"Pa!"
A bubble that had floated to the highest point and shimmered with multicolored light suddenly burst.
Huge, thick mangrove trees towered across the ground everywhere. Footsteps echoed as a group of Marines marched quickly toward Area 65.
The division of the Sabaody Archipelago was clear. Zones 60–69 were primarily controlled by the Marines and used as government access points.
Lieutenant Commander Cullens's jurisdiction was precisely Area 65.
As Kōjin walked, he lowered his head to look at the arrest warrant issued from the highest level of Headquarters. His heart was calm and steady.
He had been assigned a mission by Garp a few days ago to deal with Cullens' crimes, which included embezzlement, accepting bribes, and murdering civilians.
Besides Cullens himself, dozens of subordinate Marines, such as officers and soldiers of multiple ranks were listed on the arrest warrant.
According to the mission description, he was given full authority in this mission, and one particular line was highlighted: "As the executor of this Mission, Rear Admiral Kōjin, you are granted the highest authority. If the targets resist, you are permitted to eliminate them without mercy."
Admiral Sengoku issued this order, and Commander Kong's stamp followed it, representing unanimous authorization from the highest levels of Marine command.
Kojin's eyes flickered as he quickly understood its meaning.
This was a gesture of goodwill toward him. Clearly, Sengoku and Kong were fully aware of everything involving him before he joined the Marines.
"Perhaps it's also to silence them?"
Kōjin thought again.
After all, only Lieutenant Commander Cullens and his subordinates knew the details of what happened previously on the Sabaody Archipelago.
Regardless of intent, he instantly understood what Headquarters meant. Assigning him this task meant that they wanted Cullens and his men, every last one of them, to be "sent away" by his hands.
In no time, he and the Marines behind him reached the entrance of the Area 65 Marine branch. He raised his head and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar gate. Suddenly, Kōjin laughed.
The last time he came here, he had been escorted by Marines as a prisoner. This time, he stood there with the authority of the Marine top brass, there to arrest criminals.
From prisoner to executioner... the transformation was astonishing.
"The target is here, Kōjin?" The towering Saul rumbled. His enormous size immediately drew the attention of the gate sentries, who turned pale with fear.
"Yeah." Kōjin nodded.
"Let's finish quickly. Vice Admiral Garp is still waiting for us," Shinbu said.
Ever since Rear Admiral Jerry died, the officers who had previously shared a battleship with Kōjin had become fully convinced of his abilities. Naturally, they followed him on this operation.
The approximately 20 to 30 Lieutenant Junior Grade officers standing together produced a tremendous, oppressive momentum.
Kōjin narrowed his eyes and stepped toward the gates.
"You... who are you people?" The sentry trembled and hurried forward to stop them.
"Out of the way!" A Lieutenant Commander behind Kōjin jumped forward and kicked the man flying.
"Headquarters, Rear Admiral Kōjin is here to carry out a mission! Move aside!" Another shouted.
Nothing was going to obstruct them. Moments later, Kōjin stood before Cullen, who lowered his head over a pile of documents.
"You are—?"
"Kōjin?!"
Cullens froze, his expression shifting.
"Long time no see, Lieutenant Commander Cullens."
Kōjin smiled faintly.
"You're… a Lieutenant Junior Grade already?"
Seeing the rank on Kōjin's shoulder, Cullens was stunned again.
At that moment, a loud commotion erupted outside. Then, a massive figure suddenly appeared. The office trembled as a gigantic head poked through the doorway.
"Kōjin, besides the Cullens, all the other officers and soldiers, thirty-two individuals have been apprehended," Saul rumbled.
Cullens stood frozen on the spot upon hearing that before asking. "What...what do you mean?"
Kōjin nodded toward Saul. "I'll be done here soon."
Then, he turned back to face Cullens.
"Now, on behalf of Fleet Admiral Kong and Admiral Sengoku of Marine Headquarters, I formally inform you..."
"...of the countless crimes you committed after assuming the position of senior official of Sabaody Archipelago's Area 65."
You are under arrest."
"Be warned: If you resist, I have the authority to kill you on the spot."
Cullens was completely stunned and unable to react.
"I... I haven't received any notice!"
Kōjin unfolded the arrest warrant and casually showed it to Cullens. Cullen grew anxious and rushed forward, trying to look at it.
"Hm?"
"As expected, a stubborn criminal...a traitor within the Marines...utter trash!"
"You actually dare to resist?"
Kōjin's eyes turned icy, and his killing intent was completely exposed.
A chill ran down Cullen's spine. He opened his mouth to deny it. "I... I didn't..."
But before he could finish, Kōjin disappeared. The next instant, a fierce gust of wind crashed into his right cheek, moving faster than he could imagine.
Only then did he see a blurred silhouette materialize before him.
Cullen's pupils shrank violently in shock.
"He's already this strong?"
PA!
A resounding slap exploded across his face. Cullen felt as though a steel club had struck him. His mind went blank as confusion overtook him, and then the pain hit. Half his face twisted grotesquely.
The slap had crushed his cheekbone and torn open his flesh. He flew through a wall, was slammed out of the office, and skidded across the ground.
With a cold, expressionless look on his face, Kōjin strode out of the ruined office.
"Spread the word, Saul. These criminals resisted arrest and tried to attack us so we were forced to fight back and eliminate them one by one."
Saul froze. "Huh?"
But Shinbu and the other Marines beside him already had cold, killing intent in their eyes as they unsheathed their blades without hesitation.
Pfft!
Still confused and terrified, the corrupt officers and Marines felt the world go dark the next second. Their consciousness vanished.
Cullen jolted, regaining his senses and screaming in panic.
"Kōjin... this is retaliation!"
"Let me explain... back then, it was because of the Celestial Dragon..."
But again, he didn't get to finish as a cold, sinister face filled his vision.
A large hand clamped around his skull and lifted him effortlessly into the air.
"Spare me...spare me!" Cullen trembled uncontrollably; terror drowned his heart.
He tried to look at Kōjin but could only see those pitch-black, icy eyes, deep like bottomless voids.
"You go first. He'll join you soon." Kōjin spoke faintly.
At that moment, he swung Cullen downward, slamming his head into the ground.
BANG!
A thunderous crack resounded as Cullen's eyes rolled back, and his skull shattered, creating a massive crater in the floor.
Blood quickly pooled and spread across the ground.
After two or three breaths, he was silent.
"Whew."
Kōjin exhaled deeply and turned to the others.
"Mission complete. Let's go."
All the officers nodded. Saul scratched his head, then casually crushed the Marine's neck in front of him.
He had reviewed their crimes; they were all traitors who had betrayed the Marines' ideals... unforgivable sinners.
The group moved quickly, coming and leaving fast.
Moments later, they passed through Area 24. Suddenly, the bustling crowd on the street went silent, then dropped to their knees.
"It's a Celestial Dragon," Shinbu said in a low voice.
"Let's avoid them," Saul added in his deep rumble. "If we meet them head-on, it'll be troublesome."
He then explained further.
Kōjin stopped walking, staring at the bubble-helmeted figure slowly passing through the bowing crowd.
His eyes grew cold.
After a moment, he chuckled softly.
"You all go ahead. I'm going to take a look."
(End of Chapter)
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