After leaving Imu's chambers, Ezra D. Vale gave a simple farewell to the Five Elders before stepping out of the Holy Land. He did not notice that, behind the closed doors, Imu gently held a photograph of him. Her expression softened into a faint, almost tender smile.
"Sister, hm…" she murmured quietly, as if tasting the word.
Meanwhile, Ezra walked away from Mary Geoise feeling oddly conflicted. Even though he still did not understand why Imu treated him so warmly, he was certain of one thing now. That gentle look in her eyes… it could not be faked.
Their connection was real.
Family. It had to be.
And the way she said he could kill Celestial Dragons whenever he wished… that was something only someone deeply biased toward him would ever say.
"Should I… kill two just for fun?" Ezra muttered jokingly, before immediately shaking his head. He was kidding. Probably.
Still, the biggest mystery bothering him was how, in the original history of this world, Imu had absolutely no relatives mentioned at all. Now he apparently was one?
Ezra massaged his temples. "I give up. My brain can't keep up with this."
He forced the thoughts out, boarded the returning warship, and set sail back to marine headquarters.
Three Days Later – Marine Training Grounds
Under the bright sun, Ezra stood opposite Kuzan, holding a bamboo practice sword in one hand.
"Ice Blade."
Kuzan's voice rumbled low, and a sharp frost-forged blade materialized in his grip, cold mist spilling across the ground as he lunged.
Slash, stab, sweep.
Ezra parried everything casually, the bamboo sword moving like a languid breeze, yet pushing Kuzan back again and again.
With a flick of his wrist, he reset his stance. "Kuzan, you're allowed to go all out today."
Kuzan's eyes hardened. "Then I won't hold back. Frozen Temporal Capsule."
A wave of chilling air shot toward Ezra. The temperature dropped instantly, frost forming across the ground.
Ezra smiled faintly. His bamboo sword flashed downward in a smooth arc, releasing a burst of scorching spiritual pressure that vaporized the cold wave on contact.
But Kuzan wasn't done.
"Pheasant Beak!"
Ice flooded across Kuzan's arm, condensing into a massive ice bird that screeched and launched itself forward. Everything in its path froze solid.
Ezra exhaled and unleashed a blade of condensed sword force.
The sword pressure struck the ice bird head-on, shattering it into glittering fragments.
By then Kuzan had already closed the distance, swinging the ice sword toward Ezra's neck.
The two exchanged rapid blows, Ezra feeding Kuzan openings and techniques, guiding him without speaking. Kuzan's swordsmanship improved with every passing second.
They were so engrossed that neither noticed Zefa approaching until he spoke.
"You two brats, stop for a moment."
Both paused. Kuzan dissipated his ice blade while Ezra rested the bamboo sword on his shoulder.
"What is it, Teacher Zefa?" Kuzan asked.
"Sengoku has a mission for Ezra."
Ezra blinked. "Already? I just got back."
But he offered no complaint. He simply nodded. "I understand."
Zefa left shortly after.
Kuzan leaned lazily against a railing. "Another mission already, huh?"
Ezra shrugged. "Hopefully nothing too troublesome."
He waved Kuzan goodbye and headed for Sengoku's office.
Sengoku's Office
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
Ezra pushed the door open and found Vice Admiral Tsuru standing beside Sengoku. Their expressions were unusually heavy.
"Uncle Sengoku, what's the mission?"
Sengoku slid a report across his desk. "Read it."
Ezra opened the file.
His brows tightened more and more with each line.
"Capture the scholars of Ohara… including Nico Olivia. And apprehend Vice Admiral Jaguar D. Saul?"
Ezra exhaled slowly.
He had stepped into the Ohara Incident.
"This is a direct World Government order?" he asked calmly.
Sengoku nodded. "Originally it was only Nico Olivia. But Saul freed her… and the Five Elders discovered it. They immediately issued a Buster Call."
Ezra lifted his gaze. "And your stance?"
Sengoku's voice was firm. "I do not question the World Government's decisions."
Ezra closed the file. "When does it begin?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. The Buster Call will be officially launched."
"Got it. I'll prepare."
He turned and left the office.
Night at Home
Walking back through Marineford, Ezra's mind involuntarily replayed the tragedy of the original timeline. If the scholars had not been so stubborn, things might not have ended so tragically.
At least the civilians had been forcibly evacuated this time. That was something.
Opening the door, he smelled the aroma of food.
"You're back," Yuan said from the kitchen.
Ezra smiled, pushing aside dark thoughts. "What's for dinner?"
"That dish you told me about. Kung Pao Chicken. I'm trying it tonight."
Ezra's eyes lit up. "Yuan, you're amazing!"
Though they had lived together for quite some time, Yuan still frequently left on missions. As a Vice Admiral, she was often busier than him.
Ezra had once tried to mention adjusting her workload to Sengoku, but she shut him down immediately. He respected that, so instead he gave her a protective charm infused with his own spiritual power.
It would help her if she ever found herself in danger.
The Next Day – Port of Marineford
Ezra arrived at the warship dressed in full uniform.
"Admiral Blazeborn!"
"Admiral Blazeborn, good morning!"
He greeted them with a nod and boarded the flagship.
"Everything is ready, Admiral!" a marine officer reported.
"Good. Inform all ships. Prepare to set sail."
"Yes sir!"
Kuzan straightened up, unusually alert. Buster Calls always mobilized a terrifying force: ten warships, five Vice Admirals, and thousands of elite marines.
This time was no exception.
Besides Kuzan, the other Vice Admirals were Mouse, Burning Mountain, Doberman, and Onigumo.
Ezra gazed at the fleet flanking their own ship. "The Navy really goes all out for these."
Kuzan nodded. "Buster Calls rarely involve Admirals, but the Fleet Admiral specifically asked you. Whatever Ohara has… it must be important."
Ezra sighed. "Sengoku told me the scholars can read the Poneglyphs. Even one survivor is unacceptable."
He flicked a glance toward Kuzan.
"Did you hear me, Kuzan? Not a single one."
Kuzan's expression became serious. "Don't worry. Even if I die, I won't let anyone escape."
Ezra almost choked. In the original timeline… Kuzan was absolutely the one who let Nico Robin escape.