At the beginning, the Navy's goal had simply been to investigate Doflamingo — but the situation had gone far beyond what Peach Rabbit expected.
Because now, it involved the Whitebeard Pirates — one of the Four Emperors.
Things had become complicated.
The Marines behind her grew tense when they saw Whitebeard's emblem.
The atmosphere tightened sharply.
But Peach Rabbit couldn't afford to clash with Marco.
First, she couldn't beat him.
Second, it could trigger a huge war.
While countless thoughts spun in her mind, the fortress issued another warning — directed at her.
Peach Rabbit had no choice but to order the Marines to stop approaching.
Like Marco, she didn't dare act rashly before understanding the fortress' nature.
This wasn't Marineford — it was the chaotic New World, where even the Marines had to be cautious unless an Admiral was present.
After the ship stopped, she strode to the bow with long, graceful steps.
Ignoring Doflamingo and Marco entirely, she looked straight at the fortress and shouted:
"Sir within the fortress! I am Vice Admiral Gion — Peach Rabbit of the Navy!"
"I wish to speak with you!"
She planned to probe through conversation — gather clues about the identity of the one inside, and determine whether this fortress was friend or foe to the Navy.
It would help her report accurately to Sengoku.
However…
The fortress remained silent.
Inside, Mork had nearly finished organizing the latest haul — manga, magazines, denden-film tapes… all neatly arranged.
He completely ignored Peach Rabbit's request.
The more contact he had with these forces, the more trouble he'd attract — and he absolutely did not want that.
Outside, Peach Rabbit waited… and waited.
Not a sound came from the fortress.
The awkwardness made her face stiffen.
She was a general candidate, highly respected in the Navy — yet now, ignored in front of her own soldiers.
Her fist clenched. Her red lips tightened, teeth grinding.
Then her eyes turned coldly toward Doflamingo.
"Doflamingo. Explain what's going on."
"Who lives inside?"
Doflamingo didn't want to answer — but as a Shichibukai, he couldn't completely ignore a Vice Admiral.
He finally replied:
"I don't know."
"…You don't know?"
Peach Rabbit stared, stunned.
Her eyes darkened.
"Doflamingo… remember your identity. You enjoy privileges — so you must fulfill your duties!"
"I'll ask again. Who is inside!?"
Her tone was sharp and oppressive.
Doflamingo felt helpless — he really didn't know.
From the very first day, he'd only seen the fortress.
He had no idea who the person inside was, what power they held — only that they possessed terrifying weapons and advanced technology.
Peach Rabbit gritted her teeth.
No matter how she questioned him, he truly seemed clueless — or incredibly good at pretending.
"Doflamingo, don't force me to report to Sengoku and strip you of your Warlord title!"
"Speak!!"
Doflamingo sneered.
Her threat didn't intimidate him — he had another secret identity protecting him anyway.
But he was telling the truth, so he simply emphasized:
"Peach Rabbit, I'm not lying. I really don't know."
Peach Rabbit narrowed her eyes.
After thinking it through, she started to believe him.
If he really knew, he should've cracked under the pressure by now.
As she pondered her next move—
The fortress began to rumble.
The sound made her snap her head up.
Marco and his men also looked toward the fortress, confused.
Then…
From the center of the fortress, two steel gates slowly opened —
and a gigantic cannon barrel extended outward.
It was large enough to rival the cannons mounted on Marine battleships.
Marco, Peach Rabbit — everyone froze.
"This cannon… is too big…" Peach Rabbit's eyes widened.
Even as a Vice Admiral, she had never seen a weapon of this size.
Behind her, Marines panicked:
"I've never seen a cannon this enormous!"
"One blast from that thing could turn Marineford into another Enies Lobby!"
"…"
Enies Lobby's massive crater — the result of an ancient weapon, Pluton.
On Marco's side, his division members were just as shaken.
"Even the Moby Dick can't mount something like that!"
"…"
Marco's face turned solemn.
Now he understood why Doflamingo showed such respect toward the fortress.
Its power was extraordinary.
This cannon reminded him of a legend from the old era — the Moa Moa user, Byrnndi World.
A shot from this thing might rival that monster's destructive power.
And Byrnndi was once called the "World Destroyer."
The fortress issued another warning:
"Final warning. Leave the private territory—"
"Or we will open fire."
The voice sharpened, no hesitation, no negotiations.
Doflamingo grew anxious — things were escalating beyond his control.
If this went badly, all his efforts up to now would be ruined.
He quickly called out:
"Vice Admiral Peach Rabbit, you'd better leave!"
"It's best not to provoke the one inside that fortress.
Otherwise, your military career may end today."
Peach Rabbit frowned deeply.
She didn't expect Doflamingo to evaluate the fortress so highly.
As a general candidate, she wasn't weak.
And Doflamingo, as a Warlord, knew that perfectly well.
Yet he claimed she would be killed if she didn't retreat.
Peach Rabbit gazed deeply at the fortress.
Who was inside?
She was backed by the entire Navy —
and yet they truly dared to fire at her?
—------------------------------
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