That evening, aboard the warship sailing away from the island.
Covered in bandages, Bullet lay in bed and suddenly opened his eyes.
A tearing pain wracked his entire body. He stared at the familiar ceiling.
"So I'm back."
But it did nothing to hamper his movements. He pushed himself up and climbed straight out of bed.
He rolled his neck, spread his arms wide, and stretched.
Pop, pop, pop...
The tightly wrapped bandages kept snapping as pain assaulted his nerves.
The series of movements also tore his wounds open, making them bleed again.
After loosening up, Bullet let out a long breath.
"Phew-"
"That feels good."
He casually grabbed the Justice Cape hanging on the wall, draped it over his shoulders, and walked outside.
The moment he stepped out, he heard the same countless cries.
"Vice Admiral Bullet!" × N
Everyone kept greeting him.
Bullet nodded lightly in response, then asked the adjutant approaching him:
"Where's that guy's body?"
The adjutant answered:
"It's been frozen. The spoils are in your room."
"Also, Admiral Sakazaki asked you to call him back."
Bullet nodded.
"Got it. Go bring me the Den Den Mushi and the sword."
The adjutant replied:
"Yes, sir."
Before long, Black Blade Yoru and the Den Den Mushi were placed in Bullet's hands.
Bullet hefted the Black Blade, then slashed toward the sea.
A roar rang out as the sea along the blade's path split in two, only to flow back together a few seconds later.
Its power fell far short of Mihawk's sea-cleaving strikes.
Bullet shook his head with a chuckle.
"Guess this famous sword is going to waste in my hands."
"Put it back."
He handed it to the adjutant, then dialed Sakazuki's number. The call connected a few seconds later.
"Admiral Sakazuki."
Sakazuki's voice came through.