Michael's sudden order left Yamato and Jack a little puzzled.
But those two simple-minded guys had one advantage…
They were obedient!
If they didn't understand why, they wouldn't think about it.
They'd act first and ask questions later! Anyway, Michael had told them to move — whatever happened, Michael would cover them!
So the two kept rubbing their hands together, sharpening their blades in anticipation…
Until the little sailboat ahead beached, they darted ashore with the speed and noise of thieves ringing bells.
Without a word, they launched into a righteous two-against-one attack!
Young people were like that: once they decided to act, they acted — no chivalry at all.
And worst of all, their first strike was dirty.
Yamato kicked Miss Buckin, who was about to speak, straight out.
Judging by the look of it, the old woman wouldn't be recovering quickly.
After Miss Buckin lost her command over Weevil, the man's already-low intelligence suddenly dropped even further.
He only realized he was being hit after he started getting beaten.
"You hitting me? Then I won't hold back!"
He immediately brandished his naginata, temporarily forcing Yamato and Jack back with a burst of power.
Even Michael, watching nearby, nodded slightly at the display…
Not kidding — this guy was really strong. Saying he had the power of Whitebeard in his youth wasn't an exaggeration.
Even if Whitebeard himself showed up, he might be baffled for a moment, wondering whether he'd made a mistake somewhere in the past.
But… that was all.
His combat strength was indeed great, but in the original story he was easily captured by Green Bull…
At best he was at the level of an Emperor's deputy.
If he could sever Zephyr's arm, it was probably because Zephyr was worried about his student and gave ground.
Yamato and Jack didn't share that restraint.
No need to say much about Jack — with that body in the pirate world and his mastery of Haki, he was already formidable.
Yamato could now autonomously channel Conqueror's Haki.
The only differences between the two and true heavyweights were combat experience and technique.
But this opponent happened to be the same type as them.
So…
In their righteous two-against-one, Weevil had no chance.
Under left and right strikes he gradually weakened.
"Whew! Since my fight with Hancock, I haven't exercised like this in a while — feels great!" Yamato wiped the sweat from his brow and laughed loudly. "This kid is really strong!"
"With legs that thin, how could he generate such explosive power?" Jack stared at Weevil's slim legs in puzzlement, completely baffled.
Michael's mouth twitched.
These two were a bit ruthless.
Weevil was nearly beaten beyond recognition.
And Yamato's opening kick had been utterly merciless.
He was clearly someone who wouldn't hesitate to strike old men and women.
"You did well… but next time don't always go straight for the face." Michael sighed. "This kid was already ugly, and now he's at the point of being unpleasant to look at."
Saying that, he stepped over and picked up the prostrate Miss Buckin.
A strand of holy light flowed from his hand into Miss Buckin's body, and the little old woman immediately sprang to life!
"Who dares kick me! My son is Whitebeard's son! He's going to be a member of the Shichibukai! Are you asking for death?! Dear son! Kill them all!"
"Mo—mom…"
"You look terrible!" Miss Buckin turned and, seeing Weevil's face, was shocked. "You… wait, what happened to you?"
In an instant Miss Buckin plunged into self-doubt.
In her memory, her foolish son's combat ability could already sweep most enemies away; how had he suddenly been beaten into such a mess?
"I overheard you planning to ambush the new recruits' training camp — trying to ride on Zephyr's coattails to get famous…"
"So what if we were!"
Miss Buckin had just spoken when she finally noticed the uniforms Michael and the others wore: navy officer uniforms!
Moments earlier she'd been kicked and knocked silly by Yamato; although she'd come to, she was still dazed…
Now she was finally fully awake.
But she didn't expect…
To be arrested on the spot!
"Y-you! You can't arrest us!" Miss Buckin shouted at Michael. "Do you know who I am? I'm the only woman Whitebeard ever loved! And he and I produced this son! Do you want to unleash Whitebeard's fury on you?!"
"Tsk tsk. If you said someone else, I might believe you. But Whitebeard, that old fellow?" Michael shook his head. "Given how much he craves family, if you truly were the love of his life and this is his son, even if he were captured he'd tie you to his side."
"…Who are you? How do you know Whitebeard!? Aren't you Navy?"
"I am Navy." Michael said as a pair of pure white wings spread from his back. "But I'm also an old acquaintance of Whitebeard."
"Wings… you! You're that Navy Chief Inspector!"
"So you do know me." Michael nodded satisfactorily. "In that case, can you quietly go die now?"
As he spoke, his hand reached toward the Myōjō.
"Wait! Don't you want to know his identity? Don't you want to hold this powerful weapon yourself? I'll give you everything I know and this idiot's identity — just let me go!"
Miss Buckin's tearful performance made Michael frown, and it made Weevil stare at his mother with eyes wide and unbelieving.
Mother… called him an idiot?
Mother… would send him away to save her own life?
Miss Buckin's attention was fixed on Michael; she didn't notice the sorrow and… murderous intent brewing in Weevil's vacant gaze.
"Tsk. In this world, lose your will and faith and you lose your strength; the body will wither too…"
Michael scoffed and took a step back, not wanting Miss Buckin's hand to touch his boots.
"I know Gloriosa. You two are the same age as her; she still retains her former beauty and remains one of the sea's few strong figures. But you… even the Rocks Pirates had their trash."
Having said that, he waved at Yamato and Jack and released Weevil.
"You heard just now — this woman claiming to be your mother wanted to do something to you…"
Michael leaned close to Weevil, his whisper like a demon in the kneeling man's ear:
"So… why didn't you strike first?"
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