting the sea itself. The attack raced toward G-8 with enough force to level the entire base.
Before Satoru could move, a figure stepped forward.
Cullom drew her sword in one smooth motion and met the attack head-on. Her blade flashed, and the devastating slash shattered into harmless sparks of energy that faded into the air.
She was a swordswoman who had spent the last year training relentlessly. Under Satoru's guidance, she had pushed herself to the very edge of becoming a Great Swordsman. Deflecting an attack like that was well within her ability now.
"Sir," Cullom said without turning around, her eyes locked on Ember's distant figure. "Let me fight him."
Her voice was calm, but her body radiated fierce determination. The aura of her swordsmanship rolled off her in waves.
Satoru studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Thank you, sir."
Without hesitation, Cullom kicked off the ground and launched herself into the air using Moonwalk. She flew toward the Beasts Pirates' ship, her coat billowing behind her.
Ember watched her approach, and for just a moment, surprise flickered across his masked face. He hadn't expected a woman to answer his challenge.
The other pirates watching from their ships leaned forward. This was it. They would finally see what kind of strength the White Dragon's forces possessed.
"Sir, can Cullom really win against him?"
Claire, one of Satoru's trusted officers, stepped up beside him. Her voice was tight with worry as she watched Cullom's shrinking form.
"No," Satoru said bluntly.
Claire's head snapped toward him, eyes wide.
"Ember is strong. Very strong," Satoru continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "He's from a special race with physical abilities far beyond normal humans. His swordsmanship is near the level of a Great Swordsman. And on top of that, he has a powerful Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit."
He paused, crossing his arms.
"Right now, Cullom isn't his equal. If she manages to fully step into the realm of a Great Swordsman, then maybe she could fight him on even ground. But even then, winning would be difficult."
"Then why...?" Claire's voice shook. "Why did you send her out there if she can't win?"
Satoru glanced at her, and his usual playful smile returned.
"Relax. I'm right here. I won't let her die."
He turned his gaze back to the battlefield.
"Besides, things have been too easy lately. The enemies who show up are nothing but trash."
His eyes flicked toward the dozens of pirate ships lurking at the edges of the area, and his expression turned cold with contempt.
"If Cullom wants to grow stronger, she needs real pressure. She needs to fight someone who can actually push her to her limits. That's the only way forward."
Claire bit her lip but said nothing. She understood the logic, but that didn't make watching any easier.
Out on the water, Cullom landed on the deck of Ember's ship, her hand already on the hilt of her blade.
Ember stared down at her, flames crackling behind his head.
"You're brave, Marine. Or just foolish."
Cullom's eyes were steady.
"I'm neither. I'm just strong enough to cut you down."
Ember's laugh was low and dangerous.
"Then show me."
(End of Chapter)
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