Admiral Leads the Slacking! Ten Thousand Seastone Rifles Aiding the Enemy?
The wind howled across the sea as the warships cut through the waves.
The G-5 Fleet sailed into a stretch of ocean perpetually shrouded in thick fog.
Inside the command room of the flagship, CP Chief Xiao pointed to a coordinate on the nautical chart, his eyes glinting coldly beneath his mask:
"According to our intelligence, the Revolutionary Army's supply convoy is operating in this area. They just raided an arsenal of a Non-Affiliated Country and are preparing to transport the supplies to the front lines."
Kane leaned against the command console, holding a steaming cup of coffee, and asked with an air of nonchalance, "Is the intel accurate?"
Xiao's tone carried an undeniable arrogance: "The CP Agency's intelligence network spans the entire world. It cannot be wrong."
Sakazuki snorted coldly. "Last time, your intelligence network also claimed the route was safe, yet Saint Roswald was nearly blown to pieces."
Xiao's face flushed red beneath his mask. He turned to Sakazuki. "Rear Admiral Sakazuki, mind your words. That was an accident."
"An accident?" Sakazuki took a step forward, a faint red glow of magma emanating from his chest. "Hundreds of elite soldiers were wiped out, and you call that an accident? If not for Admiral Kane turning the tide, your CP0 would have been lining up for seppuku."
Xiao clenched his fists but dared not retaliate.
He was well aware that the three Rear Admirals before him were all monstrously powerful. If a fight broke out, he would gain no advantage.
"Enough, Sakazuki," Kane waved his hand. "Let's not dwell on the past. Since we've located the target, prepare for battle."
As soon as he finished speaking, a Marine from the lookout tower shouted a report: "Unidentified convoy sighted ahead! No flags are flying, and the ship characteristics match those of the Revolutionary Army supply ships from the intel!"
Kane walked to the window.
Through the dense fog, the vague outlines of several dilapidated sailing ships became visible.
"All units, hear my command," Kane picked up the broadcast microphone. "Prepare to fire."
The gun ports on all three warships opened simultaneously, their dark muzzles aimed at the distant convoy.
"Fire!"
Deafening cannon fire tore through the tranquility of the sea. Hundreds of shells, trailing long plumes, shrieked toward the Revolutionary Army convoy.
Giant columns of water erupted on the ocean's surface, flames leaping toward the sky.
Xiao stood on the deck, watching the spectacular bombardment ahead, and nodded with satisfaction.
This was the Navy's firepower. Under such saturation strikes, the Revolutionary Army had no chance of escape.
After five full salvos, the thick fog was dispersed by the shockwaves from the explosions.
Xiao raised his binoculars.
He froze.
In the distance, the several sailing ships remained steadily afloat. The surrounding seawater churned like boiling water from the explosions, yet not a single plank had fallen from the ships' hulls.
"What's going on?!" Xiao turned and roared. "What are the gunners doing? Why hasn't a single shot hit?"
The officer in charge of the artillery, sweating profusely, ran over. "Reporting, Chief! The enemy ships' maneuvers are extremely erratic; they always change course just a second before the shells land. And..."
"And what?"
"And the wind direction keeps shifting, severely interfering with the shells' trajectories."
Xiao stared fixedly at Kane, who stood at the ship's bow.
A faint current of air swirled around Kane. That was the power of the Storm Fruit.
As a Navy Admiral, couldn't he even change the wind direction to assist the artillery fire?
Or was he doing it on purpose?
"Rear Admirals Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino!" Xiao turned to the three top fighters. "The artillery is ineffective. Please take action and destroy the enemy ships directly!"
Sakazuki glanced at him. "I have the Magma Fruit. At this distance, the magma would just turn to stone when it hits the sea. Do you want me to reclaim land for them?"
Kuzan yawned. "Ah, the seawater temperature is too high. The Ice Fruit's range can't reach that far."
Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses. "Oh yoyo~ My Flash Kick needs charging time. They're running too fast, I can't hit them~"
Xiao was so angry he laughed.
These three bastards, their excuses were getting more and more perfunctory.
From top to bottom, this G-5 Fleet had no intention of fighting seriously.
Xiao quietly retreated to the back of the crowd, pressing his finger against the miniature Visual Snail hidden in his coat button.
The lens focused on the unscathed Revolutionary Army fleet in the distance, then swept across the indifferent Navy officers on the deck.
He silently recorded everything.
Once back in Mary Geoise, this would be ironclad evidence of Kane's passive negligence and letting the Revolutionary Army escape.
Kane opened his eyes.
Under Observation Haki's perception, Xiao's heartbeat frequency and covert movements were laid bare.
The fish had taken the bait.
"Since long-range attacks are ineffective, we can only engage in boarding combat." Kane took off his Justice Coat and casually tossed it to the adjutant beside him. "Order the fleet to advance at full speed and close in."
"Admiral, the enemy is trying to escape!" the lookout shouted.
In the distance, the Revolutionary Army sailing ship had raised all its sails, desperately sailing into the depths of the thick fog with the help of the wind.
"They won't escape." Kane drew the Zanpakuto Zangetsu from his waist. "I'll go intercept them myself. Follow behind me."
With that, Kane exerted force with his legs, shooting into the sky. He stepped on Moon Walk, leaving a trail of afterimages in mid-air as he charged straight toward the Revolutionary Army fleet.
Xiao watched Kane's departing figure and sneered.
Putting on an act. Once I submit this recording, let's see if you can still hold onto your Admiral position.
He continued holding the Video Transponder Snail, recording everything ahead.
Kane flew through the air, with fierce winds gathering around him.
He raised Zangetsu and slashed down fiercely at a Revolutionary Army sailing ship below.
A flying slash over a hundred meters long split the sea, heading straight for the ship's hull.
Just as the Sword Aura was about to strike the sailing ship, a dark green figure shot up from the deck.
Monkey D. Dragon.
Dragon's hands were coated with pitch-black Armament Haki as he threw a punch against the Sword Aura.
The violent clash of Armament Haki erupted with blinding light and deafening roars. Waves dozens of meters high surged across the sea, tossing the surrounding ships into disarray.
"Kane!" Dragon hovered in mid-air, looking at the man ahead with a fanatical gleam in his eyes.
"Long time no see, Dragon." Kane sheathed his sword, standing in the air.
The two were enveloped by fierce winds and air currents, forming a massive vacuum sphere that completely isolated them from outside sight and sound.
To Xiao in the distance, it appeared as if the two were engaged in a cataclysmic life-and-death battle. The special effects were overwhelming, the momentum awe-inspiring.
Yet inside the vacuum sphere, the two were chatting like old friends.
"Mentor." Dragon's voice rose. "Why have you come personally?"
"To bring you something." Kane took a Permanent Compass from his pocket and tossed it to Dragon. "On the hidden deserted island recorded by this compass, I've prepared a batch of strategic supplies for you."
"Ten thousand of the latest model Seastone Rifles, fifty heavy howitzers. Enough for you to arm a legion first."
Dragon tightly grasped the small compass.
Even his eyes, which had never wavered in the face of the World Government's pursuit, now rippled with intense emotion.
Ten thousand Seastone Rifles.
"Mentor... for the revolutionary cause, you've taken such a great risk." Dragon's voice was hoarse, carrying deep respect.
He understood the immense pressure required to obtain so many weapons right under the World Government's nose.
"Enough talk. Take it and leave quickly." Kane interrupted his thoughts. "I have a Cipher Pol Aigis Zero spy on my ship. Need to put on a show for him."
"Understood!" Dragon securely stored the compass close to his body. "Mentor, take care!"
"You too." Kane raised Zangetsu. "Cooperate with me."
Dragon understood immediately, clasping his hands together in front of his chest as a violent hurricane began to gather around him.
Kane also infused Armament Haki into his blade, the glow of Ryou flowing along the edge.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
"Dragon's Breath!"
Two world-destroying forces collided once more. This time, the explosion's power was at least ten times greater than before.
Blinding white light engulfed the entire sea.
On the distant G-5 flagship, Xiao was knocked to the deck by the shockwave, the Video Transponder Snail in his hand flung far away.
When he got up and raised his binoculars again, only devastation remained on the sea. The Revolutionary Army fleet had vanished without a trace under the cover of the explosion.
Kane landed back on the deck from mid-air, bearing a few minor bloodstains and tears in his clothes.
He gasped for breath, sheathing Zangetsu. "Dragon's strength is no small matter. He got away."
Xiao looked at Kane's battle-damaged appearance.
Act, keep acting.
Do you think you can fool the Five Elders like this?
Pressing the miniature Visual Snail against his chest, a cold, sharp smile curled at the corner of his mouth.