With just a single phone call, two mere Third-Class Privates—Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Cyrus—had been granted full authority to act freely within the 133rd Marine Branch.
And what did Zephyr's words "act at your discretion" really mean? It meant that even if Yoriichi and Cyrus slaughtered every last officer in the branch, as long as they could give a reasonable explanation afterward, nothing serious would happen to them.
That was the terrifying extent of the power held by a former Marine Admiral.
Those old Marines who had spent decades clawing their way up to the rank of lieutenant or colonel—men who had devoted their lives to the institution—had, with just one casual sentence from Zephyr, been reduced to expendable pieces on the board.
In the world of One Piece, the power wielded by those at the top was both absolute and terrifying. Even setting Zephyr aside—former Admiral, now Chief Instructor of the Marines—just a Vice Admiral or even a Rear Admiral from Marine Headquarters could, with a few words, decide the fate of lower-ranking officers.
Of course, under normal circumstances, even if a field-grade officer truly committed a crime, they would still be taken back to Headquarters for judgment.
But Zephyr's meaning had been clear enough—whatever happened, he would take responsibility. In this small corner of the West Blue, there was nothing he couldn't cover.
"Cyrus," Yoriichi said, turning from the ruined control deck, "let's head back to port."
He smiled faintly. "I'm guessing someone's already waiting for us."
Steering a patrol ship with just two people was no small task, but fortunately, Yoriichi had studied navigation back at the Marine Academy—he knew how to pilot a vessel.
With Cyrus taking charge of the engine room like a makeshift boiler operator, the half-crippled ship soon roared back to life, its course turning toward the 133rd Branch's naval port.
And sure enough, as they neared the harbor, Yoriichi's prediction came true.
The warships that should have been moored quietly at the docks were now positioned across the harbor entrance, forming a blockade. Three massive battleships, supported by more than a dozen smaller patrol craft, trained their black cannon muzzles directly on Yoriichi and Cyrus's approaching ship.
Yoriichi, watching from the bridge, cut the engines. He called for Cyrus to join him, and the two stepped out onto the deck together.
The view before them was spectacular—terrifyingly so.
"Didn't think I'd live to experience what it's like to be surrounded by Marine warships," Yoriichi murmured dryly.
He wasn't surprised in the least. Ever since he had seen that connected Den Den Mushi back on the patrol ship, he had known this was coming.
By now, he and Cyrus were almost certainly being branded as deserters—traitors to the Marines.
On the deck of the central flagship, Colonel Kane stood tall beneath his billowing "Justice" cloak, his expression icy. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the lone patrol ship floating motionless in the distance.
"Fire," he ordered coldly.
No questions. No investigation. No warning.
Just instant cannon fire.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
At his command, all three battleships unleashed their broadsides at once. The thunder of the guns split the air as black shells screamed across the water toward Yoriichi and Cyrus's patrol vessel.
"Cyrus!" Yoriichi barked. "Protect the ship! It's still Marine property—don't let it get wrecked!"
"I'll go say hello!"
As he spoke, he drew his blade in a single smooth motion and leapt into the sky, Moonwalk steps propelling him upward. With a casual swing, he sliced several incoming shells clean in half, their explosions blossoming harmlessly in the air.
Then, turning sharply, Yoriichi shot toward the center battleship like a streak of light.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Meanwhile, back on the patrol ship, Cyrus sprang to the bow, slashing through incoming shells with his sword. Unlike Yoriichi, he couldn't launch flying slashes, so he had to cut them at close range.
He had mastered Soru, so his speed was incredible—but the cannon fire was dense and relentless. A few shells slipped through, splashing into the sea nearby and exploding in great geysers of foam. The resulting shockwaves rocked the patrol ship violently.
Yet, after that first devastating barrage… the cannon fire suddenly ceased.
On the flagship's deck, chaos broke out.
"C-C-Colonel Kane! Th-that man—he's flying!"
Joseph Caso, standing near Kane, stammered as he pointed toward the sky. A small white figure was streaking toward them like a comet.
"That's Geppo! The Moonwalk from the Six Powers!"
He swallowed hard, eyes wide.
"That guy—he's no ordinary Third-Class Private. He's a Headquarters elite!"
His voice trembled as realization struck.
"He really is here to investigate me…!"
"...So they really did come to investigate me!"
Cain's heart surged with fury as he watched the white figure in the sky draw ever closer — Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Yet beneath that anger lurked an undeniable sense of relief.
Thank goodness I acted first.
If he had let those two gather evidence and report back to Navy Headquarters, his career would've been finished. The best he could've hoped for was imprisonment in Impel Down. The worst — execution.
Even so, Cain's expression remained composed, his calm demeanor naturally spreading to the men around him.
"Don't panic," he ordered coolly. "It's just a man. Aim at the traitor and keep firing."
"Don't stop."
There wasn't the faintest tremor in his voice. Even when faced with someone capable of using Moonwalk, one of the Navy's Six Styles, Cain didn't flinch.
As Yoriichi drew closer, Cain finally recognized him — the young sailor from Headquarters. Yes, he knew that face. Talented, but green.
Cain smirked. He could handle him. He had a trump card.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
The surrounding warships adjusted their aim toward the lone figure in the sky and unleashed a volley. Thunder roared across the sea, and a storm of shells tore through the air toward Yoriichi.
Midair, Yoriichi's eyes narrowed. His blade flashed — arcs of cutting light soared forth, slicing through the incoming shells and detonating them before they reached him. The sky bloomed with fire and smoke, swallowing his silhouette completely.
"Got him!" shouted Joseph Caso, pumping a triumphant fist as he watched the explosion engulf Yoriichi.
But his grin froze in place a heartbeat later.
From within the rolling smoke, a white streak burst forth — Yoriichi, unscathed. In an instant, he dropped from the heavens like a thunderbolt. Within a few breaths, he landed squarely on the deck, standing before Cain, Joseph, and the surrounding marines.
The deck fell silent.
Yoriichi stood tall, one hand on his sheath, the other gripping his black katana. His expression was cold, his gaze sharp as a drawn blade.
Around him, marines raised their rifles, their fingers trembling on the triggers. Joseph stepped forward, drawing his own sword, eyes locked on Yoriichi.
"Good day, Captain Cain," Yoriichi said calmly. "I'm Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Third-Class Soldier, Naval Academy, Headquarters."
"By the direct order of former Admiral — now Chief Instructor — Zefa, I am here to arrest all officers of the 133rd Branch ranked lieutenant and above."
"Captain Cain, I ask that you cooperate."
He spoke firmly, but he didn't move. He remembered Zefa's words — Don't kill if you can avoid it.
Cain's pupils shrank. The marines around him traded bewildered looks; disbelief rippled through their ranks.
"Hmph!" Cain sneered. "Traitor! You dare forge an order in Chief Instructor Zefa's name?"
"I have reports that you and that Cyrus have colluded with pirates and attacked fellow marines!"
"Even now, you still try to deceive us with lies—"
He never finished.
A blur — a flash of light. Suddenly, Yoriichi was no longer standing across from him but right before him, moving faster than anyone could track.
Cain froze. A cold sting traced across his throat. A thin line of blood slid down his neck.
Around them, not a single marine had time to react.
Yoriichi's blade rested lightly against Cain's neck, his calm voice cutting through the tense silence.
"Captain Cain," he said evenly, "I may have said 'please'..."
"But make no mistake — this is an order, not a request."
"So don't make the mistake of testing me."
(End of Chapter)
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