The expressions of the Marines present instantly darkened.
If Sheepshead’s earlier words had already been difficult to stomach...
Then Gion’s response left them even more frustrated.
They were furious—
Yet had nowhere to vent that anger.
"Heh, so you’re Admiral Candidate Momousagi Gion."
Sheepshead let out a smug chuckle.
"As expected of a smart woman."
"Since you know people from a Yonko crew deserve special treatment..."
"Then you should also know this is Beasts Pirates territory."
"So I’d advise you to leave."
"If you delay our business and anger Boss Kaido..."
"You Marines won’t like the consequences."
Sheepshead was clearly pleased with the Marines’ reaction.
In his eyes, Lucas might be the Marines’ newest Admiral.
But as long as Marine Headquarters wasn’t prepared to wage an all-out war against the Beasts Pirates...
Then even as a mere officer, he had every right to stand toe-to-toe with an Admiral.
"You’d better get going."
He waved dismissively.
"Otherwise, don’t blame me for reporting this to Boss Kaido."
"I don’t have time to waste on you."
"Farewell."
With those words, Sheepshead turned and walked away.
His overbearing attitude immediately lit up the eyes of the surrounding pirates.
Everyone knew the Beasts Pirates were the most domineering of the Four Emperors’ crews.
If the person standing before them had been an ordinary Marine officer...
Sheepshead’s arrogance wouldn’t have seemed so impressive.
But this was an Admiral.
Yet a mere officer of a Yonko crew dared to treat him with such contempt.
If they managed to join one of the Four Emperors’ crews someday...
Even if they couldn’t openly challenge an Admiral...
At least they’d be able to hold their heads high against ordinary Marines.
That sounded far better than spending their lives hiding from the Marines.
Sheepshead’s display instantly filled them with confidence.
Watching his departing back, the Marines’ faces turned ashen.
Some nearly ground their teeth to pieces.
One after another...
Their gazes shifted toward the lone figure standing ahead.
"I don’t remember saying you could leave."
Lucas adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and spoke calmly.
"You admitted those people were your subordinates."
"They attacked a Marine Admiral."
"Someone has to answer for that."
"If you think you can simply walk away..."
"You’re taking things far too lightly."
"Admiral Lucas!"
Gion’s expression changed dramatically.
A ridiculous thought surfaced in her mind.
Don’t tell me...
He’s planning to use the Beasts Pirates to locate the Whitebeard Pirates?
Before she could stop him—
An indescribably terrifying pressure erupted from Lucas’s body like a violent hurricane.
His Conqueror’s Haki burst outward.
The overwhelming force swept across the harbor.
The remaining pirates were struck head-on as though by an invisible hammer.
They were blown backward one after another.
Sheepshead had only taken seven or eight steps when he hurriedly turned around.
The instant he saw the overwhelming pressure rushing toward him...
His face changed completely.
He had never expected the newly appointed Admiral to attack without another word.
His decisive, merciless style instantly reduced everything he’d boasted about the Beasts Pirates and Kaido to a joke.
"You bastard!"
Sheepshead roared furiously.
"How dare you disrespect the Beasts Pirates!"
"Let’s see what a newly appointed Marine Admiral is really capable of!"
"Great Ram Horn!"
His arms instantly transformed into enormous ram horns.
Jet-black Armament Haki coated them as he charged straight toward the incoming force.
Boom!
The collision exploded like thunder.
A tremendous shockwave erupted.
Sheepshead’s pupils contracted violently.
His face filled with disbelief.
Both arms buckled under the impact.
An invisible force tore through his entire body.
"Pfft!"
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
His entire body shot backward like a cannonball.
He slammed into a rocky cliff over a hundred meters away.
Boom!
The massive rock face shattered instantly.
Cracks spread from the point of impact like a spider’s web.
Dust and shattered stone flew everywhere.
Sheepshead’s body became embedded deep within the mountain.
The resulting shockwave rolled outward like a tidal wave.
The entire cliff shook violently.
In an instant...
More than a thousand pirates gathered around the harbor were sent flying.
The entire dock descended into chaos.
By the time the dust settled...
Pirates lay scattered across the ground in every direction.
Most of the weaker ones had already foamed at the mouth and lost consciousness from the shockwave alone.
Only a handful of lucky survivors who had been farther away managed to struggle back to their feet.
Among them were members of the Beasts Pirates who had followed Sheepshead.
Covered in blood and dust...
They stared at Lucas with nothing but horror.
They had long heard of the new Admiral’s reputation.
But hearing stories...
And witnessing his strength firsthand...
Were two completely different things.
One strike...
Had wiped them all out.
Even worse...
The Beasts Pirates’ name, which they had always regarded as an invincible shield...
Had proven utterly worthless.
Even Officer Sheepshead...
Couldn’t survive a single exchange.
So this...
...was the terrifying strength of the Fourth Admiral, the man said to kill without even moving.
Looking at Lucas’s refined appearance and gold-rimmed glasses...
They had assumed he was a cultured gentleman.
Who could have imagined...
Behind those glasses hid a civilized monster who killed without hesitation?
"Admiral Lucas..."
Gion finally came back to her senses.
Looking at the devastated harbor, she smiled bitterly.
"That was too impulsive."
"They’re members of the Beasts Pirates."
"According to procedure..."
"We should’ve requested authorization from Fleet Admiral Sengoku before taking action."
Beside her, Chaton opened his mouth.
But no words came out.
At that moment...
He finally understood why he had never become an Admiral.
Perhaps...
It wasn’t just because he lacked reliability.
Maybe he also lacked the willingness to throw the first punch without hesitation.
"Do I really need permission to beat someone like that?"
Lucas dispersed the last traces of his Conqueror’s Haki.
After repeated use over this period, his Nen ManipUlti on had become increasingly refined.
He was confident that, given enough time, once he mastered it completely...
He would be able to develop entirely new applications for Conqueror’s Haki.
Still...
Seeing Gion’s helpless expression, he took another sip of strong liquor and smiled.
"You all saw it yourselves."
"His men attacked me first."
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