The Navy's Senior Strategist Tsuru — a legend from the days of Sengoku and Garp — had come to the New World in person.
She was the kind of officer whose presence alone made Marines breathe easier.
"Admiral Tsuru! We never expected you to come in person!"
"With you here, even if Kaido's crew raids again, we won't panic!"
"Yes, yes!"
The Beasts Pirates hadn't limited their plunder to pirate crews — they'd hit Marine fortresses as well. More than a dozen strongholds had been looted. Tsuru's mission was twofold: gather intelligence on the Beasts Pirates, and protect the New World's Navy assets.
"Admiral Tsuru — your timing is perfect. We have an urgent matter that needs your hand," the base commander said respectfully.
Tsuru looked grave as she took the briefing.
"You mean the Heavenly Tribute for the Celestial Dragons?"
"Yes. The convoy is on the move, and we fear the Beasts Pirates may attempt a theft."
Historically, even the Four Emperors avoided touching the Heavenly Tribute. But the Beasts Pirates were reckless now; they might try anything.
"Then I will personally escort it," Tsuru decided.
Meanwhile, Ulti and Page One had tracked the Heavenly Tribute as well. By coincidence — or fate — they arrived at the convoy at nearly the same time as the Navy escort.
"They actually dared to try and steal the Heavenly Tribute?! Are they mad?!" the Marines gasped, staring at Kaido's flag whipping in the distance.
Tsuru exhaled a small breath of relief — she'd made it in time. If the tribute were taken on her watch, even she would face the ire of the Five Elders.
Up close, Page One squinted and said to Ulti, half-amused, half-excited,
"That old lady leading them — isn't that Admiral Tsuru?"
Tsuru heard him, and instead of anger she wore a calm, slightly amused smile.
"You two are members of the Beasts Pirates' Tobi Roppo, aren't you? Young, and surprisingly strong. Since you recognize me… best leave now."
She spoke with the confidence of a veteran. Her intelligence had already assessed the Beasts Pirates' roster; she'd identified threats and sized them up. A single Calamity? She could handle it. Two? She'd avoid fighting. The Tobi Roppo had always been beneath her worry.
Her information, however, was out of date.
Page One scoffed and eyed the chests of tribute glittering on the enemy ship.
"With this loot, I can prove myself to the Lord Consort!"
Ulti smacked him.
"Shut up about treasure. Kill the Marines first."
Tsuru's brow tightened. These two kids displayed no fear — and worse, they recognized her. Why weren't they running?
"Have the seas forgotten my name in my absence?" she murmured, then smiled.
"Young ones, let me teach you something: don't be overly proud."
"Get lost, old woman!" Page One snapped. He'd had enough waiting. Leaping, he transformed into his Zoan man-beast form, legs coiling like springs, and crashed down onto the Marine ship's deck.
"Kill! Slay the pirates!" shouted the marines. They rushed him.
Page One's face split into a feral grin. His claws flashed and the Marines fell like paper — one by one they were cut down.
"Stand back! You're no match for him!" Tsuru ordered, stepping forward to confront him.
"Let this Spinosaurus clean your sins away," she said coolly.
Tsuru was the user of the Awa Awa no Mi (Wash-Wash Fruit) — the power to "wash" and cleanse things, even griming actions from people. Her ability had long been feared.
At first the Marines cheered quietly. With Admiral Tsuru handling him, that brat's done for.
But shock spread across their faces as the fight dragged on. Tsuru could not finish Page One off. On more than one occasion she found herself in genuine danger, narrowly escaping his claws.
"Impossible…"
The marines were stunned into silence. When had the Tobi Roppo become this powerful? Some even whispered that these two were now on par with the Calamities.
Tsuru's prior confidence evaporated. She felt every line of the reports she'd studied crumble into dust. This child — barely older than a teen — could match her?
The battle became two-on-one when Ulti, enraged to see her brother assaulted, joined the fray. Together the siblings pressed Tsuru hard, and the situation grew dire.
Tsuru's horror deepened when she realized Ulti's strength surpassed Page One's. The two of them — once minor threats — fought like true beasts.
"Where did the Beasts Pirates dig up so many monsters?!" Tsuru thought, aghast.
A naval veteran of legendary renown, she had never imagined she'd be bested — or even seriously threatened — by two "kids."
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