Jon Challenges Vitas

At G-1 Branch Headquarters, a Vice Admiral gave a detailed report on the current situation between Roger's Pirates and Golden Lion's Flying Pirate Fleet.

This briefing allowed all the assembled Marine officers to gain a clear picture of the conflict's dynamics and strategic implications.

Seated at the head of the table, Admiral Sengoku swept his gaze around the room before speaking:

"Right now, it's not just the Marines watching Roger and Shiki—every pirate in the New World is watching too. The outcome of their battle will completely reshape the New World's power structure. We cannot afford to be unprepared."

The New World might only cover a portion of the world's oceans, much smaller than the Four Blues, but it was far richer in resources and home to numerous powerful nations.

More importantly—

It was a lawless land teeming with powerful figures, making it nearly impossible to govern—which was exactly why the World Government feared it so much.

Sengoku's tone hardened:

"Our mission this time is simple.

If Shiki and Roger fail to settle their battle, we must seize every opportunity to eliminate both pirate crews.

But if one side emerges victorious—or, even worse, if one submits to the other—we must intervene immediately. We cannot allow that to happen."

At that moment, a Vice Admiral spoke up:

"Can Roger really hold his own against Golden Lion? He already lost to Big Mom before—and Shiki is far stronger than her, with an even larger fleet."

It was a logical concern.

From any rational perspective, Roger's crew was at an overwhelming disadvantage.

Nine out of ten people around the world believed that the Flying Pirate Fleet would achieve an absolute victory.

But suddenly—

"Don't underestimate Roger."

The one who spoke was Vice Admiral Garp, his voice calm yet firm.

"That man is terrifying. If anyone can break through Shiki's siege and escape—it's Roger."

Sengoku nodded in agreement.

"Garp is right. We must prepare for all possible outcomes.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we can crush both of these pirate crews in one strike, we can send a powerful message to all the pirates of the New World.

Failure is not an option."

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement.

They had traveled all this way from the first half of the Grand Line to the New World for one reason—

To achieve glory.

And for that, they would follow Sengoku's lead.

The Iron Quartet Reunites

At G-1 Headquarters, the legendary Iron Quartet was finally reunited—

Jon, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Dragon.

They weren't alone.

Many of the younger Marine officers were also present, most of them graduates of Zephyr's training program.

Zephyr had been an instructor for several years now.

By this point, his five graduating classes had produced over 200 elite Marine officers.

Not all of them were prodigies—

But every single one of them was a capable and accomplished Marine.

Many had already risen to officer ranks.

In fact—

Zephyr's students were slowly becoming a rising force within the Marines.

For example—

From Jon's class alone, officers like Doberman and Purrington had already earned respectable ranks.

From later classes, promising names like Onigumo, Strawberry, and Dalmatian were already making their mark.

Since Jon had been away from Marine life for two years, many faces were unfamiliar to him.

This was a good opportunity to introduce himself.

Though Jon's reputation wasn't as well-known as Sakazuki's or Borsalino's—

He was still one of Zephyr's most outstanding students from the first class.

However—

His infamous incident from two years ago had damaged his reputation, making many of his former comrades less friendly toward him.

Jon noticed this, but he didn't care in the slightest.

He had never been interested in winning people over—

And he certainly wasn't going to start now.

Strength speaks louder than anything else.

As long as he was strong enough, everything else would fall into place.

An Unwelcome Pest Returns

"Jon, over there."

Doberman nudged Jon's arm and pointed toward a group of approaching Marines.

Jon followed his gaze—

And immediately scowled.

Striding toward him with a gang of subordinates was Vitas—

Looking as arrogant and aggressive as ever.

Jon let out a long sigh of frustration.

Vitas. Again.

This guy was beyond annoying.

It was like he had a personal grudge against Jon—

Constantly looking for excuses to pick a fight.

Even after getting humiliated multiple times, he still wouldn't stop.

"Vitas, are you sure you want to go through this again?"

Before Vitas could even open his mouth, Borsalino had already stepped forward, smiling mischievously.

"I thought you had enough of my Light-Speed Kicks?"

Vitas stopped in his tracks, his expression twitching slightly.

Even though he hated Jon—

He hated fighting Borsalino even more.

With an annoyed snort, he snapped back:

"Borsalino, this has nothing to do with you. This is between me and Jon!"

"Jon, if you're really a man, step up and fight me! Stop hiding behind others!"

Borsalino was about to say something—

But Jon raised a hand, stopping him.

"I'll handle this."

Before, Jon ignored Vitas because the time and place weren't right.

But now—

This idiot still had the nerve to cause trouble.

If Jon let it slide again, then he wasn't Jon Lyons anymore.

Jon Accepts the Challenge

Vitas' eyes lit up with excitement.

"Finally, you're not running away!"

Jon frowned.

"Vitas, we were classmates once. Why do you keep coming after me? What do you really want?"

Vitas' face darkened, his eyes burning with rage.

He clenched his fists.

"You're asking me that?! Don't pretend you don't know! I want to crush you! I want everyone to see that you're nothing but a fraud!"

"You were never special!"

"You were just lucky! Lucky to have Zephyr's favor, lucky to have connections!"

"Meanwhile, I had to claw my way up from nothing!"

"I refuse to accept it!"

Vitas' voice was full of jealousy and resentment.

Jon studied him for a moment, then finally understood.

"So that's what this is about."

Vitas had always been bitterly jealous.

From the moment they entered the Marines together, he saw Jon as a rival he had to surpass.

Even though Jon had been inactive for two years, even though Vitas had risen to Lieutenant Commander,

He still couldn't let it go.

Jon exhaled slowly.

"Fine. You've been challenging me over and over. Today, I'll settle this once and for all."

"Let's fight."

Vitas' eyes widened in shock.

"You—You're actually accepting?"

He had assumed Jon would back down.

But instead—

Jon was the one initiating the fight.

Jon's expression remained calm.

"This is what you wanted, isn't it? Or are you the one who's afraid now?"

Vitas sneered.

"Afraid? Not a chance. About time you started acting like a man!"

Jon smirked.

"Let's make a deal.

The loser must walk away and never cross paths with the winner again."

Vitas barely hesitated.

"Fine by me!"

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