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Ace lowered his head in silence in the cold prison cell, not uttering a single word.
Being defeated by Marshall D. Teach was undoubtedly a heavy blow to him.
Immediately after, he was handed over to the Marines as a bargaining chip for Teach to become a Warlord of the Sea.
To make matters worse, Arashi himself was in charge of the transfer. The following news shook him to the core and plunged him into despair.
His true lineage had already been exposed to the Marines, and he was now being used as bait to lure the Whitebeard Pirates.
The successive blows left his life in turmoil.
Even though he had reached an agreement with Arashi not long ago, facing the impending war, his hope remained faint.
What should he do next? The fall from heaven to hell happened in the blink of an eye.
"Arashi!"
A deep voice suddenly echoed through the quiet Marin Headquarters prison. Ace did not lift his head.
He could tell it was Sengoku speaking. He simply listened silently, curious about what these two would discuss now.
"Using Fire Fist Ace as bait, how high are our chances of defeating Whitebeard?" Sengoku asked solemnly.
Even with all the preparations, the Fleet Admiral still harboured concerns.
After all, they were not dealing with an ordinary enemy but the man known as the strongest in the world—Edward Newgate.
"If you want to take down that man, considering his abilities...No, no matter what, sacrifices will have to be made," Arashi replied softly.
"Is that so?" Sengoku muttered heavily. He had anticipated this, but the severity of the cost and its consequences varied greatly.
"Of course, victory will belong to the Marines in the end! The Whitebeard Pirates have no chance of winning against the Marines of today!" Arashi said with a faint smile.
As soon as those words were spoken, Ace lifted his head, clenching his fists as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.
"I, too, firmly believe in that! After all, you will be personally taking action in this battle." Sengoku smiled.
Arashi understood the Fleet Admiral's concerns. Glancing at Ace in the cell, he then walked away alongside Sengoku.
"The matter of Marshall D. Teach becoming a new Warlord of the Sea has already been approved by the World Government," Sengoku said.
"We need to inform the remaining three Warlords who were not present."
"You mean Jinbe, Moria, and Boa Hancock?" Arashi asked slowly.
When he mentioned the last name, his expression became slightly strange.
In a fleeting moment, he recalled a delicate, fair-skinned girl who had once proclaimed her desire to marry him in Mary Geoise.
"That's right! The girl you once saved has now become the world-renowned Pirate Empress!"
"Surprised, aren't you?" Sengoku chuckled.
"Time changes everything, turning the familiar into the unfamiliar," Arashi sighed, shaking his head.
Then, as if something had come to mind, he continued, "I will personally handle this matter. Also, when do you plan to announce Ace's capture?"
Hearing this, Sengoku fell into deep thought before shaking his head. "We will wait for the right time."
"Elite forces from around the world are arriving one by one. At the very least, we must wait until preparations are nearly complete."
The two parted ways at the plaza. Arashi turned his gaze toward the towering figure waiting for him.
"Kuma," he called after a brief pause.
With a single step, Kuma was already standing behind him, his towering frame and silent demeanour making him look like a loyal bodyguard.
"I may have to trouble you to accompany me on another mission soon," Arashi said with a smile.
Kuma did not question further, simply nodding in silence. There was no rush to inform the Warlords. Arashi returned to his quarters for the time being.
On the training grounds, the CP9 members were still training rigorously. They followed Arashi's methods, engaging in real combat, which left them all battered and bruised.
Arashi noticed Rob Lucci's bandages were already soaked in blood, yet the cold and composed man remained unfazed.
At the same time, his opponent, Kaku, had his nose bent out of shape but was still gritting his teeth and pressing on.
Undoubtedly, the CP9 squad had exceptional mental resilience, enduring even the harshest training.
"Kuma," Arashi suddenly said. "Can I trouble you to heal them?"
"I can," Kuma replied with a nod.
With that, he stepped forward and appeared before Lucci, blocking Kaku behind him, instantly ending their fight.
"Bartholomew Kuma!" Lucci's pupils contracted as he recognized the towering figure before him.
He turned his gaze toward Arashi, who watched them in the distance with arms crossed.
"Are you our next training opponent?" Lucci asked in a deep voice. Kuma looked slightly puzzled but slowly raised his palm.
"A Warlord of the Sea…A formidable opponent indeed!" Lucci smirked, a glint flashing in his eyes.
The next second, his figure vanished, reappearing midair near Kuma's right flank, swinging his leg down in a powerful strike.
However, in that instant, his target suddenly disappeared. A massive shadow loomed over his back, and a large paw slammed into him before he could react.
Lucci's pupils shrank as his body trembled violently. "So fast! It's like teleportation...But it's not Soru!"
Then, as he felt something expelled from his body, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Lucci, are you okay?" Kaku asked worriedly.
He was equally astonished by Kuma's terrifying speed—it was so fast that even the naked eye couldn't keep up.
"I'm fine!" Lucci shook his head before flexing his fingers and rotating his arms, his eyes filled with astonishment.
He turned to the massive figure before him. "My pain and exhaustion… they're gone! Was that your doing?"
Kuma nodded. "My Paw-Paw Fruit allows me to expel pain and fatigue from a target's body."
His palm trembled slightly as he spoke, and a red bubble shaped like a paw appeared. "This is the pain and fatigue from your body."
As the red bubble grew larger, reaching half a person's height, Kuma's eyes showed a hint of surprise and admiration.
Enduring such immense pain and exhaustion while continuing to fight demonstrated an extraordinary will.
"Admiral Arashi cares about you all. He asked me to help remove your pain and fatigue," Kuma said softly.
With that, he took another step, appearing before Kaku in an instant. Before Kaku could react, Kuma's large palm landed on his chest.
"Too fast! Does this guy have teleportation abilities?" The other CP9 members were all in shock. Kuma moved from one to another, his massive hands pressing down.
One after another, red bubbles floated into the air, each containing the expelled pain and fatigue.
As the red energy merged, it formed a massive crimson bubble as large as a house.
"What happens if someone touches this bubble?" Rob Lucci asked in a low voice as he stepped forward.
"This is the combined pain and fatigue extracted from all of you. The moment you make contact with it, your suffering and exhaustion will increase exponentially," Kuma explained.
"For an ordinary person, it would mean instant death." He glanced at the cold-faced man before him, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
To remain so composed despite enduring such immense pain and exhaustion was a testament to Lucci's unimaginable mental fortitude.
"Enough to kill an ordinary person instantly?" Lucci murmured.
He suddenly turned his head, glancing at Admiral Arashi, watching silently. The next second, a grin spread across his lips.
"Between life and death, the human body can awaken dormant power with heightened clarity," he muttered.
Then, without hesitation, Lucci thrust both hands into the crimson bubble before him. Kuma's eyes flickered with shock. This man was truly insane.
Almost instantly, the white bandages wrapped around Lucci's body snapped and crackled like firecrackers, unravelling at high speed.
His pupils turned blood red, and his muscles trembled violently.
An unbearable surge of pain and fatigue crashed into him like a tsunami, overwhelming his senses and plunging his consciousness into temporary darkness.
"Drip!" Blood dripped onto the ground, the sound eerily crisp in the silence.
The CP9 members' expressions changed drastically as they cried out in alarm.
"Lucci!!"
Arashi narrowed his eyes at the scene before him, then suddenly burst into laughter.
"A fearless young man!" he said. "You have taken a step beyond your limits! From this moment on, you are qualified to stand at the pinnacle!"
The overwhelming pain and the struggle between life and death stirred three distinct sensations within Lucci.
Two of them were familiar—Armament Haki and Observation Haki. The third, however, was entirely new, something he had never felt before.
Faint and elusive, it did not emanate from his body but from deep within his soul, radiating outward.
"Have I broken through my body's limits?" Lucci thought as realization dawned upon him.
His body convulsed violently as the crushing pain surged like an unrelenting tidal wave, nearly forcing him into unconsciousness.
"This feels like fighting Straw Hat Luffy ten times over!" Lucci gritted his teeth. Kuma stood silently beside him, his expression unreadable.
He fully understood the unimaginable agony Lucci was experiencing—pain that could instantly kill an ordinary person.
Even a strong warrior would collapse and scream in torment. Yet, this man endured it all without making a sound.
"Hey, are you still alive?" Kuma finally asked. Lucci grinned, his voice carrying the ferocity of a beast from hell. "Never felt better!"
For the first time, he felt as if he had shattered the chains of fate, stepping into uncharted territory.
Though pain still gnawed at his flesh and soul, his mind was sharper than ever.
The sheer force of his will made the dust around him tremble and rise into the air. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his entire body quivered.
The seemingly ordinary crimson bubble contained a torment he had never imagined.
After a long while, sensing that the three forces within him had stabilized, Lucci gritted his teeth and looked up.
"Help me!"
Kuma blinked, momentarily taken aback by the request. Then, understanding dawned on him, and he gave Lucci a peculiar look.
This guy truly had no hesitation. Without a word, Kuma raised his hand and struck Lucci's back.
"Pop!"
A massive crimson bubble, filled with pain and exhaustion, separated from Lucci's body once more.
Lucci exhaled deeply, his body collapsing to the ground as he gasped for air. But in his eyes, an undeniable excitement burned.
Though he had yet to fully master the three forms of Haki, this brush with death had undoubtedly accelerated the process.
He felt that he could begin to wield Haki properly with just a bit more time. It was an undeniable leap in power.
At the same time, his heart filled with gratitude for the tall, silent figure nearby. Without this man, he never would have reached this level so quickly.
Watching this scene unfold, Arashi smirked before turning around and walking away. Without a sound, Kuma followed him.
"They seem different from the rest—an exceptionally talented group," Kuma remarked.
Arashi chuckled. "Yes, Lucci and the others were formerly part of the CP9 unit under the World Government."
Kuma's face stiffened slightly, his steps faltering. After a brief moment, he caught up again, sighing.
"You are truly bold."
Arashi smiled faintly. "I don't care about backgrounds. As long as they don't violate my principles, I will train them without hesitation."
Kuma fell silent for a long while before letting out a sigh. Only Arashi had the audacity to do such things in the world.
Recruiting former pirates into his ranks, collaborating with a Warlord like Kuma, and even taking in a team that the World Government had deemed disposable—each of these acts alone was enough to challenge the very foundations of the Marines.
.....
The next day arrived.
Crocodile, Rosinante, Buggy, Smoker, Kuina, and others stood in a row, clad in crisp white Marine uniforms, their gazes fixed straight ahead.
Arashi smiled as he looked at them, his voice calm and measured.
"A few days ago, I submitted a request to Marine Headquarters regarding adjustments to your ranks. The official approval has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Crocodile remained indifferent while Rosinante's face lit up with joy. Smoker, on the other hand, looked slightly surprised.
The others displayed various expressions of anticipation. "Is this because of the upcoming war?" Smoker asked in a serious tone.
"Exactly," Arashi confirmed with a smile.
"With a great battle on the horizon, Marine Headquarters needs a group of powerful elites to secure victory." His gaze then landed on Crocodile.
"Crocodile, for your long-term undercover mission and contributions to the Marines, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral."
Crocodile was momentarily stunned. Then, taking a deep breath, he straightened up and saluted solemnly.
His journey in the Marines had been nothing short of tumultuous.
From pirate to Marine, then back to a pirate, and now finally a Marine again—a path spanning over twenty years. Now, life has finally reached a new stage.
The rank of Vice Admiral was already the backbone of Marine Headquarters. With Arashi set to become the next Fleet Admiral, the prospect of future promotions was all but certain.
"Rosinante, promoted to Vice Admiral!" Arashi announced with a smile as he looked at Rosinante.
"Yes! Thank you, Admiral Arashi!" Rosinante responded excitedly.
"Buggy, due to your growth in strength, you are hereby granted the rank of Vice Admiral!" Arashi continued.
"I'm a Vice Admiral too now?!" Buggy was surprised but also overjoyed.
"Smoker, Vice Admiral!" Arashi continued announcing.
"Kuina, assigned as a Vice Admiral of Headquarters! Fisher Tiger, appointed as a Rear Admiral!"
After listing off the promotions, Arashi personally replaced their epaulets, and a smile formed on his face.
Without a doubt, these individuals before him would be his strongest allies when he took command of the Marines.
Likewise, they were subordinates he had nurtured himself, making them the most trustworthy.
After exchanging salutes, the simple promotion ceremony concluded. "Additionally, Crocodile," Arashi said, as if recalling something.
"Hmm?" Crocodile waited silently.
"I have also adjusted the ranks of Daz Bonez, Rob Lucci, and the others based on their strength levels. You will handle their promotions later," Arashi said with a smile.
"Understood!" Crocodile nodded.
Then, as if something had suddenly come to mind, he suddenly mentioned, "Bullet should be arriving soon as well."
Hearing this, Arashi narrowed his eyes slightly before breaking into a smile. "Oh? That is good news."
"It certainly is!" Crocodile grinned as well.
Years ago, when they were younger, the two had already been known as Arashi's left and right hands, accomplishing many significant feats for him.
Likewise, Bullet's arrival at Headquarters signified another powerful force joining their ranks.
Arashi had immense faith in the strength of his two trusted lieutenants, who possessed power rivaling an Admiral's.
"Besides, I should take some time to check on Sky Island!" Arashi mused.
He had left Dr. Vegapunk to conduct his research for years and had no idea how far the scientist's experiments had progressed.
Arashi was well aware that the support Vegapunk had received from West Blue had never wavered over the years, meaning the scientist never lacked resources.
In fact, Vegapunk had even recruited researchers and security personnel on Sky Island, forming a secretive research army.
One day later, Arashi and Kuma boarded the Thunder and once again departed from Marineford.
Meanwhile, due to their new ranks, Crocodile and the others had become key personnel within Headquarters, requiring them to attend Sengoku's increasingly frequent war meetings.
Additionally, each of them had been assigned various responsibilities by Sengoku, keeping them busy with their respective duties.
Two days later, the Thunder sailed into a sea covered in thick white fog. A sinister, decayed, eerie aura loomed over the area, sending chills down one's spine.
"The Florian Triangle," Arashi murmured with a chuckle. "This is my first time here."
Kuma stood behind him, gazing silently ahead. "I heard Moria suffered a crushing defeat against Kaido in the New World. Devastated, he withdrew into seclusion here, living in a delusional fantasy."
"A true failure to the core!" Arashi shook his head in disappointment.
"There are many like Moria. He is actually quite fortunate," Kuma remarked.
"That is true. For pirates, most of their fates end beneath the sea. Failure means death!" Arashi continued.
"Moria surviving at all is already fortunate." Then, after a pause, a smile appeared on his face.
"With his talents, potential, and Devil Fruit abilities, he should have been one of the world's strongest! Yet, now he lives like a worthless fool."
Kuma was momentarily stunned by these words, showing a hint of confusion. However, Arashi offered no further explanation and simply looked ahead with a calm smile.
Moria's Devil Fruit ability held limitless potential. He had made it to the New World in his youth and even fought Kaido in Wano, proving his formidable strength.
However, he could not even defeat the Straw Hats, becoming a disgrace among the Warlords of the Sea.
In the end, he was even betrayed by Doflamingo during the Summit War and later captured by Blackbeard two years later.
His life, which should have been one of power and glory, turned into a tragic downfall.
.....
Moments later, the Thunder arrived at Thriller Bark.
"Let's go pay a visit to this Warlord," Arashi said with a faint smile. Lightning crackled around his body as he shot forward.
A thousand meters away, the lightning converged, forming his figure again. Sparks of electricity surged around him as he landed with a grin.
In front of him stood a group of eerie-looking zombies, their faces filled with fear as they stared at him.
At the front of the group was a man with long pink hair. He held a bottle of liquor in one hand, and a rapier at his waist, and his body trembled slightly.
"Captain John, that guy can control lightning!" one of the zombies behind him stammered in terror.
Even when alive, they would not have been able to withstand the power of lightning, let alone as zombies.
As creatures under Moria's control, they had two major weaknesses: salt and seawater. A third was sunlight, and the fourth was lightning.
Such a pure and destructive force could instantly annihilate their bodies.
"I see it!" Captain John replied gravely, instinctively stepping back. He had no intention of dying here—oh, wait, he was already dead.
Arashi stood there, completely unfazed by the zombies. After a glance, the only one who caught his attention was the liquor-holding pirate.
Without hesitation, he spoke. "Where is Moria?"
Captain John took a deep breath, about to respond, when another figure drifted into view.
"What do you want with Master?" a crisp and somewhat melodious voice asked.
The speaker was a young girl with twin tails, wearing a crown and holding a burgundy parasol. Arashi's gaze settled on the floating girl, a smile appearing.
"You must be Ghost Princess Perona."
Perona made a face at him before speaking warily. "Marines are not welcome here."
At that moment, another massive figure positioned himself behind Arashi. Upon seeing him, Perona immediately tensed up.
"Tyrant Kuma!"
Kuma slowly lifted his head, staring at the girl before him. "This is Marine Headquarters Admiral, Arashi. Tell us where Moria is!"
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