The new branch headquarters.
Inside the Branch Commander's office, Sean sat in deep thought, staring at the two swords resting on his desk.
One was Hekireki, the blade he currently wielded. The other was one of the four blades he had forged—one that could be classified as an Asauchi.
Of the four, this particular one was the lowest in quality. It didn't resonate with Sean, and he had no desire to use it. Based on his experience, it was, at best, a Zanpakutō suitable for a Seated Officer.
As for giving it to someone else, the time wasn't right. He couldn't hand over such a weapon until he was certain of a subordinate's absolute loyalty, or unless the recipient was someone like Gion, who he knew would never betray him.
Beyond the issue of secrecy, there was the matter of capability. For those native to the world of pirates to use a Zanpakutō—as seen in Gion's case—it required not only physical stamina but also Haki.
Based on how the system automatically converted his Haki training into Reiryoku experience, it was clear that, from the system's perspective, Spirit Power and Haki were interchangeable to some extent. This principle extended to the items the system created... such as Zanpakutō.
At least, that was the case when it came to activating their powers.
Currently, not a single person in the 16th Branch could use Haki, with the exception of Instructor Sanders. Clearly, even if Sean could cultivate a group of loyalists right now, they would be utterly unable to utilize a Zanpakutō.
In Sean's original plan, he intended to form an elite Pirate Guerilla Force and then select a small group of die-hard loyalists from within them to create a core team based on a specialized Zanpakutō system.
But that plan would have to wait.
'Knock, knock, knock...'
"Come in!" Sean called out. As the door opened and Lucci stepped inside, Sean asked, "Lucci, what is it?"
"Commodore, the defense perimeter has reported a ship southeast of the fortress. Two warships are currently pursuing it and firing cannons."
"Hmm? What's the situation?" Sean frowned slightly.
He was certain that neither the pursuers nor the fugitives were typical pirates. If they were, Lucci wouldn't have wasted precious time reporting to him; he would have simply intercepted and captured the pirates himself. Furthermore, no pirate would be bold enough to cause trouble right on the doorstep of a Marine branch fortress.
After the incidents involving the Black Cat Pirates and Don Krieg, the pirates of the East Blue would turn and flee the moment they spotted the flag of the 16th Branch.
"According to the report, the identity of the fleeing ship is unknown, but they are not flying a pirate flag," Lucci explained. "However, the pursuing ships are flying the colors of the Seven Warlords' subordinate, Doflamingo!"
'So that's it.' No wonder Lucci had come to report it.
The Seven Warlords were technically affiliated with the World Government—at least on the surface. However, Doflamingo's base was in the New World. What was he doing causing trouble in the East Blue?
Regardless, anyone being hunted by Doflamingo was bound to be someone of significance. Moreover, this was the East Blue—Sean's territory. Doflamingo might be a Seven Warlord, but at his core, he was still a pirate, and a particularly vicious one at that.
Sean wasn't about to let him act wild at his front door.
"Lucci, mobilize the Marines. Launch the warships and save those people!"
"Commodore, the Seven Warlords are under the jurisdiction of the World Government. Is it appropriate for us to intervene?"
"Lucci, the Seven Warlords do have a legal right to plunder, but if that plundering happens right in front of the Marines, we are well within our rights to stop it. The only difference is that we cannot arrest a Warlord after stopping them."
Lucci considered this and realized it was true. In fact, it was an unspoken agreement among all parties not to plunder in the direct presence of the Marine. Otherwise, would the Marine just stand by and do nothing if someone plundered right outside Marineford?
However, Lucci didn't know that Sean had another motive.
If a Seven Warlord attacked a Marine, it would be a severe violation of the Warlord agreement. In such a case, it would be entirely legal for the Marine to arrest or even kill the Warlord or their subordinates.
And that was exactly what Sean was aiming for.
Regardless of who was on that ship, if Doflamingo had chased them all the way to the East Blue, they must be incredibly important to him. Given the arrogance of Doflamingo and his crew, would they simply drop the matter after being blocked by a mere East Blue branch?
Absolutely not.
Most likely, they would lash out at the Marines who dared to obstruct them. After all, Doflamingo—clinging to the secret of the Celestial Dragons—was arrogant enough to treat the Marine with utter contempt.
"Go prepare. Launch the fleet at maximum speed. Simultaneously, order the Marines on the defense wall: if the enemy enters range, they are to fire warning shots to halt the pursuit!"
"Yes, Commodore!"
'''
Southeast of the 16th Branch fortress, approximately two nautical miles out.
A sailing ship was fleeing for its life. Less than a mile behind it, two warships were in hot pursuit, relentlessly firing cannonballs.
Fortunately, in this era, artillery was still in the stage of muzzle-loading smoothbore cannons. Aside from massive warships or fortress guns, the effective accurate range of a standard cannon was roughly 300 meters at most.
At a distance of over a kilometer, hitting a target was nearly impossible unless one had astronomical luck. The pursuing pirates knew this; the shelling was primarily intended to intimidate the fugitives and exert psychological pressure, forcing them to stop. If they happened to land a lucky shot, it was simply a bonus.
Suddenly, the fleeing ship began to pivot, carving a wide arc across the ocean and heading straight for the 16th Branch fortress.
If the 16th Branch shut them out because the pursuers were affiliates of a Seven Warlord, they would undoubtedly be overtaken. But if the 16th Branch intervened, they might just be saved.
It was a desperate gamble. But since they would be caught eventually, they decided to bet everything on the Marine fortress nearby.
"Captain, do you think the Marines in the fortress will help us?"
"I don't know. But you've seen the newspapers. Based on his identity, strength, and attitude toward pirates, that Commodore Sean isn't the type to let Doflamingo have his way—especially not on his own doorstep."
"I hope you're right..."
Despite the captain's words, the other man remained anxious. Throughout their flight, they had pleaded for help from several Marine units, but almost every single one had refused.
Even those who hadn't flatly refused had either been crushed by Doflamingo's men, or had simply played along, promising protection while secretly acting as informants for him.
To him, the Marines were simply untrustworthy.
Suddenly, a series of searchlights atop the fortress walls snapped on, their beams cutting through the dark to lock onto their sailing ship and the two Doflamingo Family warships following behind.
A Marine's voice then boomed through the loudspeakers.
"Warning! This is the Marine 16th Branch. Warships of the Donquixote Family, cease your shelling immediately and withdraw beyond ten miles of this base!"
"Repeating..."