"Whoa..."
The Marine Soldiers were startled and scattered in a hubbub, about to run away.
They only heard a cold snort from the newcomer, and the Marine Soldiers' feet instantly stalled; they didn't dare move another inch.
One Marine Soldier timidly spoke up, "Ad... Admiral Sakazuki!"
Admiral Sakazuki, also known as Akainu, was one of the three Marineford Three Admirals who represented the Marines' highest combat power.
Sakazuki glared at the flustered soldier. The Marine's heart skipped a beat, and he snapped to attention with a "Pa," giving a standard military salute.
"Reporting, Admiral Sakazuki! We were discussing Second Lieutenant Taro of Marineford!"
"Hmm?" Akainu raised an eyebrow. "Discussing what about him?"
"Reporting! All the soldiers are saying that Second Lieutenant Taro is the light of the marines and possesses the power of an Admiral..."
As the Marine reported, he suddenly felt Akainu's Aura surge. An intense pressure washed over him, instantly choking back the words he was about to say.
"What light of the marines?" Akainu roared. "Who is spreading these rumors?"
Akainu had heard of this Second Lieutenant named Taro; Fleet Admiral Sengoku had told him about him. However, the Taro in Sengoku's description was nothing like this. Why had he become like this among the rank-and-file Marine Soldiers?
Moreover, according to the latest intelligence, this guy named Taro was colluding with pirates.
How could such a guy be worthy of being called the light of the marines?
The Marine Soldiers were so terrified by Akainu that they all shrank their necks, not daring to utter another word. Seeing their fearful expressions only made Akainu angrier. He waved his hand. "Scram!"
As if a great weight had been lifted, the Marine Soldiers scattered and fled, crawling and scrambling away.
Akainu walked to the window and gazed out at the distant sea, lost in thought.
"Second Lieutenant Taro is back!"
"Second Lieutenant Taro is back!"
"..."
A sudden commotion broke out in the Marineford plaza below, with Marine Soldiers shouting loudly.
Akainu's gaze narrowed. On the distant horizon, two warships were sailing toward the headquarters... "Second Lieutenant Taro, wake up. We've arrived at Marineford."
Taro, who was sleeping soundly, was woken up. He looked around blankly. "We're here?"
"We're here. It's right ahead." The Marine Soldier pointed forward.
Taro jumped up from his lounge chair and leaned against the railing to look ahead.
A magnificent building towered over the sea. On the outer wall of the main fortress, the large characters for "Marine" were carved.
High watchtowers for sentry duty were built on all sides of the main fortress. At the top of the towers, Marine flags featuring the "Seagull and Wrench" pattern fluttered in the wind.
Rows of Marine warships were docked at the outer harbor.
Many Marines had gathered on the walls outside the Marineford plaza, watching the approaching warships with eager eyes.
Marineford!
The pinnacle of world power and justice, the symbol of peace in the "Great Pirate Era."
Taro kept observing the place where the first large-scale battle of the pirate world, the "Marineford War," would break out, constantly piecing together fragments of the event in his mind.
It wasn't until he stepped off the warship that he realized with amazement—why were there so many people? What had happened?
While he was feeling uncertain, three Marines suddenly stepped out from the crowd. A Marine Sergeant led two Marine Soldiers to Taro.
He gave a sharp military salute. "Are you Second Lieutenant Taro?"
Taro nodded, somewhat bewildered.
Seeing Taro nod, the Marine Sergeant's eyes instantly became fanatical. "I am here to welcome you by order of Vice Admiral Garp."
Then he turned back, took a Second Lieutenant's uniform and a sword from the Marine Soldiers behind him, and respectfully presented them to Taro.
"This is your uniform and sidearm."
Taro looked at the Marine Sergeant with a face full of confusion, then glanced doubtfully at the large crowd of Marine Soldiers surrounding them.
What's going on? It's just delivering a uniform; why do so many people need to come?
He first picked up the sword and drew it halfway to take a look. Hmm, it was just a standard-issue military saber, nothing special.
Just as Taro was about to thank the Marine Sergeant, a roar suddenly erupted from behind the crowd:
"Great Eruption!"
A ball of blazing, magma-like substance, billowing thick black smoke, lunged straight at Taro.
Taro's eyes widened instantly. "Holy crap!"
With a sidestep, he raised his leg and delivered a sweeping kick, sending the unaware Marine Sergeant and the two Marine Soldiers flying. He himself didn't have enough time to dodge.
He could only follow the momentum, turning his body. At the moment of the turn, he drew his sword with his right hand and slashed diagonally.
"Mihawk Slash"
Surging Internal Energy instantly filled his entire body as the Minor Formless Skill drove the Internal Energy to unleash a slash.
Boom!
The fiercely burning magma and the powerful Sword Qi collided three meters in front of Taro, then exploded violently.
Taro squinted his eyes, stung by the incoming thick smoke, heat, and splashing magma.
Opposite him, a figure landed on the ground, wearing a burgundy suit uniform and that familiar face.
Akainu!
Taro's squinted eyes snapped wide open, and his pupils constricted sharply.
Why? Why did he attack me? Holy crap, what on earth happened?
"We Marines carry the justice of the world and fight against pirates. A fellow who leaves his back to the enemy and deserts the battlefield is not worthy of being called a Marine."
Akainu stared intently at Taro, his tone forceful and serious.
Huh? What is he talking about? Shouldn't you explain why you attacked me first?
Taro looked even more bewildered.
"Wow, did you see that? Second Lieutenant Taro easily blocked an attack from Admiral Akainu."
"Yeah, look, Second Lieutenant Taro's expression didn't even change."
"That's right, I've been watching; his expression has been calm the whole time."
"Is this the strength of an Admiral-level fighter? How terrifying."
"As expected of the light of the marines, his reputation is well-deserved!"
"So powerful!"
The surrounding Marine Soldiers gradually grew restless and began to whisper, their gazes toward Taro becoming even more fervent.
The scorching heat from the magma gradually faded, and the air became cool again. Taro took a breath, moistened his dry throat, and said softly, "What did you say?"
"Hiss, that calm tone..."
"Yeah, it looks like Second Lieutenant Taro is angry."
"Will a duel between Admiral-level powerhouses break out?"
The spectating Marine Soldiers broke into another commotion, collectively backing away to clear a large open space, their eyes fixed on the two men in the center.
Huh? Why are you guys backing up?
Taro, who had been staring at Akainu and warily guarding against another attack, noticed the abnormal behavior of the surrounding Marine Soldiers out of the corner of his eye and became increasingly confused.
"Also, why did you attack me?"
Opposite him, Akainu was also somewhat surprised. This guy entangled with pirates seemed much stronger than imagined. This person was a hidden danger and had to be dealt with early.
Thinking this, Akainu's right arm suddenly erupted in flames. His entire arm turned into magma as he threw a forceful punch and shouted:
"Great Eruption!"
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