"Bahahahaha! King Neptune, how heroic you are..." Vander Decken IX mocked, clapping sarcastically beside the Regional Justice Faction Marines.
But neither the Sea God Neptune nor the Regional Justice Faction paid any attention to the clown.
Apart from Admiral-level leader Ryokugyu, the remaining Regional Justice Faction members were all elite Marine officers.
Most had been covertly inserted into the Marines during the World Military Draft by the World Government.
After years within the Marines, many former Regional Justice Faction members had since abandoned their ideology.
Thus, these were essentially the last—and strongest—remnants of the faction.
"King Neptune, although we despise lowly fish-men and merfolk like you, your existence does hold some value beyond being trampled beneath our feet."
"That's right. Hand over your Princess Shirahoshi, and we won't do anything to the Ryugu Kingdom or Fish-Man Island... We're in a hurry to return to Mary Geoise to report anyway."
The two speakers were the strongest subordinates under Ryokugyu, both possessing combat prowess at least at elite vice admiral level.
Faced with Neptune, the Sea God, their power was overwhelmingly superior.
"Aren't you supposed to be Marines? Why would you do such things?!" Queen Otohime stepped forward, shielding her husband, her eyes still shining with unwavering compassion and determination—brilliant to the point of being dazzling.
"Oppressing civilians, threatening the Ryugu Kingdom—you're nothing but scum!"
"Hahahaha! You're absolutely right. We are indeed the scum of the Marines. So what?"
"So you're the famous Queen Otohime? Geeheehee, what a saintly woman! I do hope you'll still look at us like that when I tear your clothes off and have my way with you in front of your husband!"
The vile words exchanged between the two leaders drew raucous laughter from the surrounding Regional Justice Faction, leaving not a trace of the dignity expected from a force of justice.
After being expelled from the Marines, these men—who were already more despicable than the worst pirates—had naturally cast aside all restraint.
Their depravity surpassed even their former selves.
Even Queen Otohime, whose saintly compassion was near legendary, now regarded these wretches with anger and contempt.
And such a gaze only further incited their cruelty.
"If you wish to avoid the worst outcome, you'd better hand over Princess Shirahoshi obediently... We can guarantee Fish-Man Island won't suffer further losses, and the princess herself won't be harmed."
"Indeed, according to our superiors' instructions, not only will Princess Shirahoshi be unharmed, she'll even become one of the most exalted Celestial Dragons—her status potentially surpassing even the Five Elders! You lowly creatures have really hit the jackpot this time!"
Vander Decken IX, who had been basking in borrowed authority nearby, maintained a twisted grin—until suddenly, he sensed something strange...
The surrounding temperature...
Seemed to have risen noticeably.
He glanced around but found nothing amiss.
Just as the Regional Justice Faction prepared to resort to force, Vander Decken IX abruptly looked up.
An angel wreathed in pale blue flames had silently arrived.
In that instant, Vander Decken IX locked eyes with the being hovering midair.
The next moment, the figure flashed a smile—one of apparent kindness that concealed sheer brutality.
"Now, I must correct your mistake."
"You're no longer Marines. That means you're nothing but stray dogs abandoned by everyone. Even if I beheaded every last one of you here as a public warning, the World Government wouldn't so much as fart in protest—they might even praise me for a job well done..."
"But who am I? I'm Michael—the most merciful, the most compassionate, the most considerate of comrades... So as the former Grand Inspector of the Marines, I think public beheadings are far too gruesome. Wouldn't want to scare the children, now would we?"
"Reducing you all to ashes is definitely a good choice... just like when I incinerated those Regional Justice Faction members on Fishman Island years ago."
Michael's appearance completely eased the tension in Queen Otohime and Neptune's hearts.
Their savior had arrived!
Meanwhile, the members of the Regional Justice Faction looked up at the angel with six Wings of varying sizes hovering mid-air, their faces instantly drained of all color.
'Why!?'
'Why was he here!'
'Shouldn't he be discussing potential cooperation between the Marine and the Revolutionary Army with their leader at this moment?'
'Then when the Fishman Island incident broke out, with their smear campaign, the N.E.W Marine's reputation would plummet, forcing the cooperation to collapse, plunging the seas back into a state of mutual opposition between multiple factions!'
So why was he here, staring at them with that terrifying smile!?
Was the Revolutionary Army's meeting efficiency really this high!?
"Michael! Don't celebrate too soon! When Ryokugyu arrives, a pretender like you will face nothing but defeat!"
"Oh really? Don't you feel guilty saying that?" Michael raised an eyebrow, his sarcasm palpable.
"Wow, I'm so scared of Ryokugyu... I'm terrified he might accidentally die at the hands of my subordinates today."
"What!?"
"But don't worry, whatever Ryokugyu's fate may be, that's his own doing." Michael spread his hands as pale blue Judgment Flame slowly descended.
"What I can confirm is that today... you will face my Judgment."
The moment Michael finished speaking, the pale blue Judgment Flame suddenly erupted and scattered across the sky, shooting toward the Regional Justice Faction members.
In an instant, it spread to every one of them.
The Marine uniforms they still wore were the first to turn to ashes.
This was intentional on Michael's part—controlled by his Judgment Flame.
They were no longer Marine, nor did they deserve to wear its uniform.
Those obsessed with doing the World Government and Celestial Dragons' dirty work while deluding themselves into becoming Celestial Dragons—were they really any different?
A single spark can start a prairie fire.
The scattered Judgment Flame expanded across their bodies in an instant.
The speed was so fast that even those with Armament Haki couldn't muster their defenses in time.
The next moment, the Regional Justice Faction members who had been arrogantly taunting Neptune and Queen Otohime were reduced to dust.
Yet, for some reason, the royal couple faintly heard faint, agonized wails in the air.
As if these souls were condemned to eternal torment within the Judgment Flame!
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