Two Marine Admirals Are Dispatched!

"Bastard... bastard! Damn old guy, I'll fight you to the death!"

The vicious pirate with a scar on his face roared as he witnessed the complete destruction of their pirate ship.

He reached for the sharp blade at his waist, ready to attack.

However...

As he raised his head to confront the imposing, aged figure standing before him, he froze.

Those cold, indifferent eyes bore down on him, exuding an overwhelming aura of terror and oppression.

The pirate's body began trembling uncontrollably. His blade slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground as he stood paralyzed.

From the pirate's perspective, the moment he raised his head, it was as if a massive wave of dread had crashed into him.

Forget about drawing his weapon or making a move; even attempting to steady his shaking body seemed impossible.

The next moment, before the pirate could react, Bai Ye's hand had already reached out, stopping just inches from the man's head.

Reiatsu gathered in Bai Ye's palm.

"Revealing Glare."

Instantly, the pirate felt a flood of unfamiliar memories and sensations invading his mind.

Unlike reading thoughts with Haki, this technique allowed Bai Ye to directly access the pirate's entire life history.

From his early days, his first murder, the massacre of a village, and his descent into piracy—all of it played out like a vivid recording in Bai Ye's mind.

The pirate's heinous acts, one after another, unraveled before him.

Bai Ye's eyes lit up with a hint of surprise.

"It works..."

This ability, inspired by Yamamoto Genryūsai's legendary spiritual skills from his memories, was an experiment Bai Ye wanted to try. He had doubted if he could successfully wield it with his current power.

But it worked on the very first attempt.

With this ability, he could now obtain precise intelligence directly from the enemy's mind. Regardless of the World Government's plans, as long as he captured even one operative, he could learn everything.

A terrifyingly effective power.

Nobody would want to face an opponent like this.

But as he thought about this power, Bai Ye murmured to himself:

"Memory retrieval is effective. Now... let's see if it can erase consciousness too. But first, I need to test its limits."

His gaze shifted to the remaining seven or eight pirates struggling in the water after their ship was destroyed.

Through the memories he had just retrieved, Bai Ye learned that every single one of these pirates was guilty of unspeakable crimes.

There was no place for mercy.

Just as Bai Ye was about to move toward the next target, an enraged shout came from behind.

"Bastard... bastard! Die, old man!"

The scar-faced pirate, sensing that the oppressive force gripping his body had subsided, seized the opportunity.

Driven by desperation and fear, he lunged toward Bai Ye, his eyes frantically scanning for a weapon.

That's when he saw it—Ryūjin Jakka, sheathed at Bai Ye's waist.

The pirate's face lit up with hope, and he charged toward the sword.

Bai Ye remained perfectly still, observing the pirate's actions with a calm expression.

Just as the pirate thought he had caught Bai Ye off guard, he reached for the sword.

The moment his hands touched the hilt of Ryūjin Jakka—

BOOM!

Blazing orange flames erupted from the dark purple hilt, engulfing the pirate in an instant.

"AAAAHHHH!"

The man's screams echoed briefly before his body was reduced to a burning husk. Within moments, his charred remains crumbled into ash, scattering in the wind.

The other pirates struggling in the water looked on, horrified.

Bai Ye glanced at the pile of ashes and muttered thoughtfully, "It seems 'he' doesn't like being touched by strangers."

He wasn't surprised.

In the world of One Piece, most famous swords carried their own personalities and would reject anyone unworthy of wielding them.

This was even more true for Zanpakutō.

Unlike ordinary weapons, Zanpakutō were sentient and allowed only their chosen bearers to wield them.

Compared to the so-called Supreme Grade Swords of this world, the level of Ryūjin Jakka was leagues higher.

In this world, Bai Ye was the only one who could touch it. Anyone else who tried would meet the same fate as the pirate just now.

Turning his attention back to the sea, Bai Ye's voice was cold as he said, "Alright... now it's your turn."

He stepped toward the remaining pirates, whose terror was palpable.

Meanwhile, at Marineford…

At the Naval Headquarters, the corridors were tense.

"That monster... he acts so recklessly!"

"This is outright disrespect toward Marine!"

Angry murmurs echoed through the halls, though no passing Marines dared to voice their thoughts aloud.

At the center of it all stood Admiral Akainu—a staunch enforcer of Marine justice.

Akainu's fists smoldered with black smoke, his frustration evident.

To him, Bai Ye's actions were a direct provocation.

"Does that fool Sengoku really intend to sit back and watch? Whitebeard wouldn't dare launch an attack, and even if he did, I'd crush him!"

As a user of the magma-based Logia fruit, Akainu was confident that his power would easily overwhelm any 'fire-related' ability, including Bai Ye's.

Just then, a Marine messenger ran up to Akainu.

"Admiral! The World Government's representatives have arrived, and Marshal Sengoku has ordered you to assemble at the port with Admiral Kizaru!"

Akainu turned toward the port, his eyes narrowing as he saw a warship bearing the World Government's insignia dock at Marineford.

"So, those bureaucrats finally decided to act. That arrogant fool's days are numbered," Akainu muttered, a cold smirk forming on his face.

The messenger shivered, watching the Admiral walk away, his aura suffocating.

Akainu.

Kizaru.

And now, reinforcements from the World Government itself.

For the first time since Marineford's founding, such a powerful force was being assembled in the first half of the Grand Line.

Something unprecedented was about to unfold.