Sabaody Archipelago, Area 45:
This area was known for its sightseeing and entertainment. Specialty shops lined both sides of the street. Normally, it would have been bustling with noise and crowds. Yet, at that moment, the atmosphere was strangely quiet and tense.
"Evans, they're sticking to us really tightly." A bald man with a saber at his waist spoke with a grave expression.
"I see it. Those guys are tailing us from a distance, but they're not attacking. They're probably waiting for stronger reinforcements. We don't have much time left!" Evans said in a deep voice, carrying a rifle on his back with goggles resting on his forehead.
His powers of observation were sharp. He quickly realized the intent behind the Marine units that were following closely behind them while remaining widely dispersed.
"Damn it, what rotten luck! We only planned to stay here for one day before heading to the New World, and now we've run into this!" A tall, powerfully built, dark-skinned man said angrily.
"It's the Jonce Pirates, those assholes. They're notorious for pulling wicked stunts. I heard that guy's a complete madman." Another chubby man added.
The five of them hurried forward, yet no matter what they did, they couldn't shake the Marines behind them.
Evans's expression grew increasingly grim. Suddenly, he shrugged off the rifle from his back and raised it.
"What is it?" The fat man asked.
"Marine reinforcements have arrived," Evans replied.
Through the scope, a young figure came clearly into view. At the same time, the Lieutenant Commander who had been pursuing them stood at attention and saluted respectfully.
Obviously, the younger-looking man was the senior officer.
Suddenly, his companions noticed that the Marines tailing them were retreating.
"They're pulling back?"
"What's going on?"
The man with light-colored hair and a blade said in shock.
This Marine unit had been biting onto them relentlessly for most of the day, yet now it was suddenly withdrawing.
Evans' expression became even heavier. Through his scope, Evans saw the young officer suddenly raise his head and look directly toward their location.
"This guy... He's extremely dangerous!"
Almost instinctively, Evans felt a chill run down his spine and his scalp tingle.
"I just got word that the other four Supernova pirate crews have all been captured or wiped out!" The only woman in the group said in horror.
"What?!"
The sudden news shocked the entire group.
"They're all major pirate crews with bounties over a hundred million!"
The woman took a sharp breath and continued, "Three of those crews fell at the hands of a young Marine officer."
Hearing this, Evans shifted his scope, letting it settle on the man's shoulder.
He quickly recognized the insignia... Rear Admiral rank.
"A Rear Admiral?"
The woman froze. "How do you know?"
Sweat had already begun to seep from Evans's forehead.
Judging purely by strength, they weren't the strongest of the five Supernova pirate crews. Three crews had already fallen to this man, so there was no doubt about how terrifying he was.
This also meant that they were in serious trouble.
Meanwhile, Kojin finished his conversation with the lieutenant commander in charge of the pursuit.
"Leave this place to me. You may withdraw." He said with a faint smile.
"Then we'll leave it to you, Rear Admiral Kojin!" The Lieutenant Commander didn't hesitate at all and he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his heart as he turned and left without delay.
He knew just how outrageous this man's battle records were.
Kojin turned his gaze toward Evans. He was surprised that the other party still hadn't opened fire.
He began walking toward them, step by step.
"He... he's coming, Evans!" The woman screamed.
"I see him!" Evans's right hand was on the trigger as he spoke, but he didn't pull it.
He had a premonition that if he pulled the trigger, he and his companions would face the most tragic end possible in the very next second.
Pressure... terrifying pressure... came surging in from nowhere.
The young Rear Admiral hadn't done anything, yet he made Evans feel oppressed in a way he never had before. Even the trigger, something he could normally pull with ease, felt impossibly heavy at that moment, and it felt as if it could no longer be pressed down.
"Do we fight, Evans?" The bald man pressed a hand against the long blade at his waist, his expression grim.
Evans didn't reply.
And in the blink of an eye, the enemy drew closer.
Suddenly, Evans saw a smile appear on the young Rear Admiral's face and in the next second, Evans's hand shook, and shock spread across his face.
"No... he's gone?!"
He had never encountered an opponent like this before... someone who could instantly disappear from his locked field of vision.
Almost at the same moment, a gust of wind rushed toward him. A white cloak suddenly filled his vision, and he saw a figure standing beside him.
Evans froze. By the time he realized what had happened, his expression had changed drastically.
"Mina!"
The bald man suddenly drew his blade and shouted as he slashed at the Marine in front of him.
Everything happened far too fast, and they couldn't even react.
Kojin lifted the female navigator in front of him with one hand, completely unconcerned about the attack from behind.
As the long blade sliced through the air, his body suddenly tensed.
"Tekkai!"
The long blade struck his back, producing a clear clang.
Everyone present changed their expression instantly and a sense of absurdity and horror rose in their hearts.
"I'm not a patient person. One more slash and I'll crush her neck."
Holding the woman aloft, Kojin slowly turned around.
His gaze swept across Evans's grave expression, the furious bald swordsman, and the other two, who were only now snapping back to reality.
"You have only one chance. Surrender and stop resisting. Or she dies first and then you follow."
Evans's expression flickered. The bald man and the others were filled with anxiety. Yet, in the face of this situation, there was nothing they could do.
In the end, Evans sighed and lowered the rifle in his hands.
"You win."
A smile appeared on Kojin's face, and a hint of appreciation surfaced in his eyes as he looked at them.
He released Mina and said calmly, "Come with me."
The five of them exchanged glances. They focused their gazes on Evans, who shook his head slightly, signaling them not to act rashly.
With his mission complete, Kojin didn't linger any longer.
Under the watchful eyes of the Marines at the harbor, Evans and the others followed him in silence and were escorted onto a battleship.
"Rear Admiral Kojin is incredible, he took down four of the five Supernova pirate crews by himself!"
"He's a powerhouse who once fought Silvers Rayleigh! If it weren't for his lack of seniority, he could probably serve as an Admiral with that strength!"
"I heard Rear Admiral Kojin is also a disciple of Vice Admiral Garp, the Marine Hero!"
These comments drifted into Evans's ears, causing his expression to shift.
A battle with Silvers Rayleigh?
A disciple of the Marine Hero, Garp?
This young Marine actually had such experiences and a background like that.
Moments later, the five of them boarded the battleship. Rosinante took the helm, and the ship quickly departed the port.
"You have two choices." Only then did Kojin speak again.
"First… starting today, you live as Marines under my command."
Before Evans could speak, the bald man beside him widened his eyes.
"What?! You want me to be a Marine?"
Kojin ignored him and stated the second option.
"Second… the battleship turns around and heads for Impel Down. I'll do my best to use my connections to send you to the most heavily guarded, most 'prestigious' prison ward, Level Six."
After a brief pause, he grinned.
"I guarantee that you'll spend the rest of your lives there safely and peacefully, without any unexpected incidents."
The five of them changed expression and stared at Kojin, their looks practically saying, 'Wow, thanks a lot.'
The outcome was beyond doubt, every one of them chose the first option.
(End of chapter)
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