Marines passed by Adam in steady streams, some carrying reports, others hauling supplies, a few arguing loudly over logistics. The entire base felt like a machine that never stopped moving.
Amid all of it
Adam walked at a relaxed pace, a folded newspaper in his hand.
He flipped it open as he moved, his eyes scanning the bold headlines printed across the front.
Pirate activity, rising threats.
Chaos in the Grand Line.
His gaze sharpened slightly as he read.
"The Worst Generation continues to stir unrest…"
Names followed.
Eustass Kid.
Basil Hawkins.
Reports of their movements scattered across multiple islands.
Adam flipped the page.
"Revolutionary Army sighted in multiple regions…"
His brow lifted slightly.
"They're getting bold.. Though this is just the start."
Another article caught his attention.
"Blackbeard continues territorial expansion…"
Adam paused for half a second.
His eyes lingered on that line.
"Of course you are…"
He muttered under his breath.
"Growing stronger.."
He turned the page again.
His eyes moved quickly now.
Scanning.
Searching.
Then
He stopped.
"…Nothing."
He exhaled quietly.
"Nothing about Luffy and the Straw Hats…"
A faint smirk appeared.
"Of course."
He folded the edge of the paper slightly.
"There's still a few months left before they come back."
His eyes drifted forward as he walked.
"It'll be interesting…"
"To see him return to the game."
A brief silence followed.
Then his expression shifted.
More serious.
"…Though…"
His grip on the newspaper tightened slightly.
"Could I really raise my sword against him?"
The question lingered.
Adam stopped walking for a moment.
Then shook his head lightly and lowered the newspaper.
"I don't think I can… Marine or not..."
His voice was quiet.
"…I can't get in the way of someone with that kind of will and goal... if anything our goals are similar."
He folded the newspaper and casually tossed it aside into a nearby crate.
"And…"
He continued walking.
"I've got my own problems."
His red eyes hardened slightly.
"I need to get stronger."
A faint smirk returned.
"The New World is no joke."
The bay came into view again.
Ships lined the docks, their sails lowered as crews moved around them preparing for departure or unloading cargo.
Adam's gaze swept across the vessels.
Until it landed on one.
It wasn't a warship.
But it was still large.
A solid Marine vessel, built for travel and transport rather than combat dominance.
"…That must be it."
He walked toward it without hesitation.
A few Marines on the dock glanced at him, recognizing the uniform of a newly promoted Captain.
Some saluted.
Others simply stepped aside.
Adam climbed the gangplank and stepped onto the deck.
And immediately
He frowned.
Chaos.
Absolute chaos.
Marines were arguing loudly near the mast.
Two others were half-heartedly pulling a rope in completely opposite directions.
A group sat near some crates, laughing about something while ignoring everything else.
One Marine was literally lying on his back staring at the sky.
Adam blinked once.
"…Wow."
A couple of them noticed him.
Whispers spread quickly.
"Hey… who's that?"
"New officer?"
"Looks young…"
"Red hair…"
Adam ignored them for now.
He stepped further onto the deck and spoke clearly.
"Alright."
His voice wasn't loud and that was his mistake.
"I assume you're the crew assigned to this ship."
A few heads turned.
Some didn't even bother.
Adam continued.
"My name is Adam.."
He stood straight.
"I'm your new Captain."
Silence.
Then
"…Huh?"
One Marine scratched his head.
Another laughed.
"Captain?"
"No way."
"He looks like he just got out of training."
A few chuckles spread.
Someone muttered,
"Another stuck-up officer…"
Adam's eye twitched slightly.
He waited.
No one lined up, no one saluted, no one took him seriously.
A vein pulsed faintly at his temple.
"…Right."
He muttered under his breath.
"Well…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Vice Admiral Momonga wasn't wrong at least…"
Then
Something shifted.
Adam's eyes suddenly glowed faintly violet.
It was subtle at first, then like something unseen had just stepped onto the deck.
Adam took a single step forward.
"ENOUGH!"
His voice cracked like thunder.
And in that moment
It hit them.
A crushing wave of pressure slammed into every Marine on the ship.
And at that exact moment
A faint translucent screen flickered into existence in front of his eyes.
[SKILL ACTIVATED]
Bloodlust
'Bloodlust allows its user to magically intimidate a target into a state of submission by inducing intense fear into their minds.'
Adam's eyes widened slightly.
"…What?"
But there was no time to process it.
Because the effect had already taken hold.
Their bodies froze, their breathing hitched, their instincts screamed.
Fear.
Pure, overwhelming fear.
One Marine dropped the rope he was holding.
Another stumbled backward.
"W-what is this?!"
"It's… it's like.."
A third Marine's eyes widened in panic.
"Conqueror's Haki?!"
Someone else nearly fell to their knees.
Their hearts pounded violently in their chests.
Their bodies refused to move properly.
It felt like death was standing right in front of them.
Adam stood there calmly.
Eyes glowing. His presence was suffocating them.
Then he spoke.
Slow.
"Listen up."
Every single Marine was now staring at him.
Frozen.
Terrified.
"I'll start over. My name is Adam."
"I am your Captain."
He took another step forward.
"And we are bound for New Marineford."
His gaze swept across them.
Sharp.
"So here's what's going to happen."
His tone dropped slightly.
"You're going to get this ship in order and ready to set sail."
"Right now."
A pause.
Then
"Move."
The pressure vanished instantly.
The Marines gasped.
Air rushed back into their lungs.
"Y-Yes sir!"
"YES SIR!"
They scrambled instantly.
Ropes were grabbed.
Orders were shouted.
The previously chaotic deck transformed within seconds into organized movement.
No hesitation and no complaints.
Just action.
Adam watched them for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…Finally."
He turned and walked toward the base of the mast.
Sitting down casually against it.
His posture relaxed again, as if nothing had happened.
Nearby
A Den Den Mushi rested on a small wooden stand.
Adam barely glanced at it.
Then
Ring. Ring.
The snail's eyes popped open.
Its tiny mouth moved as it mimicked a ringing sound.
Adam blinked.
"…Huh?"
He looked at it more closely.
The ringing continued.
Ring. Ring.
His brows furrowed slightly.
"…Why is this ringing?"
He glanced around the ship.
They were still docked.
Still at G-1.
And this, of all ships
Wasn't exactly important enough to be getting urgent calls.
Adam leaned slightly toward the Den Den Mushi.
His curiosity sharpened.
"…"
/-\
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