In this world, there were countless eccentric individuals whose appearances and attire defied the norms of William's previous life. Having lived here for many years, William was no longer startled by strange-looking people—after all, he had even interacted with Fishmen.
Thus, when the Marine warship docked and Vice Admiral Strawberry, with his long beard and towering hat nearly a meter tall, descended the gangway, William's expression remained perfectly composed.
In contrast to Strawberry's tall, slender frame and perpetually squinting eyes that exuded an air of calm authority, Vice Admiral Dalmatian was powerfully built, his bulging muscles straining against his Marine coat. His gaze was fierce, and as he stepped off the ship, he shot William and his companions, including Edmond, a cold, enigmatic smile.
William's brow furrowed slightly as he observed the Marines disembarking.
Marine officers ranked Commander and above typically dressed in highly individualized styles, vastly different from the military uniformity required of lower ranks. William held no particular opinion on this practice, so different from the armed forces of his previous world. What caused his frown was that the number of officers aboard the ships exceeded his expectations.
It appeared this operation was led by Vice Admiral Strawberry, who walked at the forefront of the Marine contingent under the watchful eyes of the crowd. He approached William's group, bringing representatives of the Grand Line's Marine Headquarters face to face with the dominant power of the East Blue beneath the gaze of countless onlookers.
The previously bustling crowd fell silent under an indescribable pressure. The entire dock became eerily quiet, save for the rhythmic sound of waves lapping against the shore.
"Morgan Stolt William," Vice Admiral Strawberry's voice was low yet resonant, carrying far across the silent dock. "You are under arrest!"
What!?
The civilians closest to the scene were stunned, digging at their ears in disbelief. Hadn't the Marine Headquarters come to commend the governor who had saved the East Blue? Why were they arresting him instead?
Those farther away, who hadn't heard clearly, began asking questions as murmurs of confusion spread through the crowd. When the news reached them, they too found it difficult to accept.
After all, during the crisis brought by Golden Lion Shiki, when the people of the East Blue lived in terror, neither the Marines nor the World Government had lifted a finger to help—not even sending a reassuring message. Now that Morgan William had rallied the forces of the East Blue to defeat Shiki, the first thing Headquarters did upon arrival was arrest the very hero who had saved them?
While the crowd grew increasingly agitated, the area where the Marines and William's group stood remained deathly silent. The atmosphere was heavy, oppressive.
William's face betrayed neither shock nor fear. Instead, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he tilted his head slightly, scrutinizing the composed expression of Vice Admiral Strawberry, who seemed entirely indifferent to the crowd's reaction.
"I see," William said after a moment of silence, his lips curling into a cold, mocking smile. "To deal with a small-time figure like me from the East Blue, Marine Headquarters went to such lengths to lull me into a false sense of security. Truly, I'm honored."
Beside William, Nezumi turned pale, his voice trembling with panic. "What's going on? Wasn't this mission about recruiting William? Why are you arresting him? He's the hero who defeated Shiki and saved the East Blue! Have you considered the negative impact this will have throughout the region?"
"It's precisely because of his influence in the East Blue that Headquarters decided to arrest him," Dalmatian sneered, speaking before Strawberry could respond.
The East Blue was the Marines' model of peace and order. William's immense influence in the region, especially after defeating Shiki, had grown to a level that alarmed the Marines. Whether they ignored him or tried to recruit him, it was inevitable that the East Blue would become William's personal domain—a prospect the Marine leadership found intolerable.
Dalmatian continued, his tone sharp and accusatory: "Furthermore, Morgan William, you've colluded with corrupt Marines and seized control of a World Government-affiliated nation despite being a pirate. If not for your clash with Shiki's forces, how much longer would you have concealed your activities from us? We're not just here to arrest you—we're here to restore proper order to the East Blue. Surrender now!"
"Commander Smoker!" Strawberry called out without turning, his voice steady and commanding.
At his words, a young Marine officer with snow-white hair stepped forward. Draped in an open Marine coat over his bare chest, Smoker held a specially crafted pair of Sea-Prism Stone handcuffs designed to be handled without direct contact. He strode purposefully toward William.
As Smoker approached William, a cold flash of steel halted his advance—the blade now resting against his throat.
Edmond, wielding Kogarashi, one of Golden Lion Shiki's former swords, fixed Smoker with an icy stare. "Take one more step and see what happens," he warned coldly. "This is the East Blue, not the Grand Line. Do you think you can simply take away their 'hero' before the eyes of the East Blue citizens? Do you believe everyone here is a coward?"
Surprisingly, Smoker merely paused briefly, glancing at Edmond's cold expression and then at the blade pressed against his neck. With contemptuous indifference, he exhaled a smoke ring before continuing his advance.
Edmond's eyes flashed with murderous intent. He wasn't one for empty threats. With a lightning-quick motion, Kogarashi—sharp enough to slice through iron like butter—slashed cleanly across Smoker's neck.
Smoker's head flew upward, but strangely, the expected fountain of blood never materialized. Instead, thick, choking smoke poured from the wound.
William's narrowed eyes widened in shock, his pupils contracting as he muttered, "A Logia user?!"
Before his words faded, the smoke billowing from Smoker's severed neck and airborne head began to intertwine, drawn together by an unseen force. In what seemed like a magic trick, his head reattached itself to his body through the connecting smoke.
Smoker rolled his neck casually, flashing Edmond a taunting smile. Then, with a thunderous "BOOM!", his arms suddenly exploded into dense, tangible smoke that engulfed William and his companions.
Outside the smoke cloud, the Marines who had disembarked raised their rifles, aiming directly at the obscured figures of William and his group.
William's cheek twitched slightly as he shifted his gaze from Smoker to the surrounding Marines. No longer bothering to conceal his killing intent, his eyes swept over the soldiers pointing their weapons at him.
The intensity of William's gaze manifested as an almost physical force. Marines who met his eyes felt like helpless prey facing an apex predator—a primal, instinctual fear gripped them, rendering them incapable of resistance.
The Marines' hearts seemed to be clutched by an invisible hand. Their faces drained of color as cold sweat poured down their bodies, and uncontrollable trembling seized their limbs.
Thud. Thud.
One by one, Marine soldiers collapsed unconscious to the ground. Within moments, only the officers remained standing. Even many of William's royal guards, except those positioned at a distance, had succumbed to the overwhelming pressure.
The previously composed Vice Admiral Strawberry, the sneering Vice Admiral Dalmatian, and the other Marine officers including Smoker all showed visible signs of alarm.
"Conqueror's Haki..." A Marine officer wearing a dog-head mask removed it, revealing an aged face and white hair. "It seems Sengoku was right. You truly are a dangerous individual, one we cannot afford to ignore!"
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