The Time Has Come. Time to Send You on Your Way, Capone Bege!

Joggo of course knew that Capone Bege would make preparations,

and even knew that the Capone Family could mobilize unimaginable power throughout West Blue!

But... so what?

The terrifying aspects of this ocean were not just the violent weather and sea conditions, but also the low transportation efficiency between lands, where one had to rely solely on ships!

--Even someone as strong as Chinjao, when facing a terrifying distance of thousands of kilometers, could only choose to squeeze into the same wooden box with fragile ordinary people, hoping the wind would blow the box to shore a little earlier.

And he was different.

He had fish!

After confirming Chinjao's approximate arrival time with Hina,

Joggo went straight to the shipyard on Dendrobium Island and had a set of seats and wind-blocking equipment temporarily installed on the back of a Pippi Fish.

He also bought bread and fish feed.

Then he drove "Otherworldly Soul" and "Fishing Master" all the way here at top speed.

At that moment, as Joggo stepped one foot onto the dock, invisible Conqueror's Haki filled the entire space!

In an instant,

whether it was the Marines and pirates who had camped out by the dock and were in a standoff, or the onlookers watching from afar who expected the two sides to start fighting immediately, they rolled their eyes one after another and collapsed to the ground.

Thus,

when Joggo's second foot stepped onto the dock.

Within field of view, the only ones left standing were a Marine captain with twin swords at his waist and a Happo Navy brute carrying a giant axe on his shoulder.

Both of them looked in surprise at their companions who had suddenly collapsed around them.

"It's actually Conqueror's Haki!"

The axe-carrying brute stumbled a few steps to steady himself, shook his head hard with the thick muscles between his brows bunching together, stared at Joggo, and spoke in a muffled voice:

"Completely incomparable to Leader Chinjao!"

With that, his solid shoulders shook, and the huge axe hit the ground with a crisp, clanging sound.

Kicking aside a wooden box on the ground, his two thick legs broke into a mad run thud-thud-thud, like an angry bull!

That equally thick arm dragged the giant axe, scraping a string of sparks across the ground as he charged explosively at Joggo!

"Black hair and eyes, you must be Joggo!"

He roared,

"In that case, I'll finish you here!"

His body, over two meters tall, rapidly magnified in Joggo's eyes.

As the brute exerted force with his arm, the giant axe was raised, its immense power fully unleashed as the blade made a heavy whistling sound in the air, practically swung in a full circle to smash down!

Hah!!!

"Go to hell!"

--Take advantage of this guy just coming ashore, with nowhere to retreat, and catch him off guard!

Boom!!

Amidst a deafening roar, wood chips and sea water shot into the sky, and the entire wooden dock was smashed through!

...Unfortunately, it was completely useless.

Joggo didn't need to retreat at all, and his forward pace didn't even slow down; he simply shifted slightly and dodged the brute's attack.

The next instant, his body suddenly accelerated, lunging forward to crash through the curtain of water, and, amidst the brute's stunned gaze, he crouched low and cut in front of him.

Pausing slightly--his left foot kicked hard against the ground, his calf muscles bulging as power transferred through his entire body.

Twisting his waist and turning his body, his fist blasted with a whistling wind!

Uppercut!!

Hasshoken style!

Bang!

The brute's chin was struck!

A ring of kinetic energy exploded!

A violent shockwave instantly diffused through his skull, shattering his jaw and causing his eyeballs to bulge out!

Amidst a flurry of flashing stars, he flew backward, his teeth flying out mixed with blood as he spun in the air.

The last thought that flashed through his mind was one of utter shock: "Hasshoken?!!"

Thud!

The brute landed, his body bouncing twice on the dock like a dead fish.

Rolling his eyes, he lost consciousness.

[...
Observation Haki (Awakened)
Trait Loaded: "Pirate Hunter (White)", "Shockwave (White)"
...]

After over a week of continuous practice, Joggo could now use Observation Haki normally even without loading "Otherworldly Soul".

He patted the water droplets off his trench coat and continued walking forward.

Diagonally ahead in the distance, the Marine captain slightly lowered his body, crossing his hands to grip the twin swords at his waist, his gaze fixed solemnly on Joggo.

"I am Marine Captain Yuchimura."

"If you surrender now, you'll only need to serve a few months in prison... though I'd like to say that, I suppose you won't stop."

"What a pity, if you think I'm as easy to deal with as that idiot, you're making a huge mistake."

His voice paused:

"Thanks to that idiot, I've already seen through your weakness!"

Yuchimura had read Second Lieutenant Hina's report and knew that Joggo could use Hasshoken.

This was indeed a very powerful martial art, one that even many West Blue Marines found difficult to match in strength.

Unfortunately, for elite Marines active in the Grand Line, it was not unbreakable!

"Your weakness is..."

While speaking, Yuchimura's figure suddenly vanished from where he stood, and the next instant, his voice sounded right beside Joggo's ear!

...Too slow!"

"Six Powers - Soru!"

--Using the reaction force generated by high-speed stamping on the ground dozens of times in an instant, he appeared at Joggo's side as if by teleportation!

His brownish-red curly hair fluttered in the fierce wind as his hands drew his swords simultaneously at high speed!

"Two-Sword Style - Iai..."

Whoosh!!

Before the blades could even be drawn from their scabbards, the fierce wind before him was torn apart!

Joggo's roaring fist instantly magnified in his pupils!

If anyone could still stand at that moment, they would have discovered that it wasn't that Joggo's punching speed was particularly fast, but rather that Yuchimura had suddenly appeared directly in the path of Joggo's advancing fist!

Using his face to block Joggo's fist!

Yuchimura's eyes widened:

"Wait, how..."

The next second,

Bang!

The fist sank into his face, bursting forth with a ring of kinetic energy as it pressed against Yuchimura's shocked and distorted features, forcefully driving him down toward the ground!

Thud--Crash!

The shockwave spread, shattering the wooden dock!

Yuchimura's head plunged beneath the planks, his body falling still.

Joggo withdrew his fist, stretched his wrists, and continued walking forward.

His engagement with the two men had lasted less than a minute.

He walked past Marine Captain Yuchimura, past the unnamed Happo Navy brute, past a crowd of unconscious people scattered across the ground...

He headed toward the end of the long street, toward the direction where a powerful life aura gathered within his Observation Haki.

Beside the plaza, inside a spacious building, at the negotiation long table.

Ashi, captain of the Happo Navy's One Treasure Fort, lowered the leg he had propped up on the negotiation table and frowned as he looked at the somewhat panicked Capone Bege.

"Huh?"

"You're saying Joggo has arrived?"

There was a hint of skepticism in his gaze.

Stainless across from him was the same:

"It takes at least two and a half days to get here from Dendrobium Island."

"Even for a Fish-man, it's impossible to reach Golden Chrysanthemum Island in such a short time."

"Or could it be..."

Stainless's gaze toward Capone Bege grew gradually guarded.

"Your Capone Family's intelligence was wrong from the start, and Joggo wasn't on Dendrobium Island earlier?"

"Or... is your news fake right now?"

In his view, if Joggo really had arrived by now, it could only mean that Joggo had been operating near Golden Chrysanthemum Island all along.

Then Capone Bege had lied to the Marines!

If he hadn't arrived, then what Capone Bege was saying now was a lie... he was still deceiving the Marines!

Either way, he was deceiving the Marines!

"The Capone Family's actions are very suspicious."

"Could they be trying to unite with the Happo Navy (Marines) to make a move against the Marines (Happo Navy)?"

On both sides of the negotiation table, Stainless and Ashi exchanged glances, seeing suspicion and distrust in each other's eyes.

The atmosphere gradually grew subtle.

"Enough!!"

Bege suddenly slammed his hand hard against the table:

"This isn't the time to be considering such things!"

"For this peace talk, the Capone Family has shown more than enough sincerity."

"Since there's no trust between us, why don't we go out and check right now!"

Ashi let out a cold snort, stood up to pick up his giant hammer, and led his pirates toward the door:

"Then let's go check!"

"If Joggo really is here, all the better. We'll take him down early, and it can just serve as a gift for Leader Chinjao!"

On the other side, Stainless also waved his hand to lead his men toward the exit, refusing to be outdone.

"Capturing people is also a part of negotiation."

"The Marines will capture Joggo even earlier than you do!"

Behind them, Capone Bege breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly waving his subordinates over to follow along with their weapons.

Creak--

The wooden doors slowly pushed open, dazzling sunlight spilling through the gap as the clamor of the plaza rushed into their ears like a tide.

"They're out!"

"Are the peace talks over?"

"Hurry up and announce the results!"

Countless people gathered in the plaza, discussing loudly and craning their necks.

Expectant gazes focused on the few of them.

Waiting for them to announce the outcome of the negotiations.

Behind them, reporters eavesdropping against the door hurriedly raised the photography Den Den Mushi in their hands, click-click-click in a flurry of flashes, and hoisted their microphones forward.

"Tch~ What a bunch of fools."

Ashi raised a hand to block the sun, looking around.

"Where is there anything unusual?"

At that moment, one of his pirates noticed something was wrong.

"What is that?"

The pirate pointed in shock at the long street directly connecting the plaza and the dock.

The few of them looked in the direction he was pointing.

They saw that the people on the long street who had been cheering and jumping a moment ago were now collapsing one after another.

Seen from afar, it looked as though a silent wave had surged up within the crowd, rapidly sweeping toward the plaza!

The cheers around them quickly subsided, turning into panic.

The men frowned, as if they had all thought of the same thing at once.

"This is..."

The next second,

a terrifying aura washed overwhelmingly over the plaza!

Everyone's expressions changed.

The onlookers, reporters, gangsters, Marines, Happo Navy... as far as the eye could see, almost everyone lost consciousness at the exact same moment, collapsing limply to the ground!

In the blink of an eye, the entire plaza grew silent, leaving standing only Capone Bege, Stainless, Ashi, Stainless's adjutant, and Ashi's vice-captain—a total of 5 people!

Conqueror's Haki!

Five people looked toward the long street.

Amidst a deathly silence, footsteps gradually rang out.

In the distance, behind a field of unconscious people, a black-haired figure with hands in a trench coat walked step by step along the long street, the black trench coat fluttering in the wind.

"Jogo!!"

"He actually really came!"

"And... is that really Conqueror's Haki?"

Ashi frowned slightly, but quickly let out a carefree, indifferent sneer.

"He's completely no match for Leader Chinjao!"

He looked left and right:

"There are actually only five of them left?"

"Hmph, whatever, I didn't expect those other trash to be of any use anyway!"

He hoisted his great hammer onto his shoulder, turned to look at Stainless and Bege, and a casual smile appeared on his face.

"What do you two say?"

Stainless frowned slightly.

Lieutenant Commander Hina's report hadn't mentioned that Jogo possessed Conqueror's Haki.

Still, it didn't matter.

If it was only that level of Conqueror's Haki, as a Navy rear admiral with a firm will who had also awakened Armament Haki, he could completely ignore it!

"The Navy's stance remains unchanged."

He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword and looked at Bege.

"We won't help the Capone Family kill people; once we catch him, we'll send him to prison."

"Of course, to show respect for this peace negotiation, I will make a move!"

Bege stared fixedly at the figure gradually approaching:

"The Capone Family has nothing left to say either. There's no need to talk about fairness with this guy—let's all attack together!"

"I personally pledge that regardless of which side catches Jogo or kills Jogo..."

He paused slightly, his tone turning sinister.

"...the Capone Family is willing to pay a sufficient price to exchange for Jogo's head!"

Despite saying that, deep down in his heart he was already far less confident than before.

Jogo had actually really arrived!

It only took a day and a half from Dendrobium Island to Golden Chrysanthemum Island!

How did he do it?!

He completely bypassed 90% of his plan!!

The mobsters under his command were still on the road!

There was none of that step-by-step clearing of obstacles, bloody breakthroughs, and clever infiltration that he had anticipated... This battle had unfolded from the very beginning in a way that completely caught him off guard!

Good thing!

The people from the Navy and the Happo Navy arrived a step early.

Even he himself didn't notice that a trace of relief had actually arisen in his heart at this moment.

Even if Jogo possesses combat strength close to Sai... or even surpassing Sai, under the encirclement of the three of us, there is absolutely no possibility of him winning!

Furthermore, even in the absolute worst-case scenario where Jogo wasn't defeated by them...

The three of them could at least stall Jogo until Chinjao's arrival tomorrow!

Thinking of this, Bege harbored no more misgivings in his heart and laughed loudly toward the figure getting closer and closer, who was about to walk out of the long street:

"I didn't expect you to be in such a rush to seek death! Hahaha~ Do you want to challenge all three of us?"

Stainless, off to the front-left, also loudly declared:

"Brat, recognize reality. You are no match for us. If you surrender now, I can lock you in prison!"

Ashi laughed even more exaggeratedly:

"Hahahaha~"

"Listen to what this bunch of disgusting Navy scum is saying? Is going to prison supposed to be a reward?"

"Don't be afraid, brat. My iron hammer is fast. Once I smash your kneecaps, I'll hand you over to the lead..."

Before he could finish his words, within the field of vision of all five people, Jogo raised his hand and snapped his fingers!

Trait switch!

Conqueror's Haki (Awakened)
Equipped Traits: "Flower-Flower Fruit (Gold)", "Otherworldly Soul (Silver)"

"Hundred Flowers Wither: Ten-Ring Dance"!

Boom!!

Surrounding the tops of the five people's heads, fifty points instantly erupted with Conqueror's Haki, merging into five strands of 1,000% terrifying presence—one enveloping each person!

It was as if a naked spirit had collided head-on with a warship weighing several hundred tons!

Stainless's adjutant and Ashi's vice captain rolled their eyes back on the spot and slumped limply to the ground!

As for Capone Bege, Stainless, and Ashi, although they didn't pass out, they staggered and collapsed in an instant, barely managing to prop themselves up on half-knees.

Yet this was already their limit!

In this instant, they only felt that under the suppression of this terrifying presence, their entire bodies had lost control, completely unable to move!

"What... is this?!!!!" x3

The composure on all three faces completely transformed into panic and shock!

They roared frantically in their hearts:

Conqueror's Haki?!!

This level of Conqueror's Haki?!!

How is that possible?!!

Could this be the true strength of Jogo's Conqueror's Haki?!!

Damn it, body, move!

Yet no matter how they roared in their hearts, their bodies remained motionless.

Amidst the dead silence.

They could only half-kneel on the ground with lowered heads, despairingly listening to those unhurried footsteps gradually approaching.

A pair of feet appeared in their field of vision.

Then, under the startled and indignant gazes of Stainless and Ashi, Jogo walked past the two half-kneeling men without stopping, not even glancing at them, and finally halted right in front of Bege.

He placed his hand upon Bege's head.

Yet this action caused Bege, who had been keeping his head down with a face full of despair, to suddenly curve the corners of his mouth upward!

"Are you... perhaps... being too... careless?!" He forced out the words with difficulty.

--I am a Fortress-Fortress Fruit user, after all!!

Not only is my body as hard as a city wall, but anyone who approaches me will be sucked into my castle space!

Even if I'm suppressed right now, if you touch me with your bare hand...

Bege laughed wildly in his heart and abruptly activated his ability!

A massive suction force erupted from his entire body, instantly sucking Jogo in—in—

He couldn't suck him in!

Why isn't he getting sucked inside?

Under Bege's dumbfounded gaze, Jogo pulled a string of pitch-black handcuffs from his trench coat and tossed them into Bege's hands.

The instant the handcuffs landed in his hands, Bege felt all the strength drain from his entire body, and the ability of the Fortress-Fortress Fruit fell silent!

Thud!

He could no longer support his body, collapsing flat onto the ground. Saliva drooled from his mouth as a flash of sudden realization flickered in his eyes, which then transformed into infinite despair.

"These... are... Seastone... hand... cuffs?!!"

Yes, they were none other than the Seastone handcuffs from the Happo Navy that had once restrained Hina.

When Jogo watched anime in the past, he always felt it was strange.

Clearly, Devil Fruit users would shut down on the spot the moment they touched Seastone, so why didn't the Navy's hand-to-hand combat experts each carry a piece of Seastone?

With this stuff, beating a Devil Fruit user wouldn't be any different from beating a grandson!

Jogo turned around, pulled the sword from Stainless's waist, walked over to Capone Bege, gripped the hilt with both hands, and raised it high.

He finally spoke his first words since coming ashore.

"The time has come, it's time to hit the road, Capone Bege!"

"Wait... wait!"

Tears and snot gushed out as Bege struggled frantically like a fish on a chopping board.

Slash!!

The blade descended.

His body stiffened, and he stopped struggling.

His round head rolled past the front of Stainless and Ashi, that terrified expression deeply piercing the eyes of the two men.

Yet they couldn't move—not a single bit!

No matter how furious they were in their hearts, they could only act like subjects who dared not raise their heads, quietly awaiting the emperor before them to decide their fate!

Within their lowered field of vision, a hand picked up Bege's head, and then a pair of footsteps walked past, the trench coat swaying.

The exact same footsteps as when he had arrived receded into the distance.

The sunlight elongated Jogo's shadow.

He left the exact same way he had come.

Behind him, the two men from the Navy and the Happo Navy, who had played no role from beginning to end, knelt on one knee and respectfully saw him off.

Click!

Behind the headless Bege, a certain Camera Den Den Mushi that had obeyed its master's will and persisted until now blinked its eyes, recorded this moment, and finally fainted.