Enel was silent for a long time before finally sighing,
"Wait for the right moment. One strike—make it count."
Sakazuki nodded.
"Exactly. One decisive blow.
If you're not absolutely prepared, a single mistake could cost everything.
The World Government has stood for eight hundred years.
The Celestial Dragons have ruled for eight centuries, too.
And it's not the Marines that keep them in power.
It's eight centuries of deep-rooted foundations—
And a weapon the world has never seen.
The unknown… that's what's truly terrifying."
Enel nodded in understanding.
Sakazuki said,
"Let's go see those so-called 'adventurers.'"
He placed a hand on Enel's shoulder, and in a flash, they vanished once more.
—
Inside a two-story restaurant, Sakazuki picked a window seat and ordered two frosty beers.
He gestured for Enel to look out at the distant group—the Music Note Pirates.
At their head stood their captain, Blake Swain—an elegant middle-aged man in a tailcoat, violin case in hand.
That violin was both his instrument and his weapon.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out downstairs.
Sakazuki frowned—
And then—
BOOM!
A man came flying out, tumbling with chairs, tables, and spilled drinks.
The beer splashed all over Blake's pristine tailcoat, soaking it with fresh stains.
For a moment, the Music Note Pirates froze—
Then they all burst into laughter.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
"Looks like you're popular, Captain!"
"First thing after landing, someone already buys you a drink!"
"Hahaha!"
Blake just shook his head with a wry smile, brushing himself off.
He didn't lose his temper. His gentlemanly composure won him the crowd's goodwill.
A warm soul, people thought.
A true gentleman.
Ignoring the brawlers, Blake led his crew into the bar across the street.
Only then did Sakazuki ask,
"What do you think of him?"
Enel considered it.
"He doesn't seem like a bad person.
Everything he's done stands on the side of justice.
He's not cruel, doesn't bully the weak.
With his aura, he could've finished those two off in a heartbeat if he wanted.
No… he's not a bad guy."
He looked to Sakazuki for confirmation.
Sakazuki nodded.
"You're right. He isn't a bad person.
He's even saved two villages from pirate raids.
Never killed a Marine.
No record of hurting civilians.
By all accounts, he's an adventurer, through and through.
But—"
His voice turned cold.
"I want you to kill them."
Enel's brow furrowed.
"Why?"
He could kill the truly wicked without mercy.
But these so-called adventurers… good people, really…
Sakazuki met his eyes, expressionless.
"That's an order."
Enel's face darkened.
After a long pause, he nodded.
"I understand."
He stripped off his cloak, revealing his crisp white uniform.
CRACK!
Thunder exploded overhead, making everyone nearby dizzy and disoriented.
Sakazuki watched Enel's little act of protest and just shook his head with a faint smile.
Inside the bar, Enel stared at the Music Note Pirates, his expression grim.
"Are you ready to die?"
The crew burst out laughing.
Some even stepped forward, ready to joke around with him.
But Enel's fists clenched. Facing people like these—adventurers, not villains—he just couldn't summon up the will to kill.
Run. Please, just run!
Sparks of lightning began to crackle wildly around his body.
Blake's expression shifted; he sensed something dangerous in Enel's presence.
He called his crewmates to order, his voice serious:
"We're leaving."
The crew froze, startled by their captain's sudden gravity.
But they trusted him, and quickly followed Blake out the door.
Enel stood rooted to the spot, relief flooding through him.
Just this once… I'll disobey Uncle's orders.
But then—
Great Eruption!
BOOM!!!
A deafening roar shook the bar as a wave of scorching heat surged inside.
Enel spun around in shock, staring at the shattered door.
On the street, a pool of magma was spreading—
And the Music Note Pirates who'd just left were already gone.
Dead.
Enel transformed into lightning and shot back up to the restaurant's second floor, glaring furiously at Sakazuki.
"Why?!"
Sakazuki barely glanced at him, eyes fixed on the distant harbor.
"There are still three left on the ship.
I'm giving you ten seconds. Finish them."
Enel roared,
"I won't do it!"
Sakazuki stood, raised his finger, and aimed at the Music Note Pirates' ship.
Whoosh—
A streak of molten magma shot toward the vessel.
Enel became lightning, racing to intercept.
He made it in front of the attack—
But Sakazuki's Magma Finger Gun was far beyond what Enel could handle.
The magma blast carried Enel straight into the ship.
BOOM!
A mass of magma erupted, swallowing the ship whole.
From the sinking lava, a giant hand of magma tossed Enel aside.
Sakazuki was already waiting on the shore.
He caught the badly burned Enel, who struggled and thrashed in his grip.
With a single step, Sakazuki leapt away, carrying Enel to who-knows-where…
—
Windflower Island, Nos Town.
Sakazuki dragged a sulking Enel into a shop and changed into civilian clothes.
The streets were alive with laughter and joy.
Sakazuki led Enel from one end of town to the other.
Even though the Music Note Pirates had left three months ago,
People still talked about them with fondness.
That gentleman captain—warm-hearted Blake.
The hero who saved them.
Now and then, children dashed by, shouting, "I'm Captain Blake!"
Waving little paper violins in the air.
They watched the peaceful town for a long time.
Finally, Sakazuki asked,
"See anything?"
Enel's voice was low.
"I see it.
They're all heroes."
He looked up, meeting Sakazuki's eyes.
Sakazuki wasn't surprised.
"That's right. They are heroes.
They saved this town.
Look at this peace—they protected it.
But…
They're heroes.
What does that make us?"
Enel was struck speechless, as if hit by lightning.
Sakazuki walked over to a shop, bought a few ice creams, and waved at the children playing nearby.
He handed out the treats.
"What game are you playing?"
The kids, delighted by the ice cream, all started talking at once:
"It's make-believe!"
"I'm Captain Blake!"
"No, I am!"
"I am! I am!"
Smiling at their bickering, Sakazuki asked,
"Who's Blake?"
The children answered,
"He's a pirate!"
"A super awesome one!"
"When I grow up, I want to be a hero like him!"
"Take this!"
They dashed away, carefree and laughing.
Sakazuki turned to Enel.
"Do you know why I ordered you to kill them?"
Enel struggled to answer.
"Because… they're pirates."
Sakazuki nodded.
"That's right. Because they're pirates.
When pirates become heroes,
They plant seeds in the hearts of these children—
Blind worship, adoration.
Maybe some of them will grow up to be pirates too.
But who can guarantee they'll all be good people?
What if this island has Marines—soldiers who risk their lives for the world?
While they're out at sea, fighting and dying for others,
The children back home are all dreaming of becoming pirates.
Imagine: a battle-scarred veteran returns home, missing an arm, medals on his chest—
But instead of pride, he's greeted by kids on the street shouting about becoming pirates.
How cruel.
How hopeless…"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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