057 Return, As Dominant As Ever (1)

Amidst the swirling winds and rain, Marineford—the strongest force on the seas—stood in solemn silence. Everywhere, rows upon rows of navy soldiers patrolled the base, vigilant and unyielding. This was by the order of Fleet Admiral Kong: Marineford was to be on full alert, not a single corner left unchecked.

The navy was as if facing a great enemy, for the only king of the seas now languished in Marineford’s prison—the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. In just one day, Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admirals Garp, Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru would escort this infamous criminal to Impel Down, the world’s greatest prison, where his execution would follow. Thus, there could be no room for carelessness during this critical time.

Suddenly, the alarm blared throughout Marineford. The entire headquarters braced itself as if for war.

“Report! Suspicious figures spotted on the sea!” A communications officer burst anxiously into Kong’s office.

Several stern gazes made the young officer shudder.

“Could it be Roger’s pirate crew?” Tsuru pondered, her brows furrowed.

“Impossible. That guy said he’s already disbanded the crew.” Garp shook his head with certainty.

“You actually believe the word of a pirate, Garp? And the Pirate King, no less.” Akainu, clad in his vice admiral’s cloak, scoffed.

“Hmph. Roger isn’t someone you lot can compare to.” Garp’s eyes flashed with anger.

“Hmm? Vice Admiral Garp, you’re not secretly allied with him, are you?” Akainu raised an eyebrow.

“What are you implying?” Garp’s face remained calm, betraying nothing.

“I’m just curious why you always speak up for that guy—and why you’ve been visiting the prison, treating him to fine food and drink lately.”

Akainu, legs crossed, stared straight at Garp.

“Akainu, getting promoted to vice admiral has made you arrogant, hasn’t it?” Garp grinned, but there was a chill in his eyes.

“My, my, what a headache this is,” Kizaru drawled, nonchalant as he cleaned out his ear.

On the other side, Aokiji, his face hidden under a hat, was softly snoring.

“Is Vice Admiral Garp threatening me now? Did I hit a nerve?” Akainu retorted.

“Now’s not the time for this discussion.” Zephyr frowned, cutting short the argument before it escalated.

“Let’s go. We’ll see for ourselves who it is—no one will snatch Gol D. Roger from us.” Kong rubbed his forehead, ignoring the feuding pair.

With a cold snort, Garp was the first out the door, lest he lose his temper and teach Akainu a lesson.

Marineford’s port was now fully armed. Swords, guns, cannons—the entire force, from the lowest recruits to vice admirals, stood ready.

“Report, Fleet Admiral Kong! The target is approaching rapidly—very fast!” The troops at the port turned solemn as Kong and the others arrived.

“Stay vigilant,” Kong commanded with a sweeping gesture. The atmosphere grew tense.

“No matter who it is, no one leaves today,” Akainu growled from atop the wall, smoke rising from his body.

Out on the sea, two surging waves parted, revealing a boat, its stern ablaze, darting across the water like a released arrow.

As it drew closer, Kong and the others looked on in surprise, then smiled.

“That kid’s back—he didn’t even send word.” Kong was visibly taken aback.

“Stand down. The arrivals are headquarters officers.”

“It’s him,” Akainu said, his face dark with murderous intent.

“Oh my, the dangerous one has returned,” Kizaru muttered, displeased.

“That guy,” Aokiji smiled.

But none were as excited as Zephyr.

With a boom, the waves calmed. The boat came to a halt at the port. A man and a monkey leaped ashore.

“At last, I’ve returned.” Staring at the imposing Marineford after a year away, Xuan Ye felt his heart transformed.

Over the past year, he had thought deeply. To rescue his sister and grant her freedom in this world, he needed not only strength, but ruthlessness.

He had resolved: to let his beloved kin live happily every day, he would not hesitate—even to overturn the world.

No one knew the place his sister held in his heart. She was his only family, his sole concern.

Standing before the mighty fortress, Xuan Ye’s eyes, for the first time, revealed a flicker of ambition.

In his previous life, he’d been bound by law, powerless; but in this life, he would stand atop the world, the wielder of power, the sole master.

“Ye, you’ve finally returned.” A familiar voice, full of concern, brought Xuan Ye back to himself. He turned, a genuine smile blooming on his face.

“Master.” He stepped forward, hugging Zephyr tightly, saying nothing, just holding on.

“Good, good. So long as you’re back safe.” Zephyr patted Xuan Ye’s back and then pushed him gently away, teasing, “Your mistress and junior have been asking about you every day this past year.”

“Sorry to have worried you.”

“Come home for dinner tonight. I’ll have your mistress cook all your favorites.”

“Squeak, squeak… Me too, me too!” A furry monkey paw shoved Xuan Ye aside, gesturing at Zephyr.

“Of course, I almost forgot you, little one.” Zephyr was momentarily startled, then nodded rapidly. “Don’t worry, whatever you want, your mistress will make it.”

“Squeak, squeak… That’s more like it.” The monkey wiped its mouth, raising its head with pride.

“Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Vice Admiral Garp, Aokiji, Momousagi—I’m back.” Having spoken with his master, Xuan Ye greeted the others.

“Yes, you’re just in time. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll accompany Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp to escort Gol D. Roger to Impel Down,” Kong nodded.

“Tasked with a mission the moment I return? It’s enough to make one breathless—especially an escort for the Pirate King.” Xuan Ye joked lightly.

“Hmph, if you’re scared, stay here at Marineford,” came a venomous, ill-intentioned voice.

“Let humans speak; dogs shouldn’t bark,” Xuan Ye retorted, glancing sideways with disdain.

“How dare you! You’re just a mere rear admiral—shouldn’t you salute a vice admiral? Did your master never teach you manners? Such an ill-bred thing.” Akainu’s face was stiff, and at the sight of Xuan Ye, he could barely restrain the urge to slap him.

Akainu’s words made everyone frown, especially Zephyr, whose face darkened.

These two seemed destined for conflict—whenever they met, it was a fight to the death.

Both proud and unyielding, it was inevitable they’d clash like fire and water.

With a crash, a figure shot out like a streak of light.

Xuan Ye stood where Akainu had been, slowly lowering his right foot, cleaning out his ear, and spoke coldly, “A dog won’t obey unless it’s beaten—or perhaps, dead dog, do you want to die?”

Akainu’s flight and Xuan Ye’s words happened in the blink of an eye.

Even Kong and the others were grave-faced; they’d only seen a blur, and then Akainu was sent flying.

He’d grown stronger—everyone felt it. As expected, this madman had not wasted his year.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Thank you to (No book more captivating than Kn) for the generous reward of 500 Qidian coins. Three chapters today.