It only took a single phone call.
Just one call, and Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kyros, both mere Third-Class Seamen, were granted full discretionary authority at Navy Branch 133.
But what did Zephyr's words, "Act as you see fit", really mean?
It meant that even if Yoriichi and Kyros were to slaughter every last person in Branch 133, as long as they had a remotely plausible justification afterward, they would walk away unscathed.
Such was the terrifying weight of authority held by a former Admiral of the Navy.
Those seasoned officers of Branch 133, veterans who had spent years, even decades, climbing the ranks to reach lieutenant and commander were instantly reduced to dispensable pawns with a single sentence from Zephyr.
In the world of One Piece, power at the top isn't just immense, it's chilling.
And it wasn't just Zephyr, the former admiral, now Chief Instructor of the Navy.
Even a current Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral from Navy Headquarters could easily decide the fate of lower-ranking officers with just a few words. Technically, of course, officers accused of misconduct were supposed to be taken back to Headquarters for due process.
But Zephyr's meaning was clear: if anything happened, he'd take full responsibility. Here, in this little corner of the West Blue, there wasn't a single mess he couldn't clean up.
"Kyros," Yoriichi said, "Let's head back."
"I'd bet anything, they're already waiting for us."
Piloting a patrol ship with just the two of them wasn't exactly easy. Fortunately, Yoriichi had taken helm training at the Navy Academy—he knew how to steer.
With Kyros doubling as their "engine room crew," the under-crewed patrol ship rumbled back to life. The vessel slowly turned and began its course back toward the military harbor of Branch 133.
And as they neared the base, exactly what Yoriichi had predicted unfolded.
The warships that should have been neatly docked were now completely blocking the harbor entrance. Three large warships, along with over a dozen patrol boats, were arrayed in formation—each one's pitch-black cannons trained squarely on their lone vessel.
Inside the pilothouse, Yoriichi brought the patrol ship to a halt. Then he called out to Kyros in the engine room and together they stepped onto the deck, gazing across the sea at the spectacle before them.
"Never thought I'd get to feel what it's like... to be surrounded by Navy warships—while being Navy myself," Yoriichi murmured, watching the scene unfold with a hint of wry amusement.
As for why the base would mobilize like this, he wasn't the least bit surprised. The moment he saw the incoming Den Den Mushi transmission back in the cockpit, he'd already guessed it would come to this.
By now, he and Kyros were probably considered rogue soldiers—deserters.
On the deck of Branch 133's flagship warship, Captain Caine stood cloaked in the Justice mantle. His face was cold, his gaze sharp, and as he squinted at the halted patrol ship in the distance, he gave a grim command:
"Fire."
No questions. No investigation. No warning.
Their first "hello" came in the form of cannon fire.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
With Caine's order relayed, the three heavy warships unleashed a thunderous barrage. The sound of their cannons cracked across the ocean like a sudden storm. Jet-black shells tore through the sky, hurtling straight toward Yoriichi and Kyros' vessel.
"Kyros, protect the ship!" Yoriichi shouted.
"This thing's Navy property, we can't let it go down that easily!"
"I'll go… say hello!"
With that, Yoriichi swiftly drew his long blade from his hip. In the blink of an eye, he launched into the air with Geppo (Moonwalk). Midair, his blade flashed as it effortlessly cleaved through several incoming shells. Then, without slowing, he surged forward—straight toward the largest warship at the center.
Shhhhk-shhhhk-shhhhk!
Once Yoriichi had taken flight, Kyros leapt to the bow. With sword in hand, he began slicing down the shells that Yoriichi hadn't intercepted. Unlike Yoriichi, Kyros couldn't launch flying slashes. He had to get up close and cut them down with sheer precision.
He had already mastered Soru, making him incredibly fast—but in the dense flurry of cannon fire, a few shells still slipped past. Thankfully, the aim was slightly off. The errant shells exploded in the waters around them, sending waves crashing violently against the hull, making the patrol ship rock with force.
But then, unexpectedly, the barrage stopped.
Kyros steadied himself. He blinked.
The shelling… had ceased?
"C-Captain Caine! He's… he's flying!!"
Joseph Caso stood at Caine's side, eyes fixed on the patrol ship. He had just spotted a figure take flight from its deck, soaring rapidly through the air toward them like a white blur. His voice trembled as he stammered a warning:
"That's one of the Navy's Six Styles, Moonwalk! He's using Geppo! That guy… he's no ordinary Seaman Third Class, he's an elite from Headquarters!"
"He's definitely here for me!"
A surge of fury flashed through Caine's heart as he gazed at the figure streaking across the sky—Yoriichi Tsugikuni. But that anger quickly gave way to a flicker of relief.
Thank goodness he struck first. Had those two managed to investigate and report anything back to Marine Headquarters, his position as captain would've been finished. If he were lucky, he'd be sent to Impel Down. But more likely… he'd be executed.
As the airborne "white dot" closed in, Caine's face remained eerily calm. His composed demeanor quietly steadied the nerves of those around him.
"No need to panic. That's just a man. Keep aiming at the traitor and keep firing."
"Don't stop."
Caine's voice was light, almost casual, unshaken, even in the face of Yoriichi's mastery of Geppo.
But as the figure approached rapidly, Caine finally recognized the person flying toward them—it was indeed Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He remembered him well: a young Marine from Headquarters.
But Caine was confident. He had a trump card.
He could take him down.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!!"
A chorus of cannons swiveled to lock onto Yoriichi, then roared to life. The thunderous blasts echoed through the sky.
Midair, Yoriichi narrowed his eyes at the incoming shells. With lightning precision, he swung his blade, releasing a flurry of flying slashes that detonated the cannonballs midair. The sky erupted in flames and thick, black smoke that instantly swallowed his figure whole.
On the deck below, Joseph Caso saw Yoriichi vanish into the explosion and punched the air in triumph.
"Got him!"
But the next second, his expression froze.
From within the black smoke, Yoriichi shot out like a meteor. In the blink of an eye, he plummeted down. A heartbeat later, he landed squarely on the deck—right in front of Caine, Joseph Caso, and the rest of the gathered Marines.
He stood there calmly, left hand gripping his scabbard, right hand holding a long black blade. His expression was sharp and unyielding as he stared down Caine and the others.
Instantly, the Marines raised their rifles, aiming them at Yoriichi. Joseph Caso drew his sword with practiced speed, glaring at him with eyes full of tension.
"Good day, Captain Caine," Yoriichi said calmly.
"I am Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Seaman Third Class, Navy Headquarters, Marine Academy."
"I am acting under direct orders from former Admiral, now Chief Instructor of Marine Headquarters, Zephyr."
"My orders are to arrest all officers of Branch 133 ranked Ensign and above."
"Captain Caine, I ask for your cooperation."
He didn't attack first. Zephyr's teachings echoed in his mind:
If you can avoid killing, then don't kill.
Caine's pupils contracted. Around him, the other Marines exchanged stunned looks. They could hardly believe what they had just heard.
"Hmph!"
"Marine traitor! You dare to forge orders in Zephyr-sensei's name?!"
"I've received intel, you and Kyros colluded with pirates to attack your fellow Marines!"
"Even now, you think you can deceive us with bold lies and escape judgment? You think-"
Caine's words cut off.
In the span of a single breath, Yoriichi vanished from sight and reappeared directly before him. His movement was so fast it left even seasoned soldiers speechless.
A chilling sensation kissed Caine's throat. His mind blanked.
No one had time to react, Yoriichi was already there. His long blade rested cold and precise against Caine's neck. The edge pressed just hard enough to nick the skin—drawing a thin, crimson line.
"Captain Caine," Yoriichi said softly, his eyes as cold as tempered steel.
"I may have said 'please'…"
"…but that was an order. Not a request."
"I suggest you don't push your luck."
*********
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