The moment Michael appeared, Sakazuki was already on deck.
So without hesitation, he abandoned the warship and went straight after him.
Meanwhile, the others, under Aokiji's command, stayed behind to halt the ship.
By the time Sakazuki arrived, over a minute had already passed before the rest hurriedly caught up.
Michael and Sakazuki now stood facing each other, still unmoving.
Michael's face still wore that gentle smile, as if nothing had happened at all.
Once all the actors had arrived on stage, Michael continued smiling as he said,
"Yo, Kuzan, the last time we met was on Enies Lobby, wasn't it?"
"That's right. Our duties rarely overlap, so chances to meet are really few and far between." Kuzan nodded with a blank expression. "So, how about coming back to Marine Headquarters with me to talk this through? I'm sure there must be some kind of misunderstanding or reason behind all this..."
"Misunderstanding? Reason?" Michael squinted, tilting his head slightly. His smile remained gentle, but the words that came out carried a faint trace of malice.
"Kuzan, Kuzan... you're quite a bit older than me. How can you still be so naive? There's no misunderstanding, and there's no reason to excuse it. I'm a Marine, yes—but I'm also one of the founders of the Revolutionary Army, serving as its Chief of Staff... Any other naive questions you want to ask? Better do it now, because once we move on to the next part, I won't bother answering."
As soon as Michael finished speaking, everyone's faces darkened—Kuzan's most of all.
The color drained from their faces, turning cold and hard.
They had only wanted confirmation...
But this guy, Michael, just outright admitted it!
He didn't even bother to act anymore!
Those in the know—Garp, Issho, Stella, Crocodile, Hawk Eyes, and Enel—had to force themselves to look angry and shocked, carefully adjusting their expressions so they wouldn't—burst out laughing.
As for Gion, who had vaguely guessed what Michael was doing, confusion and anger still lingered between her brows, but deep in her eyes was something else—worry.
Out of everyone present, the one who reacted the most strongly was Tokikake.
"Michael! What the hell are you talking about!?"
"Tokikake-san, it's exactly as I said... I'm a Marine, and I'm also a Revolutionary."
"Why would you do something like this...?"
Ignoring everyone's attempts to hold him back, Tokikake stormed forward. He even brushed aside Sakazuki's restraining hand.
He stopped right in front of Michael, grabbing him by the collar.
"Tell me! Didn't we promise to become the greatest Marines together!?"
"And I've kept that promise," Michael said, easily prying Tokikake's hand away with strength the man couldn't resist. "No matter how you look at it, I am the greatest Marine of our time. In both power and achievement—besides the older Fleet Admirals and the Marine Hero—who among the three Admirals could even stand on equal ground with me?"
When Michael finished, Tokikake opened his mouth but found himself speechless.
He was right.
Whether as a Vice Admiral, the head of the Secret Special Force SWORD, or as Chief Inspector, Michael was exceptional beyond measure.
No—calling him "exceptional" was an insult.
Everything he had accomplished was truly unprecedented.
He'd nearly eradicated human trafficking and the hollow slave trade system.
He'd negotiated and founded the renowned "Fish-Man Island and the Gateway to the New World" with the Whitebeard Pirates.
He'd presided over the creation of the Shichibukai system, further dividing the pirate world.
And most of all—
Through the Marine Grand Studies initiative, he spread new ideals and military discipline throughout the Marines, leading them step by step back toward becoming a force of true justice.
Not to mention...
He had recruited and cultivated countless young prodigies!
The others might have been thinking the same thing and cast subtle glances at Stella and the others.
But when they saw that those faces mirrored their own conflicted expressions, they relaxed.
After all, Michael wouldn't tell such things to people he had only recently recruited... right?
"But still..."
"No 'buts,' and no need for explanations." Michael shook his head, then, with blinding speed, struck out with a sudden side kick.
Even though Tokikake barely managed to block, he was sent flying back into the formation of Vice Admirals.
"Well then," Michael clapped his hands, smiling, "old times caught up, questions answered... Shall we move on to the most exciting part?"
"Michael... I hope you won't regret this," Sakazuki said quietly—a rare tone of restraint.
"If you want to take that as my declaration of surrender, I won't argue."
"...All units, under Fleet Admiral Sengoku's orders!"
"Apprehend Marine traitor Michael!"
"Capture him alive!"
Michael sighed helplessly.
"ε=(′ο｀*)))唉, Sengoku-sama's really giving you guys a hard time, huh?"
As soon as he said that, every Vice Admiral drew their weapons and charged toward him.
Leading the charge was Onigumo.
"Michael! I've been waiting for this day! A young upstart like you becoming Chief Inspector—I've had enough! But even then, I never thought you'd be a Revolutionary!"
"Onigumo, Onigumo... if only everyone could be as honest as you," Michael said, shaking his head with a smile. "As a reward for your honesty... I'll let you take my first strike."
Michael didn't draw his sword.
He simply flexed his ten slender fingers.
"Shigan."
He raised his hand lightly, and a surge of powerful force burst forth—ten compressed shots of aura flew faster than sound, breaking straight through Onigumo's defenses.
In an instant, ten small holes appeared across his body.
And within the force of those strikes flickered traces of white Holy Light.
"Onigumo! Your hair—your hair!"
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Onigumo heard Yamakaji's warning and suddenly felt the burning.
He had always used Seimei Kikan to control his hair, his many blades—his main fighting style, and the origin of the name "Onigumo."
But now, he had no choice.
He reversed his blades and cut his own hair to sever the spread of the white flame.
Yet that single action gave Michael his opening.
In a flash, he closed the distance and kicked Onigumo straight out of the battlefield.
All of it happened in just five seconds.
A Vice Admiral ranked among the strongest—known for his aggression and ruthlessness—was down.
The sudden turn of events instantly sobered up those who hadn't understood Michael's true power.
They suddenly realized—
This "Chief Inspector," known for his politics and intellect..... might just be far, far too powerful.
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