Esdeath's First Impressions

The northern part of the empire.

Just as a full-scale war between the two sides was about to break out, the Star Gate Base in the snow-capped mountains welcomed two special guests.

Or rather...

Prisoner.

"Is that her? The Navy Admiral from the Empire. What a reckless woman."

Sakazuki, dressed in a red suit and a black Coat of Justice, stood in front of the base gate, looking down at the man and woman Kuzan had captured with a nonchalant air.

The man in question was none other than Vice Admiral Liver of the Imperial Navy.

He was actually Esdeath's adjutant, and was usually responsible for the actual work of the Marine Headquarters.

He was lying unconscious on a stretcher carried by two navy soldiers in winter uniforms, and his face and neck were covered with frostbite marks, making him look rather pitiful.

This was only because Aokiji held back, and he was also physically strong.

As for that woman...

Of course, it's Esdeath herself. She has now been freed from her ice by Aokiji, and her hands are now clad in Seastone Handcuffs, which are actually only symbolic.

It could neither seal the power of the Teigu nor truly bind her hands.

As mentioned before, the body control techniques of the Imperial Fist Temple have long been popularized within the upper echelons of the Empire. Both military officers and the assassins of 'Oarburgh' have mastered them to varying degrees.

Therefore, Esdeath could completely control the bones or muscles in her wrists to break Binding the Seastone Handcuffs.

But she behaved herself the whole way.

Without making a fuss, without speaking, and without trying to be clever, he simply followed silently behind Aokiji, arriving here aboard the Marine warship that followed.

However, Aokiji said quite a lot along the way.

He first showed Esdeath a 'World Government Introduction Video' produced by the Publicity Department on the ship using Projection Den Den Mushi, giving her a deeper and more accurate understanding of the World Government.

They also showed her a video on basic Sea Star knowledge, produced by the Publicity Department, which helped her understand what kind of world Sea Star actually is.

The most important thing is to know what the 'Celestial Dragons' represent!

Finally Esdeath watched the third video, which was a compilation of highlights showing the wars between the World Government and the 'Kabane World,' 'Demon Slayer World,' and 'Attack on Giant World.'

Whether it's the Living Dead groups of the Kabane World, the massive 'Black Mist,' or the Kabaneri capable of unleashing 'Fear Energy Bullet.'

It's still about the Man-Eating Demon from the Demon Slayer World, the Demon Slayer Corps, and Muzan Kibutsuji.

Or perhaps it was the Pure Titan of the Giant World, the Nine Titans, and the countless, boundless 'Rumbling' army—all of which stirred Esdeath's heart and filled her with overwhelming excitement.

Her breathing was rapid, and the desire and fighting spirit in her eyes were so intense that even Aokiji could feel their heat and intensity.

At the same time.

Esdeath also witnessed the prowess and power of many of the World Government's Admiral through this video.

Edward Newgate, Garp, Sakazuki, Charlotte Linlin, Borsalino, Kaido, and Aokiji before Charlotte —each of their strength left her speechless.

That's when she finally found out.

So, I World's Strongest of Teigu, am actually this weak?

So the World Government has many more powerful fighters like Aokiji, so many that they can't be counted on two hands?

Although Melard had previously told her how powerful the World Government was, how could mere words compare to firsthand experience and witnessing it with one's own eyes?

Moreover, Melard's understanding of the World Government is only the tip of the Iceburg; she has no idea just how powerful the World Government truly is!

And these are the reasons why Esdeath is so obedient and even offers no resistance.

According to her deeply ingrained belief in the 'survival of the fittest' principle, if she was defeated by Aokiji even when she was fighting with all her might, then she was now a defeated weakling.

Since she doesn't want to die, she should obey the other party's orders until she becomes stronger and then find a way to win back.

As for the Empire, Esdeath believed she had given her all, so she had no regrets.

After all.

Unlike Budo, she wasn't blindly loyal to the empire and the emperor.

"This person"

Esdeath didn't care about Akainu's attitude at all, because that was the privilege of the strong.

However, this did not mean she would shrink back. On the contrary, she raised her head and brazenly looked the other person up and down, who was also about three meters tall, and thought to herself.

"This person should be Admiral 'Akainu' Sakazuki of the World Government's Army Headquarters. Judging from his performance in that video, he should also be a so-called Logia Devil Fruit User, except that the element he controls is magma."

She knew that she probably couldn't beat this person.

This harsh reality left Esdeath somewhat helpless, but at the same time, it filled her with anticipation and confidence for her future.

The fact that Aokiji didn't kill him on the spot but instead captured the Star Gate Base alive means that the World Government is very likely preparing to recruit him.

That represents hope—the hope of continuing to grow stronger, and the hope of conquering other worlds!

"Ara ara~ Her name is Esdeath. She caused me quite a bit of trouble before, and it was only with great difficulty that I brought her back. Now I have to escort her for a while, which is a bit of a hassle."

Kuzan, with his hands in his pristine white pockets, sighed helplessly to Sakazuki.

He then pointed to Vice Admiral Liver, who was lying on a stretcher.

"As for him, he'll be treated at your base hospital. He's a pretty good guy. We're very interested in him and his Teigu abilities. You know, the Navy has been running out of talent these past few years."

As he spoke, Kuzan glanced at Sakazuki, seemingly casually.

"It's all for the sake of justice; let's skip the pointless complaining!"

Sakazuki snorted coldly, then turned and walked back into the base with his adjutant Shiryu, who was following behind. He had come out to greet Esdeath this time because he wanted to catch a glimpse of her.

News of the massive Blizzard that swept across the entire southeastern region of the Empire had already been relayed back via Sea Ninja and CIPHER POL.

Such a wide range of abilities surpasses even those of the Logia Admiral who are often referred to as 'humanoid natural disasters,' so it's understandable that they are curious.

Seeing that Kuzan was completely unharmed, he immediately lost interest in Esdeath.

The user's own strength is too weak!

As for the justice he speaks of, it is of course 'the justice of the World Government,' or it could be said to be 'justice for the Sea Star,' and this slogan is now spreading more and more widely within the military.

There was no other way; these soldiers genuinely needed a reason to justify their invasion of other worlds.

The best reason is to fight for one's own position and interests!

"An enemy Navy Admiral? What a pity. If only I could go, perhaps I'd have a chance to let 'Raiu' taste the blood of Admiral."

Shiryu looked at Esdeath with a face full of regret, then shook her head and followed Sakazuki.

"Such a strong killing intent, it's practically a human-shaped mass of blood!"

Esdeath maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, but inwardly she was horrified. When the other party spoke just now, she felt an almost tangible killing intent, a feeling that almost made her unable to hold back and attack first.

"Who is he?"

Upon hearing Esdeath's question, Kuzan helplessly scratched the back of his head.

"Sakazuki's adjutant, Lieutenant General Shiryu of the Rain of the Army Headquarters Vice Admiral, is a serial killer. His attitude is somewhat rude, but don't take it to heart; he won't dare to lay a hand on you."

"You mean I might not even be able to beat a Vice Admiral?" Esdeath raised an eyebrow.

"That's right, your Haki is too weak."

Kuzan without hesitation.

"And that technique of yours that you claim can Frozen Time-Space, I feel it's unlikely to have much effect on our Vice Admiral have mastered full- Hardening Armament Haki. Let's test it out sometime after you officially join us."

"."

Esdeath fell silent, but then Kuzan called out, "Let's go, this isn't your destination. There's still a long way to go."