Chapter 19: The Weight of a Title
The arrival of the captured Supernovas, strung together like grotesque beads on Gion's heavy iron chain, was a visual shock that momentarily froze the chaotic scene.
Sanji, Nami, Robin—their eyes widened in disbelief. They had just learned about these infamous rookies at Shakky's. To see them all, every single one, subdued and bound, drove home a terrifying reality with crushing finality. This wasn't just a powerful enemy; this was a force that had systematically dismantled the entire "Worst Generation" in the span of an afternoon.
"Keep an eye on them," Levi said to Gion, his voice casual, as if asking her to hold his coat.
Gion gave a curt nod, her grip firm on the chain. The nine other Supernova captains—Bege, Bonney, Hawkins, Drake, Apoo, Urouge, the unconscious Kid, the immobilized Law, and the silent Killer—were a testament to the efficiency of the monster she was forced to follow. She scanned the clearing. Aside from the Straw Hats and the government forces, the area was secure. If the Straw Hats escaped now, after all this, she might as well tender her resignation.
"Hah! Straw Hat brat! It's finally your turn, you idiot!" Capone Bege's muffled voice sneered from the chain gang. Even in captivity, his arrogance found an outlet. "What were you thinking, picking a fight with a Celestial Dragon? Now look at you. We're all finished!"
He would have loved a cigar to punctuate his scorn, but as a prisoner, he had no such privileges.
"Yeah," Gion replied absently to Levi, her professional assessment complete.
Levi glanced at her, a faint, unreadable expression on his face. "What's that look? Thinking you have a chance to win? You don't have some kind of… 'flag' planted in your heart, do you?"
"Flag?" Gion frowned, perplexed. The world had its share of languages and idioms, but this one made no sense to her. "What do you mean?"
"Never mind. It's fine if you don't understand," Levi said with a slight shake of his head. "Just handle things here. If you run into trouble, call for me."
He turned and began walking, his focus shifting entirely to the looming figure of Bartholomew Kuma.
"Of course I'll handle it! You don't need to tell me—" Gion started to retort, her pride stung, but the second part of his sentence caught in her mind. She fell silent, watching his back as he moved away.
Does he… care if I'm in trouble?
The thought was foreign, almost uncomfortable. It had been years since she'd risen to the rank of Vice Admiral, since she'd become "Momousagi." People relied on her strength, reported to her, followed her orders. But concern for her personal safety? That was rare. She was one of the strongest in the world; who was qualified to worry about her? The number of beings who could genuinely threaten her could be counted on one hand.
A flicker of something—not warmth, but a faint, long-dulled awareness—stirred briefly before she buried it under layers of duty and hardened resolve.
"Black Crow Admiral!"
The title echoed through the grove, a wave of palpable dread following it. Sentomaru stood straighter, his earlier nonchalance replaced by wary respect. The sight of the chained Supernovas behind Levi was a more potent display of authority than any words.
He studied Levi, the youthful face belying the title. So it's true. He really is that young. To stand beside Mr. Kizaru… He'd heard the reports. Kizaru had tested the new Admiral and given his acknowledgment. Sentomaru trusted his mentor's judgment implicitly. This was no figurehead; this was the real thing. A pang of complex envy shot through him—he wasn't even a formal Marine.
The focus of that terrifying authority, Kuma, felt the weight settle upon him like a physical yoke. Every potential movement, every twitch of a servo, felt pre-emptively analyzed and countered. He had tried to investigate "Black Crow" since the promotion was announced. The file was absurdly mundane: an orphan, a reluctant recruit. It made no sense. Yet, the power pinning Luffy and Zoro, the power now fixated on him, was undeniable. His expression, what little could be seen behind his lenses, didn't change. But his forward motion stalled. He was caught, observed, and the ten centimeters separating his padded palm from Luffy's back might as well have been ten miles.
"What do you think you're doing to our captain?! Get away from him!" Sanji's voice was a whip-crack of fury. He didn't know Kuma's true intent. And in that moment, it didn't matter. A threat was a threat. His body became a blur, spinning with furious speed. "Diable Jambe: Mouton Shot!" His leg, burning a fierce red, lashed out toward Kuma's head.
Thump.
Kuma merely raised his other hand, the paw pad facing Sanji. The fiery kick connected with the resilient pad, and with a sound like a muffled gong, all its force reversed. Sanji was catapulted backward with a grunt of pain, crashing through a thicket of bubble trees.
"Marine Admiral…" Nami whispered, the color draining from her face. Robin stood rooted, her mind racing through hopeless scenarios. They were trapped between a Shichibukai, Pacifistas, a government agent, and now an Admiral. Sanji's swift defeat only underscored the sheer scale of the cliff they were dangling from.
"DAMN IT!!" Luffy's roar tore from his throat, raw and desperate. He was shaking, veins standing out on his forehead and neck. Even crushed against the ground by the spiritual pillar, his body began to steam. "GEAR SECOND!" Blood accelerated, painting his skin pink. He was pushing, straining, grinding himself against the unmovable force. "YOU WILL NOT TOUCH MY CREW! AAAAAHHH!"
Then, it erupted.
A torrent of crimson energy—not a wave, but a violent, explosive detonation of pure will—burst from Luffy's prone form. It was Conqueror's Haki, but unlike the wild surge from Kid or the sharp dominance of others. This was the Haki of absolute, backs-against-the-wall defiance. It was the color of rage, of desperation, of a captain's last stand.
It swept through the clearing, a visible shockwave of red-tinged pressure.
"Conqueror's Haki?!" Sentomaru blurted out, taking an involuntary step back. His eyes were wide with genuine shock. This rookie… he possesses the King's Disposition too?! The order to eradicate the Straw Hats solidified in his mind. This was a danger that could not be allowed to grow.
From her position, Gion felt the ripple of the Haki wash over her, harmless in its untargeted fury but potent in its feeling. She stared at Luffy, then her gaze traveled to the line of defeated Supernovas behind her, and finally to Levi's back. A bizarre, hysterical thought crossed her mind.
Is he capturing pirates, or running a Conqueror's Haki awakening service?
She immediately quashed it, adding a more personal, yearning afterthought. ...Would be better if he helped me awaken mine.
There was no rule saying a master of Armament Haki couldn't also possess the Conqueror's will.
Levi, who had paused mid-stride at the outburst, heard her muttered astonishment. He glanced back over his shoulder, a look of pure, dry bemusement on his face.
"What are you talking about?" he said, his tone flat with mock exasperation. "I assure you, I had no idea I possessed that particular talent."
He turned his full attention back to the stalled cyborg. The moment of distraction was over. The final collection needed to be completed.
"Now then, Bartholomew Kuma," Levi said, his voice dropping into a colder register. "You were about to explain your actions. But I think I can guess. Let's skip the explanation."
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