Execution

The salty sea air slapped Akatora's face as the ship he was on travelled towards the east blue, straight to Lougetown for the most talked about event in recent history. He was on a newly built Marine ship that was delivered to him, the reason he was almost late in his promised meeting with Cocoa.

The whole promotion had been a long time coming for Akatora who had always been wondering why he wasn't promoted until his friend quit his position.

It was as if he was just a replacement. So he didn't care anymore, opting to get a much needed vacation to loosen up his tense body. That is, after he finished this important mission.

"This ship sure is fast."

A Vice Admiral was given the right to ride a vessel with his own name on it. So the Akatora Ship that was given to him a few days ago was entirely his property, even though he'd probably have it hanging around the docks of Chocolate Village for a while.

He'd already gotten a 'training' vacation approved by Sengoku who was currently the Admiral. It felt great having a father who you can ask for vacation when you promise him a grandchild. He even assigned the Sabaody as his assigned region so he can stay near the Chocolate Village. He already had plans of staying in the village to someday promote it into a city, one that he would protect himself.

"We'll get there in time sir! The seastone covering underneath the ship will ensure our safety as we travel through the Calm Belt!"

A crew member who stood beside Akatora gave his input as he watched the Vice Admiral have a worried look on his face. Unfortunately, that wasn't what was on his superior's mind as it was a much more complex problem that faced the Vice Admiral.

'I've got to convince Dragon not to do it, I hope I get to him in time.'

The reason Akatora was going to the execution wasn't just to see the infamous Pirate King personally, it was mostly because of the decision his friend might do that will harm not only himself but also the rest of his family. He had found out from the man himself about his plan to get information out of the Pirate King to know exactly what happened in Victory Island two years ago.

'If he wanted to know, he'd need him alive.'

Dragon's devil fruit would allow him to turn the whole event into a massacre. His anger at the Marines made him turn a blind eye to the innocent members of the Marine, except for those he had held dear such as him, old man Garp, Sengoku and maybe aunt Tsuru. He hates old Kong the most though, so telling him about Dragon's plan would probably not be a good idea.

"Sir! Rear Admiral Momonga has called for reinforcements! It seems Admiral Sengoku along with Rear Admiral Sakazuki and Rear Admiral Kuzan have been fighting off a fleet of pirates that are headed for Loguetown as well!"

"Head towards their direction! Give me a report on exactly who we are dealing with!"

"Aye, sir!"

The Akatora Ship headed straight towards the sea three kilometers away from Loguetown. The crew had already given him more information on the situation and he couldn't help but feel that it should be as expected.

The Pirate King was loved by many, as even he felt that his mentors had more respect for the man than hatred. But not him, he had no respect for a man that advocates for freedom while his vocation takes away the peace of others. A hypocrite that did nothing to help, only enforcing the idea of piracy to simple minded idiots.

"Sir! The Marine fleet stationed near Loguetown had one of its ships sunken down by cannon fire! Admiral Sengoku has warned us to be careful of any stragglers!"

"Understood, return to your station officer Cartel."

"Aye, sir!"

The crew pulled out all the stops as the Akatora Ship sailed faster than it did before, not minding the possibility of attracting Sea Kings that would probably kill them in one swipe of whatever limb or tail it would have. But the presence of a Vice Admiral had made the men relax as Vice Admirals were only third in rank of the strongest members of the Marines.

The Akatora Ship was sailing so quick that it inevitably had to face a aberrant Sea King.

"Sir!"

*whoosh*

*bang*

*whoosh*

Before the man had even tried to warn his superior, Akatora had already pulled ahead and went for the beast. The commander was only able to see the Sea King fly far to the west as the creature flew far away as a ray of light dragged it towards the horizon. He looked back only to see that the Vice Admiral was back inside the ship while wearing the same worried face, as if nothing happened.

"a Sea King..."

A few of his fellow officers just watched the soldier as he didn't know what happened. In fact, the rest of the crew didn't know what happened.

'How is this man only a Vice Admiral!?'

That was a Sea King! A monster that sunk ships while they could only watch. A terrifying beast that had a span reaching hundreds of meters long and he took it out from a hundred meters away with one move?

"Onwards! Don't let the old man wait for me. I might get my vacation revoked!"