Chapter 12 / Chapter 13

Above a stretch of sea in the West Blue.

Two figures darted through the air at astonishing speed.

"What kind of ability is this?"

Watching the sea race backward beneath them, Momousagi was utterly stunned.

She had never even heard of such terrifying speed.

It had to be the fastest in the world!

"I ate the Repel-Repel Fruit. This is an ability I developed. I call it—Repulsion Space!"

As soon as Chris finished speaking, they landed on an island.

It was Pato's home.

Momousagi looked at the ancient palace before her and the towering trees all around, unable to resist asking.

"Where are we?"

At that moment, the man before her seemed so mysterious.

What a frightening young man!

Chris shrugged and said calmly, "An uninhabited island. We can cut loose and have a fight here."

"If I want to work with you, I need enough strength to back it up, don't I?"

Momousagi drew Kompira, its blade gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

She sneered and said disdainfully, "Your speed really is terrifying."

"But that's all you have."

Roar!

A beast roared nearby, and the ground shook as it approached.

"Before we fight, let's clear away the distractions."

As his words fell, Conqueror's Haki swept outward, and cries of distress rose around them.

Sensing that terrifying presence, every animal nearby fled at once.

Momousagi was secretly alarmed, but her beautiful face remained unchanged as she said evenly, "No wonder you dare challenge the Celestial Dragons. You certainly have the spirit for it."

"Then let me see your true strength!"

She kicked off the ground and charged at Chris, sword in hand...

Ten minutes later.

"Still want to fight?"

Chris stood quietly, his expression calm, without the slightest hint of strain.

Momousagi sheathed Kompira, amazement on her beautiful face as she said in disbelief, "So young, yet already so powerful."

"It seems this world is destined to change."

Then Momousagi looked at Chris, her expression grave. "The Celestial Dragons have ruled the seas for so many years, and no one has ever dared to resist."

"With our strength, we can't possibly shake this world. We won't be able to change anything."

"So tell me what you have planned next. I'd very much like to hear it."

Hearing Momousagi's words, Chris knew he had succeeded.

This Headquarters Vice Admiral and Admiral Candidate had agreed to cooperate.

"Let's get back to the warship first, before anyone notices."

They traveled through space again and soon returned to Momousagi's room.

Looking around the familiar room, Momousagi shook her head gently and said with heartfelt wonder, "Even Borsalino's light speed can't compare to yours!"

"All right, enough idle chatter. Let's discuss the plan!"

Click!

Chris lit a cigarette and gave his answer without hesitation.

"Let's start with your side of things."

"First, once you return, win over as many of your subordinates as you can. They'll play a major role in the battles to come."

Momousagi nodded in agreement. "No problem. I'll handle the personnel side carefully."

Chris exhaled a mouthful of smoke and laid out the second part of his plan.

"You're an Admiral Candidate right now. You need to find a way to drop the word 'candidate.'"

Chris looked at Momousagi and said earnestly, "Only by becoming an Admiral can you give us the greatest possible help."

Momousagi knitted her delicate brows, troubled.

"All three Admiral positions are already filled. There's no chance for me to move up. I can't do that."

Chris nodded in understanding and gave her a straightforward answer.

"So we have to kill one of them. Once a vacancy opens up among the Three Admirals, you'll have your chance."

"What?!"

Momousagi was stunned.

Her beautiful eyes widened. Thinking she had misheard, she hurriedly asked, "What are you saying? How could that possibly work?"

"Nothing is impossible."

Chris took a drag on his cigarette, his expression calm. "The Admirals are the Navy's greatest fighting force, its strongest warriors."

"Throughout history, no Admiral has ever been killed. No one has ever managed such a thing."

"But as I see it, as long as we find the right opportunity, we can absolutely hunt one down."

Momousagi fell silent. She still couldn't believe what Chris was saying.

Hunt down an Admiral? How could that be possible?

Could anyone really do it?

After a few seconds, she slowly said, "Since you're saying all this, you must have a detailed plan. Let's hear it."

"First, let's analyze the Three Admirals."

Chris took a drag, a shrewd gleam flashing in his eyes. "Borsalino is too fast. It would be difficult to strike, and our chances of success would be low."

"Kuzan can freeze the sea. Whether he's on land or at sea, his fighting ability won't be affected in the slightest."

Chris looked at Momousagi and said solemnly, "So our target will be Sakazuki."

"He's a Devil Fruit user. If we can get him out onto the open sea, he won't be able to use much of his strength."

"I'm one hundred percent confident I can hunt him down!"

(By now, you should all understand. Admiral Red Dog is definitely going to be killed. Are you looking forward to that fight? This author really hates that dog. He has to be hunted down ︿(￣︶￣)︿.)

Chapter 13

Aboard the Chris.

"What exactly did the Captain go off to do? Why isn't he back yet?"

Burgess kept looking toward the town, but there was still no sign of anyone.

Doc Q coughed and said, "I'm actually quite curious... will we have a new crewmate joining us?"

Pato ignored them, waving a fishing rod as he bounced around and spoke with a grin.

"Let's go fishing! I'm going to catch a big one this time!"

Belo Betty looked at Baccarat and took a drag on her cigarette. "Did Chris say when he'd be back?"

Baccarat smoothed her hair and smiled, her poise and elegance on full display.

"Just wait patiently. He'll be back soon."

Sure enough, a voice rang out.

"All hands, raise the sails! We're setting off!"

A figure flashed into view, and Chris was already on deck.

"The Captain's back! Everyone, get moving!"

Then the ship slowly pulled away from shore and headed out to sea.

"Boss, you're back!"

Pato jumped onto Chris's shoulder, his favorite place to sit.

Burgess looked around, making sure no one else was there, then couldn't help asking, "Captain, isn't anyone new joining us?"

Doc Q said regretfully, "Looks like the Division Commander Challenge will have to be postponed again."

Chris ignored them and nodded to Baccarat.

Then he headed straight for the Training Room to keep pushing himself.

"What did Chris mean by nodding at you? Could you let us in on the secret?"

Honey Queen looked at Baccarat, blinking her beautiful eyes in curiosity.

"Yes, yes! Big Sis Baccarat, can you tell us?"

Burgess immediately perked up and began pleading.

Everyone looked at Baccarat, eager to hear the answer.

"Honestly, every last one of you..."

Baccarat rolled her eyes at them and said irritably, "Don't you know what kind of man Chris is?"

"If I told you, do you think he'd let me off?"

"You're all trying to get me into trouble. If you want me punished, just say so!"

Doc Q glanced at them and said with an eerie smile, "The Captain is ruthless. Anyone who gets in the way of his plans will definitely be slaughtered."

Burgess shrugged helplessly.

"Forget it. I'm not asking anymore. I don't want trouble."

Sitting on the railing with his fishing rod, Pato turned his head and asked, "What are you talking about? Boss is so easygoing. He isn't ruthless at all."

"What do you know!"

Belo Betty shot him a sideways glare and said coldly, "Just fish quietly. Don't go spouting nonsense."

Honey Queen smoothed her golden hair and smiled sweetly. "I'm leaving you lot to it. I'm going to watch Chris train."

"Let's go. We've got nothing else to do anyway, so let's go together."

Baccarat took Honey Queen by the hand, and they headed toward the Training Room, chatting and laughing.

The three women entered the Training Room and saw two things on the table.

A Devil Fruit and a book.

"Look through it and see what ability this fruit has."

Chris was upside down, working out on one hand as he trained his physical arts.

Belo Betty glanced at the book on the table, shock spreading across her beautiful face.

"This is the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia!"