Three days had passed since Fleet Admiral Sengoku had issued the mission.
At this moment, Ezra D. Vale was sprawled lazily on the deck of his warship, one arm tucked behind his head as he gazed at the sky. His expression was one of deep, dramatic suffering.
"So much for a little rest," he muttered to himself. "Finally thought I could take it easy for once, and what happens? First, the Rear Admiral promotion goes through lightning fast, and then boom! Sengoku tosses another mission my way."
He groaned, rolling over. "Damn that old man… doesn't even give me a day off. I finally get a girlfriend for the first time in two lifetimes, no less and this is what I get?"
His frustration was palpable. After finally making things official with Tina, he'd hoped to bring her along for the mission.
But Sengoku's frosty response had crushed that idea in seconds:
"You two hold the same rank. You can't operate together."
That was that.
Of course, Tina had been promoted to Rear Admiral herself, thanks to Ezra's influence and their shared accomplishments. And while that was great news, it didn't make things any easier.
If she hadn't slipped him a few sweet rewards before parting well, Ezra might've seriously considered marching back to Sengoku's office with his sword drawn.
Thinking about her cute, flustered face brought an involuntary smile to his lips.
"So this is what being in love feels like, huh?" he said softly, eyes squinting up at the clouds.
His moment of peace didn't last.
A sharp, teasing voice called out beside him.
"Vice Admiral Ezra, are you thinking about Rear Admiral Tina again? Tashigi's not happy about that!"
Ezra twitched slightly. "Tashigi, what are you even jealous about…"
"Humph! Doesn't matter. Anyway, we're arriving at Loguetown soon," she said, crossing her arms with mock sternness.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you, Tashigi…" he sighed.
Indeed, his current adjutant was none other than Tashigi, a recent graduate from the elite training corps.
Normally, a Vice Admiral of his rank should've been assigned a more experienced aide a Commander or even a full Captain. But Tashigi's skills weren't inferior to any of them, so Ezra hadn't objected at the time.
In hindsight, though… maybe he should have.
Not because she was incompetent. Quite the opposite she was too capable.
Even someone as emotionally clueless as Ezra could tell that she had feelings for him. But he already had someone waiting for him, and he wasn't planning on starting another mess anytime soon.
Unfortunately, Tashigi wasn't exactly the type to back down easily.
He shook his head, trying to clear it of such distracting thoughts. His eyes fixed on the approaching island.
"Loguetown," he murmured. "The town of beginnings and endings…"
Then he chuckled. "Well, not yet, at least."
Tashigi stepped closer, her tone more serious now. "Vice Admiral, the East Blue may be the weakest of the four seas, but I advise you not to underestimate it."
Ezra waved her concern off with a grin. "Relax. As long as I'm here, the East Blue's sky will stay clear and bright!"
He straightened, brushing the dust off his coat. "Tell me where's the strongest pirate crew in these waters right now?"
Tashigi flipped through a file. "The Azure Wave Pirates, sir. According to our latest intel, they're currently docked in Loguetown."
Ezra nodded. "Good. Tell the helmsman not to dock."
She blinked. "Huh? Why not, sir?"
Ezra shrugged. "Because we'll be done before the anchor even hits the water. Once we take out that trash, we move to the next."
Tashigi smiled faintly, snapping a salute. "Understood, Vice Admiral."
Meanwhile, in a crowded tavern in Loguetown
The Azure Wave Pirates were in high spirits. Their short, scruffy captain, Kars, was lifting a tankard of ale above his head, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hah! Nothing like the booze from the Pirate King's hometown!" he laughed. "Now this this is real treasure!"
He took a long gulp, slamming the cup down with satisfaction.
But his merriment was short-lived.
The tavern doors burst open as one of his crew came stumbling in, gasping for air.
"Captain Kars! Bad news! The Marines are near Loguetown!"
Kars waved him off dismissively. "So what? It's just the East Blue Marines! Bunch of weaklings. You think I'm scared of them?"
The pirate trembled. "N-no, Captain… it's not just any Marines it's a Headquarters Vice Admiral!"
Kars froze mid-drink and spat out a mouthful of ale.
Still, he forced a cocky smirk. "Heh… so what? A Vice Admiral's just a fancier uniform. He bleeds like anyone else."
The crewmate's voice rose, panicked. "Captain it's Vice Admiral Ezra D. Vale!"
The name hit like a cannon blast.
Every pirate in the room went pale.
Kars gawked at his subordinate, rage and terror mixing on his face. "Next time, can you not say that in pieces?!"
He kicked his chair back and bolted for the door. But before he could even take two steps, a lazy voice drifted through the air.
"Yare yare… so you are here, Kars. Took me long enough to find you."
Kars spun around, his heart hammering. "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
The sound of slow, steady footsteps echoed through the tavern.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
A tall figure stepped into view dressed in a black-striped suit beneath a flowing white Marine coat. His dark eyes glimmered faintly under the brim of his cap.
"Vice Admiral Ezra D. Vale," he said calmly.
The name alone froze the air.
Kars's lips quivered. His men could only stare, unable to speak.
Ezra's tone softened, almost politely. "Since I've found you, there's no need for further talk. Eighty million berries on your head, right? Hardly worth the paperwork."
He lifted his right hand the one clad in a crimson glove and whispered,
"Go to hell… and repent for your sins."
"Blaze Bloom."
Snap.
The crisp sound of his fingers echoed.
And then
BOOM.
Flames erupted across the room, bursting out from every pirate's body.
"What what is this?!"
"Why am I burning?!"
"Help! Somebody AHHH!"
The screams filled the tavern, only to vanish moments later.
In just seconds, the entire Azure Wave Crew, including their captain, was reduced to ash under the unbearable heat.
Ezra lowered his hand, the faint glow fading from his glove.
A faint smile curved his lips. "Yeah… that move still looks damn cool."
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