Watching the bizarre pirate ships appear one after another on the distant sea, Sengoku could scarcely believe his eyes. His breathing grew heavy, and his fists clenched unconsciously.
The imposing pirate ship, with its rust-brown crocodile-shaped ram, and the figure on its prow—one arm, a golden hook, slicked-back hair, and clad in a mafia-style fur coat—the Shichibukai, Sir Crocodile!
A ghostly pirate ship, shrouded in cobwebs and corrosion, its lifeless hull haunting. Perched atop its broken mast sat a pallid figure, shoulder-bearing a serrated greatsword—the Shichibukai, "Gecko" Moria!
A metal submarine slicing through the waves like a sword from the depths, its hatch lid flung open as a blond youth steps out—muscular, military-clad, radiating fierce, iron-blooded aura—the Shichibukai, "Demon Heir" Douglas Bullet!
A small coffin boat drifting precariously on the sea, seemingly ready to capsize at any moment, its green candle flames flickering. A hawk-eyed youth bearing what appears to be a massive black cross, radiating an aura of unparalleled sharpness... He too is a member of the Shichibukai—the "Hawk Eyes" Dracule Mihawk!
Apart from "The Heavenly Demon" Donquixote Doflamingo, poised to become Vice Commander of the God's Knights, and "Blood Shark" Fisher Tiger, stripped of his title after attacking Mary Geoise, the remaining four of the Shichibukai are all about to arrive at Red Port!
Even if he thought with his ass, Sengoku could figure out that these unruly Seven Warlords of the Sea pirates had accepted the World Government's invitation to witness the ceremony at Mary Geoise!
Damn it!
Sengoku gritted his teeth, his eyes filling with bloodshot veins. He felt his inner rage threatening to boil over. He, an Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, hailed as the "World Government's Ultimate Combat Power," a pillar who had earned countless merits for the government and the Navy—could he really be outmatched by these bastards?
They were merely subjects co-opted by the government, pawns used to contain pirate forces. What gave them the right to receive an invitation to witness the ceremony!?
"Kishishishi... Marines... make way for me, don't get in my way!"
As Sengoku gritted his teeth in fury, the sinister ghost ship had already approached the Marines' security perimeter near Red Port. Gecko Moria, perched atop the weathered mast, emitted a chilling, low chuckle. The serrated greatsword slung over his shoulder flickered with purple arcs of electricity.
A chaotic dance of black shadows propelled the ghostly pirate ship forward, forcing its way recklessly between two warships. The collision nearly capsized both vessels.
"Damn it!"
"Gecko Moria!"
"He didn't even submit an application—just barged right through!"
"I'll make him pay for this!"
"Don't be ridiculous. He's a Shichibukai. He must have received an official invitation from the government to attend the ceremony."
...
A wave of gasps erupted from the warships. Marines stumbled unsteadily across the tilting decks, scattered in disarray. Before the marines could recover, a shadow suddenly flashed overhead.
They instinctively looked up to see a metal submarine erupting from the sea surface. Like a rocket launcher, it soared over the security perimeter before crashing heavily back into the water.
Splashing waves erupted, drenching Marines on three nearby warships. They were left soaked to the bone, looking like bedraggled, drenched chickens.
"Kahahaha! Sorry, Marines, but I don't have the patience to wait for your review."
Douglas Bullet's blonde hair flew wildly as he laughed defiantly.
"If you want to mess with me, you're welcome anytime… Of course, if you're planning to take me on, I'd suggest you go find Daren first!"
Damn it!
The Marines seethed with rage, grinding their teeth.
But at that very moment—
A vast, dark yellow wave suddenly surged across the sea.
"Sables Pesado!"
Accompanied by a low, cold chuckle, a colossal pillar of sandstorm erupted from the ocean surface. It tore through the naval blockade formed by several warships, its raging air currents shredding the defensive line into chaos.
Amidst the chaos, the pirate ship bearing the Desert Crocodile emblem slowly sailed past.
A towering wall of sand twisted and danced behind the one-armed Mafia man, coalescing into the form of a colossal crocodile.
"Get out of the way."
Crocodile lit the cigar clenched between his teeth, his expression cold and indifferent.
The Marines' eyes instantly turned red with rage.
"Bastards!"
"These scum are getting too bold!"
"Let's fight them!"
"Damn it!"
"…"
One Marine commander, flushed crimson with fury, rolled up his sleeves, ready to strike.
But then they met a pair of cold, hawk-like eyes.
Sharp, stern, and utterly indifferent to all life—eyes like a hunting falcon. The piercing intent in that gaze felt like a bucket of cold water dumped over the marines' heads, instantly dousing their rage.
They swallowed hard, watching the coffin-like boat drift slowly across the sea, not daring to breathe a word.
For in that instant of meeting those piercing pupils, they felt as if needles pricked their skin, a prickling dread running down their spines. It felt as though that Hawk Eyes brat could sever them with a single stroke at any moment.
Watching this unfold, Sengoku trembled uncontrollably with rage.
The actions of the Shichibukai hadn't caused significant casualties, so even he, an Admiral, couldn't find a pretext to act.
Most crucially, the inauguration ceremony for the God's Knights' captain was imminent. At such a critical juncture, provoking conflict with a Shichibukai member would ensure that the Five Elders would never support him.
After all, the Marines' standing in the government's eyes was already far from favorable.
"What a terrifying aura… the Five Elders…"
Borsalino muttered under his breath, scratching his head in feigned exasperation.
"They don't seem to be showing you much respect, Admiral Sengoku."
Sengoku: "…"
Borsalino paused before adding:
"If Daren were still here, the Marines wouldn't have to endure this, right?"
Sengoku: "…"
"Borsalino."
"Yes? Admiral Sengoku?"
Sengoku's face darkened to the extreme as he replied expressionlessly:
"Actually, you could have kept quiet."
Borsalino spread his hands in exasperation:
"But as your adjutant, providing you with necessary intelligence and advice is my duty."
Sengoku: "…"
He turned his back to Borsalino and said in a hollow tone:
"Once this inauguration ceremony concludes, I shall recommend your promotion to Admiral."
"You've grown capable. Continuing as my adjutant is no longer fitting."
Borsalino's face fell with regret:
"But how can I accept this? I truly wish to remain by your side and continue learning from you…"
Sengoku replied coolly:
"There's no need. I have nothing left to teach you."
"But…"
"Don't push me to lose my temper."
"Understood, Admiral Sengoku."