Cloudy

Only after watching the blue lightning Boer had become and Kizaru's signature golden beam vanish like two meteors where sea met sky did the oppressive atmosphere at the port seem to ease a little.

Prince Locke Hall drew a deep breath, restored that impeccable smile to his face, and turned to the three Marine officers who remained.

"Our honored guests from the Marines," he said with a slight bow, elegant without compromising his status, "Lord Boer and Vice Admiral Kizaru will presumably need some time to 'exchange views.'

"It is windy here at the port. Why not retire to the Steel Club for a brief rest while we await their return? I have already ordered the finest tea and refreshments prepared."

At this, Onigumo and Raymont both turned their eyes toward Gion.

In rank, Onigumo stood higher as a Vice Admiral, but as the adjutant of Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Tsuru, Gion represented the will of the Marines' central decision-makers, giving her an unspoken greater say.

Gion did not immediately respond to Locke's suggestion. Her sharp, beautiful eyes swept over the somewhat disheveled port before settling on his face. Her tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable force.

"There is no hurry." Her red lips parted slightly. "Bernia's 'Steel Heavy Industry Consortium' has been mentioned repeatedly in several reports submitted to Headquarters, attracting considerable interest from Sister Tsuru... ahem, Vice Admiral Tsuru."

She deftly corrected her slightly informal address. "Since we are here, why not have Prince Locke show us this place hailed as the 'industrial heart of the West Blue' firsthand? I trust you would not mind?"

Her gaze seemed capable of seeing straight through people, putting Locke under an invisible pressure. This beautiful master swordswoman was far more than a pretty face.

"Of course not. It would be my honor to guide a lady such as yourself, Ms. Gion."

Locke reacted swiftly, spreading both hands with an expression of enthusiasm and helplessness. "In that case, why don't we visit the newly built salt purification facility nearby..."

"Ahem! Cough, cough!" Before he could finish, Rear Admiral Raymont beside him suddenly erupted into a thunderous fit of coughing, his rugged face even turning a little red. As he coughed, he frantically signaled Locke with his eyes.

This idiotic prince! He just had to bring that up! Raymont cursed inwardly. If the representatives from Headquarters see that I've stuffed so many Marine families and disabled veterans into Boer's factories to work, even if it was to find them a place, how could I show my face if word got out? What would Fleet Admiral Sengoku think? It would be fine if he let it slide, but if he decided to take it seriously...

As shrewd as Locke Hall was, he instantly understood the meaning behind Raymont's exaggerated performance. He immediately feigned sudden realization and slapped his forehead hard, his acting overblown yet natural.

"Oh dear! Just look at my memory!" he said ruefully. "My deepest apologies. The Salt Refinery has only just been completed, and the equipment is still undergoing final adjustments. If we visited now, I fear it would be nothing but dust. It would hardly be a pleasing sight, and worse, it would be discourteous to our honored guests."

He smoothly changed tack. "Why don't we take a slight detour and go straight to the Metal Smelting Center? That is the true heart and soul of our Steel Heavy Industry Consortium! I guarantee it will open your eyes!"

With those eyes that had seen through the ways of the world, Gion glanced mildly at the two men, who were clearly putting on an act together. She did not expose them, merely giving a soft "Mm" in tacit assent.

Onigumo kept his arms folded throughout, his stern face utterly expressionless, like a silent statue.

Locke secretly breathed a sigh of relief and moved ahead to the left of the three to lead the way. Pointing toward the broad Metal Road that wound along the bay and stretched into the dense forest in the distance, he introduced it in a tone mixing admiration and wonder.

"As you can see, this transportation artery runs through the port and the Harvest Plains all the way to the Northern Mines. We call it the 'Metal Backbone,' and its total length is nearly three hundred kilometers. It has completely transformed the difficulties our country faced in transporting supplies inland."

"Completing a project of this scale in your country is indeed a remarkable achievement."

Gion gave an objective assessment. As Tsuru's adjutant, she knew well the enormous significance infrastructure on this scale held for a nation's economy and people's livelihoods.

But then her fine brows drew together slightly, and her tone took on a trace of her customary caution and skepticism. "Still, I fear... it must have cost the common people considerable blood and sweat?" She bluntly pointed out the price so often paid behind such major projects.

"Haha, Ms. Gion, you really have misunderstood this time!" Rather than taking offense, Locke laughed, an almost fanatical gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Not only did this road cost none of the kingdom's commoners their lives, it was a miracle Lord Boer created single-handedly in just three days!"

He paused, his tone growing complex and deep. "To be honest, when Boer first displayed his monstrous power and forcefully intervened in the kingdom's affairs, my uncle and I, and indeed the entire royal family, spent a time unable to eat or sleep in peace. We feared he would become a demon who took pleasure in destruction and domination, overturning this country."

"That is true." Onigumo finally spoke coldly, his arms still folded, his voice like scraping metal.

"Every year, the Marines deal with a number of newcomers who suddenly gain Devil Fruit powers, become arrogant, and commit unforgivable crimes. Power often breeds the most primal evil."

"Yes, especially when such a 'monster' appears in your own country. That fear is very real." Locke nodded in deep agreement as he continued down the road.

"But as time passed, we gradually discovered that he... was more like a kind of 'idealist' we could not understand." He chose his words carefully, as though chewing over the meaning of the term.

"Through enormous commercial profits and a blueprint for future development, he has bound most of the kingdom's nobles to his chariot. At the same time, by building roads, housing, and factories, he provides work and hope for the common people at the bottom, benefiting the populace."

As he spoke, he pointed toward a distant area of neatly arranged tin roofs that had clearly only recently been built.

"Look there. He even built a tin house to shelter each of the poor people outside the city who originally lived in shacks!"

As though suddenly realizing something, he paused and added, "Yes, free of charge."

He shook his head, as though describing an elusive puzzle.

"Sometimes he seems rather eccentric, immersed in his own world. So long as you are not standing in his path, he is even the sort of person who... would not give you a second glance."

He had originally intended to give the example of how Boer had ignored even his invitation to a famous pleasure den in the Royal Capital, but catching sight of the elegant Gion beside him out of the corner of his eye, he immediately swallowed the words on his tongue and said instead:

"Other than when the Consortium's engineers bring him blueprints to have him 'start construction,' my subordinates report that he spends the vast majority of his time training alone, improving his strength..."

Amid these conversations and observations along the way, the group arrived outside the heavily guarded Metal Smelting Center.

Tall metal walls, pipes constantly venting white steam, and the heavy roar of machinery from within all proclaimed the vigorous industrial power of the place.

Workers and residents along the road cast awed and curious looks at this extraordinary group accompanied by the prince, especially the Marine officers wearing Justice Coats.

Just then-

Tap. Tap.

With two soft sounds, one after the other, two figures landed lightly before them as though by prior arrangement. They were Boer and Kizaru, who had left only a short while earlier.

All signs of battle had disappeared from Boer, and he had changed into clean black casual clothes, though his face was slightly pale.

Kizaru, meanwhile, remained as loose and languid as ever, his yellow striped suit immaculate, as though that earthshaking chase had been nothing more than a stroll.

"Oh my~ Everyone's here?" Kizaru spoke first, his tone still carrying his peculiar laziness and flippancy.

He pushed up his sunglasses and looked at his colleagues. "I tested him a little. Gion-san, Onigumo, this brat... is quite terrifying~"

Boer spread his hands helplessly, obligingly offering a somewhat weary smile. "Hey, hey, is that really something a monster of an uncle should be saying? I was the one who got effortlessly crushed. I almost didn't make it back."

His words were light, but deep in his eyes lingered a trace of fear and excitement from facing a powerful opponent.

Through Magnetic Field Vibration, Boer swiftly notified the factory's technical supervisor. Soon, a middle-aged engineer in work clothes and glasses came jogging over.

"Next, this professional will lead you through the core area and explain everything in detail," Boer told the three Marine officers, his tone returning to its usual composure.

"I need to prepare tonight's banquet for everyone. You have come a long way, so please do attend. I certainly won't let all your efforts on this trip be for nothing."

He turned to Locke. "Prince Locke, sorry for the trouble of looking after our guests from here."

"Oh, right~" Kizaru seemed only just to remember. "I need to hurry and submit my report to Mr. Sengoku too~ What troublesome work~"

Boer seemed long accustomed to Kizaru doing as he pleased. After nodding to everyone, he turned and left first.

Locke rallied himself and, all smiles, guided the three Marine officers and the engineer into the roaring steel beast.

Before entering the gates, Gion looked back one last time in the direction Boer had left, her eyes thoughtful.

Marine Headquarters confidential document

Report number: GX-737-SS

Submitted by: Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Borsalino (code name: Kizaru)

Recipients: Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha, Vice Admiral Tsuru

Subject: Combat strength assessment and incident report concerning Aaron Ball, lord of the Kingdom of Bernia in the West Blue

Mission background

Under orders from former Fleet Admiral Kong (subsequently amended by Fleet Admiral Sengoku), conduct "forcible conscription" or a "combat strength probe" of Aaron Ball, lord of the Kingdom of Bernia in the West Blue.

On November 22, Sea Circle Calendar 1509, I led Rear Admiral Gion, Vice Admiral Onigumo, and Rear Admiral Raymont to the target's location and made contact with the target in the port area.

Basic target intelligence

· Name: Aaron Ball

· Age: 17

· Status: Lord of the Kingdom of Bernia, de facto controller of the "Steel Heavy Industry Consortium"

· Ability: Magnet-Magnet Fruit user, capable of manipulating magnetic fields, metal, and electromagnetic force

· Physique: Approximately equivalent to an elite Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral

· Haki: No Armament Haki observed; extremely broad Observation Haki range (estimated over 3 kilometers), exceptionally strong combat anticipation

Combat analysis

1. Initial contact

The target engaged at the port in an Electromagnetic Armament combat stance. His attitude was cautious, but his tactical intent was clear-to avoid affecting civilians and urban facilities, proactively moving the battlefield out to sea.

2. Speed and mobility

· The target's normal movement speed can exceed Mach 5, and magnetic field manipulation allows him to change direction without regard for inertia.

· Although slower than light, his anticipation and magnetic interference allow him to effectively evade saturation attacks from "Yasakani no Magatama."

· Slippery little brat. Even I find his speed troublesome.

Note: Possesses underwater combat capability!

4. Defense and weaknesses

· Defense: Disperses impact through magnetic deflection and Electronic Armor; took a Light-Speed Kick head-on without serious injury.

· Weaknesses:

· Insufficient endurance (approximately 15 minutes of combat at maximum output);

· Lacks Armament Haki and cannot directly make contact with a Logia user's physical form;

· Overly dependent on his Devil Fruit ability; close-quarters martial arts have not reached the highest level.

Overall assessment

1. Threat level: SR (strategic risk)

· Capable of single-handedly changing the balance of a local battlefield (possesses a trump card capable of severely injuring officers of admiral rank);

· Technology-pseudo-black blade mass production combined with his combat strength could overturn the existing balance of power.

2. Potential assessment:

· Devil Fruit development is already approaching the threshold of "Awakening," and tactical creativity far exceeds that of his peers;

· If he masters advanced Haki, his combat strength could reach Admiral Candidate level.

3. Personality analysis:

· Prioritizes reason over emotion, consistently controlling the scope of destruction during combat;

· Has a strong sense of responsibility toward his territory and subordinates; this can be used in negotiations.

Recommended measures

1. Short-term strategy:

· Suspend forcible conscription and switch to a model of cooperation and oversight;

· Maintain the existing Arms Supply Agreement through Rear Admiral Raymont in exchange for technological monitoring rights.

2. Long-term measures:

· Dispatch Science Unit experts to establish contact and study his metal-forging technology;

· Recommend that Vice Admiral Tsuru lead psychological profiling and formulate targeted appeasement or suppression plans.

3. Risk warning:

· If his technology is acquired by the Four Emperors, the Marines' equipment advantage will be severely weakened;

· Recommend that the G-5 Branch strengthen surveillance of the West Blue Shipping Route to guard against contact by the Underground Forces.

Closing remarks

"Oh my~ What a troublesome newcomer~ He's only a seventeen-year-old brat, yet he made me take things seriously... I suggest Headquarters stop treating him as merely an impressive 'genius.' I consider him a brat with 'monstrous' potential. Incidentally, can I apply for compensation for psychological trauma over him calling me 'Perverted-Faced Uncle'?"

Signed: Borsalino

A line of small print appeared in the corner of the report: Mr. Sengoku, next time, let Sakazuki handle this sort of mission. His magma is better suited to dealing with such tough nuts to crack~