Inside the Foxy Pirates' ship, a celebration was underway. The crew was throwing a victory banquet, rejoicing over another Davy Back Fight won and another pirate crew absorbed into their ranks.
Through those games, Foxy had swallowed up many pirate crews, taking in numerous skilled members. Though his bounty was only 13 million and his crew appeared unimpressive, anyone who had fought him knew how troublesome his ability truly was.
Raising his glass high, Foxy laughed. "Fefefe! Let's welcome our new members! Cheers!"
While petty and devious toward outsiders, he was generous and even-tempered with his own crew. That was part of why his subordinates remained loyal, even after so many mergers.
The newly absorbed pirates were visibly reluctant, but the enthusiasm around them was overwhelming. One by one, even the unwilling lifted their glasses and joined the toast.
Whoosh!
In the middle of the long rectangular dining table, a figure suddenly appeared.
It was Carlo, dressed in his usual uniform, holding a stack of documents. "Silver Fox Foxy. Wielder of the Slow-Slow Fruit."
Everyone froze in shock. The more vigilant among them scrambled for their weapons.
Foxy's expression darkened as he demanded, "Who are you?"
Beneath the table, his fingers had already formed a familiar gesture, ready to trigger his Devil Fruit power at any second.
Carlo noticed and shook his head slightly. "Too slow."
Flash!
In the blink of an eye, Carlo vanished and reappeared behind the pirate.
Shhk!
A sharp dagger pierced straight through Foxy's heart, and at the same instant, the Devil Fruit extractor embedded itself into his body.
Gasps erupted across the room. "Captain!!!"
The pirates who had lost to Foxy earlier looked both shocked and relieved, an opening to escape had just appeared.
Foxy's neck stiffened as he slowly turned his head, eyes wide and filled with disbelief. His mouth opened, but no words came out. 'How... could this happen…'
Carlo twisted the dagger.
Crunch.
Foxy's heart was shredded instantly. His body slumped forward, lifeless.
Inside the extractor, a new Devil Fruit began to take form.
Calmly pulling out the blade, Carlo wiped it clean with a napkin, then glanced at the trembling pirates who didn't dare move.
He took out a small cylindrical device, pressed a button, and tossed it onto the floor.
The pirates instinctively scattered back, staring at it in fear.
Carlo smiled faintly.
Whoosh!
And disappeared.
Everyone looked around, stunned.
It had all happened so fast, appearing, speaking, killing, leaving, all in less than ten seconds. Their captain was dead, and the intruder was gone before anyone could react.
Bzzt!
The cylinder on the floor started to crackle with light.
Zzzzap!
A surge of electricity burst out, engulfing the entire ship.
High-voltage current paralyzed everyone on board, and the countless flammable items scattered around caught fire.
Screams filled the air, echoing into the night...
When people later gathered the courage to investigate, they found that not a single soul aboard the massive ship had survived. Nearly a thousand pirates, all burned alive.
Their bodies were left twisted in agony, faces contorted, charred beyond recognition. The horrific scene soon turned into a local legend across the South Blue: "The Vengeful Ghost Fire Incident."
* * *
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
At Vice Admiral Tsuru's home, she reclined in a garden chair, flipping through a stack of recent reports and newspapers.
A cheerful voice called from outside.
"Tsuru-senpai!"
Gion pushed the door open. "Huh? Where are those two little ones?"
She was referring to Baby 5 and Sugar, the two girls Tsuru had rescued a few years ago from the Donquixote Family. Since both were originally pirates, Tsuru had used her Wash-Wash Fruit powers to cleanse their hearts of malice and had kept them under her care.
Even Baby 5's compulsive need to please others had been largely washed away.
Tsuru turned a page and said calmly, "They've reached school age. They're attending the headquarters academy now."
Gion blinked in surprise. "Eh?! Already? They've grown so fast."
She sat down on a chair beside Tsuru and stretched lazily. "Tsuru-senpai, when they graduate, let them join my ship. They're good kids."
Now a vice admiral herself, Gion had been worrying about strengthening her crew for some time.
Tsuru shook her head. "Baby 5 can, but not Sugar. Her ability is far too dangerous. I have to keep her close at all times."
The power of the Hobby-Hobby Fruit was terrifying. It erased all memory of its victims. Though written records might remain, nobody dared to take the risk. If Sugar ever developed malicious intent and turned people into toys, no one would even realize what had happened.
That was why Tsuru kept her nearby, periodically cleansing her mind with the Wash-Wash Fruit, just in case. One washing was probably enough, but with power like that, carelessness was unforgivable.
Gion sighed. "Fine, fine. I guess that's fair. I wouldn't want to split them up anyway. I'll just visit the academy and see if this year's recruits have anyone promising."
* * *
Marineford Academy.
In the principal's office, Morris sat on a couch, a large sheet of paper spread over the coffee table as he wrote down the names of the year's new cadets.
Click, click.
The door handle turned, and Zephyr walked in with a rare smile, sitting down across from him.
Raising an eyebrow at his cheerful mood, Morris poured him a cup of tea and slid it over. "Oh? You seem in a good mood today. That's not like you."
Zephyr chuckled. "Is that so? Maybe I'm just not always serious."
Morris smirked. "You might as well carve the word 'serious' onto your forehead."
Unbothered, Zephyr said, "There's a promising recruit this year. Great potential."
Morris looked intrigued. "A compliment from you? That's rare. What's the name?"
"Drake," Zephyr answered, taking a sip of tea.
Morris nodded. "Ah, that kid. The one with the Ancient Zoan, Allosaurus Fruit, right? Definitely your type. The evaluation report says he has firm principles, loyal, resolute, and not-rigid, physically gifted, too. Hah, sounds like a younger version of you, minus the not-rigid part."
Zephyr grunted softly, accepting the jab. Glancing at the list, he asked, "What's with all these names?"
Morris replied, "Precautions. We can't be careless with that Paramecia-type ability among this year's recruits. It's practically rule-breaking."
Zephyr furrowed his brows. "That little girl, huh… Is this all really necessary? She's one of us now."
Morris rolled his eyes. "It's not distrust. It's prudence. Tsuru's Wash-Wash Fruit can't guarantee everything. That girl's power erases memories without regard for strength or Haki. She's still just a child, frozen in time by her fruit's side effects. The seas are full of smooth talkers and manipulators. If she ever falls under someone's hypnosis, it could be disastrous."
A power that dangerous couldn't go unwatched. But neither could they imprison a little girl in Impel Down for life. Even the Marines had limits… well, everyone except Sakazuki.
Zephyr let out a sigh. "You're right. Handle it as you see fit."
He rose to his feet. "I'm going to check on that boy."
Morris smiled and waved him off. "Go ahead. You seem pretty fond of him. Better take him as a student before Garp gets his hands on him."
Zephyr snorted. "He wouldn't dare."
Still, his steps quickened as he left…
* * *
Late at night.
On a remote island somewhere in the Grand Line, Sakazuki swept the area with Observation Haki to ensure no one was nearby.
Then he took out a Den Den Mushi and spoke quietly to Carlo on the other end.
"Begin."
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