Boom.
In an open space on the island, Alken, Mr. 5, threw a punch, aiming at Cecilia in front of him. She tapped her feet, her body suddenly lunging forward, instantly dodging his attack path.
But the next moment, Alken's fist exploded, a ball of fire appearing, and the shockwave and flames swept towards Cecilia.
Not good.
Cecilia quickly dodged, taking another step to evade the explosion. But as her front foot landed, her back foot hadn't retracted when Alken slightly turned his head and spat out.
Breeze Breath Bomb!
Boom.
Gas shot out, exploding with a roar, the shockwave spreading, and flames sweeping forward.
"Damn it."
Cecilia didn't have time to retract her back leg. Suddenly, both her feet turned into ostrich legs. She bent her front leg slightly, then sprang, her body appearing on the other side.
"So fast."
Alken's expression shifted in surprise, and he quickly spat out another breath towards her.
But Cecilia's two ostrich legs tapped, turning into an afterimage. She instantly flashed past the explosion and appeared behind Alken in a flash.
"Found you."
Alken dodged sideways, then turned and threw a punch.
A punch was thrown, and an explosion occurred, but the direction his fist was aimed was empty. Cecilia had vanished.
As Alken's momentum carried him forward, Cecilia had already appeared in mid-air beside Alken, one ostrich leg kicking towards his head.
"So fast."
Alken didn't have time to react. He suddenly controlled his hair to explode, the hair on his side erupting. The shockwave and flames engulfed Cecilia's right leg.
Bang.
The next moment, Alken was sent flying, landing on the ground with a dazed head.
Cecilia landed slowly. The lower part of her right leg, her shin guard, was blown to pieces, revealing her calf, which was bleeding.
Cecilia landed and tapped her intact left leg, her body disappearing and reappearing beside Alken. She brought her injured right foot down hard.
"That's enough."
A voice rang out. Cecilia's leg stopped just in time. She looked into the distance, where Zala stood with her arms crossed.
"You can't kill him," Zala said coldly.
"What a shame."
Cecilia shrugged, dispelled her Devil Fruit ability, and slowly retracted her fair, long leg, standing barefoot on the ground. "Then what about my ranking?"
Zala snorted. "He couldn't defeat you, so you're still Mr. 4."
"So I got nothing and got injured instead?" Cecilia asked with some dissatisfaction.
Zala said, "You can challenge Mr. 3."
"Alright."
Cecilia stretched her body. "Then can I leave now?"
Zala nodded. Cecilia limped away, boarded her ship, and left.
After she left, Alken got up after a while. His head was still dizzy, but he spoke, "Apologies, Vice President. I lost the match."
Zala waved her hand. "You just got the Devil Fruit. This performance is acceptable. Go back and continue training, improve yourself, and don't disappoint Mr. 0."
"I will."
Alken stood up and staggered away, disappearing into the distance.
Zala walked to the side and looked at the giant beast with closed eyes, asking softly, "He didn't defeat Cecilia. Your opinion?"
"It's understandable that his performance isn't good since he just got the fruit."
Xia Qiu opened his eyes and looked in the direction Alken had left. "Tell him later that explosions can be used not only for attack but also for propulsion."
The gap between Alken and Cecilia was speed. The latter was already skilled in kicking and very fast. After gaining the Ostrich form, her legs became stronger, making her even faster.
Alken used to work in a dojo and participated in boxing matches in small cities, even winning a championship. His dodging and body flexibility were lacking, making him inferior to her from the start, let alone considering the Devil Fruit.
But even if Alken could use the Bomb-Bomb Fruit to keep Cecilia from getting close, he would be helpless if she wanted to run.
However, if he could utilize the Bomb-Bomb Fruit well, for example, by exploding his feet to propel himself forward, accelerate, and jump. Or by exploding his backside to provide thrust. Or by exploding one side of his body to change his position.
This would allow him to possess extreme speed and powerful maneuverability. Then he could keep up with Cecilia's speed, and combined with his powerful attack, she would be helpless.
Even if she wanted to run, she might not be able to escape.
Therefore, Alken had great potential, at least the potential of Mr. 3.
"I will do as you command," Zala replied. After thinking for a moment, she added, "Regarding what you mentioned last time, Vivi has set the date for three days later."
Xia Qiu nodded and said, "Then let's prepare to depart in three days."
"Yes."
Zala replied immediately.
...
Three days later, Zala boarded the submarine. The submarine started, and Xia Qiu accompanied her, heading to Alabasta together.
Passing through the surrounding sea, the submarine slowly surfaced on the eastern desert side of Alabasta. Zala emerged from the submarine and stepped onto the shore.
"This is an Eternal Pose to the G4 Branch."
A person was waiting there, a middle-aged man. He handed Zala an Eternal Pose, then took out a Den Den Mushi and said, "The intelligence operative will contact you proactively to inform you of specific details, but no more than three times."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Zala nodded, put away the Eternal Pose and the Den Den Mushi, boarded the submarine, and then headed into the distance.
Xia Qiu quickly followed. He would be heading to the G4 Branch under Zala's guidance.
After three months of arrangements, Vivi had used official and intelligence channels to investigate a lot of information about Vice Admiral Doma and Vice Admiral Onigumo, including their stationed locations.
The former was stationed at Headquarters, while the latter was the base commander of the G4 Branch.
The G Branches had a total of eight bases (the anime originally had five, but extended to eight), all commanded by Vice Admirals and directly under the jurisdiction of Marine Headquarters, with ranks equivalent to those at Headquarters.
Among them, the G1 Branch was located at the entrance to the New World. However, after the Summit War, due to a reassignment at Marineford, Marine Headquarters moved to G1 at the entrance to the New World, with Vice Admiral Momonga serving as the base commander.
Vergo was in charge of the G5 Branch, while Smoker went to the New World.
The G3 Branch had appeared before, possibly located in the New World.
Ace had visited the G2 Branch in search of Blackbeard; it was located in Paradise.
G8 was an anime original and was located in Paradise.
(G1, G3, and G5 are in the New World, while G2 and G8 are in Paradise, hence the extended setting: odd-numbered branches are in the New World, and even-numbered branches are in Paradise.)
During Vivi's investigation, Doma was the Vice Admiral stationed at Headquarters, while Onigumo was the head of the G4 Branch.
(Note: The base commander of a G Branch and a Vice Admiral at Headquarters are not contradictory. For example, Vice Admiral Garp was the head of the G2 Branch and went to Marine Headquarters for the Summit War; he was also one of the sixteen Vice Admirals at Headquarters.)
One was at Headquarters, and the other was at a branch. The location at Headquarters was clear, but there were strange currents in front of Headquarters, and with so many Vice Admirals, they could only attack a few.
Therefore, Xia Qiu chose Onigumo, who served as the base commander of the G4 Branch.
The G4 Branch, where Onigumo was located, was in the first half of the Grand Line, between the second and third routes to the left of Enies Lobby.
This was easily found, but the problem was locating it. The G4 Branch was not on a shipping route, so it couldn't be reached with a normal Log Pose, necessitating the creation of an Eternal Pose.
Thus, Vivi spent three months having her subordinates go to the G4 Branch and become ordinary sailors. Currently, he was a Third Class Petty Officer, but not on Onigumo's warship.
He spent a month creating the Eternal Pose, which was then handed over to Vivi and subsequently to Zala.
Furthermore, that spy had to communicate specific information, such as when a Marine Vice Admiral would depart by ship.
With the Eternal Pose, they could travel to the G4 Branch.
Zala piloted the submarine towards the G4 Branch, with Xia Qiu following closely behind.
The submarine's speed was very slow, and they had to avoid dangerous areas, so it took two days to reach the G Branch base.
"That's it."
Xia Qiu looked at the massive branch base, especially the area facing the port, where a huge building with "G-4" written on it stood.
Moored in the harbor of the branch base were several Marine warships, two of which were particularly large.
Their length exceeded eighty meters, approaching one hundred meters.
Top-tier warships.
These were typically standard warships for Vice Admirals, but Rear Admirals could also use them.
For example, during a Buster Call, ten top-tier warships would be dispatched, with one Vice Admiral commanding two, and one of those carrying a Rear Admiral.
Both top-tier warships bore the G5 insignia, but it was impossible to tell which one a Vice Admiral would take out, or if the person on board was a Vice Admiral.
This was why they needed the spy's communication, so they were given a Den Den Mushi, and the other party would find an opportunity to notify them via the Den Den Mushi.
Xia Qiu would follow the warship when a Vice Admiral was dispatched, judge the route, and then launch an attack when they were returning and at a considerable distance from the surrounding islands.
This was because, apart from Vice Admiral Giant, other Vice Admirals should know the Six Powers, or at least master a few of the more useful ones.
If they knew Geppo, they could escape to the nearest island if they attempted to flee by air, which would be a loss.
Therefore, Xia Qiu had to find a suitable time.
But they only had three chances, and he hoped to get a suitable attack opportunity within those three times.
Xia Qiu glanced at the branch base, withdrew his body, dived into the ocean, and then detected the surrounding magnetic forces, finding several weak magnetic signatures.
Xia Qiu sequentially visited several magnetic points and found a small island about six nautical miles from the G4 Branch base. The island had dense forests and towering mountains and was uninhabited.
Then Xia Qiu returned to the vicinity of the submarine, tapped the front window with his claws, and swam towards the distance.
Zala immediately had someone control the submarine to follow, and they arrived at a nearby island, landing on the back side.
The submarine slowly surfaced, and Zala and her other subordinates came ashore one by one. Among them were five Billionaires.
Four of them would observe the surrounding sea, watching for any approaching Marines, including both returning and departing vessels.
If any Marines were spotted, they would notify the submarine to submerge and avoid detection.
This place would serve as a temporary base of operations while they waited.
Zala would receive information here and then report it to him, after which he would depart.
...
"So, Mr. 0, does the G Branch have a Vice Admiral stationed there, and are you sure you want to attack them?"
Zala asked softly as they arrived at a secluded spot.
Xia Qiu nodded. "That's right, I have to do this."
Zala sighed. "But it's too dangerous. What if..."
"There are no 'what ifs'."
Xia Qiu said, "If the attack is unsuccessful, I will escape as quickly as possible."
Zala nodded, looking at Xia Qiu with a flickering gaze. "I'm afraid you'll get hurt. Facing a Vice Admiral, you might not be able to..."
"Is that so?"
Xia Qiu looked at Zala. "You think I'm no match for a Vice Admiral?"
Zala said worriedly, "After all, Vice Admirals are powerful. And you've only ever killed a Commodore before."
"I will become stronger."
Xia Qiu said softly. "Of course, if I die, then Baroque Works will be handed over to Vivi."
"Vivi?"
Hearing the name, Zala's expression faltered. "Why give it to Vivi?"
Xia Qiu snorted. "So you're not concerned about my life or death, but about Baroque Works?"
"No, it's not like that."
Zala quickly replied, carefully saying, "Of course, I don't think you'll die. I just don't understand why you'd give it to Vivi?"
Xia Qiu sneered. "Who else could I give it to? Alken and Cecilia are good at fighting but lack strategy. Heckle has been running the casino for a year and three months, but he's merely a suitable operator, lacking a grand vision. He's not even as capable as Vivi. Mr. 2 Bon Clay is too erratic; he'd never be President. As for you..."
Zala immediately perked up her ears.
Xia Qiu asked coldly, "Are you sure you can manage an organization well? Are you sure your strength can intimidate others?"
"I..."
Zala thought about it and realized she wasn't cut out for it. However, it was impossible to say she had no ambition for Baroque Works. She then said, "If it's given to Vivi, what's the difference between Baroque Works and ruin?"
"There won't be."
Xia Qiu said, "With the support of the Alabasta Kingdom, Baroque Works will only develop better, become richer, and stronger."
Zala worried, "But she won't allow a killer organization to exist. She'll definitely abandon some people. Then..."
If Baroque Works is taken away, where would I go?
Xia Qiu said, "Then you'd better pray I don't die."
Xia Qiu prostrated himself and closed his eyes, a trait inherited from the Dinosaur, allowing him to close his eyelids.
"Then, President, I'll go check the situation ahead."
Zala said, turning to leave. Only when she was some distance away did she sigh. It seemed the plan, which she had been unsure about from the start, could no longer be carried out.
As Zala spent more time with Xia Qiu, she felt that Baroque Works couldn't be controlled by a single Giant Beast. And if it needed her to control Baroque Works, then she could completely fabricate a President, just like Robin.
The only exception was the President's strength. And during the fight between the President and Heckle, although the President was powerful, Heckle was not without combat ability.
So, how could she kill the President?
Zala had an idea. She could contact Heckle, Mr. 5, and Mr. 4. If they could prevent him from going ashore, there would be a high probability of defeating the President.
Persuading them wouldn't be difficult. She could simply say the Giant Beast ate Baroque Works members and ask for their assistance in killing him.
Or she could expose his identity. Most people couldn't accept his identity as a Giant Beast, and he had even killed subordinates with Devil Fruit abilities to transfer their powers.
This kind of disregard for his subordinates' sacrifices, killing them directly, would surely make them wary.
Either of these methods could work: kill him and establish a new Baroque Works.
This plan was quite risky, and Zala had hesitated to act.
Only recently, upon learning that he intended to attack a Vice Admiral, did she consider if she could do something to make the Marines kill him.
Notify the G4 Branch of the Marines and tell them about the planned attack, using it as bait to kill the President.
Even if they couldn't kill him, if he escaped, they could then contact people to surround and annihilate him, ensuring no escape.
Zala was hesitant, unsure whether to proceed.
But after hearing Xia Qiu's words just now, she had to abandon the idea.
Vivi established an intelligence organization, part of which was Baroque Works personnel, allowing her to gather a large portion of their members. She was also aware of the situation in Whiskey Peak Town.
Not only that, but she could also reclaim the casino. Without Xia Qiu's threat, Baroque Works would have no leverage for cooperation.
Furthermore, Heckle, Mr. Christmas, and Cecilia at the port of Canal City could all be brought under control.
Without funding, without the Pioneer Corps, and having lost three Senior Agents, Baroque Works would suffer a severe blow, losing more than half of its strength.
If Alabasta were to pursue Baroque Works, then Baroque Works would completely disappear.
Kill her?
The difference in strength was immense. Even in terms of strategy, Zala felt inferior.
Therefore, she could only do as the President said and pray that he was alive. His threat was too great; at least with him around, no ships could enter or leave Alabasta's seaports.
Moreover, Alabasta now had two port cities. The only one who could stop Xia Qiu was Vivi, but Vivi couldn't be in two places at once. Xia Qiu's destructive power was so great that whichever city he attacked, they would be unable to resist.
If Xia Qiu lived, she would still be the Vice President. But if she handed everything over to Vivi, even if she survived, she wouldn't enjoy her current status.
Zala abandoned the idea of resorting to petty tricks. Or perhaps, she could contact Vivi and take over Baroque Works in exchange for a better position?
"I must kill the Vice Admiral."
After she left, Xia Qiu slowly opened his eyes.
He certainly wouldn't hand over Baroque Works to Vivi. The reason he did so was to prevent her from playing any tricks.
He had never trusted Zala, nor had he ever trusted Vivi.
He worried that Zala would betray him, and he also worried that Vivi would try to turn her back on him.
Zala and Vivi could keep each other in check, and with his deterrence, neither of them would dare to make a move.
But as Vivi's strength increased and she began to infiltrate Baroque Works, her threat grew.
There was even a possibility that they would join forces to sideline him.
Therefore, Xia Qiu needed to deter Zala and Vivi.
Greater strength, and the ability to harm a Logia.
This Vice Admiral was the best choice.
Onigumo possessed Observation Haki and Armament Haki, was a master swordsman, and had a powerful physique.
By consuming him, his physical strength would increase. Most importantly, he would gain Observation Haki, allowing him to track his enemies' movements. With Armament Haki, he could harm Vivi.
With these three combined, his strength would reach a new height.
Even if the entire Baroque Works united, they might not be able to defeat him.
So, in a sense, Xia Qiu had to kill Onigumo.
This chapter is five thousand words.
It took a long time again. I woke up early, but I kept spacing out and getting distracted, constantly delaying.
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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