The Greater the Power, the Greater the Responsibility

But his expression soon turned grave again.

PX-5 was moving once more, swinging its long blade as it battled Zoro.

The danger was far from over.

The enemy before them was the strongest monster they had faced yet!

Grand Line, G-8 Branch.

Vice Admiral Jonathan, the base's commanding officer, lounged in his office chair. A cup of steaming coffee sat on his desk.

Life as a commanding officer was uneventful, comfortable, and leisurely. Many senior officers chose this kind of semi-retirement as they grew older, easing themselves toward their later years.

Clearly, being a Marine was far more comfortable than being a pirate.

In their youth, pirates lived by the blade, killing and burning, never knowing which day might be their last. By middle age, they might have gained enough power and status to enjoy a spell of glory. But in old age, others started eyeing them, eager to kill them and take their place.

No one could escape that fate. Whitebeard and Kaido were no exceptions; their later years were miserable.

"Now this is the life!"

Jonathan narrowed his eyes and sighed contentedly.

But then something seemed to occur to him, and he muttered,

"It would be even better if Jessica were a little gentler."

Behind him, Drake pressed his lips together, struggling not to laugh.

The marks from the Vice Admiral's recent beating had not quite faded.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

A frantic knock suddenly sounded at the office door.

Jonathan opened his eyes. "Who is it?"

"Vice Admiral, it's an emergency!"

The Marine outside sounded anxious.

Drake stepped forward and opened the door, looking puzzled.

"Major Drake! Vice Admiral Jonathan!"

"Someone from Headquarters has arrived."

The Marine spoke between breaths.

"Oh? An inspector sent by Headquarters?"

Jonathan asked casually.

A special inspector from Headquarters was hardly