CHAPTER 52
"I have serious concerns about entrusting this critical mission to the two of you."
Golden Lion Shiki's voice carried a mocking edge as he addressed his crewmates. His gaze, sharp as a blade, lingered on one figure in particular.
"And you, Linlin… have you forgotten? The last mission to win over the Roger Pirates ended in failure." He sneered.
Charlotte Linlin's face darkened, her lips twisting in anger. "Idiot! How can you even compare the two? Roger and Kaido? One is a legendary pirate crew, and the other—just some brat who's barely set foot in the real world! Kaido hasn't even seen a battlefield like this!"
Golden Lion shrugged, his smirk unwavering. "Doesn't matter. You failed, didn't you?"
"Go to hell, Shiki!!" Linlin roared, her immense presence shaking the room.
"You crazy woman! You wanna die?!"
The tension crackled between them, but Shiki didn't truly see Linlin as an enemy. His mind was elsewhere.
Despite his complaints, Golden Lion wanted to be part of this mission.
Kaido's current bounty was under 100 million berries—insignificant in comparison to the true monsters of the sea. But his potential? That was another story. Young, powerful, and unrefined, Kaido could become a force to be reckoned with.
Golden Lion saw an opportunity. If I can bring him under my wing…
"If that's the case," Rocks D. Xebec finally spoke, his voice cutting through their bickering, "then the three of you can go together."
Rocks was no fool. He saw right through Shiki's ambitions, but he didn't mind. Let them form alliances and rivalries—so long as he remained the one calling the shots, the Rocks Pirates would always be under his command.
"Yes, Captain Rocks!"
---
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters – Holy Land Mariejois
A high-level meeting was underway.
At the center sat Marine Marshal Brownie, flanked by some of the most powerful figures in the Navy.
Marine Admiral Kong.
Admiral Zhenwu.
Admiral Sabertooth.
And among the Vice Admirals—Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, Tsuru…
The room was filled with tension.
"Hive Island, also known as Pirate Island, has long been a breeding ground for criminals," Brownie began. "For years, we've been too occupied dealing with threats elsewhere to properly address the infestation there."
He paused before continuing. "However, today we received intelligence—Hive Island will soon host an unprecedented auction. A gathering that will attract the strongest pirates in the New World."
A gleam flashed in his eyes. "This is our opportunity. A chance to wipe out every pirate on that island in one fell swoop."
Sengoku leaned forward. "Are you suggesting a Buster Call?"
Buster Call—the Marines' ultimate measure of destruction. A concentrated naval bombardment, designed to erase an entire region without mercy.
"Yes," Brownie confirmed. "To ensure complete eradication, I'm authorizing a reinforced Buster Call. The standard fleet won't be enough—we need to send an additional Admiral as well."
No one in the room objected.
"I'll go," Admiral Kong declared. His tone left no room for debate.
Brownie nodded. "Very well. This operation is yours to command."
Kong stood, turning to his trusted subordinates. "Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, Tsuru—get ready. We move out immediately."
At this point, all four of them had earned the rank of Vice Admiral. Their strength was immense, rivaling even some Admirals.
Kong trusted them completely. If he was to lead this operation, he would bring his best with him.
Garp let out a laugh. "A Buster Call, huh? Sounds fun! Let's see how many interesting pirates show up."
Sengoku shot him a sharp look. "Garp, don't stray from my side."
Ever since Garp's defeat at the hands of Ayr, Sengoku had become hyper-vigilant, ensuring Garp never recklessly charged ahead. If Garp even thought about going off alone, Sengoku—and the others—would stop him.
Garp groaned. "Oh, come on, Sengoku! We're Vice Admirals now. Do you really think there's a pirate out there who can threaten me?"
Sengoku's expression hardened.
"Have you forgotten about Ayr?" Zephyr interjected, placing a firm hand on Garp's shoulder.
Garp clenched his fists. "That was then. Next time, I'll capture him myself."
Ever since that loss, Garp had trained harder than ever. Every dangerous mission, every battlefield—he volunteered. His power had grown exponentially since that defeat.
He was ready to settle the score.
Tsuru spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "Garp, the pirates on Hive Island aren't ordinary. Just this once, stick with us. Don't be reckless."
Garp sighed. "Fine, fine."
---
Two Days Later – The New World
A lone boat drifted across the treacherous sea.
The New World was known as the graveyard of pirates. A place filled with cutthroat marauders and monstrous creatures.
But one of its greatest threats wasn't a pirate… or a beast.
It was the man standing on that boat.
Ayr.
Despite being in the heart of a Sea King-infested region, the waters around him were eerily still. Not a single creature dared to approach.
Then—
Shing!
Ayr drew his sword.
The air itself shuddered as he swung.
BOOM!!!
The space before him seemed to rip apart, a violent explosion of force tearing through the ocean. A massive shockwave blasted forward, parting the sea itself.
Towering waves—hundreds of meters high—rose on either side, blotting out the sky. The sea screamed, its depths hollowed out by Ayr's devastating attack.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The ocean itself hesitated, as if unsure how to fill the void left by his blade.
Then—slowly—the waves began to collapse, the sea reclaiming its form.
As Ayr calmly slid his sword back into its scabbard, the once-wild waters returned to an eerie calm.
The only evidence of his power? The lingering ripples on the surface, trembling in silent fear.
IMPORTANT UPDATE -
I WILL BE POSTING 1 CHAPTER HERE EVERY DAY, BUT IF YOU WANT TO READ 5+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS DAILY AND 15 EXTRA CHAPTERS BY THE END OF EACH MONTH, JOIN MY PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS.
🔗 JOIN NOW: patreon.com/Oreski
PS: BY THE END OF THE MONTH, I WILL POST 15 CHAPTERS ON PATREON—DON'T MISS OUT ON THE ADVENTURE.