Target in... West Blue

"Oh, right, it seemed I forgot to tell you..."

Sengoku then rummaged through a desk drawer, found a document, and tossed it to Yaen.

"The 'Special Combat Power Recruitment Mechanism' you proposed was later given an additional provision at Vice Admiral Tsuru's suggestion: if someone has rendered meritorious service to the Navy, the combat power requirement can be lowered."

As he listened to Sengoku, Yaen quickly skimmed through the contents of the "Special Combat Power Recruitment Mechanism Regulations" in his hands and indeed found the clause Sengoku had mentioned.

However, Yaen could tell that Vice Admiral Tsuru's original intention in suggesting this addition had been to use it as bait to lure certain Pirates into becoming Navy spies.

That damned Old Man actually thought that far ahead... No!

Yaen suddenly recalled the few whispered words Vice Admiral Tsuru and Sengoku had exchanged at the Training Ground, and realization dawned on him.

I see. Vice Admiral Tsuru must have suggested this to the Old Man. As expected of Marine Headquarters' Great Staff Officer—she really knows how to make use of the rules.

After carefully reading through the document, Yaen gritted his teeth and seized upon the final loophole. "But I haven't rendered any great service to the Navy."

"That's fine. You will soon enough."

Seeing this, Sengoku could not help but smile.

"Before long, the Navy will undertake a major operation under the World Government's organization. Yaen, participate in it as an independent agent and render great service."

After a pause, Sengoku looked at Kuzan and asked, "Vice Admiral Kuzan, you understand what I mean, don't you?"

Kuzan nodded and said, "Admiral Sengoku, this does seem somewhat improper. But operationally, it complies with Navy rules. And since it is also meant to strengthen the Navy's combat power and maintain peace across the Great Sea, I know what to do."

At that moment, Yaen desperately wanted to resist—or simply Slip Away.

But this was Marineford, and sharing the office with him were Sengoku and Kuzan, two forces at the admiral level.

Even if Yaen played every card he had, his odds of escaping Marine Headquarters were less than twenty percent... No, fifteen percent at most!

On the other hand, he would have to expose a great deal of information about himself before the World Government, including many abilities that would be difficult to explain for the time being.

After weighing it all up, Yaen cast Sengoku a grief-stricken glare, then turned a vicious gaze upon Sengoku's beloved pet, the White Goat.

That look was as though he were staring at a Roast Whole Goat, making the rather intelligent White Goat instinctively let out a terrified "Baa!"

"Hey, hey, hey, brat..."

Sengoku became a little Flustered as well and hurriedly said, "Don't do anything rash. You are not allowed to lay a finger on my pet."

"Don't worry, Old Man. You know me. I've always repaid kindness with kindness and vengeance with vengeance," Yaen replied with a smiling face.

The moment Sengoku heard that, his heart gave a sudden thump. He somehow felt that his White Goat was about to bid him farewell forever.

Sengoku shot Yaen a fierce, warning glare. "In any case, you Bastard, stay away from my goat, or you'll regret it."

Sengoku then waved at Kuzan and said, "Vice Admiral Kuzan, hurry and take this brat away. I don't want to see him."

"Yes."

Kuzan answered loudly, then walked to Yaen's side. "Yaen, come with me."

Yaen pursed his lips and reluctantly started walking, following Kuzan toward the door.

Just then, Sengoku's voice suddenly rang out.

"Yaen!"

"Hm?" Yaen turned his head in confusion and looked toward Sengoku.

Sengoku suddenly said, "If you witness something difficult to understand, you can come back and ask me. I..."

After a pause, Sengoku continued, "I am your father."

Yaen's movements paused slightly. The corners of his lips could not help but curl upward, though he answered in an unconcerned tone, "Tch, Old Man."

Then Yaen resumed walking, left the office, casually shut the door for Sengoku, and followed Kuzan all the way toward Marineford's Port.

Along the way, Yaen could not help furrowing his brow as he pondered the meaning behind Sengoku's final words, unable to resist speculating.

"Looks like this Navy operation won't be simple. It will most likely involve some dark side that could easily shake one's faith in justice."

"Hm, wait..."

"An operation organized by the World Government? Also, what year is it now?"

All at once, Yaen thought of something and asked Kuzan ahead of him, "Vice Admiral Kuzan, where is the target of this operation?"

"What? You're very curious?" Kuzan asked.

"At the very least, I need to know which direction my journey's destination lies in, right?" Yaen adjusted his glasses and said with a smile.

"Interesting. There's no harm in telling you..."

As Kuzan led Yaen aboard a Marine Warship that resembled a Steel Beast, he answered, "The target is in the West Blue."

Upon hearing that, Yaen's pupils contracted slightly, and two terms abruptly sprang into his mind—"Ohara" and "Buster Call."

So, the day the World Government intends to completely erase Ohara, the 'holy land of archaeology,' is coming soon?

Yaen's mood could not help growing heavier, but he also understood that he did not yet possess the power to change any of this.

And as Kuzan watched Yaen's reaction through the eyes hidden beneath his sunglasses, a trace of puzzlement flashed across his face as he asked.

"Yaen, what's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

Yaen's expression quickly returned to normal. He smiled a little sheepishly, rubbed the back of his head, and said, "I just didn't expect that my first time riding a warship on a mission would involve going all the way to the distant West Blue..."

After a pause, Yaen asked curiously, "I heard there are all sorts of Mafia forces in that part of the West Blue. Is that true?"

"That is true. If you're curious, Yaen, then once we complete the mission, I can take you to wipe out a few Mafia organizations. It could barely count as a bit of merit," Kuzan replied.

"Then I'll be troubling you, Vice Admiral Kuzan," Yaen replied, going along with Kuzan's words.

As Kuzan and Yaen boarded the warship, the large number of warships docked at the port gradually finished replenishing their supplies and began to set sail.

Ten warships, like "Steel Beasts," lined up in a row, advancing across the sea surface almost like a wall of steel.

"So it really is a Buster Call..."

Standing on the deck, Yaen swept his gaze around and nearly reached a certain conclusion in his heart, muttering under his breath.

"So, Old Man, are you worried that seeing all this will shake my resolve?"

"Tch, Old Man, the reason I agreed to join the Marines was so I wouldn't have to become your enemy..."

"As for the World Government's darkness, how could I not know?"