The Navy's arrival came much later than Eli Winters had expected. By the time their ships finally appeared on the horizon, Eli and his companions had already finished eating.
Two massive warships slowed to a halt some distance from the small island. Just as the group exchanged puzzled looks, the rows of cannons along the decks rotated outward with a deep mechanical groan. Eli's expression darkened. His instincts screamed a warning an instant later, thunderous cannon fire erupted, and a barrage of shells hurtled toward the island.
"Damn it, these heartless bastards!" Eli cursed.
He had figured the Navy's delay meant they'd gotten word of what had happened but he hadn't expected them to go this far. Not only had they targeted him and his crew, they'd decided to erase the entire island, civilians and all, just to be safe.
Eli was about to intercept the shells when, unexpectedly, every single cannonball veered midair and swung back toward the warships.
The sudden reversal sent the sailors into a panic. Those with enough strength scrambled to deflect or destroy the incoming shells, but chaos had already erupted. A few explosions rocked the ships, tearing through their hulls, though neither vessel sank completely.
Eli's gaze shifted toward his companions, and there she was Fiona, standing elegantly with her hands clasped behind her back, an almost bored look on her face. Obviously, she had used her powers.
Eli's mouth twitched. Ever since Fiona had eaten the String-String Fruit, she had developed a bad habit or perhaps "flair for the dramatic." She couldn't resist stealing the spotlight.
So much for my big heroic moment, he thought bitterly. Even showing off has become a competition these days.
While Eli was lost in thought, the two Fishman brothers had already sprung into action.
Dortai lunged toward one of the warships, his body cutting through the waves like a torpedo. With a single devastating punch, the air itself howled. The impact tore through the warship's hull, ripping it apart like paper. The massive vessel listed, cracked, and sank beneath the waves within moments.
Simon, meanwhile, was even more brutal. Using his immense strength and the explosive power of his trident, he struck the second ship. The resulting blast turned the warship into a fiery wreck. In a deafening roar, it shattered into a thousand pieces, and the crew was swallowed by the sea before they could even scream.
In the aftermath, Eli spotted a lone sailor flailing in the water one of the few who had survived the explosion. He hauled the man ashore and began questioning him. Under Eli's cold gaze, the terrified marine finally confessed: the order to bombard the island had come from Colonel Maderu.
"Captain, what now?" Big Pan growled. "Should we go crush that bastard Maderu?" His fury was palpable. To order an attack on civilians was the lowest kind of sin in his eyes.
"Of course," Eli replied evenly. "A Navy officer like that is worse than a pirate. Let's go pay him a visit."
He stepped aboard the Silver Dragon, the others following close behind.
Before setting sail, Eli made sure to loot what they could after all, every little bit counted.
After two hours at sea, the Silver Dragon reached the 16th Branch of the East Blue Navy a medium-sized island fortress ringed with steel walls and heavy guns.
Even before they docked, a voice boomed through a loudspeaker.
"Unknown vessel, this is the 16th Branch of the East Blue Navy. Identify yourselves and state your business."
Simon looked to Eli, who nodded. "We're bounty hunters," Simon called back. "We're here to turn in some pirate heads for the reward."
The base went silent for a moment before replying, "Dock at Pier Two. And don't try anything funny."
The Silver Dragon moored smoothly. As they disembarked, a middle-aged officer wearing a Justice cape approached them, his expression strangely stiff.
"Follow me," he said curtly.
Eli and his crew exchanged glances but complied. If things went south, wiping out a branch like this would take them minutes.
As they followed the officer through the base, Eli noticed how different it was from other branches they'd seen. When they entered the main building, he realized why this place looked more like a palace than a military office.
Gem-encrusted walls glittered under ornate chandeliers. The floor was covered with rich carpets so soft it felt like walking on clouds. The air itself smelled of luxury and corruption.
Eli's lips curled into a cold smile. So this is justice, huh? Lavish halls bought with the blood of the innocent.
The officer led them into a large office. Behind the desk sat a young, handsome man, the very image of arrogance. Colonel Maderu.
"Colonel, the guests are here," the escorting officer said respectfully.
"Bounty hunters, huh?" Maderu sneered. "You sure don't look the part."
Eli ignored the remark. Instead, he reached into his dimensional space and pulled out a severed pirate's head the very one responsible for the island raid and tossed it onto the polished desk.
"Show some respect!" the escorting officer barked, pulling his pistol and aiming it at Eli.
Before he could fire, Dortai slammed him against the wall with one hand, his voice like gravel. "Who gave you the courage to point a gun at my captain?" He pressed harder until the man slumped unconscious, then let him drop.
Eli sighed inwardly. My crew really enjoys making an entrance.
Maderu's eyes flickered between the pirate head and Eli's group. Anger and confusion warred on his face. He had ordered the bombardment how were they still alive?
Eli crossed his arms. "Colonel Maderu, tell me why did you order an attack on innocent civilians?"
The colonel stiffened. "So, you were with those people… Guards, arrest them!"
A squad of marines burst into the room, weapons drawn.
Big Pan laughed loudly. "You think that's enough to stop us?"
In an instant, a wave of his Conqueror's Haki swept through the room. The soldiers collapsed like puppets with cut strings, unconscious before they hit the floor.
"You… do you know what you're doing?" Maderu stammered. "Attacking a Navy base is treason!"
"And ordering a massacre of civilians isn't?" Fiona's voice was ice-cold.
"N-no! You're mistaken!" Maderu stuttered. "I was aiming for pirates!"
Big Pan rolled his shoulders impatiently. "This guy's full of crap, Captain. Let's just kill him already."
Eli nodded slightly. "Fine. Do it."
"Got it." Big Pan grabbed Maderu by the collar, ready to snap his neck like a twig.
Panicked, Maderu screamed, "Wait! You can't kill me! My father's a Vice Admiral Vice Admiral MacArthur! If you kill me, he'll never let you go!"
Eli paused, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? Now that's interesting."
He gestured for Big Pan to hold off. "Can you contact your father?"
"Y-yes! Anything you want money, ships, whatever you need! My father will agree!"
Maderu scrambled to fetch a Den Den Mushi from a cabinet and dialed. After a few rings, the snail's face transformed into that of a burly, bearded man.
"Buru buru this is Vice Admiral MacArthur. Maderu, what's going on?" came a deep, commanding voice.
"Father, help me!" Maderu cried.
"What happened? Are you in danger?" MacArthur's tone grew sharp with concern.
Eli stepped forward and pushed Maderu aside. "Vice Admiral MacArthur, your son is in my custody."
MacArthur's eyes narrowed. "Who are you? Whatever he's done, I apologize. Release him, and I'll see that you're rewarded."
Eli's voice turned cold. "Your son ordered a naval bombardment on civilians. Did you know that?"
There was a long silence. Then MacArthur said quietly, "I'll report this to headquarters. The Navy will handle his punishment."
Eli smirked faintly. "I see." He hung up without another word.
Far away, MacArthur's face darkened as he stared at the silent Den Den Mushi. Of course he knew what his son had been doing. He had turned a blind eye for years, shielding the boy from consequence. Now his own carelessness was coming back to haunt him.
Pacing in his office, MacArthur cursed under his breath. He would need to find someone powerful enough to clean up this mess and fast.
Back at the base, Maderu's desperation finally boiled over. "You can't kill me! My father's a Vice Admiral! You'll be hunted down! Those people were just peasants! Why should I die for them?"
Big Pan's patience snapped. "Why don't you shut up." He twisted, and there was a sharp crack.
Silence fell.
Eli looked at the lifeless body, then at his crew. "Well," he said lightly, "looks like life just got a lot more complicated. The Navy's not going to let this go. I'm guessing we'll be branded criminals before long."
Big Pan grinned. "Heh. With you leading us, Captain, there's nowhere in this world we can't go."
Fiona and the others laughed softly.
Eli smiled too, a faint glimmer of defiance in his eyes. "Then let them come."
The Silver Dragon would soon sail again this time, into the storm.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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