"Raise the sails!"
"Faster!"
"If we don't reach the Governor's Mansion within a day, I'll skin every last one of you alive!"
At Brian's command, every officer and sailor of the 243rd Branch moved at lightning speed, boarding the warship and manning their posts. The fleet soon began sailing at full throttle.
The 243rd Branch wasn't too far from the West Blue Governor's Mansion—roughly three hundred nautical miles. With the warship's top speed of fourteen knots, they could, in theory, arrive in about twenty-two hours.
Of course, theory was one thing—no one could guarantee smooth sailing the whole way.
But in the 243rd Branch, Brian's authority was absolute. No one dared question him. When he said they'd arrive within a day, his men would fight tooth and nail to make it happen.
Meanwhile, in the Seventh Branch, the West Blue Navy's most elite force, tension filled the air.
They were the main unit mobilized for the operation against the pirate Astona.
But even among the elite, morale was grim.
Astona wasn't just any pirate.
He was cunning and ruthless—he'd escaped every encirclement and left the Navy bleeding each time.
Worse yet, the twelve men under his command were all monsters in their own right. Each had a bounty of over 20 million Berries, and they were infamous across the West Blue.
And the greatest threat of all was Astona himself.
Though he had yet to step foot into the Grand Line, his bounty already stood at a staggering 120 million Berries.
Rumor even had it that Golden Lion Shiki had personally invited him to join the Flying Pirates. While unconfirmed, most of the West Blue Navy believed it true.
With that reputation, even the Seventh Branch—the pride of the West Blue—had little confidence in the coming battle.
If the Navy's best weren't sure they could win, what chance did the lesser branches, those "small fry," have?
"Sigh, who knows how many will die this time? We still haven't even received last year's pension payments."
"Same here. Headquarters always says the budget's tight. Hah, they just look down on us West Blue sailors."
"Don't get worked up. Anger doesn't bring back the dead, and it won't make the payouts come faster."
"I'm not angry, I'm bitter! We risk our lives fighting pirates, yet those fat bureaucrats at Headquarters not only dock our pay, they even blame us when things go wrong!"
"Those desk-bound cowards only care about taking credit. They never see what we sacrifice. And besides… we still haven't caught Astona."
As these branch commanders gathered in the courtyard of the Governor's Mansion, trading complaints, a tall, imposing figure strode past them.
"Hey… isn't that Colonel Brian from the 243rd Branch?"
"You think he's here to join the Astona operation?"
"That drunk, womanizing, gambling extortionist? He's just here to die."
"Shh! Keep it down. He's Governor Karl's junior and Admiral Zephyr's disciple…"
"What's there to fear? If he had any real talent, he'd still be in Headquarters, not dumped here in the West Blue."
"True enough. Once you're assigned to a branch post, your career's as good as over."
Brian wasn't deaf—and his mastery of Observation Haki meant he could hear their every word, see their sneering faces as clearly as if he stood among them.
He stopped, then turned and walked straight toward them.
The group instantly fell silent.
Brian's cold gaze swept across their faces, and he smirked.
"Astona's head is mine. You useless cowards can just sit tight and watch the show."
With that, he turned and strode toward the inner courtyard.
The commanders exchanged looks—then burst out laughing.
"Did he just say he's taking Astona's head?"
"He doesn't even know how high the sky is."
"Ha! Astona once beat Governor Karl himself!"
"If even Governor Karl couldn't defeat Astona, what chance does that brat have?"
In their minds, Governor Karl wasn't just Admiral Zephyr's protégé—he was the strongest naval officer in the West Blue. If he couldn't bring down Astona, then no one in the region could.
"Those worms… I really want to slaughter them all. Whatever. I'll just take care of them on the battlefield."
Brian muttered to himself as he approached the Governor's Office—just as Ann stepped out of the door.
They met head-on.
"Hey there, little pepper. Got plans tonight?"
Brian greeted her with a grin.
Ann forced down her fury, face stiff.
"Colonel Brian, please watch your words and behavior. And let me remind you—you are a soldier."
Inwardly, she seethed: This degenerate… this disgrace to the Navy… we're supposed to rely on him to defeat Astona?
"Hey now, don't be so cold. I've got the finest wine and foie gras in the West Blue on my ship. We should share a drink, build a little… rapport."
As he spoke, Brian closed in, step by step, until Ann found herself backed against the wall.
Thud! Kabedon!
"You scoundrel! I'll—"
Before she could finish, Brian kissed her.
"Mm—!"
The branch commanders walking in from the courtyard froze in shock.
Brian leaned back slightly, grinning.
"Surprised?"
Ann swung to slap him, but Brian caught her wrist with ease.
"Bastard! Let go of Ann!"
A voice roared—Colonel Robinson of the 185th Branch came charging forward.
He had been Ann's classmate at the academy—and had secretly loved her for years.
Seeing her assaulted, his rage exploded.
But before he could even reach them—
Swish!
Robinson dropped to his knees before Brian, his body trembling in shock.
Finger Gun!
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.