"I don’t understand. Why would the Holy Land issue such an order?"
Completely unaware that Orin was already in league with the Elders, the Marines still regarded him and his crew as their greatest potential threat.
They were holding a eting, discussing how the Marines should respond to Orin and his group if the World Governnt ever lifted its restrictions.
But Kong had so idea of what was going on. After all, he was about to resign and take a position within the Holy Land. So things, he was already aware of. As soone who had been personally honored by the World Governnt multiple tis, and who had communicated directly with the Elders as a Marine, Kong had long sensed that sothing was off.
He imdiately halted Brannew from continuing his analysis of Orin and the others and instructed him to move on to the next item.
Brannew didn’t dare object. He simply nodded and began speaking on the next topic.
"As you all know, the new Levely will be convening soon, and our Marine forces will once again shoulder the burden of providing protection."
"Lieutenant Colonel ichu, responsible for the North Blue..."
"Commodore Nichu, responsible for the South Blue..."
"..."
"Next, we have Vice Admiral Sakazuki, Vice Admiral Kuzan, and Vice Admiral Borsalino..."
As soon as Brannew read the final nas, the room of Marine officers erupted in shock and chatter.
"Nani?!"
"Three Admiral candidates assigned to guard one nation? Even a major power like Alabasta never received such treatnt!"
"Yeah, this is way too irregular!!!"
The three individuals in question, however, sat quietly, showing little reaction.
Borsalino sipped his tea with a smirk. Sakazuki sat with arms crossed, his face obscured by his hat. Kuzan appeared disinterested and emotionless.
It didn’t really matter which nation they were assigned to guard.
But when the actual destination was revealed, all three widened their eyes.
"The three of you will be guarding the royal family of the Kingdom of Duramos."
BOOM!!!
The conference table was instantly blown to pieces by an elental outburst.
"Fleet Admiral, this arrangent is far too reckless. Besides, I’m worried..."
Sengoku rubbed his forehead in frustration as he looked at the stunned Borsalino and the visibly upset Kuzan and Sakazuki.
Those in the know were well aware: although the nominal king of Duramos was Keek, the real ruler and heir to the throne was Orin.
Assigning these three—Orin’s known enemies—to guard a country under his rule? That was practically forcing them to make a mistake.
Sengoku understood this couldn’t have co from Fleet Admiral Kong.
It was clearly a direct order from the World Governnt. Only they had the authority to manipulate the assignnt list in such a way.
Seeing Sengoku’s concerned expression, Kong simply shook his head.
"There’s nothing we can do. But with the World Governnt’s guarantee, Orin won’t cause any trouble during this Levely. Right now, what matters is making sure Kuzan and Sakazuki keep their cool. I’m not too worried about Borsalino."
That was easier said than done.
Whether they could actually manage that was another matter entirely.
The grudges among them ran deep. Especially Kuzan, who seed to have bad blood with Orin dating all the way back to when he first joined the Marines, and Orin was still just an intern.
To expect them to make peace with just a word seed unrealistic.
"No choice. As their superior, I’ll have to issue a strict order."
Sengoku sighed, rubbing his temples. Kong chuckled at the sight.
"Right? Issues like these within the Marines are always such a headache. No wonder my hair’s turned so white."
"Luckily, I’m retiring soon. The Marines will be in your hands then, Sengoku."
Hearing this, Sengoku didn’t look the least bit happy.
"You’re stepping down easily, but the seas of the future won’t be so calm..."
Perhaps he was thinking about the coming age of pirates, or the erratic actions of the World Governnt. Instead of feeling joy over his coming promotion, Sengoku only felt the pressure.
"And then there’s Orin. He hasn’t plunged the seas into chaos yet, but he’s still a thorny problem."
Kong nodded in agreent.
"He’s just like Rocks... yet without that level of ambition. I suppose, in a way, that’s the best bad news we could’ve hoped for."
Sengoku looked around at Garp, who was snoring with snot bubbles, the calm Tsuru, the disheartened Zephyr, and the future Three Admirals with varying expressions.
A brief flicker of doubt surfaced in his heart.
What future awaits the Marines...?
...
Ten days later.
As one of the affiliated nations in the New World, the Kingdom of Duramos wasn’t large, but thanks to Orin’s presence, it was exceptionally prosperous.
"Still so ti before the Levely begins. Want to spar, Hawk Eyes?"
"Of course."
Clad in a luxurious gold-trimd robe, the proud Mihawk never backed down from a challenge. Or perhaps it had just been too long since he last faced Orin, and he wanted to see how far his swordsmanship had co.
"Fufufufufu... What a terrifying swordsman. His very aura sends chills down the spine."
Perched cross-legged on the ship’s rail, Doflamingo, who had joined the crew temporarily for a few months, had co to understand everyone’s personalities.
But his favorite person to ss with was Crocodile. Maybe their tempers just naturally clashed in a way he found amusing.
"Oi! Don’t lump in with you... bastard. Watch your back, or I’ll slice you."
Crocodile clearly had no patience for Doflamingo’s big talk. She shot him a sidelong glare, the hook on her hand gleaming with cold light.
"You really are a nasty piece of work. And to think we’re the only two on this ship with similar bounties."
"Shut it!!!"
On a deserted island near the waters of Duramos, two intense battles were underway.
Black and green sword auras clashed violently—this was Orin and Mihawk holding back. If they went all out, they could easily reshape the entire island’s geography.
"Such overwhelming Conqueror’s Haki Infusion..."
Mihawk had believed that mastering Conqueror’s Haki Infusion would make him Orin’s equal, but now his expression turned grim.
He pushed off the ground with a swift motion, dashing toward Orin with Yoru in hand. In the next mont, a pair of cold, serious eyes appeared along the blade of Yoru.
Yoru began guiding the Conqueror’s Haki on its own, black-red lightning crackling along the blade. His originally sharp aura now radiated unmatched dominance.
But even so, he still fell short compared to the man before him.
If Mihawk’s Conqueror’s Haki was like thunder, then Orin’s was a thunderstorm!!!
"Orin!!! The world calls you the supposed number one swordsman. Let test that title again with my blade!!!"
In the next instant,
Yoru and Ace—both black blades—clashed, their Haki-charged strikes unable to even touch one another!!!
The scene was reminiscent of the legendary clash between Roger and Whitebeard!!!
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