1 chapters will be uploaded on daily basis i.e. 7 Chapters will be uploaded every week apart from the bonus chapters.
1 Bonus Chapter will be uploaded for every 100 Power Stones or 1000 Collections.
All interested readers can read advanced chapters on: Free Members of Patreon can read 10 Chapters ahead of Webnovel for FREE.
[email protected]/Heroicverse
×××××××××××××××
"Aizen Sōsuke?"
Akainu (Red Dog) was taken aback. The name felt vaguely familiar, perhaps as one of Garp's recently recruited subordinates.
Wait a minute!
Did that man, Auguro, just say that this Aizen Sōsuke used to be the Captain of the 5th Division of the Gotei 13?
That would mean this guy, just like the two women standing there, was an Admiral-level (Taishō) powerhouse!
Auguro's revelation caused a significant ripple of shock among the Marine higher-ups.
Tsuru walked over to the rubble where Garp had been knocked down and yelled impatiently, "Stop playing dead! Get up immediately and tell me everything about this Aizen Sōsuke!"
Crash!
A pile of debris rolled aside, and Garp slowly stood up, looking slightly embarrassed. Being caught faking his death by an old friend was mortifying, even for someone as thick-skinned as him.
"I honestly don't know the full truth about that Aizen Sōsuke! When he signed up for the Marines, he only told me he was a wandering swordsman!"
"I thought he had good strength and was quite clever, so I decided to keep him," Garp quickly admitted everything he knew.
Tsuru frowned, having gathered virtually no useful intelligence. The immediate problem was whether or not to protect this Aizen Sōsuke. After all, the Marines had always viewed the Holy Spirit Empire (Shèngshèng Shènglíng Dìguó) as a huge threat.
Yet, their understanding of the Holy Spirit Empire and its 'Gotei 13' was tragically little.
If they could secure a Captain who defected, it would provide them with a massive breakthrough. But given the current situation, could they truly handle the simultaneous threat of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Roger Pirates, and the Holy Spirit Empire?
If they miscalculated, Marine Headquarters and its one hundred thousand elite troops could be utterly wiped out right here!
Just as Tsuru was agonizing over the decision, a frantic messenger rushed over.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru! A call has come through from the Five Elders (Gorōsei)!"
The Five Elders! Tsuru's pupils contracted violently, a sense of dread flooding her heart.
Taking the Den Den Mushi (Transponder Snail), Tsuru spoke in a grave tone, "This is Tsuru."
On the other end, Izaambaru V. Nasjuro Saint, one of the Five Elders, spoke sternly.
"Is that Tsuru? That will have to do. Sengoku is tied up, and so are you."
That single sentence was enough to make Tsuru feel a strange pressure. The live battlefield feed had been cut, yet the Five Elders still knew the precise movements of all the Marine high-ranking officers.
This was unmistakably the Five Elders asserting their authority: Everything you do is under our control!
Izaambaru V. Nasjuro Saint continued, "You Marines must secure that Aizen Sōsuke for us!"
Tsuru's heart sank—her premonition of disaster had come true!
She spoke firmly, "Auguro has brought two Admiral-level powerhouses with him. If the Marines choose to antagonize them, we will be directly facing six top-tier combatants! The risk is far too great!"
"Silence!"
Unexpectedly, Izaambaru V. Nasjuro Saint cut Tsuru off with a harsh reprimand.
"Tsuru! Do not forget your place! The Marines are merely the World Government's façade. Since when is it your turn to question our decisions?"
"The existence of Aizen Sōsuke will allow us to gain comprehensive intelligence on the Holy Spirit Empire, providing invaluable assistance for future policies! All you Marines need to do is execute our orders! As for risk—if you are afraid of risk, then why be a Marine? Go back to farming!"
"That is enough! No more discussion is needed. Execute the command immediately!"
With that, he hung up the Den Den Mushi, giving Tsuru no chance to respond.
"Tch! As irritating as ever, those bastards!" Garp muttered with a look of intense distaste.
Tsuru glared at him. You have the nerve to say that to their faces!
"Enough of your complaining! We have our orders, so don't think you can continue to slack off," Tsuru said, her voice weighted with seriousness.
Garp's expression also grew solemn. The upcoming battle was likely the most perilous the Marines had faced since their founding. If they lost, Marine Headquarters might cease to exist!
And the enemy's top-tier fighting force exceeded theirs by one! The last time they fought a war like this was against the Rocks Pirates!
At this moment, Aizen Sōsuke, who had been the focus of everyone's attention, slowly stepped forward. His gaze toward Auguro held a deep-seated contempt.
That single look was enough to make Auguro internally praise Aizen as a master actor!
If he hadn't received the script from Aizen beforehand, he might have genuinely believed Aizen was preparing to turn on him.
"Heh! The 'Soul King' (Reiō)? Nothing more than an inexperienced child!"
"Just because you possess the title of the supposed Soul King, everyone must obey your commands? Based on what?" Aizen's words were laced with scorn.
"No one stands in the heavens from the very beginning—neither you nor I. Yet, you dare to try and stand at the very top based on the mere name of 'Soul King.' How could you expect me to submit willingly?!"
His passionate declaration resonated with countless people present. Which powerful individual would willingly bow to someone they perceived as weak?
Yoruichi Shihōin took a step forward and roared, "Aizen! How dare you! The Soul King's identity is not for you to question!"
The disdain in Aizen's eyes intensified.
"Hmph! If it weren't for the support of you, blind loyalists, how could this wretch, who doesn't even possess the strength of a Captain, hold onto the title of Soul King!"
Just as Yoruichi was about to retort, Auguro suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder. He looked at Aizen and said coldly, "Aizen, I'm disappointed that you harbor such a deep misunderstanding of me."
"But I must warn you! The succession of the Soul King's position has its own rules, and it is not for you to question! If you surrender now and confess your crimes, I will grant you a chance to redeem yourself! The position of the 5th Division Captain can still be yours!"
"Hahahaha..."
Aizen burst into laughter, the sound dripping with sarcasm.
"Should I be thanking the Soul King for his exceptional compassion, then?"
The smile vanished from Aizen's face instantly, replaced by an icy coldness.
"My apologies! I, for one, do not require anyone's pity! What belongs to me, I will take myself!"
Auguro shook his head, wearing a look of regret.
"That is a great shame. Yoruichi, Soi Fon!"
"Yes, sir!" the two women responded in unison.
"Capture the traitor, Aizen Sōsuke! If he resists, kill him on sight!"
"Understood!"
Two terrifying surges of Spiritual Pressure (Reiatsu) erupted from the women simultaneously. Both immediately activated their Shunkō (Flash Cry) technique.
"Traitor, prepare to die!"
Yoruichi vanished from everyone's sight in a flash of movement. That frightening speed sent a shockwave through all the onlookers—Yoruichi the Flash was finally showcasing her full might in the world of One Piece!
Boom!
The formidable mix of Spiritual Pressure and Kido (Demon Arts) energy slammed toward Aizen Sōsuke. Given the sheer power, it was hard to tell if Yoruichi was incorporating a little personal vengeance into the attack.
Swoosh!
Just then, a resolute figure blocked Aizen Sōsuke's path.