Grand Line, first half. Night had just fallen.
A marine warship sailed steadily toward the New World, followed closely by a grand merchant vessel that trailed in its wake. Everyone who had yet to part ways was gathered aboard the warship.
On deck, Bullet was burdened with a massive weight strapped across his back, training the soldiers with relentless intensity. His harsh shouts carried across the dark waves, mixing with the rhythm of boots pounding against the planks. The soldiers gritted their teeth and pushed forward, desperate not to fall behind under his unforgiving eye.
Inside the cabin, Sakazuki sat across from Carlo, reviewing the developments of the past years.
Purururu~ Purururu~
The sound of a Den Den Mushi ringing interrupted them as Sakazuki casually picked it up.
"This is Sakazuki. Speak."
The snail's expression darkened at once, mirroring the voice that came through. It was Enel, his tone heavy and laced with anger.
"Uncle Sakazuki, I was about to kill a pirate. But just now, that bastard pulled out a Den Den Mushi... and it connected to the Five Elders."
* * *
North Blue, Rubeck Island.
Enel sat hunched on a pile of wooden crates, his entire body exuding an aura of violent, unpredictable energy. His face was set in a stormy scowl, and in one hand he held a Den Den Mushi. His other hand pressed against Rosinante's wound to stop the bleeding.
Nearby, members of the Donquixote Family lay scattered across the ground, charred black and utterly defeated. None could move.
Doflamingo had lost an arm and lay not far away, panting heavily. In his remaining hand he clutched a Den Den Mushi, its call already cut off. His twisted grin stayed fixed on Enel. He held leverage over the Five Elders … and the moment the line connected, he had ensured his survival.
A group of marines rushed over, tending quickly to Rosinante's injuries. Beside him, a pale, trembling child cried while stealing nervous glances at the soldiers.
Vice Admiral Tsuru had just set foot on the island and was racing toward them. She had received the Elders' direct call: Doflamingo was on the verge of being killed by Enel.
The order was clear. Capture him alive if possible. If not, let him go, but under no circumstances was he to be killed.
She did not understand why such an order had been given. But she knew this much: if Enel killed Doflamingo by accident, the consequences would be troublesome.
The Den Den Mushi in Enel's hand echoed with Sakazuki's steady voice.
"They want him alive, do they?"
Enel grunted in response.
On the other end, the admiral's words were as indifferent as ever. "If he only needs to be alive, then there are many punishments worse than death. Prepare ten marine doctors. Have them crush every bone in his body, piece by piece. Do not let him die.
"For his comrades, execute them in front of him. Leave behind those with Devil Fruit abilities, and send them to the research division as materials. After that, regroup with me and report the details. I'll deliver him to the Five Elders myself."
The smile faded from Doflamingo's lips. That cruel grin, however, appeared on Enel's instead. His eyes glimmered with malice, and his voice dripped with violent delight.
"Understood."
He cut the line and motioned for a soldier to bring a pair of seastone cuffs, which he snapped onto Doflamingo's wrists. Then he seized him by the throat and dragged him across the ground toward Vergo, who was lying with both knees and elbows shattered, a broken marine uniform clinging to his battered frame.
Forcing Doflamingo's head toward his subordinate, Enel growled, "Watch closely."
His foot came crashing down.
Crack.
Crack.
Bones cracked and splintered from the lower leg upward, one after another. In moments, both legs hung limp like useless flesh.
Enel looked down at Vergo, drenched in cold sweat yet keeping a calm expression, silent despite the pain.
A savage grin spread across his face. "Good. Very good. Hard bones. Not a single scream came out. You really did pick an excellent infiltrator. A man like this isn't easy to uncover. If all your subordinates are like this… then this will be fun."
He crouched, his hand still clutching Doflamingo's head, and slammed it directly into Vergo's skull.
Crack!
A sickening crack rang out, unclear whose bone had given way.
* * *
Back on the Grand Line, aboard the warship.
Leaning back in his chair, Carlo asked curiously, "Enel, huh. What's he up to?"
Sakazuki let out a small laugh. "Saving a friend. Sengoku's adopted son, Rosinante."
Carlo chuckled. "That explains it. I didn't see him when we returned this afternoon."
Sakazuki shook his head. "No need to concern yourself. Nothing serious. At present, eighty percent of base commanders across the Four Blues have already been replaced with our people. The rest is just steady growth. We'll raise and train the troops, preparing for the decisive battle to come. Tell me, how far has the Revolutionary Army spread in the North and West?"
Carlo leaned over the map on the table, circling several islands across the West and North Blues.
"Their ideas have spread widely. These islands are where their influence runs deepest. Many people accept their ideology, but few are actually willing to act. After all, life hasn't reached the point where they can't survive anymore. Nobody wants to risk their head rebelling against their nation and the World Government."
Sakazuki nodded. "That's to be expected. The Great Pirate Era may have been curbed for now by our purge operation, but with Kaido declaring himself Emperor, countless young men are already inspired to set sail and make their names. The impact of the purge will last no more than two years.
"When Fleet Admiral Kong leaves, the tides will shift again. More youths will take to the seas year after year. The burden will fall on those left behind, caught in a vicious cycle of oppression and escape. In time, the Revolutionary Army's ideology will become their last hope. From there, it'll snowball. Revolutions will break out all over the world. A war engulfing the globe will be inevitable."
Carlo exhaled softly. "It will be brutal beyond imagination. But Admiral... how do you know Fleet Admiral Kong is about to step down?"
Sakazuki's lips curved in a faint smile. "The current Commander-in-Chief only survived because he underwent organ replacement surgery in the Marines' science division years ago. He goes to Punk Hazard for checkups every year. His body is failing. At most, he has two years before he's forced into retirement."
Carlo gave a slow nod. "I see. And what happens then? Will you run for Fleet Admiral?"
Sakazuki's gaze grew colder. "No. Let Sengoku take that burden. Consider it payback for the time he set me up in Ohara. Besides, if I took the position, I'd be forced to choose. Destroy the pirates first, or the Revolutionary Army.
"There's no way to deal with both at once. We'll wait until the timing is perfect. When it comes, even those figures who stand above the heavens will be dragged down and crushed."
With a wave of his hand, several classified documents scattered across the desk ignited, curling into ash. The remains drifted into the trash bin like snow.
* * *
Days later. Grand Line, Lirga Island.
At the bustling port, a few unlucky pirates lay sprawled lifeless on the ground. The local merchants barely spared them a glance. Such sights had become routine. Two guards from the island's militia hurried over to clear the bodies.
Mihawk calmly sheathed his blade and turned toward his small boat, as if nothing had happened. His eyes were as sharp as the weapon at his back.
He had just reached his vessel when an air cannon roared from a marine warship approaching the harbor.
The blast hurtled toward him, powerful enough to obliterate any ordinary man. But Mihawk's expression did not change. In the blink of an eye, his black blade, Yoru, appeared in his hand. With a gentle flick, a razor-thin slash sent the cannon arcing upward.
Boom!
A circular shockwave burst across the sky as furious winds raged above the port. Mihawk's boat rocked lightly, while every other ship nearby pitched and swayed as if ready to capsize.
Bullet stood at the rail of the warship's bow, grinning. "Interesting. That's some clever swordsmanship. Such a blast, yet your little coffin hardly stirred while the rest of the ships nearly toppled."
Narrowing his eyes, Mihawk muttered, "Marines."
Bullet leapt from the warship, crashing onto the dock opposite the swordsman. The ground shook under his weight.
Behind him, soldiers in full combat gear descended swiftly, their expressions blank and cold. They spread into formation at his flanks.
Bullet bared his teeth in a vicious smile.
"Every pirate in this port. Not a single one leaves alive. All. Must. Die!"
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