At his words, the Marines fell silent.
No one understood better than they did how strong Milenko's pride truly was.
Until—
"Colonel, we'll follow you!" one Marine suddenly shouted.
"We follow the Colonel and fight for justice!" another Marine responded loudly.
One after another, the Marines straightened their backs. Their eyes were filled with determination and fighting spirit. From the moment they had set sail, they had already prepared themselves for death.
"Colonel…"
"Colonel Milenko, you did nothing wrong. The ones at fault are those evil pirates."
Having calmed down from his rage, Luca picked up the long blade that had fallen to the ground and placed it back into Milenko's hands.
"Colonel, the South Blue Branch 32 has never once doubted your justice!"
Hearing that, a complicated light flashed through Milenko's eyes. He tightened his grip on the sword, feeling the trust-filled gazes surrounding him.
Taking a deep breath, he lifted his head and looked firmly at the Marines before him.
"Luca, you're right," Milenko said in a low but powerful voice, pointing his sword toward the pirates bound together. "What we face is not our own mistakes, but the pirates who seek to destroy our homes and trample justice."
"Our anger should be directed at them!"
"The path of justice is always accompanied by sacrifice."
Milenko's tone grew firmer.
"Inherit their will and fight for justice! That is the justice of South Blue Branch 32!"
The speech was powerful.
The cries rising from below, filled with both tears and fiery resolve, proved that Milenko had once again ignited the Marines' fighting spirit. At that moment, even if Whitebeard himself stood before them, they would charge forward without hesitation.
However, Mo Wu seemed somewhat distracted.
Holding the Nichirin Blade in his arms, his hands tightened slightly as he focused intently on the voice sounding in his ear.
The first miracle of the pirate world descended upon him after he killed Hungry Bird.
"Bearing the name of justice, how can one allow evil to run rampant?"
"Punishment of pirates — achieved!"
Ding.
"O warrior of justice."
"Miracle granted: Combat power increased."
"Miracle granted: Skill acquired — Armament Haki Lv.1."
"May you continue toward the next milestone on your path to greatness."
Armament Haki?
Ignoring the surge of strength flowing through his body once again, Mo Wu focused inward.
With the assistance of the Transparent World, he could clearly sense that a mass of pitch-black energy had appeared inside his body.
And… he seemed able to control it at will.
Swish!
Ink-like substance spread across his fist, wrapping around his right arm in an instant.
Yet when Mo Wu saw that the black coating only covered his fist, and that the Armament Haki on his status panel had suddenly advanced to Lv.2, a trace of delight appeared on his face.
He hadn't expected to grasp partial Armament Haki so easily.
Was this basically cheating with the Transparent World?
But just as Mo Wu was immersed in the surprise brought by the Transparent World, a familiar voice came drifting down from the sky.
The voice was low, tinged with faint surprise, and spoken in an unhurried tone.
"Oh my, oh my… it's been a long time since this old man felt such passion. What a remarkable flame."
Such intense emotions.
Such unyielding will.
Perhaps… this was what people called burning justice.
Seemingly thinking of a colleague, the owner of the voice smiled faintly.
"This old man acknowledges your justice."
The familiar tone.
The strange manner of speech.
Realizing something, Mo Wu's expression trembled slightly as he hurriedly looked up into the sky.
He already knew who had arrived.
Sure enough, a tall and slender man hovered in the air, looking down at them with interest. He wore a yellow-and-white suit, a purple tie, and a Justice coat draped over his shoulders.
"What the—?"
"That voice… could it be—"
"It's Vice Admiral Kizaru!"
"Vice Admiral! We admire you!"
The newcomer was incredibly famous. Even though he had only spoken a single sentence from the sky, the Marines instantly recognized him.
Shock filled Milenko's eyes as well.
He had sent Drake for reinforcements, but how had Drake managed to summon a Vice Admiral from headquarters?
And not just any Vice Admiral.
It was Borsalino—the man known as a monster. A man widely believed to be the future Admiral.
A man who had graduated from under Zephyr alongside him.
Pulling lightly at Mo Wu's sleeve, Milenko seemed to have already regarded him as a Marine.
"That's Vice Admiral Kizaru," he whispered. "The future Admiral personally chosen by headquarters."
Mo Wu nodded.
Of course he knew. The legendary Borsalino—who didn't know that name?
But…
Did the body of a Logia Devil Fruit user differ from that of an ordinary human?
His mind sharpened.
A flash of light passed through his eyes as the Transparent World opened once more. Without hesitation, Mo Wu scanned Borsalino's body before quickly shutting the Transparent World again.
But what he saw in that instant—
Was nothing but endless golden light.
"Oh my, oh my… staring at this old man's body like that is rather frightening."
"You almost saw everything."
Appearing directly in front of Mo Wu, Borsalino scratched his head and placed a hand casually on Mo Wu's shoulder, looking down at him with a faint hint of pressure in his eyes.
Unlike when facing Kokushibo, Mo Wu found that his Demon Slayer techniques did nothing here. Perhaps because Borsalino was human, Mo Wu could not sense any aura from him at all.
In fact, his senses detected absolutely nothing.
But that very absence made Mo Wu even more cautious.
Even if the man before him had not yet reached the peak where he would one day kick down Supernovas with ease, he was still terrifyingly powerful.
Looking down at Mo Wu, whose eyes were vigilant and whose hand rested on the scabbard of his sword—
And glancing at Milenko, who was guarding him like a protective hen—
Borsalino sighed helplessly.
He was clearly the one being peeked at, yet somehow it felt like he was the one in the wrong.
"Milenko, is he one of your Marines?"
Swallowing hard, Milenko looked at Borsalino, who had appeared in front of him in a flash of golden light.
The man was faster than he had been eight years ago.
Now Milenko couldn't even see the man's shadow.
Although he didn't know what connection existed between Borsalino and Mo Wu, he would never falter at such a critical moment.
After all, the man beside him had saved his life—and had personally declared he wanted to join the Marines.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Kizaru!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Milenko loudly confirmed Mo Wu's identity.
"Oh my, oh my… Milenko, it's only been eight years since we last met. Why have we become so distant?"
With a teasing smile, Borsalino looked at his old friend, whose expression had grown stiff.
Eight years? I was watching you kick pirates around on a warship just two years ago. You just ignored me.
Milenko complained inwardly but forced a polite smile.
"Vice Admiral, do you know this young man under my command?"
"No."
Then why were you staring at him like that?!
"Then… is there anything else you need, Vice Admiral?"
"Milenko, I received Drake's distress signal and learned it was you. I even came here at the speed of light. And now you're trying to send me away. That really hurts."
I'd feel much safer if you actually left.
Knowing Borsalino's personality well, Milenko simply continued smiling and staring at him.
"How boring. Then this old man will be leaving."
Seeing that neither Milenko nor Mo Wu responded, the completely self-unaware Borsalino yawned.
Before leaving, he cast one final meaningful glance at Mo Wu.
This kid would definitely cross paths with him again someday.
Just now, he had genuinely felt as though the boy had nearly seen through him completely.
If that ability wasn't from a Devil Fruit…
How many people in the world could rival such talent?
Then again, thinking of the chaos spreading through the New World—
Douglas Bullet beginning to rampage after the Roger Pirates disbanded…
Big Mom expanding her empire…
Whitebeard gathering sons everywhere…
And Kaido secretly making moves—
Ever since the Pirate King disappeared, the world had only grown more chaotic.
Thinking about it gave Borsalino a headache.
I just want to slack off.
"The monsters of the sea are becoming more numerous."
After leaving behind that cryptic remark, Borsalino said nothing more.
Under the wary gazes of Mo Wu and Milenko, he transformed into a beam of light and shot into the sky, vanishing without a trace.
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