SWORD Unit!

"My ancestors bled for the World Government and rendered meritorious service to Marine Headquarters!"

Storm snapped back to himself, paying no heed to the identity of the man before him as he pressed the question directly.

"What wrong did I do to deserve being directly expelled from Headquarters?"

As for the Marines.

Storm couldn't say he particularly liked them, nor could he say he particularly disliked them.

After all, this was a world of comparing who was worse.

In Storm's eyes, "Marine" was merely an identity, a job.

Since it was a job.

Not being fond of it was one thing, but getting inexplicably fired—what the hell was that about?!

"You didn't do anything wrong."

Aokiji scratched his messy afro.

"And you're not being fired; you're submitting your resignation."

Do you even hear what you're saying?

Storm stared at Aokiji in disbelief.

What difference was there between "being fired" and "submitting a resignation"?

Was it that after Storm voluntarily handed in his resignation, Marine Headquarters wouldn't have to pay him extra severance?

Come to think of it, did the World Government even have a Labor Law?

Through Storm's reaction, Aokiji finally realized something.

"Did Zephyr-sensei not explain the reason to you?"

Aokiji lowered his head and pressed his hand to his forehead, white cold air radiating from around his body.

"Ara ara, honestly, he was the one who recommended you here..."

Zephyr's recommendation?

Storm glanced at the letter in his hand, then raised his hand to signal.

"Zephyr-sensei only wrote a recommendation letter. He said Admiral Kuzan would explain everything."

"Ara ara."

Aokiji let out his trademark phrase again.

"He just piles extra work on me, what a hassle!"

Setting the facts aside, wasn't this his own problem?

Storm grumbled inwardly.

He had no intention of meddling in the "conflict" between two generations of Marine Admirals.

Without a word, he stepped forward, placed the recommendation letter in front of Aokiji, then quickly retreated back to his spot and stood at attention.

Aokiji glanced at Storm, tore open the letter, and skimmed through it in one go.

Storm had no idea what Zephyr had written in that recommendation letter.

He only observed that the white cold air emanating from Aokiji was growing thicker and thicker.

The temperature in the Admiral's office dropped lower and lower as a result.

Storm could almost see the white mist forming from his own breath.

"Recruit!"

With a sharp shout, Aokiji suddenly lifted his head and fixed his gaze on Storm.

"Did you once, in the Rookie Training Camp, publicly insult the World Nobles, the Celestial Dragons, calling them pigs?"

As Aokiji asked, his expression was as cold and biting as ice that had never thawed since ancient times.

If one ignored the ugly green plaid eye mask strapped across his forehead.

Then Aokiji at this moment actually looked quite intimidating.

"First, it wasn't public; it was said during a private chat."

Storm twitched the corner of his mouth, confessing frankly to the "crime" he had once committed.

"Second, it wasn't an insult; it was an objective description.

"Third, I didn't say 'Celestial Dragons are pigs.' I said, 'Celestial Dragons are scum worse than pigs.'"

There were Marines on the seas who had insulted the Celestial Dragons.

For example, Monkey D. Garp.

That old man could openly curse the Celestial Dragons even in the Holy Land Mary Geoise.

But so what?

I'm Garp!

He was a Hero of the Marines, his son was the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and his grandson was just about to become a Pirate Emperor.

So what if he cursed out the Celestial Dragons?

The World Government had no objections!

But Storm was just a rookie Marine.

Cursing the Celestial Dragons, and getting caught by his direct superior.

Storm sighed inwardly.

Oh mother, this is gonna ruin my career...

Could Aokiji be planning to "exile" me to a branch in the Four Seas?

If so, that would be—

Absolutely perfect!

Aokiji's expression grew more and more serious, the bone-chilling cold seeming ready to freeze the entire Admiral's office.

But in the next instant, spring thawed the frost, and ice melted away.

"Puhahaha!"

Aokiji burst into a loud, booming laugh.

"Rookie! Now I know why Zephyr-sensei recommended you for the SWORD Unit!

"You're pretty interesting!"

SWORD Unit?

One of Marine Headquarters' secret special forces—the Sword Unit?

Storm caught a key piece of intel from Aokiji's words.

He quickly connected all the known information—

Zephyr had sent him to Aokiji just to recommend him for the SWORD Unit?

"Right, rookie—no, Vongola? Or should I just call you Storm!"

Aokiji wiped the ice crystals from the corner of his eye, then put on a serious expression.

"Do you know about the SWORD Unit?"

Know it, but not much.

Storm pretended to be a greenhorn and shook his head.

"The SWORD Unit, or the Sword Unit."

Seeing this, Aokiji began to explain.

"It's a secret special force established by Headquarters, roughly equal in strategic status to the SSG led by Dr. Vegapunk.

"Members of the Sword Unit, simply put... are Marines who have already submitted their resignations.

"The Sword Unit's mission is to strike down pirates—to strike down all pirates, including the Pirate Emperors!

"Beyond that, the Sword Unit doesn't have to follow any orders.

"It's a 'guerrilla force' that can act freely."

Aokiji finished explaining the general situation of the Sword Unit.

Then he fell silent, giving Storm some time to digest it.

To be honest.

What Aokiji said wasn't much different from the intel Storm already had.

The only thing that surprised him was that the Sword Unit's strategic status could rival the SSG!

SSG, short for "Special Science Group."

The name sounded unfamiliar, but in reality, it possessed immense combat power.

[Pacifista], [Laser Gun], [Bubble Shield], [Green Blood], [Seraphim]...

This whole series of groundbreaking inventions was tied to the Special Science Group.

The Special Science Group could almost be said to have single-handedly supported Marine Headquarters' Science Force!

Its status was clear.

How could the Sword Unit compare to the Special Science Group...

But then again.

Aokiji knew the Sword Unit's intel like the back of his hand.

Did that mean he was the highest authority of the Sword Unit?

Just like how Kizaru commanded Marine Headquarters' Science Force.

But after leaving the Marines, Aokiji became the Tenth Giant Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates.

If Aokiji is the highest officer of the SWORD Unit, this "guerrilla force"...

Then...

Is he a spy?

A series of thoughts flashed through Storm's mind.

Just then, Aokiji continued speaking.

"Storm, Zephyr's letter spoke highly of you. He believes your personality is well-suited for the SWORD Unit."

With that, Aokiji paused and casually listed a few points from the recommendation letter.

"Self-discipline, diligence, no blind faith in authority, and a unique sense of justice that belongs to you alone."

There was one more thing Aokiji didn't mention.

That Storm had an absolutely spotless family background!

Three generations of Storm's ancestors had all been Marines.

Even at Marine Headquarters.

A Marine with talent and ability like Storm, bearing the "Marine Justice Flag," was rare.

The SWORD Unit is a classified special force.

Its special nature dictates that the identities of its members must be "absolutely pure."

Storm's family background happened to guarantee that "purity."

Aokiji fixed his gaze on Storm and extended an invitation.

"Recruit Vongola Storm, are you willing to join the SWORD Unit and become a member of this classified force?"

Storm remained very calm, not rashly agreeing on the spot.

Joining the SWORD Unit had both advantages and disadvantages for him.

As everyone knew.

A righteous Marine only needed to follow orders and act as a good lackey for the World Government.

But the SWORD Unit, which could ignore orders and act freely, required much more consideration.

"Before I answer that question."

Storm paused for a moment before speaking.

"I still have a few questions that need answers."

Aokiji nodded, having no objection.

"Ask away."

Storm asked first.

"The SWORD Unit is a classified special force. How high is its level of secrecy?"

Aokiji replied simply.

"Within the Marines, only the Fleet Admiral and the Admirals are qualified to know the full member list of the SWORD Unit."

Storm pressed further.

"And the World Government?"

"The Government?"

Aokiji revealed a very subtle expression.

"The Government won't know the SWORD Unit exists."

Huh? Really?

Storm was stunned inside.

The SWORD Unit's independence was that high?

Even the World Government didn't know about the SWORD's existence?

With insufficient intel at the moment, Storm could only choose to temporarily believe Aokiji's words.

He quickly asked a third question.

"Since the SWORD Unit can attack the Pirate Emperors, what about the Shichibukai?"

Generally speaking.

Without permission from the highest authority—the Gorosei.

Even Marine Headquarters couldn't easily stir up conflict with the Pirate Emperors.

Even a minor skirmish could potentially lead to a larger-scale war.

But the SWORD Unit could directly attack the Yonko!

Such was the uniqueness of the Blade Unit!

In that case...

Did the Shichibukai—those "official pirates" recognized and stamped by the World Government—also fall within the Blade Unit's scope of attack?

Aokiji took a deep look at Storm.

As a Marine Admiral, How could Aokiji not understand the harm the "Shichibukai System" inflicted on the Marines and on justice?

But that was, after all, a policy of the World Government!

A special policy implemented to stabilize the order of the seas and divide the pirate factions!

Marine Headquarters had no right to interfere.

However, as for the Blade Unit...

Aokiji slowly nodded.

"It's allowed."

The Blade Unit could even take on the Yonko—so why not the Shichibukai?

As for defying the World Government's policies, orders, and such...

"But I need to warn you in advance, Storm."

Aokiji said sternly.

"Headquarters will not take responsibility for the actions of Blade Unit members. They may have their military status revoked at any time."

If orders came from the World Government, Marine Headquarters might even actively erase the existence of Blade Unit members!

"One last question."

Storm didn't care about Aokiji's warning; instead, he flashed a relaxed smile.

"If I join the Blade Unit, will my salary go up?"

"Of course! The Blade Unit's benefits are absolutely top-tier among all Marine forces!"

Aokiji smiled as well.

"The Blade Unit welcomes your addition, Vongola."

Storm didn't reply, simply raising his hand in a silent military salute.

He was on board with the Blade Unit!

Since Storm was willing to join the Blade Unit, Aokiji didn't waste any more words.

He cut straight to the chase.

"To make a long story short, the Blade Unit currently needs to carry out a very significant mission.

"Just recently, the balance of power in the New World underwent a drastic shift.

"Following the Whitebeard Pirates, the Beasts Pirates, and the BIG MOM Pirates, another pirate crew has risen.

"The Red-Haired Pirates, known as the 'Iron Wall Pirates'!

"A fourth Pirate Emperor has appeared in the New World—Red-Haired Shanks!

"Storm, the mission the Blade Unit must undertake is to gather intelligence on the movements of the Pirate Emperors in the New World.

"Your task is—

"Become a Great Pirate, infiltrate the New World, and work your way into the inner circle of the Yonko!"

Storm tilted his head, raised his thumb, and pointed it back at himself.

Me, go after the Yonko?

New book, new author, two chapters daily.

Update times: 9 AM and 5 PM.

--

As for the fact that I'm clearly a new author

and still owe [44] chapters...

I'll have to make up for that after the book goes paid...