A heavy silence fell over the spacious deck.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden remark and instinctively turned toward the officer standing beside Cavendish.
As members of the Beautiful Pirates, they knew better than anyone how much their captain valued his reputation.
At a moment like this, saying something that boosted the enemy’s prestige while undermining their own captain...
That was hardly appropriate.
Before anyone could speak, however, Cavendish’s expression turned solemn. His hand instinctively rested on the hilt of Durandal as he spoke in a deep voice.
"Marine Admiral Glutton Lucas?"
A Marine Admiral?
An uproar instantly swept across the ship as every pirate’s face changed dramatically.
They all recalled the newspaper headline that had shaken the seas not long ago.
The Straw Hat Pirates—the crew that had accomplished the impossible by storming Enies Lobby, a fortress that had never fallen in eight hundred years—
Had reportedly been wiped out by a single Marine.
Rumor had it that if the Tobi Roppo of the Beasts Pirates hadn’t unexpectedly interfered, creating an opportunity for the Straw Hat Pirates to escape...
The rising stars of the pirate world would have disappeared from history.
And now...
The man responsible for all of that was standing right before them.
How could they possibly remain calm?
Every pirate tensed to the limit, gripping their weapons tightly.
They knew their chances against a Marine Admiral were slim.
Even so...
They still wanted to struggle.
"You must be Cavendish, captain of the Beautiful Pirates. Bounty: 230 million Berries."
Lucas took another drink before glancing toward the ruined Marine Base G-93.
"When you address me, don’t forget to add ’newly appointed.’ It’ll make me feel less guilty about what I’m about to do."
"I’m only here to ask you a few questions."
"’Newly appointed’ Admiral?"
Cavendish blinked in confusion.
He couldn’t understand why Lucas kept emphasizing that he was new.
To most people, being called a newcomer was something belittling.
Even Cavendish disliked the label.
Suppressing those thoughts, he asked cautiously,
"May I ask why the newly appointed Admiral has come here?"
"Are you here to arrest me?"
"If so... I’ll have to strike first."
"After all, I’m a Super Rookie with a bounty of 230 million Berries. Surrendering without a fight would be far too humiliating."
Hundreds of pirates tightened their grips on their weapons.
Facing an opponent of this caliber, even breathing felt like a luxury.
"Arrest you?"
Lucas took another sip of strong liquor.
"Did you storm Enies Lobby?"
"Steal the Heavenly Tribute?"
"Attack a Celestial Dragon?"
"Or destroy a Marine base?"
"If you’ve done none of those..."
"Then you’re not even worth a one-million-Berry reward."
"It’d be hard for me to ask Sengoku for a bonus."
Not even worth one million?
Cavendish’s face stiffened.
He was a pirate worth 230 million Berries.
Yet in Lucas’s eyes...
He wasn’t even worth a one-million-Berry bonus.
Had anyone else said those words, Cavendish would already have drawn his sword.
"Enough."
"Stop wasting my time."
"I’m in a hurry to get off work."
Lucas adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses before continuing.
"You mentioned that the one who destroyed G-93 was Whitebeard Jr., Edward Weevil."
"Where is he now?"
"Tell me where he is, and I won’t touch any of you."
"After all..."
"You’re not worth much."
The corners of Cavendish’s mouth twitched.
Just how many times was this man planning to trample over his pride?
Still, seeing the relieved expressions on his crew’s faces, he finally let out a defeated sigh.
"The man you’re looking for is on Uls Island, next to Marine Base G-93."
"The Marines stationed there are apparently still being hunted."
"If you leave now... you might still make it in time."
"Uls Island?"
Lucas looked toward the distant silhouette of the island beyond G-93.
After confirming its location, he waved casually.
"Thanks."
Then he turned and walked away.
The pirates stared blankly.
Weren’t Marines and pirates supposed to fight to the death the moment they met?
Why was this Marine Admiral so easygoing?
Was it really...
Because they weren’t worth enough?
As that thought surfaced—
Cavendish suddenly moved.
"Marine Admiral!"
"There are different levels even among Super Rookies!"
"I refuse to believe I can’t withstand even one slap!"
"Beautiful Sword: Round Table!"
With a burst of speed, Cavendish appeared above Lucas.
Spinning through the air in a graceful arc, he swung Durandal downward in a full-powered slash.
The sudden attack terrified the pirates.
Wasn’t provoking a Marine Admiral outright just asking to die?
Yet...
Seeing Lucas stop and turn around without making any move to attack...
They couldn’t help hoping Cavendish would prove himself.
The very next second—
Their pupils shrank.
Golden light erupted around Lucas.
The Hundred-Type Guanyin manifested instantly.
Towering nearly eight meters tall, the enormous golden construct condensed into a massive palm that descended like a divine blade.
Cavendish had only just reached Lucas’s position.
Before him—
A gigantic hand fell from the sky.
It looked slow.
Yet it struck with the speed of lightning.
His vision blurred.
By the time he realized what had happened, the attack was already upon him.
The only thing he could do was raise Durandal to block.
BOOM!!
An overwhelming force exploded outward.
Durandal was knocked from his grasp.
Cavendish coughed up a mouthful of blood as he was launched backward like a cannonball.
He smashed straight through the ship’s cabin before finally coming to a stop.
The resulting shockwave swept across the entire deck like a hurricane.
The pirates who had expected their captain to restore his honor now stood frozen.
Their faces turned deathly pale.
Their captain...
A renowned Super Rookie...
Had really been sent flying with a single slap.
Only...
Wasn’t that slap just a little too big?
Looking at Cavendish struggling helplessly within the wreckage, unable to even stand back up, Lucas sighed helplessly before turning away.
Another day of working for nothing.
Hopefully...
Edward Weevil would at least be worth the trip.
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