Pitter-patter~~~
Drip, drop~~
Water droplets formed from the water pillar fell from the sky, the sound of splashing mixing with the dripping on the deck.
But other than this sound…
There was no other sound.
All the Marines stared at Elliot standing there.
Not because of what Elliot had said.
But because of what Elliot had done…
The Marines’ perspective wasn’t on the pirates; although they were involved, they were complete bystanders to what had just happened.
From the moment Elliot dashed out using ‘Soru’.
They saw everything clearly from beginning to end.
In the split second Jack swung his blade, Elliot dodged and threw a punch at the same time.
And then the head of [Drought] Jack, a major executive of a Four Emperors pirate crew with a bounty of a billion Berries, was simply gone!
Then, with just a single glance.
The Lizard King Hanafuda, recognized by the World Government as a Warlord of the Sea, was so terrified he jumped up.
And then…
Came the current scene.
The pirates who had been aggressively dominating the sea just a moment ago, along with the massive Mammoth, had all vanished!
All that remained was the blood-dyed sea and the Sea King with only half of its body left.
As for why a Sea King was here…
It most likely just happened to be passing by and suffered collateral damage.
But that wasn’t important!
What was important was…
Elliot, a Marine who had only recently joined, had instantly killed a Warlord of the Sea and a major executive of a Four Emperors pirate crew!!
Looking at Elliot, the Marines’ breathing inexplicably grew heavy.
Unfamiliar…
Very unfamiliar…
Extremely unfamiliar!
They all knew Elliot was strong.
After all, the incident at the port and the time he terrified Vice Admiral Hound with a single punch at the academy were still fresh in their minds.
But the problem was!
That was a Warlord of the Sea!
And Jack the Drought!
Those were two extremely terrifying existences on the sea!
And they just died like that?
Moreover, the battle had ended in the blink of an eye.
Disbelief filled everyone’s hearts, stirring up massive waves within them that they couldn’t calm down for a long time.
If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they would have treated such a story as a joke!
“Everyone return to your posts!
Search team, dive into the sea to inspect the pirate corpses and confirm the life or death of the Warlord of the Sea…
No!
The former Warlord of the Sea, Hanafuda, who colluded with pirates to plot against the World Government!”
Amidst the dead silence, Zephyr’s voice suddenly broke through.
As everyone subconsciously looked at Zephyr…
Two field-grade officers immediately responded.
They tore off their cloaks, cast a look of utter disbelief at Elliot, and dove straight into the sea.
The Marines also snapped back to reality, taking a deep look at Elliot while feeling somewhat at a loss for what to do.
But no matter what they were doing, their eyes involuntarily drifted toward Elliot.
Elliot, however, seemed completely indifferent.
His expression remained calm, as if what he had just done was nothing at all.
He looked up at Hibari.
“It’s almost time to clock out.
Didn’t you say you wanted to try the garlic fish fillets I mentioned before?
I can try making it with that later.”
Hibari, clutching her sniper rifle, had long been scared silly by Elliot.
Even hearing his words now, she didn’t know how to respond for a moment.
Kujaku pursed her lips and looked at Elliot, truly understanding the words her grandmother, the Marine Headquarters’ Great Staff Officer Tsuru, had said: ‘Take a good look at that monster.’
Grus was completely dumbfounded, staring blankly at Elliot without moving a muscle.
At this time, Zephyr appeared behind Elliot.
“You all go do your own tasks first.
Handling the battlefield is also something you need to learn.”
Hearing Instructor Zephyr’s words, Hibari and the other two hurriedly nodded.
Hibari looked somewhat frustrated that she hadn’t responded to Elliot earlier, her face full of apology, but Kujaku simply pulled her away.
Elliot turned back to look at Zephyr.
Zephyr looked at Elliot, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself.
Then, his brows furrowed tightly.
“You…”
But just as Zephyr spoke, Elliot looked at him and said, “Instructor Zephyr, it’s already my lunch break.”
Zephyr’s expression froze as he stared at Elliot.
But the next moment…
He burst into laughter.
Looking at Elliot, the shock in his eyes had turned into excitement.
He wasn’t wrong!
He really hadn’t misjudged this kid!
And just as he had always suspected, this kid had been hiding his strength—after all, he had fought him before!
And now, this kid’s strength had completely exceeded his imagination!
But this was right!
On this sea, the stronger you are, the better!
Elliot looked at Zephyr, thought for a moment, and then met his gaze.
“Instructor, next time, please don’t say things like having someone take the others to escape while you stay behind to hold them off.
After all, I’m here.
Just like the question you asked me before about the old man and the child—getting stronger is precisely to avoid situations like that.”
Zephyr looked at Elliot, astonishment once again appearing in his eyes.
However, Elliot continued, “Besides, you’re already at an advanced age.
If it were me, I would have retired to enjoy my old age long ago.
After all, living a good life is the only way to do right by those who cherish you and those you cherish.
Your students—them, us—we all think this way.”
With that said, Elliot turned and walked to the deck railing, carefully examining the super-sized fish with only half its body left.
When Zephyr heard the first sentence, he subconsciously clenched his fists, but upon hearing the rest, he inexplicably looked down at his mechanical arm.
Where Momonga was…
The Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral was currently standing in place, holding a Den Den Mushi in one hand and a black anti-wiretapping Den Den Mushi in the other.
But his eyes were fixed straight on Elliot.
The horror and shock in his eyes still hadn’t subsided.
Because he had fought both Hanafuda and Jack before.
Those two monsters of the sea were definitely not opponents who could be defeated casually.
Yet Elliot…
Had dealt with them in an instant!
Abnormal?
No!
This had already exceeded the scope of being abnormal!
It was completely like something on an entirely different level!
Even the fact that a Warlord of the Sea and a major executive of a Four Emperors pirate crew had just died seemed far too insignificant compared to the matter of Elliot!
Momonga picked up the Den Den Mushi, waiting somewhat anxiously for the other side to connect.
…
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
Inside the Fleet Admiral’s office, Sengoku sat behind his massive desk, looking at the pile of documents that needed processing.
Kuzan sat by the window wearing a sleep mask, basking in the sun as if he were asleep.
Meanwhile, the Marine Headquarters’ Great Staff Officer, Vice Admiral Tsuru, sat on the sofa with a teacup in hand, looking down at the map on the table.
Buru buru buru~~~
The sound of a Den Den Mushi rang out.
There were many different Den Den Mushi placed on Sengoku’s desk.
However, right as this Den Den Mushi made a sound, the black Den Den Mushi also opened its eyes.
Sengoku glanced at it and answered the call.
“Fleet Admiral Sengoku!
We just encountered the Warlord of the Sea Hanafuda, and Jack the Drought of the Beast Pirates!”
The moment it connected, Momonga’s voice immediately rang out.