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A relentless barrage of cannon shells rained down on the island, scorching its entire surface. Flames spread like wildfire, incinerating everything in their path.
"Ohara!"
Dr. Clover stood at the ship's bow, tears streaming down his face. Behind him, the assembled scholars wept silently. This was their homeland, but today it was being reduced to ashes.
A heavy atmosphere hung over the battleship. Crocodile silently puffed on his cigar while Bullet stood with his arms crossed and a grim expression on his face.
"Now isn't the time for mourning!" T. Penn declared. "We're not out of danger yet!"
He stared ahead, his zombie-like face etched with concern. The battleship that had broken away from the fleet was slowly passing in front of them.
Everyone instantly recognized the two towering, muscular figures with an overwhelming presence at the bow of the ship.
"Sengoku the Buddha!"
"Black Arm Zephyr!"
"Let's fight them!"
A flicker of battle intent flashed in Bullet's eyes. But Crocodile swiftly stepped in front of him, shielding him with an arm.
"Don't forget our primary mission," he warned. "These guys aren't out of danger yet."
Bullet's expression froze, then twisted with displeasure. "I truly don't understand why Kojin insists on saving this rabble!"
"You don't grasp their value," Crocodile said, glancing sideways before continuing. "Naturally!
"I don't understand it either!"
"Just follow orders."
"If things go south later, neither of us can shoulder the blame."
Bullet snorted coldly but didn't resist further.
Meanwhile, a thousand meters ahead, aboard the battleship:
Sengoku and Zephyr stood in silence, their gazes fixed on the raging flames surging into the sky and incinerating everything in their path.
The entire island of Ohara had been engulfed by the flames.
"Ohara..." Zephyr sighed softly.
His gaze shifted forward, and his expression hardened slightly. "That ship."
Sengoku lifted his eyes. "They're Kojin's subordinates. Leading them are former Roger Pirates crew members, Douglas Bullet and Crocodile."
He paused.
"Both are formidable figures."
As for the other squad, including T. Penn, Headquarters Intelligence speculates that they have already reached Vice Admiral-level strength.
Hearing this, Zephyr's eyes narrowed slightly. "This is an exceptionally elite squad!"
Sengoku nodded. "Over the past two years, the training intensity at G-18 Fortress has more than doubled, resulting in the emergence of numerous exceptionally strong Marines. Their expenditures on food, training equipment, weapon maintenance, and other resources are five to eight times higher than those of other bases."
"Therefore, we can confidently say that the combat strength of this West Blue branch now rivals that of some Grand Line elite units."
A look of astonishment spread across Zephyr's face.
"Did Headquarters actually approve such exorbitant spending?"
Sengoku's eyes flickered momentarily, but he remained silent.
The approval process had involved his personal influence.
Naturally, Fleet Admiral Kong had also nodded in agreement. After all, they already felt guilty about sending someone of Kojin's caliber, a fighter on par with an Admiral, to serve in the Four Seas.
So, they let him run wild.
After all, the branch's military strength was formidable, and the Marines suffered no ill effects.
Who could have imagined that, two years later, Ohara would meet such a tragic end, forcing an armed conflict with Kojin?
"They've taken the scholars. Should we intervene?" Zephyr asked hesitantly.
The mission's ultimate objective was precisely those scholars, but the sudden appearance of the G-18 Fortress had caught everyone off guard.
"The scholars of Ohara..." Sengoku's expression shifted.
Suddenly, Saul's parting words, spoken shortly before his departure, resurfaced in his mind.
"Are these people truly dangerous?"
"Is there any real evidence of their crime?"
The answer was glaringly obvious.
If such an order came from higher command, he would have dutifully executed it out of professional obligation to eradicate an entire island based on a fabricated historical narrative.
But now...
"The situation has already reached this point. Kojin is standing at the forefront. So, are we still going to attack a group of unarmed civilians?" Sengoku spoke softly.
Zephyr glanced at him but said nothing.
What Sengoku said was true. A scapegoat had already been chosen. Even if their mission went awry, the World Government couldn't blame them.
"We can't let all of Kojin's efforts go to waste!" A faint murmur escaped Sengoku's lips.
A faint smile appeared on Zephyr's face as he nodded gently.
"Besides, our mission this time is..."
At this point, Sengoku's eyes suddenly sharpened.
"That kid!"
Hearing this, Zephyr's gaze hardened as well.
"Then let's see just how much Kojin's strength has improved."
Just then, a Marine officer rushed up to them on the battleship.
"Admiral Sengoku, a message from the World Government! They've ordered you to log and synchronize your combat against Kojin in the upcoming battle."
Both admirals froze at these words, then frowned deeply.
"Do the Five Elder Stars want to observe the entire battle?" Sengoku asked, his face as cold as ice.
"To be precise, they want to assess Kojin's true strength," Zephyr replied thoughtfully.
"A bunch of idle busybodies," Sengoku snorted.
His mood was already foul, and he knew the upcoming battle would be intense. Yet, these meddlers insisted on observing every moment of the fight in real time.
It felt like they were being monitored.
Naturally, this made both Admirals deeply uncomfortable.
Moments later, a junior Marine reported, "The Marines at G-18 Fortress have evacuated, rescuing the Ohara civilians."
Sengoku nodded, and then his eyes flashed as he suddenly asked, "What about the scholars?"
The Marine paused, then replied hesitantly, "We didn't see any scholars."
"They must have perished in the Buster Call's cannon fire," Sengoku said with a faint smile as he nodded. "Good riddance."
The Marine breathed a sigh of relief and turned to leave.
Meanwhile, on the other side:
"They're not attacking us," Eveya said, sighing with relief and patting her chest.
"It seems their target is Kojin," Crocodile observed, his eyes flickering slightly.
"T. Penn!" Bullet suddenly called out.
"Bullet," T. Penn replied, turning to face him.
"Take them back to base," Bullet instructed.
"What about you?" T. Penn asked, startled and confused.
"I'm going to help!" Bullet grinned, his eyes burning with battle intent.
After serving under Kojin for so long without a real fight, he couldn't contain himself in the face of such an opportunity.
T. Penn's body stiffened as he instantly understood Bullet's plan.
"Crocodile?" Bullet turned again.
Crocodile exhaled a plume of smoke, a smile spreading across his face. "Naturally, I wouldn't miss an opportunity like this."
Hesitation flickered across T. Penn's face. He suddenly didn't know what to do. He desperately wanted to help Vice Admiral Kojin, but he had ordered him to protect the lives of these scholars.
"Penn, don't hesitate!" Crocodile said, taking another puff from his cigar. "Bullet and I are best suited for the upcoming battle. Your ideal position is right here!"
He exhaled a plume of smoke and added, "He once said that everyone has their own most suitable place. Just doing one's duty is no small feat!"
T. Penn's body jolted. He lifted his head and nodded solemnly. "I will protect them with my life!"
Crocodile and Bullet exchanged a knowing glance, grinning.
"Put us on the ice ahead!"
The frigid wind howled and drove swirling snowflakes across the icy plain.
Kojin stood tall and resolute on the frozen surface, his muscular torso bare.
Suddenly, his gaze locked forward.
A battleship had silently drifted to a halt against the distant ice bank. Two figures leaped down one after the other. The faint crunch of footsteps slowly approached, as if the wind itself had grown fiercer.
A long moment passed.
"Kid, you've really pulled off something big!" A deep voice rumbled. Zephyr, with his purple buzz cut and powerful build, stepped into view.
"Zephyr-Sensei," Kojin grinned, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Sensei?" Zephyr chuckled, a rare smile breaking through his stern expression. "I must admit, I've taught quite an extraordinary student."
Zephyr's usually stern face softened with a rare smile as he spoke with genuine admiration. Though Kojin was Garp's disciple, he had also been Zephyr's student during his recruitment period.
"Zephyr, this isn't the time for a reunion between master and pupil," Another voice interrupted, heavy with warning.
"Don't forget why we came here," said a deep, stern voice as another figure arrived.
"Admiral Sengoku!" Kojin exclaimed.
"To cause such a major incident... Kojin, are you planning to defect from the Marines?" Sengoku's eyes flashed with fury as he roared.
"I have no intention of defecting," Kojin replied, shaking his head. "I simply wish to uphold the justice in my heart!"
He sighed softly and added, "The little good remaining in my heart compels me to do this. I must act!"
His gaze turned serious and resolute.
"Moreover! West Blue has been my territory for two years now. I will never allow such injustice to occur in an area under my jurisdiction!"
Hearing this, Sengoku fell silent for a moment before letting out a cold laugh.
"Your territory?"
"Do you aspire to become a warlord?"
Kojin narrowed his eyes, leaned forward slightly, and adopted a battle-ready stance.
"If the Marine I belong to fails to uphold true justice and protect what matters most to me..."
"Then..."
"I will personally forge another Marine force... a true Marine force!"
His words rang with unwavering resolve, sending a shock through the two Admirals before him. They could clearly sense the indomitable will behind his words, his determination to carry out his declaration without hesitation.
This kid isn't joking around!
"Your actions may not violate Justice itself," Zephyr said slowly, shaking his head. "But they certainly violate..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
"Our mission here is to arrest you. As for your crimes, they will be determined after your arrest and trial!"
Sengoku's expression turned glacial, and golden light began to shimmer around him.
Zephyr silently moved to a more open position, preparing for battle.
"Looks like, we'll have to settle this with our fists after all!"
Kojin grinned, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of solemnity and grim resolve.
The two Admirals before him were formidable opponents. This was another one-on-two battle, and it promised to be even more challenging than the last.
It might even determine his survival.
(End of Chapter)