51 Chapter 50

"Hm..." A tall Marine Officer with short orange-red hair and thick brown mustache, Vice Admiral Jonathan, squinted his eyes in confusion. After all, in front of him and his division lied the seven pirate ships containing the subdued Blaze pirates, and one marine ship floating triumphantly in the middle.

Jonathan, upon receiving the message that the newly established 24th division was about to clash with 'Hell Blaze' Diego, who was considered the head-runner among the five rookies in the Paradise, immediately sailed his way to Banaro. He, in truth, was expecting the complete defeat of the 24th division, and yet, the scene in front of him suggested the exact opposite result.

"Vice Admiral Jonathan!" Gion, standing strictly on her ship, saluted at the tall Vice Admiral, "We hereby report that 'Hell Blaze' Diego was executed on-spot, and that all members of the Blaze pirates are arrested!"

The marine soldiers of Gion's division cheered loudly, though their gestures expressed exhaustion. Without a doubt, this battle was their complete victory.

"..." Jonathan, crossing his arms and tilting his head as the confusion lingered in his eyes, said, "Did you really defeat Hell Blaze by yourself, Gion?"

It wasn't the first time that Jonathan came across Gion. And he, the man of sharp mind, was aware that her strength isn't enough to pull of a win against Diego.

Gion immediately shook her head in honesty, "No, sir. It wasn't me, but Captain Smoker."

Jonathan's eyes widened in realization, "Ah, Garp-san's disciple. Right, I remember hearing that he's returned." Then looking around, he asked, "So, where is he?"

Gion pointed her finger at Banaro island, "He's currently leading an investigation at Banaro, to determine the number of casualties and ensure that all of the Blaze pirates are caught."

__________

As Gion led the marines to inspect the pirate ships and watch over the tied-up pirates, I, taking Aramki, Cancer, and a few marine soldiers along, was currently checking up on the state of the island.

"Damn..." And Cancer, gazing at the numerous burnt corpses that were laid out all around the town, grimaced, "...Isn't this too much?"

Aramaki, gazing at the scene with contradicting impassiveness, raised his eyebrow, "First time coming across situations like this? It's pretty common since Pirate King's death, you know."

I, standing silently in the middle as the marines busily moved back and forth to find those who were still alive, landed my eyes on one old woman who lied still in her own pool of blood. She, judging by her pale appearance, seemed to have died already, however,

"...Any last words?"

I could still feel her intent. Though it was fading away, and her upcoming death was unpreventable, her will was latching onto her life with extreme strength, as if she didn't finish her job yet.

"Tch, let her rest, Smoker. Don't mock the dead." Cancer, frowning at my words, took out a cigarette from his pocket with his shaky hands. He attempted to light it up with his lighter, but his shaky hands didn't allow him to do so. Aramaki eventually snatched Cancer's lighter out of annoyance and lit up the blonde's cigarette.

Ignoring Cancer's words, I locked my eyes on the old woman. However, even after some time passed, no response came; I eventually closed my eyes as I turned back, before signaling to the marines around me, "Call Gion, we're heading out—"

"Kek... kekekekek..."

"""GAHHH!!!"""

And all of a sudden, a hoarse laugh came from my back. All surrounding marines except me jumped back in fright, and Cancer, who was trying to prevent Aramaki from stealing a cigarette from his pocket, froze in disbelief. The source of the voice was none other than that old woman. Though her body didn't move, her mouth surely did—she was at her last struggle.

"Young snake... the time for you to soar is approaching… kekeke…"

I shifted my eyes to my back, gazing at the old woman with narrowed eyes.

"Are you ready... to bear the weight of the world?"

__________

[Marineford; October 29th, 1504]

At the ever-peaceful headquarter of the Marineford, five marine warships returned triumphantly, in an orderly fashion. On the ship that stood in the middle, the Marine's prides, 'Marine Hero' Garp and Sengoku the 'Buddha,' were standing with confidence. Behind the two, there was a huge, muscular, and red-skinned man, one whom many came across a feeling of fear upon first glance.

"D-Douglas Bullet..." One marine, watching Garp and Sengoku's return, gulped with amazement, "They actually did it. They actually caught the 'Demon Heir,' the man whose strength was estimated to rival 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh...!"

"Hey, Sengoku!" Garp, munching on his rice cracker, said to Sengoku in annoyance, "Why are we bringing Bullet here? Just crash him in the Impel Down already!"

"Not yet! Consider the public, Garp!" Sengoku, looking ahead as their ships docked at the port, then walked out of the ship, leaving Garp behind. The other marines, taking the hold of Bullet who was shackled all around his body by the numerous seastone cuffs, followed the Fleet Admiral from the back. Immediately as Sengoku landed, Commodore Brannew who was standing at the port, saluted,

"We welcome the safe return of Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp!"

"Bwahaha! Were y'all worried?" Garp, not bothering to get off the ship, laughed while leaning on the rail.

Sengoku, on the other hand, nodded strictly before beginning his walk. Brannew, immediately walking alongside Sengoku, began his report, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, during your absence, the newly established divisions, 24, 25, 26, and 27, sailed out in compliance with your orders!

While the 14th division was to target 'Hawkeye' Dracule Mihawk and the 15th division was to target 'Hell Blaze' Diego, the former suffered a complete loss, while the latter was attacked by 'Martini' Hook! Both divisions had no reported survivor!"

Sengoku frowned, but nonetheless continued walking without a reply.

"On the other hand, the 24th division, though they lost track of 'Red Hair' Shanks, managed to land a complete victory against 'Hell Blaze' instead! The 25th division succeeded in winning against 'Sir' Crocodile and his entire crew, but 'Sir' Crocodile was found to have escaped at the last moment, and his current whereabouts are unknown! The 26th division too won against the 'Overflowing' Sasaki, however, was then attacked by 'Martini' Hook just like the 15th division! Finally, the 27th division is still under the operation of tracking down 'Heavenly Demon' Donquixote Doflamingo in the North Blue!"

Sengoku, who seemed to have entered a thought of his own based on Brannew's report, then asked gravely, though his nuance suggested that he already know the answer to his question, "...And where is 'Martini' Hook at the current moment?"

"T-that..." Brannew adjusted his sunglasses, expressing his nervousness, before he finally replied, "Along with 'Hawkeye,' Hook was found to be entering the upper stream of Red Line—we speculate that they are currently in Mariejois, for the reason unknown."

Sengoku's eyes were filled with many emotions.

__________

Moving the huge pirate crew from Banaro all the way to the Impel Down, as well as restocking the necessary supplies for sailing at Water Seven, we only managed to arrive at the Marineford just now, shortly after the arrival of Garp-sensei and Sengoku. And currently, I was standing in front of the hospital bed where two friends of mine were bedridden, along with the other present colleagues of mine.

One of the two, Bastille, was currently sleeping soundly, with his metal mask placed on the nearby table. There was a diagonal gash that spanned all the way from the left corner of his lips to his right eye. On the bed adjacent to his, Maynard had his entire body wrapped around with the bandages.

"...You two," I, inspecting their state with my own eyes, muttered, "What happened?"

Cancer was leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed. Akehende and Shu gulped at the sight of Bastille and Maynard in nervousness. Hina and Doll, standing at the back silently, gazed at two patients in a calm manner. Ain and Binz stood next to Hina and Doll, exhibiting anger at the current situation.

"Cough..." Maynard opened his mouth through the bandages, "...We defeated Sasaki pirates just fine. Kadar was too much of a wimp, but four of us had it. Then, while we were sailing back here, they... Martini pirates, suddenly attacked us out of blue. Tried fighting, but they were too much for us to handle, so we ran and... Dalmatian and Masterson died."

Maynard, then clenching his bandage-covered fist, asked with an underlying anguish in tone, "...Smoker. If... if you were present there, would... all of us have survived?"

I, raising my head up to the ceiling, replied, "...I don't know."

Dalmatian, he was to become the Vice Admiral in the future. Masterson, he was to quit the Marine and live as the bounty hunter, Daddy the 'Father.' But at present, they were killed even before such a future came.

"But something is strange." Then, Hina spoke up from the back, earning everyone's attention. As I turned around to look at her, she stated, "Why did the Martini pirates travel from the New World to Paradise? Ever since their move, all that Martini pirates have been doing was hunt down our divisions. And if you consider that his past too consisted of nothing but killing marines, the fact that the title of 'Marine Hunter' is given to Dracule Mihawk instead of Hook—"

"Hina." I, interrupting Hina in a calm manner, said sternly, "That's enough."

Everyone in the room seemed shaken by Hina's words.

'"Martini" Hook.' I thought to myself, 'The fellow who ended many Marine divisions in past years. Everyone speculated that he held a deep grudge against Marine, and two years ago, Fleet Admiral Sengoku wasn't able to oversee this any longer and ordered Admiral Anastasia to hunt down the pirate.'

And the result was a complete failure. Hook somehow survived, and Admiral Anastasia lost her life instead. Sengoku, trying to limit the fear that the title of 'Martini' invoked, classified him as one of the 'Seven Rookies,' but that action had no effect.

'Judging by how Hook manages to locate his target in this vast sea, every single time, there is a chance that Hook is connected with someone in the Marine. Coincidentally, all his targets are firm believers of "Moral Justice."' I shifted my eyes at Hina, who paled in the realization of what she just said out loud, 'Hina probably thinks that there is a betrayer in the organization. But that's not the case. As far as I can see...

...'Martini' Hook works for the World Government.'

I couldn't help but let out a dark chuckle, 'The "prototype" of Warlords, eh.'

__________

After leaving the hospital, the first thing I did was claim my rightful bounties.

"320 million for 'Nightmare' Gecko Moria. 448 million for 'Hell Blaze' Diego. However, they are dead, and thus, your bounties were deducted by a certain portion. In total, 500 million Beli. Take it or leave it, you young and rich bastard."

Though I was ripped off, it wasn't of much concern to me. Exiting the building with the jealous looks of a marine who was a part of the Finance Department, I recalled Gion's words.

In my hand were five suitcases, each containing 100 million Beli, which were given to me on spot; I supposed that this means of paying served to motivate the marines to work hard. Coupled with the 'income' every month and the permission to move one's family into the Marineford, there were many incentives for people to join the Marine. And this was probably the reason why many adopted Absolute Justice as well. After all, everyone knows where the money is coming from.

"Ha... whatever." Getting rid of such thoughts, I, now standing on the peaceful street of Marineford, stared at the setting sun, "I'd rather not think about those matters right now."

After the 2-year-long abduction by Garp-sensei, the time has finally arrived for me to start my own division.

Next chapter