Michael didn't stay long at Marine Headquarters.
After reporting the Fishman Island cooperation matters to Sengoku, he was ready to return to Alabasta.
After all, his beloved subordinates were still in Alabasta, eagerly awaiting his return!
But… things never go as planned.
There are always strange obstacles that trip him up.
For example…
Standing in front of him now were four figures in pure white capes and suits.
And with just one glance, he recognized them all.
They were CP0 — the same group that appeared in the original story during the Dressrosa and Onigashima arcs.
"Rear Admiral of Marine Headquarters and Head of the Alabasta Marine Branch, Michael — we have been waiting here for quite some time."
Michael tilted his head slightly, his expression a little hard to read.
He had considered the possibility that after the events on Fishman Island, even if he had once been a benefactor to the Celestial Dragons, they might still send someone to secretly eliminate him.
But he hadn't expected them to be this impatient.
This place was less than 200 kilometers from Marine Headquarters — and they were going to try to assassinate him here?
It seemed CP0 had received a kill order from the World Government.
Michael chuckled and shook his head.
"You rushed ahead to ambush me, so it's understandable you haven't been updated on the latest information. Right now, I'm no longer a Rear Admiral — I'm a Vice Admiral."
His voice carried no hint of tension — from start to finish, it was filled with amusement.
This unsettled the CP0 agents, seasoned professionals and executioners though they were.
Why did it suddenly feel…
…as if they were the prey?
He was just a Vice Admiral, wasn't he?
"Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are CP0, the Celestial Dragons' top-secret intelligence agency, operating under the direct orders of the Five Elders. Our mission… is to erase you."
The speaker was Guernica, one of the Five Elders' "Cipher Pol Agent" — the same unlucky soul who interfered in the battle between Kaido and Luffy, only to be instantly crushed by Kaido.
Michael raised an eyebrow.
If he truly were just an ordinary Vice Admiral, facing these people would mean certain death.
Each of them possessed power beyond that of Supernovas like X Drake or Apoo, even the weaker Maha could take Izou down with him.
In other words, they were at least on par with Whitebeard Pirates division commanders.
Within the CP organizations of the World Government, this was already near the peak of combat power.
After all, years of espionage missions tend to drain one's potential.
Just look at CP9's long-term undercover agents in Water 7.
"Erase me?" Michael looked troubled. "Are you sure? From what I know… with your level, that's pure daydreaming."
Michael knew full well that his earth-shaking battle with Whitebeard had never been made public.
He had deliberately instructed Morgans to omit those details in his reports, focusing only on the cooperative aspect.
And the great purge of Fishman Island that followed wasn't only to eliminate its scum — it was also to silence anyone who might pass information to the World Government.
The most likely suspects, aside from regional-justice Marines, were those running black-market operations for government officials.
So he had left none of them alive.
As a result, he had maintained a major information gap with the World Government until now.
Of course, after today, they'd probably get an idea of his true strength.
After all, the four CP0 agents here would be buried.
"Michael, Ancient Zoan — Birdman form… Don't resist. Don't make us waste unnecessary effort."
With that, the four CP0 agents used Geppo, coming at him from four different directions.
To Michael, people seeking death… deserved nothing less than death itself.
"Honestly, with masters like the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders… you really have it rough."
As he spoke, Michael drew Myōjō.
Before heading to Fishman Island, faced with this situation, he would have unleashed a battlefield-clearing Judgment to instantly send the four poor CP0 agents to heaven.
But after Whitebeard's "lesson," Michael had gained a new understanding of battle.
So now there was no blinding Holy Light or holy flame — only a thin layer of pale blue fire gathered along the blade's edge.
With a single, simple horizontal draw of the blade, the four CP0 agents froze mid-attack.
They lowered their heads in unison, looking at their waists and stomachs.
There was no spray of blood or guts.
Only a fine wound, faint blue flames curling upon it.
"I told you… I almost feel sorry for you."
Michael shook his head, sheathed Myōjō, and with a beat of his wings, continued flying toward Alabasta.
He didn't spare the stunned CP0 agents another glance.
But the instant he flapped his wings, they began to burn from the inside out, until they were nothing but ash scattered over the sea.
That single slash had driven the blade's Judgment Flame into their bodies through a fierce cut and advanced Armament Haki projection.
In an instant, it destroyed their nervous systems and internal structure.
Finally, they were reduced to ash.
Just one strike.
Michael's strength hadn't actually increased since before Fishman Island — but his battle technique was now on an entirely different level.
...
Alabasta Marine Branch.
"My goodness… wasn't Michael just going to Marine Headquarters to see the newborn? How did he suddenly end up making big news on Fishman Island?"
Bell-mère stared in disbelief at the newspaper in her hands.
The surrounding members of the Secret Special Force, however, looked completely unfazed.
Making big news was just Michael's style.
When he made a move, it was always shocking.
The only thing that irked the SWORD Secret Special Force members this time was… he hadn't taken them along!
They wanted to see the deep sea 10,000 meters below too!
And a historic moment like Marines cooperating with the Whitebeard Pirates — they desperately wanted to witness it with their own eyes!
Compared to the excitement and regret of the SWORD members, a blue-haired, cigarette-smoking woman and a hawk-eyed man exchanged a look, both clearly stunned.
"Did they just say… the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates?" Crocodile frowned, confirming with Hawk Eyes.
"Unless I misheard — yes." Hawk Eyes nodded. "I didn't expect Michael to be so unpredictable."
"Tch… that old man Whitebeard is really getting soft with age…"
Although Crocodile was now on the same side as Michael, she still carried a certain "fan filter" toward the so-called strongest man in the world.
"Who are you calling soft!? That's called knowing the times and acting wisely! After all, he's dealing with none other than your beloved Vice Admiral Michael!"
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