Commander-in-Chief Kong handed Yoriichi a dossier on the Beasts Pirates.
After Kaido and King escaped from Yoriichi's grasp, they had entrenched themselves on an island in the early stretch of the New World, Redridge Island. This was one of the three islands the Log Pose on Fish-Man Island could point to.
Since the start of the Great Pirate Era, countless pirates from the Four Blues had surged into the Grand Line. After reaching Sabaody Archipelago, they would pass through Fish-Man Island, using it as a springboard into the New World. Redridge Island was often the first destination.
Now, the Beasts Pirates had seized control of that very island, "claiming it as their kingdom" and gathering pirates who sought to brave the New World. They were rapidly expanding their forces.
Marine HQ only discovered this recently, through the capture of a pirate captain who had fled from the New World back to Sabaody. From his mouth, they learned that Redridge Island had fallen under Kaido's control. Kong then ordered covert intelligence operations to infiltrate the island. After some time, they had a rough assessment of the situation there.
Yoriichi's current mission to Fish-Man Island presented a perfect opportunity in Kong's eyes.
The Navy's high-end combat power was spread thin. The strongest assets were tasked with stabilizing the Four Blues, the very foundation of Marine power. They couldn't be redeployed lightly. And in the current climate, only the Dawnblade Division under Yoriichi had the power to purge the Beasts Pirates.
Kong was no fool. He knew Kaido had once served under Rocks D. Xebec, and Kaido's personal strength was terrifying. If not for Yoriichi's timely intervention, the Navy's most promising young officer, Kuzan, might have died at Kaido's hands.
The Beasts Pirates were undoubtedly a growing threat. Even now, they were already an unstable factor that needed to be eliminated. If possible, Kong wanted them wiped out early.
Besides, he also wanted to keep Yoriichi busy. Letting him wander freely was a bigger danger.
From a commander's perspective, the most troublesome subordinates weren't the weak ones, or even the strong ones. The real headaches were the brilliant, unpredictable types who frequently caused upheaval.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni was exactly that kind of man. And worse, he was far too capable.
None of his "messes" were ever small.
"Beasts Pirates, huh…" Yoriichi mused. "Ever since they slipped away from me, I've had people searching for their trail. I thought they were hiding on some remote island, building strength. Didn't expect them to be on Redridge Island."
"That's such a prominent location. Practically right under Marine HQ's nose. How is it only now we're discovering them?"
He flipped through the report and immediately understood what kind of place Redridge Island was. One of the three islands the Log Pose pointed to after Fish-Man Island, it was hardly obscure.
Kong frowned at Yoriichi's subtle rebuke. "You blaming HQ for intelligence failure?"
"Gathering intel in the New World isn't as simple as you think. You were in Dressrosa long enough to understand how hard it is for HQ to get reliable information."
"That island was overrun with pirates. Everyone who landed there fell under the Beasts Pirates' control. No one got out. If we hadn't captured one who escaped, we'd still be in the dark."
"But regardless, we know now."
"Vice Admiral Tsugikuni, I'm assigning this mission to you."
"Understood," Yoriichi replied calmly. "I'll do my best. But the Beasts Pirates are strong. Fleet Admiral, if possible, I'd like HQ to provide reinforcements."
"I also hope HQ can supply Dawnblade with the Navy's latest warships. Only then can I ensure a successful purge."
"You know as well as I do, unless Kaido himself is killed, no matter how many grunts we cut down, it's meaningless. If he survives, he'll rebuild again in no time."
Yoriichi didn't flatly refuse the assignment, but he didn't accept it easily either. He knew better than anyone how far his division could be pushed.
Taking on the Beasts Pirates alone would be a bloody war.
It wasn't that they couldn't win, but the cost would be unbearable. Too many of their newly trained officers would die. And those officers, Yoriichi believed, were the seeds of the future, meant to be scattered across the world. They weren't meant to be used as cannon fodder.
He had grand plans, far beyond what one man, or even a dozen, could achieve. He needed many. He needed people who believed in justice.
Kong's orders conflicted with that core vision.
Still… hunting pirates was their duty. If Yoriichi ignored evil for the sake of preservation, he'd be no different from those warlords who turned a blind eye to suffering during wartime.
Yoriichi was an idealist. Which is why requesting reinforcements wasn't out of line, it was essential.
"Fair enough," Kong said after a moment. "What kind of support are you requesting?"
"I want experienced Captains and Commanders. My Dawnblade Division will handle Kaido's officers. The scattered pirate rabble will need all hands."
"Based on your report, there are over ten thousand pirates on that island. I want a proportionate deployment of Marines."
"That's not an unreasonable request, is it?"
Unreasonable?
It sounded reasonable. But in reality, it was bold.
Experienced officers were a precious resource. Even HQ couldn't easily mobilize that many at once.
Some might argue: does Dawnblade even need help? With Yoriichi's Conqueror's Haki, how many of those pirates would even be left standing?
But war wasn't that simple.
What about after the battle?
Someone had to process the prisoners. The civilians had to be protected. Even during the fight, a few hundred lieutenants could stall Yoriichi long enough for Kaido to flee.
And Kaido was like a damned eel, impossible to pin down.
Kong hesitated.
Was it really worth mobilizing tens of thousands of Marines for this war?
Yoriichi saw the hesitation and sighed inwardly. He said, "Of course, whether HQ supports or not, I'm going."
"After Fish-Man Island, I'll head to Redridge Island. I'll kill Kaido if I can. The rest… I'll take out as many as I can."
He spoke plainly, but to Kong, it dripped with blood.
Before Kong could respond, Garp stood up from the sofa, grinning. "Kid, I'm going with you."
"Heh, it's been a while since I had a proper fight. My bones are getting stiff!"
Zephyr looked surprised, then smiled. "Yoriichi, I can't just sit this out either."
"When you're doing the right thing, I'll help you."
"I'll find you some reliable support too. We'll make sure no Beasts Pirates escape."
Both elders stepping in surprised Yoriichi, but also pleased him. With these two by his side, the pressure on him dropped considerably.
If they could trap Kaido, his death was guaranteed.
Seeing Zephyr and Garp ready for battle, Kong finally sighed. "Alright then. Yoriichi, stay at HQ for a while. When you're ready to head to Fish-Man Island, I'll mobilize the fleet. We'll rendezvous around Redridge Island."
"Garp, Zephyr, if you're going, don't screw around. You die out there, I'm not dragging your corpses back."
"Yoriichi, you'll command the whole operation. Don't disappoint me."
Kong's decision came quickly.
Zephyr had already retired, but he was willing to personally escort his student. Kong wouldn't waste that.
As for Garp, ever since Roger's death, he'd practically retired himself. He only popped into HQ now and then, and spent most of his time relaxing in the East Blue. But that was the most peaceful sea of all, and that peace was thanks to Garp's efforts.
A joint op between old and new legends to destroy the Beasts Pirates? It was the best possible outcome.
They might even capture Redridge Island.
After leaving Kong's office, Yoriichi walked with Zephyr back toward their lodgings. Apparently, Zephyr had already arranged for Yoriichi's room.
Standing barefoot in the hallway, Yoriichi looked at the clean, familiar space and smiled. Just as he was about to lie down to adjust to the time difference, his den den mushi buzzed.
He answered it.
"Vice Admiral?" came Kyros's voice on the other end.
"Mm," Yoriichi replied.
Kyros spoke in a hushed voice: "We've got a problem."
"Mihawk… he killed five CP9 agents."
Yoriichi didn't react. He walked into his room and calmly shut the door.
"What happened?"
Kyros gave a full report. After listening, Yoriichi replied with a quiet, steady voice.
"Don't worry about it."
"Some people just ask to die."
"No witnesses, right? Then leave it."
He hung up.
Kyros looked at the receiver in his hand, then turned to Brannyu. The Captain stood frozen, stunned by what he'd just heard.
He killed them... and Yoriichi just said "they asked for it."
Not a word of rebuke. Not even surprise.
"I told you, Vice Admiral wouldn't care," Kyros said.
"Captain Brannyu, if you want to report this to Admiral Sengoku, go ahead. We won't stop you."
"But I think Mihawk did the right thing. They knew we were Marines, and still tried to enslave Tiger."
"When you act out of righteous conviction, even killing can be justified."
"Captain, "
Brannyu raised a hand to stop him. "You don't need to explain. I get it."
"I didn't plan to report you. I just thought Vice Admiral Tsugikuni had the right to know."
"If he's fine with it, I won't say another word."
"Today… I was never here."
He turned toward the door, then stopped and looked back at them with a wistful smile.
"Sometimes, I really envy you guys."
"You get to live by your own convictions."
He disappeared through the doorway.
The three men in the room stood in silence.
Meanwhile, the Dawnblade's ship-coating process finished smoothly. In less than a week, the craftsmen had completed their work and left the vessel.
The very next morning, Yoriichi, accompanied by Zephyr, returned to Sabaody Archipelago.
"Be careful down there," Zephyr warned.
"You're strong, sure. But this is the deep sea, one mistake and you're dead."
"This coating specialist was sent by HQ. In a pinch, he can coat you personally to let you move underwater."
He motioned to a young Marine.
Yoriichi nodded, then led the young craftsman aboard the ship.
"Vice Admiral!" Kyros and Tiger saluted on deck.
"If we're ready, set sail," Yoriichi ordered.
The Marines leapt into action, and the massive warship slowly pulled out of port, sinking below the waves.
At the same time, far across the sea, a luxurious World Government cruise ship approached Sabaody Archipelago.
Watching the Dawnblade vanish beneath the water, Saint Mjosgard chuckled and turned to his CP9 escort.
"Did that warship just sink?"
"Typical Navy trash. Spending our money to build garbage ships!"
One CP9 agent bowed and whispered, "Saint Mjosgard, that ship was coated. They're likely headed to Fish-Man Island."
"Not sinking."
Mjosgard's eyes lit up. "Fish-Man Island?"
"That means, lots of fish-man slaves?"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Prepare! I'm going too!"
"To Fish-Man Island!"
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100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter
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