Ohara Buster Call (1)

West Blue, Twin Snake Island waters.

The East Blue Emperor, with its black dragon figurehead and crimson sails, sailed toward Ohara.

On the lawn-covered deck, Mihawk stared at the three-story Western-style building before him... lost in thought.

"Treasure Tree Adam?"

"Yeah."

Seven began introducing the ship to his crew.

"The East Blue Emperor is built from Treasure Tree Adam, with dual wind and electric propulsion. The first floor of this building is nine meters high, prepared for taller crewmates."

"Mr. Mihawk, Mr. Issho, you can pick any room you like on the second or third floor."

"If you prefer a wider view, the lookout platforms on the two masts are also available."

Mihawk nodded slightly. "And you?"

"Me?" Seven grinned. "The large villa at the stern is the captain's quarters—bar, bath, theater..."

The East Blue Emperor's setup made Seven feel like those ten thousand points were well spent; the value for money was maxed out.

Mihawk immediately asked Seven for a few bottles of Iced Black Tea before leisurely heading to the third floor's leftmost room, choosing one with an open view.

Issho stood on the deck, flustered.

"Mr. Seven, I haven't decided yet."

He owed the man one billion Berry. Logically, such a debt of gratitude warranted following him aboard, but Issho still felt some resistance to becoming a pirate.

"Yeah." Seven said while steering. "Mr. Issho, the Marines actually suit you better, but I hope you'll wait until we reach Ohara before making your decision."

"Then, whether you stay or leave, we'll still be friends. As for that one billion Berry... pay me back whenever you have the money."

Issho's hesitation was something Seven had expected.

How to put it.

Issho had wasted years on Twin Snake Island; he was no hot-blooded youth who'd be swayed aboard on a whim.

At over thirty, making a drastic change took time to adapt.

Besides, pirates had a bad reputation.

If he had the freedom to choose, Seven would've joined the Marines too. Despite their flaws, they were still the main force protecting civilians.

Too bad. Barzeb Seven was already branded as a crewmate of the King of the Pirates.

Most pirates, whether for fame or fortune, burned, killed, and plundered without restraint. Crews like Straw Hat's, more adventure group than pirate band, were the rare exception.

Case in point.

After eating Kamunabi, then Hagoku—I'm the gluttonous brat Kid—Kid, captain of the Kid Pirates, once slaughtered civilians who mocked his dream.

Right or wrong aside, that was the bloody, true face of pirates.

"Thanks."

Issho said thank you many times tonight.

Sparks crackled from Seven's fingertips as he warned, "Heads up, the ship's about to speed up."

The East Blue Emperor's advantage: electric propulsion.

As a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, Seven had near-limitless electrical energy. As long as he had stamina, the ship could keep accelerating.

Steering with one hand, Seven channeled the current from his fingertips into the electric drive system.

Buzzzzzzz~

The engine roared to life, and the East Blue Emperor sliced across the sea, surging forward at five times its usual speed.

West Blue, Ohara waters.

Ten Marine warships lined the sea, bows facing forward, forming a grim arc amid the waves.

At the center of the formation, on the lead ship's bow, Sakazuki, then a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, set down his newspaper.

"Those cowards, caving to pirates."

At thirty-three, Sakazuki was rigid, ruthless, and brooked no trace of evil.

He was the Marine pirates least wanted to encounter.

No exceptions.

Pirates who met other Marines would likely be caught and thrown into Impel Down's underwater prison, but if they met Sakazuki...

Pray for themselves.

Learning that the World Government had paid a ransom to pirates to free the Celestial Dragons, Sakazuki was like a volcano about to erupt, seething red with rage.

"We never should have agreed to Roger's terms."

"If not for that, a mere cook from the Roger Pirates wouldn't be so brazen."

Sakazuki's roar went unanswered by any Marine soldier. Only Kuzan spoke up, his tone subdued.

"The World Government gave the nod."

"Hmph!" Sakazuki turned his head away. "So what if the World Government nodded? Is that a reason for the Marines to let the Roger Pirates off?"

Kuzan shoved his hands in his pockets and said no more.

Like the Devil Fruits they'd eaten, Kuzan and Sakazuki had rarely seen eye to eye for most of their time in the Marines.

Momonga, then a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, tugged at Kuzan's sleeve. "Kuzan, have you heard anything from Sauron?"

"Him..." Aokiji shook his head.

"Maybe he's already gone back to Elbaf. Why do you ask?"

Momonga gave an awkward smile. "You know, Dor is Sauron's subordinate. She's been asking me every day..."

"Got it." Kuzan exhaled a puff of cold air.

He resisted the upcoming Buster Call from the bottom of his heart, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Ordered by the Gorosei, signed off by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, carried out by five Vice Admirals, ten warships, and over ten thousand Marines—it wasn't something his personal will could stop.

Kuzan found himself oddly envious of Borsalino. A simple errand—rescuing a kidnapped Celestial Dragon—and he'd been promoted straight to Marine Admiral.

Sengoku had submitted the promotion report in the morning, and the Gorosei approved it by afternoon. The efficiency was terrifying.

Not like him... having to make a painful choice just for a chance at promotion to Admiral.

If someone came to interfere later, his hopes for a raise and promotion would probably go straight down the drain.

Still, no one should be bold enough to show up.

Five Headquarters Vice Admirals, ten warships, over ten thousand fully armed Marines—with that lineup, Kuzan couldn't think of anyone gutsy enough to stop them.

At that thought, Kuzan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Hearing the laughter, Sakazuki turned and glared. "Kuzan, what are you laughing at?"

Sakazuki's odd reaction only made Kuzan laugh louder. "Ara ara ara."

Finally, the ten Marine warships carrying out the Buster Call arrived at the shores of Ohara, with ten thousand Marines aboard.

CP9 commander Spandine, clutching the golden Den Den Mushi that would activate the Buster Call, swaggered onto Ohara's soil, not forgetting to look back and give orders.

"Wait for my signal to move."

The scholars of Ohara researching the blank history—especially Crow D. Clover—were the primary targets the Gorosei had ordered eliminated.

Rarely getting such an opportunity, Spandine intended to savor this taste of absolute authority.

Arriving before the Tree of All Knowledge, Spandine waved his hand grandly. "Kick the door down. Round up every last scholar inside—don't let a single one escape."