The Five Officers of the Second Generation Pirates!
Storm put on the [Red Dragon Ring] and decisively activated his Devil Fruit power.
An ancient saying goes that the dragon has nine resemblances.
Its head resembles a camel's, its antlers a deer's, its eyes a rabbit's, its ears a cow's, its neck a snake's, its belly a clam's, its scales a carp's, its claws an eagle's, and its paws a tiger's.
In the blink of an eye.
Storm transformed into a Haki and Red Giant Dragon, its body wreathed in Flame Cloud ribbons!
The red dragon can grow large or small, and can rise or hide.
On a grand scale, they can command wind and rain; on a small scale, they can conceal themselves.
When it rises, it soars between heaven and earth; when it hides, it lies dormant within the waves.
[Zoan, Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Form] possesses a great many additional abilities.
This [Artificial Red Dragon Fruit] perfectly replicates all the supernatural powers of the [Mythical Zoan: Azure Dragon Fruit].
Flames—the destructive "Heat Breath"!
Storm – a "Bad Wind" that can cut through gold and jade!
Thunder—a deafening roar of thunder!
Flight—a "Flame Cloud" capable of moving mountains and filling seas!
Storm put on the [Red Dragon Ring], he inexplicably felt as if he were simultaneously wearing the [Flame-Flame Ring], [Rumble-Rumble Ring], [Float-Float Ring], and so on...
If we only consider the manifested power of Devil Fruit...
Storm believed that if the [Azure Dragon Fruit] dared to claim second place, no other Devil Fruit would dare to claim first!
The [Azure Dragon Fruit] is truly all-encompassing!
But.
The Red Dragon Azure Dragon Fruit, which almost perfectly replicates all the powers of the Blue Red Dragon Fruit, also has one drawback, which is --
Too perfect~
Storm transformed into a red dragon and flew directly back to a desolate Hachinosu Island.
The moment the dragon landed, the power of the Clay Fruit eroded the land of Hachinosu Island, and Clay Doll grew out of the earth one after another.
The first two people to appear were --
Edward Teach, the Whitebeard the Second, wearing the Rumble-Rumble Ring!
The Golden Lion II, Rhein, wearing the [Float-Float Ring]!
Joan, a member of the Qiao family wearing a [Bubble Ring]!
Storm continued to unleash the power of the Clay Fruit, creating two more new Clay Doll.
One of them, with dark eyes and black hair, wore a bright, sunny smile, resembling an upside-down English letter "D".
If this were in Windmill Village in the Goa Kingdom of the East Blue, villagers would surely recognize this black-haired youth, whose appearance bears a striking resemblance to Portgas D. Ace.
Storm "abandoned" the [Nine-Tails Fox Fruit], making it impossible to achieve a perfect one-to-one replica.
However, with his Eight-Star [Clay Fruit], he can also create extremely exquisite Clay Doll.
This Clay Doll is a brand new Clay Doll created by Storm based on Ace's image.
He tossed the [Flame-Flame Ring] to the Clay Doll and temporarily named it "Natsu".
The other person was handsome, with short blond hair, bright blue eyes, and wore a white suit; he had a composed demeanor.
Storm gave the [Explosion Ring] to the Clay Doll and temporarily named it "Bowie".
Five Clay Doll stood silently before Storm, awaiting the Creator's command.
Storm has temporarily removed the [Rumble-Rumble Ring], [Float-Float Ring], [Flame-Flame Ring], [Bubble Ring], and [Explosion Ring].
All that remained in his possession were the [Red Dragon Ring], the [Moa Moa Ring], the [Clay Ring], and the [Hobby-Hobby Ring].
The power of the [Clay Ring] was used to maintain the movement of the five Clay Doll.
The [Hobby-Hobby Ring] was temporarily ignored by Storm.
He only intends to use the power of the [Red Dragon Ring] and the [Moa Moa Ring] for now!
Storm gently touched the [Red Dragon Ring], instantly activating the "Human-Beast Form" of the Zoan Devil Fruit.
A pair of thick dragon horns grew from his forehead, and his arms and legs were transformed into strange shapes resembling Dragon Claws. Crimson, fine Dragon Scales covered his body, making him look like a "little dragon man".
At this moment, Storm's eyes also transformed into a pair of dark golden, vertical dragon pupils.
Golden Eyes swept indifferently over the five Clay Doll in front of him.
"Come."
Thunder roared.
The battle resumes on Hachinosu Island.
A fierce battle erupts between Storm and five Clay Doll.
These five Clay Doll were each created using Eight-Star [Clay Fruit], and each possesses its own corresponding [Demon Ring].
If we disregard the [Haki] ability...
Each Clay Doll can be considered an Eight-Star powerhouse!
Moreover, each of them possesses Devil Fruit ability of considerable level!
Storm, fighting five opponents alone, also faces immense combat pressure.
But it was precisely under such high-pressure combat that...
Storm quickly familiarized himself with the power of the [Red Dragon Ring].
This [Artificial Red Dragon Fruit], with a quality as high as Eight-Star, was gradually familiarized with by Storm until he completely mastered it!
On Hachinosu Island, the battle raged on, with the roar of engines echoing day and night.
On the other side.
Kizaru departed from Punk Hazard Island aboard a naval warship.
Through special channels of the World Government, Kizaru led the Navy across the Red Line Continent and brought Pluton Rayleigh back to Marine Headquarters.
"This is Marineford..."
Pluton Rayleigh, followed beside Kizaru, calmly enjoying the view of Marine Headquarters.
Although his hands were still shackled with very heavy handcuffs, those handcuffs seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.
"I had even wondered what the Chairman of the Marine Headquarters would look like, and whether he would be different from those at other Marine Branch bases..."
"But now it seems that, apart from being a bit bigger and having a few more floors, this place is no different from a regular Marine Branch base."
"Because the Marine Headquarters is also a 'Marine Base'."
Kizaru answered casually.
He led Pluton Rayleigh, all the way into the Marine Headquarters Building, and then to the Fleet Admiral's Office on the top floor.
"I have brought Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Pluton Rayleigh."
Kizaru raised his right hand and greeted Sengoku.
"If there's nothing else, I'm going back to Impel Down; they still need more manpower there."
Recently, Kizaru has been stationed at Impel Down, protecting this Impel Down from pirate invasion.
If it weren't for Pluton Rayleigh's affair, Kizaru would still be slacking Impel Down (just kidding) -- guarding it for a while longer.
Pluton Rayleigh has now been taken to Marine Headquarters.
Kizaru believed his mission was complete.
So it's time to return to Impel Down--
Don't even think about it!
Sengoku coldly shattered Kizaru's dream of slacking off.
He first looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru beside him.
"Ah-He, let's leave our business here for now... Take Rayleigh away and lock him up!"
Before Vice Admiral Tsuru could speak, Rayleigh burst into laughter.
"Ah He? Hahaha..."
Rayleigh let out a strange laugh, like an old man.
"Shouldn't we use 'position' instead of 'official title' at Marine Headquarters?"
Grandma Tsuru merely glanced calmly at Rayleigh before activating her Devil Fruit power.
The Devil Power of the [Washy Washy Fruit] surged forth from afar, directly affecting Rayleigh's body.
Rayleigh, who was just laughing strangely, was instantly turned into a "paper doll" by the power of the Washy Washy Fruit.
Not only did his body become "thinner," but his soul was also cleansed by the power of the [Washy Washy Fruit].
The old man's eerie laughter vanished without a trace in an instant.
Vice Admiral Tsuru slowly walked forward, and like an ordinary old woman tidying up clothes, she draped the "paper doll" that Rayleigh had turned into over her arm.
Throughout this time, Pluton Rayleigh, showed no intention of resisting.
"I'll take my men down first."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded to Sengoku, then looked at Kizaru.
"Borsalino, you... use your brain!"
"Dessert?"
Kizaru chuckled and pretended to be a blurry image.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, would you like to enjoy afternoon tea with me? I do have some fine tea."
"You..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head, then said nothing and simply walked out of the Fleet Admiral's Office.
Kizaru also wanted to take this opportunity to leave.
But Sengoku called out to him directly.
"Borsalino! I have something else to discuss with you!"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, over at Impel Down—"
"With Magellan guarding Impel Down, we can manage!"
Sengoku interrupted Kizaru, revealing some intelligence to him.
"The government has just released 'Shiryu of the Rain' from the Infinite Hell."
"With Magellan and Shiryu of the Rain, Impel Down shouldn't have any major problems."
Upon hearing the name "Shiryu of the Rain," Kizaru frowned slightly.
He had spent many days in Impel Down and, through what he saw and heard, he knew the attitudes of the other people in Impel Down towards Shiryu of the Rain.
It wasn't just the prisoners who loathed and feared this Deputy Warden of Impel Down.
Even the prison guards were filled with fear of this Deputy Warden.
To give an inappropriate example.
Kizaru felt that Shiryu of the Rain in Impel Down was like Sakazuki in the Navy.
Both of these guys are very unpopular.
No!
Shiryu of the Rain is even more of a scoundrel than Sakazuki!
At least Sakazuki wouldn't kill marines for no reason.
Shiryu of the Rain would harm the jailers without any scruples.
"Is it a bit... to release Shiryu of the Rain now?"
"The government has removed Shiryu of the Rain his position as Deputy Warden; he is now the Chief Jailer of Impel Down."
The Sengoku was briefly explained in two sentences.
"Thanks to Magellan's strong recommendation, the man now serving as the Deputy Warden of Impel Down is that man named 'Hannyabal'."
Kizaru nodded slightly.
"Hannyabal is indeed a very good person~"
"In short, since 'Whitebeard the Second.' has yet to appear, you no longer need to stay in Impel Down!"
The Sengoku spoke frankly.
"Borsalino, the news of Pluton Rayleigh's execution will soon be announced to the entire sea."
"Soon, we will publicly execute Pluton Rayleigh, in the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Now, you'd better stay put at headquarters and await your execution!"
"Huh? Me?"
Kizaru pointed to himself, looking completely bewildered.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, don't you think I've had far too many tasks lately?"
"Those two, Sakazuki and Kuzan, have been pretty 'laid-back' all along~"
In conclusion...
Kizaru didn't forget to "put a bad word on" his two colleagues.
"Sakazuki and Kuzan are both out there dealing with pirates; they each have their own missions to handle."
The Sengoku responded calmly.
"As for you, Borsalino, you're the fastest. If you don't do these things, who will?"
Does speed necessarily mean more work?
Kizaru muttered to himself.
No salary increase!
"Now I have another task for you!"
"Warring Sengoku Period," he said calmly.
"Go to the New World again now."
"Going to the New World again?"
Kizaru stared at Sengoku speechlessly.
"I just got back from the New World..."
Sengoku completely ignored Kizaru's complaints and continued speaking to himself.
"You're going to the G5 Branch in the New World with Black Horse now."
"A dark horse? Vice Admiral Tenryu?"
Kizaru was startled, instantly realizing something was wrong.
Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
The fact that he's nicknamed "dark horse" alone speaks volumes about this Vice Admiral's extraordinary qualities.
Kizaru, Akainu, Aokiji, Momousagi, Chaton...
In the naval system, those who possess special nicknames combining a "color" and an "animal" are generally extremely important figures.
In fact.
Black Horse Tenzheng is indeed a highly capable elite Vice Admiral of the Marine Headquarters!
He also managed a very special internal naval organization—
Marine Criminal Investigation Bureau!
In the Navy, those who are targeted by the Marine Criminal Investigation Bureau rarely end up well.
Kizaru frowned and asked in a deep voice.
What happened at the G5 Branch in the New World?
"According to reliable intelligence..."
Sengoku paused, feeling somewhat embarrassed to speak, but still managed to say it.
"Vergo, the highest-ranking officer of the G5 Branch, is a pirate spy."
"A pirate spy?"
Kizaru smiled crookedly, and at that moment he immediately thought of Storm.
"Like Rear Admiral Storm?"
But as soon as these words were spoken...
Kizaru suddenly sensed that something was wrong.
Storm is the second-in-command of the Sword Unit. He's not a "pirate spy," he's a "naval officer who infiltrated the pirate ranks."
And Vergo...
Kizaru asked, dumbfounded.
"Vergo is a pirate?!"
"That's right..."
Sengoku took a deep breath and said with a heavy expression.
"Vergo is a high-ranking member of the Donquixote Family..."
"I should have discovered it sooner. Vergo applied to join the G5 Branch voluntarily back then, and that branch base is very close to Dressrosa."
"Over the years, Vergo has accumulated military merits very quickly, rising rapidly from a marine to Vice Admiral."
"I originally thought that the navy had produced another shrewd and capable talent."
"But now it seems..."
"Vergo's ability to accumulate so many military merits is probably inseparable from the Donquixote Family!"
"A Marine Vice Admiral Shichibukai... they actually colluded together!"
"What a disgrace to the Navy!"
Kizaru nodded involuntarily.
A pirate became Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral...
The Fleet Admiral Sengoku was indeed extremely negligent!
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku"
Kizaru adjusted his sunglasses and asked calmly.
"Should I go to Dressrosa and 'warn' the Donquixote Family?"
"Warn?"
Sengoku glanced at Kizaru with a slightly puzzled look, but he quickly realized what he meant and shook his head.
"It's not necessary."
Is it really because of Donquixote Doflamingo's status Shichibukai?
The idea had just crossed Kizaru's mind.
Then Sengoku added.
"The Donquixote Pirates have been wiped out."
"... Huh? Who did this? Has some Pirate Emperor from the New World gotten angry?"
"He's not exactly Pirate Emperor..."
"Sengoku Period," he said with a complicated expression.
"It's our Shichibukai, White Dragon."
A huge thank you to 'Independent Cold Autumn li' for the 1500 Qidian Coins reward!!
There will be two updates today, and one more tonight.
Tomorrow at dawn.