The great nation of Superior.
This country—once bustling everywhere with rich farmland and trade—is now a battlefield.
"I see, it lives up to being West Blue's greatest granary. To think such vast plains exist."
"Yeah, that's right."
The man leading a black-suited girl swings his sword.
That strike with a weapon meant to cut what's before him—
"Gyaaaaaah!!!"
"What!? Where's the slashing attack coming frommmm aaaahhh!!!"
"Sc-scatter! Scatter! Wide-range attack is—!!"
—was literally building mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.
One blade swing tears makeshift fences, two swings send soldiers flying together.
"Ho. As you deduced, they appear to be soldiers disguised as mere rioters. Perhaps plunder forces from neighboring Rigalo... Impressive, Robin."
"Yeah, that's right."
Each sword swing releases massive slashing attacks, blowing away those dressed like civilians yet armed.
The girl watching with dead fish eyes occasionally closes one eye, writing something on a map in hand.
Already utilizing raised kites like during Canet, she grasped detailed terrain and created a simple map.
"So, Robin. How is it?"
"...At a glance, this entire area is amazing. Not just the big river that served as the border, but several smaller rivers branching from it, so no water source problems. Judging from weeds and trees growing here, soil's not bad either. Better than Canet."
"Ho."
"Maybe because it's near both nations' borders, it wasn't heavily developed... If we capture the island itself, we get farmland far exceeding estimates."
Whoosh! The man swings his sword.
Slashing attacks shoot out, screams echo from across the plain.
"I see. Then bloodying it excessively isn't good."
"...Yeah, that's right."
The girl responds with dead fish eyes while watching enemy soldiers—who soared into the air with dirt and blood from the earlier slash—freely falling.
"Understood. I'll blow them away rather than cut."
"Another slashing attack's coming, run gyaaaaaah!!"
"That bastard blew up the ground!"
"Everyone down! Scattered pebbles have grenade-level powerrrrr!!"
"Sergeannnnt!!"
And more light faded from the girl's eyes.
"Is there any battlefield this terrible?"
At the man's words, the girl—Nico Robin—involuntarily interjects.
Nearby fishman Hack guarding the girl, and royal guards including Amelia, nod repeatedly agreeing with the girl's words.
"It's efficient, no?"
".....Yeah."
"Taking time would needlessly detain Hancock wanting to quickly reach Kuro."
"....Yeah, that's right."
Incidentally, they also mercilessly blow away approaching enemies in one hit.
When Hack swings his fist, dozens soar; when royal guards swing swords, dozens are instantly cut down.
Chris in particular is nearly single-handedly building mountains of corpses and rivers of blood like Mihawk.
"This is all I can do. Best to quickly suppress things."
Mihawk leads the main force that caught up with advance force Amis—since Daz who should have commanded became unable to move, Mihawk became reinforcement representative as substitute.
Though overall command remains with Amis.
Under Amis's instructions, Mihawk rushes to locations with most enemy forces, engaging in work suppressing all enemies in sight without question.
Maybe just let this guy handle everything.
"But yeah. Compared to those Marines from before, they're super weak... Before, there were scattered people who could withstand Mihawk's sword several times at least."
"Boring... I'd normally say, but now it's convenient. Knowing unstoppable forces exist here, whatever their true feelings, neither side's citizens will try anything strange."
"...The port town people who sought our protection knew we repelled Navy headquarters forces."
"Kuro may stomp his feet, but the era flows toward power being everything. Precisely why our existence, our intentions, cannot be ignored by anyone."
Where the advance force landed, three-claw flags already stand.
In the town completely suppressed by main force elites led by other royal guards, injured treatment and food distribution proceed, and they'll gradually begin restoration work parallel to grasping and searching for missing persons.
For Black Cat veterans, already familiar work.
Yes. Precisely because they're so practiced at relief activities, citizens who actually witnessed and directly encountered them became more obedient to Black Cat instructions than initially expected.
"...Hey, Mihawk."
"What?"
Mihawk answers while reversing his blade and firing slashing attacks.
Whether reversing blades grants the concept of "blunt strikes" to slashing attacks flying fast and sharp enough to be shot out—Robin's curiosity almost wanders elsewhere momentarily, but she zips her mouth once before voicing her question.
"Mihawk, you didn't volunteer for the role of saving Captain-san, right?"
"Indeed."
"Why?"
To Robin tilting her head slightly asking, Mihawk turns only his neck without stopping bombardment-named slashing attacks—
"What did you expect... You also declined the rescue force operator role."
"Because we're taking in lots of people, someone experienced in pioneering is needed in West Blue."
"I'm the same."
In a sense, at these most unexpected words, Nico Robin blinks.
True, she felt he'd been fitting into the 'Black Cat' organization.
Initially only interested in Captain Kuro, but through training as royal guards shaped up, he gradually involved himself with other soldiers and executives.
"Land clearing inevitably requires manpower, but if I lend a hand, some effort can be saved. That way, more people's bellies can be filled."
Still, his position—though a general—is guest general.
If Daz orders, he'd comply, but Robin predicted he'd still try heading toward Kuro, the primary reason Mihawk is here.
"Somehow, unexpected."
"Really?"
"...In the first place, why did Mihawk start farmwork? Digging irrigation ponds... well, more like gouging with flying slashes... other field jobs like building levees and such."
"...I see."
Enemy soldiers' morale apparently completely collapsed.
Some flee scattered in panic, others raise white flags realizing they're exposed as disguised guerrillas.
Occasional cannon sounds from afar suggest Amis—sensing favorable battle conditions—likely moved Kika or Troy's detachment, applying pressure with naval bombardment on Rigalo-side strategic points.
With rear strategic points disrupted and morale collapsed, this field battle is essentially decided.
Seeing that, Mihawk and Chris fire finishing slashing attacks scattering fleeing soldiers further.
Mercy? If it's not there, then it's not there.
That said, it's undoubtedly efficient.
For the Black Cat with this suppression operation plus restoration, agricultural work, and defensive network reconstruction—extremely much to do—time was especially precious.
Once combat completely ends, they must finish disarming surrendered or immobilized soldiers and immediately prepare for what's next.
Give soldiers rest once, resume advance tomorrow.
Join the newly formed land army, head to Rigalo capital siege.
"As you see, when I swing my sword, most enemies are handled somehow."
"Yeah, that's right."
Few inside Black Cat could deny that assertion.
...
Rather than few, absolutely none.
"Conversely, I can only swing swords. Riots aside, suppose disasters suddenly occur producing many needing rescue, and famine spreads."
Among the strong-filled Black Cat, Mihawk—one person whose kneeling figure is most unimaginable—makes an uncharacteristic difficult face.
"Then, I cannot devise and execute countermeasures like Kuro or Tesoro, or command subordinates like Amis or Hancock to minimize damage."
"So land clearing? That wasn't your type, was it?"
"...I judged that's the best way to assist him without obstructing Kuro and others' path."
Perhaps judging no more enemies need cutting, Mihawk fully releases the vigilance barely maintained through zanshinand sheathes his sword.
"Kuro and Tesoro's methods work well. Currently, I think those two can save more people than the government."
"...Tesoro-san, Stella-san said before departure he hasn't been able to return home lately."
"Because Kuro's absent. Daz does well as Kuro's substitute, but... if only Galdino could stay at headquarters, things might differ."
The man called Galdino became irreplaceable to the First Fleet far beyond initial estimates.
Soldiers nicknamed him 'Brother 3' or 'Chief Strategist 3,' but he's broadly favorably accepted including his slightly absent-minded aspects.
"Those who can do politics can skillfully utilize and resolve even inevitable conflicts and collisions... but I cannot. By moving people, I can do nothing."
"...So fields?"
"It's work purely accumulating knowledge, technique, and experience. More than anything—"
Clatter clatter, heavy wagon wheel sounds echo from behind.
Black Cat's logistics corps probably arrived.
Everything needed for enemy disarmament, restraint, and troop rest was transported.
Temporary tents, sleeping bags, medicine—and food, etc.
"To make full effort preparing so hungry soldiers and citizens don't starve."
"Among the Black Cat walking a tightrope between good and evil—this action alone is undoubtedly right, no?"
".....Mihawk."
"So quickly scatter the rabble completely."
"—Huh?"
Incidentally, even saying something slightly good, this man is Mihawk.
The original Head Mihawk who inspired Hancock to create the term 'Head Mihawk.'
"Chris."
"Yes. All personnel, draw swords!!"
And among his disciples, the woman closest to Mihawk is regrettably becoming similar.
At least, excluding Kuro, she alone can most immediately respond to Mihawk's unreasonable demands.
Soldiers following her are also routinely suddenly sent to deadly grounds.
At Chris's—the 'Silver Maiden's'—command, soldiers standing by in formation quickly draw waist weapons and ready them.
"We go! Scatter fleeing remnants and make this plain completely ours!"
The woman symbolizing Black Cat draws her sword, raising it skyward then pointing at enemy soldiers' backs.
"Follow me! Charge!!!!"
"Ooooooohhhhh!!!"
"Mm, at this rate, we can immediately begin establishing simple facilities."
"...Yeah, that's right."
"You'll be especially busy. Rest your body while you can."
"....Yeah, that's right."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Special Vice Admiral Skipper—the former CP5 man's government-assigned mission was Navy internal reunification.
Precisely, surveillance for that.
...That's all it should have been.
From the recently discovered Marine slave incident, Navy upper brass's distrust toward the government won't settle.
Though alleviated thanks to pirates working to coordinate relationship improvement between both sides, the government wants to strengthen influence over the Navy—their public face.
Bluntly put, this time they wanted them to become complete government puppets.
Surveillance for that, and bait for selecting persons of interest—frankly, personnel to prioritize eliminating.
As Special Vice Admiral with authority, conspicuously commanding, smoking out rebellious ones or Marines scheming behind the scenes to chase away this bait.
That alone should have been the role...
"Please, please agree to fishmen release, Saint Kamael!"
Suddenly, all those plans crumbled.
The abrupt surprise operation against pirate 'Black Cat.' Simultaneously, Celestial Dragons' excessively blatant requisitions from member nations.
And the chain of revolutions and rebellions starting everywhere triggered by that.
And—Celestial Dragon atrocities continuing regardless.
"If we don't rescue Saint Pluming and others imprisoned here, noble bloodlines will suffer casualties. Please, this situation...!"
Don't be absurd.
The story's different.
Over and over, the man repeated in his heart.
He doesn't care how many sacrifice or who.
Those sacrificed are at fault.
Isn't it obvious that those content with weak positions get preyed upon?
That's why he worked hard to become a World Government official who wouldn't be robbed, who shouldn't be robbed.
Yet why is he experiencing this?
Comrades infiltrated among Marines as backup are nowhere—gone for emergency information gathering.
Superiors with reliable experience, knowledgeable subordinates and colleagues—all scattered.
Even in such circumstances, one thing is clear.
At this rate, the World Government will disappear.
The foundation of his pride in being himself is about to crumble.
"Once we finish rescuing Celestial Dragons, opportunities to obtain fishmen will come again. Here—"
So while pretending to negotiate with the Black Cat, he had arrangements made.
Actually, as that pirate recognized by the 'Wise General' says, he's right.
At this rate, wasteful combat will occur again.
Even in skirmishes before barricading, not few Marines died, and ships trying to send fishmen up earlier were attacked underwater and annihilated.
(At least if I don't return all Celestial Dragons physically intact, my future—)
But—
"Don't be absurd! Just send soldiers to capture fish and save Saint Pluming and others! What are you dawdling for!?"
Nothing gets through.
Not one thing gets through.
To them, fishmen are merely rare sturdy slaves.
Despite being attacked so much, many soldiers sacrificed with ships, they don't understand.
Fishmen are that level of major threat themselves, and at this rate, even their own safety is precarious.
Recalling a while ago—when still an official not a Marine, going to West Blue to requisition non-member nation citizens as labor.
Precisely, the 'pirate's' words who engaged verbal battle with the Five Elders to revoke that order.
"You fundamentally don't understand what militaries are."
Exactly right.
Exactly right, the man strongly thinks.
But simultaneously thinks differently.
He knew Celestial Dragon tyranny.
Inevitable as absolute rulers, he thought. Or natural.
But—
"You're no longer needed."
These people are far, far more than expected—
(They have absolutely no intention of understanding what humans are...)
The man exhausted words trying to somehow settle things smoothly, but none reach.
Rather, a gun barrel pointed at him.
Evade, counterattack, or defend.
Before the man could choose any option that came to mind, a dry sound echoed.
A hole opened in his body, collapsing on the spot.
No pain—only heat when it already happened.
"Everyone's useless. In that case—"
Strength won't enter his body.
"I will—"
The gun barrel now unmistakably points at the man's head—
"Stop!!"
Simultaneously as the trigger pulls, a black figure flying from the side kicks the pistol upward.
When the dry firing sound echoes, someone held the man.
"Vice Admiral, are you conscious!?"
"...Gu...ro..."
A pirate protected the man—a government official, a Marine.
"Thank goodness... I'll withdraw once. Strong stress will apply, but please endure."
"Guro... nego...!"
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
World Government termination notice.
While carrying the Vice Admiral and using Silent Steps to retreat to Arlong's side, only that one sentence floated in my head.
...
No seriously, what the hell did you do, you moron!!!
Skipper-san, don't die, absolutely don't die!!
Whatever direction this goes, testimony about what actions you took after coming to this Fishman Island resulting in being shot by Celestial Dragons is absolutely necessary!
(Worst... truly worst!)
Of all times, right after forcibly playing the surprise attack order card against the Black Cat, a Celestial Dragon personally tries murdering a Marine!!
Even if he was government-side fake Marine, he's someone given Vice Admiral rank!!?
(Even trying to dismiss it as disobeying Celestial Dragon orders won't end cleanly considering circumstances! They launched reckless attacks on member nations!!)
Reached Fishman District barricades! I see Arlong's dumbfounded figure.
Usually 'Silent Steps' greatest feature is making no sound, but can't worry about that now.
Sound doesn't matter. Rapidly, but softly.
Brake so no more damage enters the Vice Admiral's body with unstoppable bleeding.
"!? Pirate!!"
"Arlong!!"
Reflexively called without honorifics, but Arlong responded without caring.
Sorry for suddenly jumping before you! But—
"Immediately prepare defensive battle! Everything's off! They'll attack!"
"...! Celestial Dragons—even with hostages!?"
"They only see their own world! They're convinced Celestial Dragons won't be hurt even like this!"
Arlong glances toward Celestial Dragons still captured inside.
"—If we kill one as an example, will they stop!?"
"No, killing gives them greater justification!! Then enemy reinforcements accelerate!!"
"...! Dammit...!!"
Good, good!
Arlong's still calm.
Then measures exist! Options remain!
"They collapsed their own chain of command. At one Celestial Dragon's word, they'll probably launch meaningless charges."
After touching the Vice Admiral, they won't be satisfied with just captured fishmen here and withdraw.
Saint Pluming and others are here anyway!
"Even if Celestial Dragons here become casualties, they won't think it's their own doing. They'll self-convince it was because Navy moved slowly."
"Inhuman scum!!"
Yeah, no words to return!
Right, inhuman.
Close to beasts but with desires exceeding beasts, plus intelligence to deceive themselves.
...Really, what should I do!?
My true intent was coming to lay groundwork for future strategic points in plans, yet it became such a fatally worsening epicenter... epicenter...
Well, thought about it a little!?
"But thanks to that, a situation arose where 'Celestial Dragon orders endanger Celestial Dragons.' Options still exist!"
"What will you do!?"
"Simple."
"Fishmen will save Celestial Dragons endangered by Celestial Dragons."
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
"...Apparently, the atmosphere changed."
"Yes, this commotion. Even this far away, something strange clearly happened."
"What should we do, Miss Hina?"
"It's decided."
"—We're going!"
***
If you want to read 10 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m /Well_being