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Chapter 224 - 224: Orders Unleashed

Admiral Borsalino Kizaru lowered his voice into the Den Den Mushi,

"Don't wait any longer, I believe if Admiral Sakazuki were here, he would choose the same."

There was no doubt about it, if Sakazuki himself had the Den Den Mushi now, he might not have called Lloyd at all. By the time others arrived at that location, all they would have seen was a large pool of hardened magma.

The World Government had issued its command: if there was resistance, execute them on the spot.

Whether they resisted or not, wouldn't that be up to whoever found them?

To be honest, Lloyd felt conflicted, but he responded gently,

"Borsalino, that woman helped me before, so spare her life. Escort all of them to Marine Headquarters first."

"What? Lloyd, are you joking? These are criminals the World Government ordered to be brought back!" Kizaru exclaimed.

"It's fine, just take Olvia to Marine Headquarters. Trust me, the World Government won't object. I've already spoken with the Five Elders. If Olvia is captured, I can deal with her as I see fit."

Kizaru was taken aback. Did Lloyd really have direct access to the Five Elders? Were they that easy to talk to?

Seeing Kizaru's silence, Lloyd continued slowly,

"Borsalino, there's something you and Sakazuki should know. When you return to Marine Headquarters, I'll explain it in person."

After a moment's thought, Kizaru said,

"All right, I understand."

"Okay then, with kuma there, you'll reach Marine Headquarters quickly. As for the other scholars, if you find them troublesome, just handle them however you see fit."

Kizaru turned to look at kuma and said somewhat helplessly,

"I don't think kuma will find it troublesome."

"That's true," kuma replied.

With that exchange finished, Kizaru ended the Den Den Mushi call and returned his attention to Olvia and the rest.

Kuma sat cross‑legged on the ground, massive even while seated, towering over the forlorn scholars like a small mountain. The scholars had their heads lowered, defeated and hollow. Olvia, however, tried speaking to kuma, but he was wholly absorbed in the book he held, ignoring her attempts.

When Kizaru returned, kuma stood slowly and asked,

"Borsalino, were you just calling Lloyd?"

Kizaru nodded,

"Nothing escapes you. He said to send these people to Marine Headquarters."

kuma didn't ask any further questions. He removed one of his gloves, revealing the paw‑pad beneath, then turned and slapped the nearest scholar.

Pop!

Under the horrified stares of Olvia and the others, the touched scholar instantly vanished. Someone cried out in panic,

"What‑ what are you doing?"

Kuma didn't respond, continuing to use his ability. One by one, more scholars disappeared until the remaining few finally fell into pure terror.

Only when people truly face death do they know fear.

One of the scholars tried to flee. A cold flash flickered across Kizaru's amber lenses, and then brilliant beams of light shot from him. Before the fleeing scholar had taken many steps, the beams pierced his chest and he fell limply to the ground.

Each blast found the scholar's heart precisely. Those struck fell dead instantly.

kuma paused his actions for a moment, turning his head to Kizaru, who raised his hands with a small smile,

"Helping you reduce your workload."

kuma didn't find anything odd in that, and he simply spoke quietly to Olvia,

"Don't move, I'm only using my ability to send you all to Marineford, I don't intend to kill you."

Olvia's face was pale, fear and anger warring behind her eyes. She glared at Kizaru with hatred, but he pursed his lips and turned away, ignoring her completely.

One by one, the others were sent away by kuma until only Olvia remained.

kuma looked to Kizaru, and Kizaru immediately opened his arms, cooperating by presenting himself to be sent as well.

Once everyone was gone, kuma exhaled softly, and then he vanished in a flash.

Back at Marineford Port…

Lloyd had been waiting for some time. On the ground in front of him was a vast crater shaped like a bear's paw. This pit had existed in the port for long, never filled in by Marine Headquarters because it was intentionally made as a landing point for kuma's arrivals.

From time to time, criminals would reappear out of this pit.

Lloyd stood with his arms crossed, calculating the time. It had been roughly half an hour since he'd ended the Den Den Mushi call. kuma and the others should be arriving momentarily.

It should be noted that people or objects repelled by kuma weren't teleported — they were encased in a bear‑paw‑shaped bubble that raced through the air at tremendous speed.

Suddenly, Lloyd's ears twitched ever so slightly. He looked up and heard a heavy bang. Something had landed in the pit, and a person lay prone at its center.

Lloyd had seen the clothing of Olvia's companions before — he immediately knew that kuma's delivery had begun.

From that point, there were continuous bang bang sounds as more people entered the pit, falling one atop another. The unfortunate scholars at the bottom didn't last long before their breaths went silent.

Lloyd didn't care at all about their lives. He lifted his gaze to the sky and his wings spread with a rush. In an instant he shot straight upward, above the clouds.

Above, a bear‑paw‑shaped bubble was approaching at a near‑invisible speed. Lloyd didn't dodge, simply raising his hand as a dark vortex formed in his palm.

The moment the bubble touched Lloyd's palm, it was absorbed. Inside the bubble was Olvia.

Her face still bore the remnants of fear — it was her first time experiencing kuma's power.

Lloyd let out a dry chuckle,

"We meet again, Dr. Olvia."

At the sound of that familiar voice, Olvia lifted her head stiffly,

"I ended up in your hands after all."

"What? Are you celebrating?" Lloyd asked.

Olvia was quiet for a moment, then spoke with cold resignation,

"It's not celebration, but if I fall into your hands at least I can die with more dignity. I know the World Government will never let us go. Now I just hope they don't take their anger out on Ohara."

Lloyd's expression remained unreadable, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips,

"So I told you not to meddle in this early on, but you didn't seem to take my words to heart."

After saying that, Lloyd descended, still cradling Olvia. As soon as he touched down, Kizaru and kuma arrived one after the other.

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