"Ugh… that hurts like hell."
Cross groggily opened his eyes to a wooden ceiling and a hanging oil lamp. The pain radiating throughout his body made him let out an involuntary groan.
"He's awake! He's awake!"
"Cross woke up!"
"First time I've seen this guy so badly injured!"
"…"
Many people heard Cross's voice and gathered around him.
"Where am I?… How long was I out?" Cross asked softly, looking at the familiar faces of Shuzo, Gasparde, Masterson, and the others.
"You're on Rear Admiral Comil's battleship. You were unconscious for about six hours!" Shuzo replied.
"Six hours, huh…"
Cross struggled to sit up, noticing his body was covered in white bandages. He then heard a dull rumble in his ears and couldn't help but ask, "What happened next? Is the battle still going on?"
"Zephyr-sensei and Vice Admiral Borsalino are both on Gurri Island, fighting Patrick Redfield. I heard Smoker was also rescued by Hina…" Masterson recounted several things Cross didn't know.
Before the Gurri Island battle began, the Marine Academy students had split into two teams with the G-2 Branch fleet. Smoker, Hina, Yukimura, Sharinguru, and others were on the fleet heading to the east port, while Cross, Shuzo, Gasparde, Masterson, and the rest were on the fleet heading to the west port.
During the first wave of beach landings, all 50 elite class students participated, advancing into the town's ports alongside the G-2 Branch Marines from both the east and west directions.
According to Hina, Smoker was the first to encounter Redfield, but he didn't recognize him and attacked directly. As a result, Redfield knocked him out with an umbrella, rendering him unconscious on the spot.
It was this incident that revealed Redfield's presence, leading him to use his Conqueror's Haki to knock out almost all the Marines and pirates on the island, halting the G-2 Branch's assault on Gurri Island.
However, by the time Cross and Rear Admiral Strawberry attacked Redfield, and Vice Admiral Borsalino arrived, Hina, Yukimura, and the few others who remained conscious were continuously rescuing the injured and unconscious Marines.
Later, Rear Admiral Comil led the second wave of Marines ashore and discovered Cross unconscious on the dock. He was immediately rescued and brought back to the battleship.
"So, Zephyr-sensei and Vice Admiral Borsalino have been on Gurri Island, fighting Redfield for six hours now?!" Cross murmured.
"It seems that after you passed out, Zephyr-sensei stepped onto Gurri Island and teamed up with Vice Admiral Borsalino. That legendary pirate, 'Red the Aloof' Patrick Redfield, has been fighting them, and there's still no clear winner!" Gasparde's tone carried a hint of solemnity.
"It won't be easy to decide a winner!" Cross shook his head, slowly explaining, "I've heard that Patrick Redfield is an old rival of Fleet Admiral Kong, much like Vice Admiral Garp constantly pursued Pirate King Roger. However, Fleet Admiral Kong never managed to capture Redfield even after becoming Fleet Admiral!"
"Really?! So, if Zephyr-sensei and Vice Admiral Borsalino's battle with Patrick Redfield continues, Fleet Admiral Kong might personally intervene and rush over from Marineford?" Masterson asked in surprise.
"That possibility isn't out of the question!" Cross endured the pain in his body, analyzing gravely, "But… Redfield isn't stupid. He probably won't fight to the death with Zephyr-sensei and Vice Admiral Borsalino in a meaningless battle. The final outcome will likely be Redfield voluntarily leaving the field!"
"Is that 'Red the Aloof' really that strong? Can't even Zephyr-sensei and Vice Admiral Borsalino take him down together?" Gasparde asked, looking puzzled and doubtful.
"Legendary pirates aren't easy to deal with!" Cross shook his head.
As they talked, the fierce battle on Gurri Island continued.
Zephyr and Borsalino jointly assaulted Patrick Redfield. The trio's earth-shattering battle shook the entire island, even causing the seawater to churn, creating numerous crashing waves.
The fierce battle lasted a full ten hours, nearly demolishing the entire town without a decisive victor. In the end, Redfield, unwilling to continue the stalemate, voluntarily leaped into the sea and left.
Upon seeing Redfield depart, Zephyr and Borsalino lost the desire to continue fighting, bringing the sudden, intense battle to a close.
...
At this very moment, far away in the Marine Headquarters fortress in Marineford, "Steel Bone" Kong walked out of the Fleet Admiral's office with high spirits, followed by several Marine officers, preparing to head to the port.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, the battleship is ready, but…" Jonathan asked with hesitation, "Are you sure you want to go yourself?"
"Of course! I've been waiting decades for this day!" Kong exclaimed excitedly.
"Won't you reconsider?" Jonathan urged, "I think Zephyr-sensei and Vice Admiral Borsalino are enough, or perhaps dispatching Vice Admiral Garp would also work. You should stay here and command!"
"Stop with the nonsense! That Redfield guy, I have to be the one to deal with him!" Kong shot a glance at Jonathan behind him, his tone firm.
"This… this…"
Hearing this, Jonathan felt a headache coming on. But seeing Kong's resolute expression, he couldn't find any good excuse to persuade him otherwise.
In Jonathan's opinion, as Fleet Admiral, Kong had no need to put himself in such danger. If anything were to happen, the Marines losing face would be a minor issue; the real disaster would be the chaos within the Marines if they were left leaderless.
"Stop with the 'this and that.' You stay here and assist Tsuru to maintain stability at Marine Headquarters!" Kong waved his hand dismissively.
However, as the saying goes, speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Across the corridor, Marine Headquarters' Great Staff Ofiicer Tsuru walked towards them, followed by Gion and several other female officers.
"Hey, Tsuru-chan, I'll leave Marine Headquarters to you these next few days!" Kong greeted her with a smile, raising his hand.
"No need. You should remain in charge of Marine Headquarters!" Tsuru walked up to Kong, her tone calm. "We just received news that the battle on Gurri Island is over. Redfield jumped into the sea and left!"
"Nani?!"
Kong's eyes widened. He couldn't believe it. "Are you kidding me, Tsuru-chan?!"
"I don't have time to joke around with you. If you don't believe me, call Zephyr yourself!" Tsuru said indifferently.
"That bastard!"
Kong's face was contorted in anger. He roared almost like a bellow, "Old bat! Red-stick! How could you run away?! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!!"
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