In the East Blue's Calm Belt, a Marine warship flying the World Government standard cruised lazily forward. On deck, a tall, lean man with black curls, a yellow-and-white pinstripe suit, a scruffy goatee, and sunglasses lounged on a recliner, gazing at the sea.
"Eh, Sengoku really sent me for this kind of job. Such a hassle."
He rolled onto his side, pulled out a certain nameless smutty novel, and started to read.
"Yo, looks like some really scary Sea Kings are coming."
"The Calm Belt is truly terrifying."
No sooner had he spoken than two colossal Sea Kings burst out of the water alongside the hull. The new recruits on board trembled. Their ship should not have attracted Sea Kings at all, since it had been disguised for these waters.
"So big, so scary, huh" the man murmured. He set the book down, his figure blurred into the air, and the next instant the two massive beasts slammed back beneath the surface as if swatted by an invisible hand.
"Tut tut, so frightening."
He reappeared on the recliner as if nothing had happened. Around him, Marines exhaled in relief.
"Admiral Kizaru is incredible."
"No wonder Headquarters calls them the strongest force. I did not even see him act and the Sea Kings were gone. I thought we were done for."
"Yeah, I was terrified."
They were all fresh recruits, and this was their first time seeing an admiral.
Yes, this was the Marine HQ admiral dispatched to capture Amon, Borsalino, better known as Kizaru.
"Beep, beep, beep…"
Just as Kizaru punted two giant Sea Kings and was ready to relapse into cozing mode, his Den Den Mushi rang.
"Hello, hello, hello." He called a few times, heard nothing, glanced down at the black Den Den Mushi in his hand, and realized he had picked the wrong one.
"Oh, wrong again." He fished out another snail.
"Borsalino, have you reached the East Blue?" Sengoku's voice barked the moment he lifted it.
"Sengoku, I am in the Calm Belt. It is so scary here. Two huge Sea Kings almost ate us just now," Kizaru drawled.
"You are only in the Calm Belt? You have been gone for days. The Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise have been on my back all day. Get over there and bring him in."
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku's temper flared at Kizaru's languid tone. The man was talented in every way, except he did everything at that same maddeningly slow pace and spoke like a walking provocation. It gave Sengoku headaches.
"Yo, I got it," Kizaru replied with the same leisurely air, then cut the line. He stretched, lay back down, and resumed his racy paperback.
Staring at the dead line, Sengoku could only sigh.
…
While Kizaru set out from the Calm Belt toward the East Blue, Amon was already slipping across the waves toward the Baratie. Like Kizaru, he was stretched out on deck, sunning and fishing.
Suddenly the rod jerked violently.
Amon's eyes brightened. "Finally, a bite."
He hauled hard with both hands, and a scarlet brute of a fish, easily a hundred pounds, thudded onto the planks.
"Haha, grilled fish for lunch." Watching it flop on the boards, he felt thoroughly satisfied.
He unhooked the catch and took it straight to the galley. After a crisp flurry of knife and flame, a fragrant whole roast emerged. The aroma alone set his appetite roaring. One bite of the tender meat put him in the best of moods.
He finished the fish and returned to the deck to rest.
Half a day later, a large sea restaurant appeared on the horizon.
[Ding. Destination reached, the Baratie.]
"Finally."
Bored on his ship, Amon sprang up the moment he heard the system's chime, energy snapping back into his limbs.
-------------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / ElvenKing20