Early the next morning, at Marine Headquarters.
The morning sun had just risen, and the cries of seagulls echoed over the fortress.
However, the Fleet Admiral's office was tightly shut, and the roars coming from within made the marines outside tremble.
Thud!
A copy of the World Economic Journal was slammed fiercely onto the solid wood desk, causing the teacup on it to rattle.
The current Fleet Admiral of the Marines, "Sengoku the Buddha," Kong, currently had a dark expression on his face. Pointing at the newspaper on the desk, he roared at Zephyr, who stood before him:
"Zephyr! Look at this! Take a good look! Is this the elite you trained?!"
Zephyr's face was gloomy as he silently puffed on a cigar, his expression obscured by the swirling smoke.
On the nearby sofa, Garp sat cross-legged, crunching loudly on rice crackers while craning his neck to get a look at the newspaper.
On the front page, a massive photo occupied half the layout.
In the photo, Kane stood with an air of righteousness in front of the ruins, with three terrifying figures (Sakazuki and the others) behind him, along with a group of rescued hostages whose eyes were filled with terror.
The headlines, in Morgans' signature bold and shocking style, were eye-catching:
"Sabaody Stained with Blood! The Devilish Rescue of a Marine Rising Star!"
"A Bolt of Justice, or a Butcher's Carnival?"
"Exclusive Commentary: On 'Dead Hostages Are the Best Hostages'—A Quote from a Certain Warrant Officer Kane Who Wishes to Remain Anonymous!"
"Pfft—HAHAHA! Cough, cough!"
Garp burst out laughing when he saw that subheading, spraying rice cracker crumbs all over Sengoku's face. "Dead hostages are the best hostages? That kid Kane is a real genius!"
"Garp! Shut up! And keep those damn rice crackers away from me!"
Sengoku wiped the crumbs off his face, adjusted his glasses, and frowned deeply. "Fleet Admiral Kong, this is a bit troublesome. The World Government has received numerous complaints from nobles of affiliated nations, claiming that our Marines openly slaughtered civilians on Sabaody. This has frightened many national nobles, and some are even starting to boycott the Marines."
"Slaughtering civilians?" Fleet Admiral Kong snorted coldly, about to erupt.
Just then, the office door swung open.
Kane walked in, leading the other three "accomplices." He wore an expression of righteousness, his eyes clear, and he held a written self-criticism in his hand.
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral! I believe the newspaper is spreading rumors!"
Kane stood at attention and saluted, his voice resounding:
"In the face of vicious pirates who attempted to blow up the building, we merely took necessary measures."
"As for the pirates' deaths being slightly... gruesome, that was purely due to their osteoporosis and lack of martial virtue—they used their faces to collide with our fists!"
Fleet Admiral Kong's eye twitched uncontrollably. "Used their faces to collide with fists? That spring man was smashed into the ground! Are you trying to tell me he was trying to dig a tunnel to escape?"
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral, that possibility cannot be ruled out!" Kane replied without changing his expression.
"Enough!"
Fleet Admiral Kong rubbed his throbbing temples.
Sakazuki, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stepped forward, the heat radiating from his body causing the office temperature to soar.
"Fleet Admiral, if you're here to hold me accountable, I'll take full responsibility. That scum—I'd kill him again without hesitation if given the chance. Kane is right: only dead pirates won't repeat their crimes. So-called mercy is the greatest blasphemy against Justice!"
Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru exchanged a glance, a flicker of shock in their eyes.
Though Sakazuki had always been radical, he'd previously followed rules. Now it seemed... he'd been molded by Kane's influence?
"Who said anything about holding you accountable?"
Tsuru, who had been quietly sipping tea, suddenly spoke. The Marine Headquarters' chief strategist set down her cup, her profound gaze sweeping over the four men before settling on Kane.
"Though your methods were excessive, the deterrent effect has been remarkable. Intelligence shows Sabaody's lawless district has grown much quieter this morning—even human traffickers have been halved."
Tsuru stood and walked to the world map, lightly tapping the North Blue region.
"However, with your current combat strength and destructive capacity, it's no longer appropriate for you four to remain in the Elite Camp playing games with recruits."
Turning around, she revealed a meaningful smile. "Coincidentally, there's some trouble brewing in the North Blue. The Germa 66 Kingdom has been leveraging their technological might to instigate wars everywhere, even openly plundering non-affiliated nations. As a World Government affiliate, Marine Headquarters cannot intervene directly."
"But..." Tsuru's eyes sharpened, "if a few 'lost' Marine trainees were to accidentally stumble into Germa's battlefield during their vacation leave and spark some conflicts..."
Fleet Admiral Kong immediately understood, flourishing his pen: "Exactly! Since you're so full of energy, you're all heading to the North Blue for 'vacation'!"
"Mission objective: Make Germa 66 behave! Complete this mission, and you'll formally graduate with your ranks!"
The North Blue?
Germa 66?
Kane's eyes instantly lit up.
That's the Vinsmoke Family!
A walking repository of black technology! War profiteers with wealth rivaling nations!
And he'd heard that old fool Vinsmoke Judge had amassed countless treasures and rare materials in his quest to dominate the North Blue.
"Mission accepted, sir!"
Kane snapped a crisp salute, declaring with righteous fervor: "I detest Germa's peace-disrupting actions! I shall enlighten them with love and Justice!"
...
Three hours later.
Marineford harbor.
A medium-sized warship bearing no identification numbers stood ready for departure.
Kane stood on the deck, holding the transfer order bearing the words "Deploy to North Blue to handle Germa 66 unrest." His smile gradually twisted into something unnerving.
"Yee~ North Blue? I hear their mafia's quite fierce~" Borsalino lounged on a deck chair, sunglasses covering his face as he sipped orange juice, embodying the philosophy of enjoying what couldn't be avoided. "Would be nice if we could bring back some local specialties~"
"Germa's crimes deserve reckoning." Sakazuki stood at the prow, molten magma swirling around his fingertips as he gazed at the horizon, his mind filled with Kane's teachings about eliminating threats root and stem.
Kuzan snoozed nearby, already asleep with his eye mask on.
"All hands! Set sail!"
Kane stood at the captain's position, one foot propped on the railing as he waved grandly, brimming with triumphant spirit.
Looking at these three future top-tier fighters, his heart swelled with ambition.
Far away in the distant North Blue...
Seated upon the throne of the Mobile Castle, Vinsmoke Judge suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and sneezed violently.
"What's going on? This ominous premonition..."