As the warship docked, the once-imposing Noah immediately turned to face it, standing at attention with his back straight.
Not only him, but every other Marine in the plaza—whether officer or soldier—also turned to face the warship at that moment. Their expressions were fervent, almost fanatical, as if they were gazing upon their ultimate faith.
The Three Freaks of the Thriller Bark Pirates, the commanders of Baroque Works, and the members of the Donquixote Family all tensed up simultaneously. Every one of them looked up at the warship with bated breath.
"The Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters!"
"We're finally seeing him in person!"
From within the ranks of the Donquixote Family, one of the four top executives, Diamante, stepped forward slightly. His eyes fixed on the young figure standing on the warship's deck, draped in the Fleet Admiral's coat. Unable to contain himself, he murmured, "Truly extraordinary presence."
"Young Master! I see the Young Master!"
Before Diamante's voice had even faded, a maid-like girl leapt out from the ranks, her tone filled with excitement. "The Young Master is fine! That's such a relief!"
"Baby-5, stand down!"
Diamante glanced back at her before adding, "Don't forget, this is Marine Headquarters!"
In the Baroque Works formation, Nico Robin also focused her gaze on the young Fleet Admiral. She had originally planned to leave Baroque Works after Crocodile bowed his head to the Fleet Admiral during a live broadcast. However, after learning about the new Fleet Admiral—who had risen to power through a coup and forced the World Government to sign The Marijoa Treaty—through newspapers and her own channels, she chose to stay and observe.
When the Marines appeared in Alabasta, she had even taken the risk of following them to Marine Headquarters.
After all, joining one pirate crew after another to evade the World Government's pursuit, and ultimately partnering with Crocodile in Baroque Works, had always been a gamble for her.
If she was going to gamble, why not go all in? She decided to place her bet on this iron-fisted Fleet Admiral who had shaken the World Government to its core.
Similarly, Perona was also curiously observing the Fleet Admiral from afar, her eyes filled with intrigue.
On the warship's deck, Xayuki glanced at the crowd gathered in the plaza before casually withdrawing his gaze. Together with Ain, he stepped off the deck and onto the pier.
"What's the current situation in the New World?"
As soon as he entered the plaza, Xayuki went straight to the point, asking Ain, "Any new intelligence?"
"Yes!" Ain nodded as she kept pace with him. "Admiral Sakazuki's fleet engaged in a naval battle with the Beasts Pirates. Since Kaido didn't show up and the weather suddenly turned against them, the Beasts Pirates' fleet was completely suppressed by Sakazuki. About half an hour ago, we received word that the Beasts Pirates are retreating, and Sakazuki is leading the pursuit!"
"As for the situation in Totto Land, Admiral Kuzan has frozen the waters around Whole Cake Island, trapping the Big Mom Pirates' ships in the port. Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom), after reading the letter you sent her, has gone into a frenzy. She's now indiscriminately attacking members of the Charlotte Family and their subordinate forces in the port!"
Hearing this, a faint smile curved Xayuki's lips.
Before Sakazuki and Kuzan departed for the New World, Xayuki had given each of them a small piece of paper. Kuzan's paper not only contained a trace of his Conqueror's Haki but also a highly provocative message designed to trigger Big Mom's food cravings disorder.
The idea was to see if the letter could push Charlotte Linlin into a frenzy.
Once her food cravings disorder was triggered, Kuzan's task would become much easier. In her frenzied state, Big Mom would indiscriminately destroy everything around her, even attacking members of her own family who stood in her way.
What had been a speculative strategy turned out to be unexpectedly effective.
"Fleet Admiral!"
At that moment, Noah approached with a respectful salute.
Xayuki nodded and then cast his gaze over the three groups standing in formation: the Donquixote Family, Baroque Works, and the Three Freaks of Thriller Bark. With a puzzled expression, he asked, "Noah, why have you gathered them all here?"
"To welcome you, of course!"
Noah raised his head proudly. "They must witness the Fleet Admiral's grandeur firsthand!"
Hearing this, Xayuki chuckled and shook his head. He then turned to look at Crocodile, Donquixote Doflamingo, and Gecko Moria, who had followed him off the warship.
"You're all dismissed for half a day. Starting tomorrow, you'll lead your respective subordinates in participating in the Ideological Remolding Program."
After a brief pause, Xayuki shifted his gaze to Nico Robin, who was standing at the forefront of the Baroque Works group. In a calm tone, he said, "Nico Robin, come with me."
Without waiting for a response, Xayuki turned and headed toward the main building of Marine Headquarters.
Robin was caught off guard by Xayuki's directness. Unprepared, she hesitated for a moment before Ain gently reminded her, "Nico Robin?"
Snapping out of her daze, Robin quickly stepped out of the formation and followed behind Ain.
Xayuki walked briskly, and in no time, he, Ain, and Robin disappeared into the headquarters building, leaving the crowd in the plaza exchanging bewildered glances.
The members of the Donquixote Family, in particular, had expected Xayuki to reprimand them like Noah had, or at the very least, impose some rules and restrictions.
Instead, Xayuki had barely acknowledged their presence, as if they were insignificant.
On second thought, though, it made sense. To the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, their existence was indeed trivial.
"What are you all standing around for?"
With his hands in his pockets and his back slightly hunched, Donquixote Doflamingo strode to the front of the Donquixote Family's formation. Without any unnecessary words, he simply said, "Follow me!"
He then turned and headed toward the dormitory building.
Diamante was the first to react. He quickly caught up to Doflamingo and lowered his voice to ask, "Doffy, what's our next move? Are we really staying at Marine Headquarters?"
The other cadres of the Donquixote Family also quickened their pace, surrounding Doflamingo and awaiting his response.
Doflamingo nodded. "Starting tomorrow, you'll join me in the Ideological Remolding Program. Inform the rest of the family: from now on, there's no 'Young Master' at Headquarters. There's only Donquixote Doflamingo!"
As he spoke, Doflamingo suddenly stopped and turned to look in the direction of the headquarters building. Beneath his sunglasses, a glimmer of anticipation flashed in his eyes.
"Fleet Admiral Xayuki said he'd take me to Mariejois!"
To be continued...
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