Author: Xiao Yifeng
Translator: PapaSmurf0700
On a remote and seemingly desolate island in the vast expanse of the Grand Line, a sudden flash of brilliant light plummeted from the sky, crashing to the earth with a resounding boom. A cloud of dust and debris billowed into the air, obscuring the impact site. As the dust settled, a figure emerged, walking steadily from the midst of the chaos.
This man was strikingly tall and somewhat lean, his appearance marked by the signs of middle age, with a few wrinkles creasing his face. His short, curly black hair and a finely trimmed beard gave him a distinguished look. He was dressed impeccably in a yellow striped suit, the sleeves of his Marine coat draped over his shoulders like a cape, his arms not inserted in them. His attire was completed with pristine white shoes, gold-amber tinted sunglasses, and a dark green shirt neatly paired with a mauve tie beneath his suit.
The man raised his wrist and spoke into a Den Den Mushi, the transponder snail used for communication, "Can you hear me?"
This man was none other than Admiral Borsalino, widely known by his alias, Kizaru. Renowned as one of the Navy's most formidable forces, Kizaru was on a mission related to the Navy's science unit, a division led by Sentomaru and backed by the groundbreaking research of Dr. Vegapunk. Kizaru's presence alone signified the importance of this mission, as he was one of the Navy's most significant assets.
A hint of confusion crossed Kizaru's face as he awaited a response. "What's going on? Sentomaru, why haven't you responded?" he wondered aloud. If Sentomaru had been present, he might have reminded Kizaru that he was, in fact, talking to a Den Den Mushi.
Known for his laid-back demeanor, Kizaru didn't dwell on the lack of response. Instead, he shrugged it off, muttering, "Well, I'll just speak with Sentomaru after I return."
With that, Kizaru turned and strolled toward a seemingly inconspicuous boulder on the island, a place that, to the untrained eye, appeared ordinary.
Kizaru, with a flick of his wrist, removed his sunglasses and leaned in closer to examine the seemingly ordinary boulder. To his surprise, the boulder transformed with a "ding," revealing a high-tech gate. This was the entrance to the navy's Special Science Group "SSG," which could also be called Vegapunk's research institute, given his central role in the group.
As someone who regularly supplied the Naval Science Force, Kizaru was well-acquainted with this hidden facility. He stepped through the gate, which then disguised itself as a boulder again and submerged, only to reappear in a different form on the other side of the island.
Inside the institute, guided by a researcher, Kizaru arrived at a room. Pushing open the door, he found a figure lying on the bed, heavily bandaged. The reason for such extensive bandaging became clear when Kizaru noticed two containers in the room, each holding an arm and a leg belonging to the injured person.
In the room, the injured man with a cigarette in his mouth looked up at Admiral Kizaru and asked with a hint of irony, "Admiral Kizaru, did you come here just to make fun of me?"
Kizaru, unfazed by the comment, strolled into the room, replying casually, "I don't have such poor taste. But you do look quite grim."
He added, "It seems you simply underestimated your opponent." In his mind, Kizaru was confident he could have handled the situation much better than Stainless did. However, he was blissfully unaware that his facial expression mirrored exactly that of Stainless during his encounter with Bai Ye.
Stainless, meanwhile, turned his head, his face betraying a mix of contemplation and discomfort, as if wrestling with his thoughts.
Next he scoffed with disdain, "That Priest Bai Ye must be in worse shape than me by now." He was convinced that the immense burst of power from Bai Ye must have come at a steep cost. In his mind, Bai Ye was either severely incapacitated or perhaps even on the brink of death, considering the intensity of their confrontation.
Kizaru's face briefly showed a flicker of concern at Stainless's words, but he quickly reverted to his usual nonchalant demeanor. In a slow, deliberate tone, he commented, "So, that guy is called Priest Bai Ye? He sounds like a formidable new opponent."
Despite acknowledging Bai Ye's apparent threat, Kizaru's expression remained relaxed, almost indifferent. Stainless, familiar with Kizaru's attitudes from years of working together, could guess his thoughts without needing to see his face. "You'd better not underestimate him," Stainless warned sternly, "My strength isn't far off from the Admirals, even without a Devil Fruit. You know that, Kizaru."
Kizaru's response was one of casual acknowledgment, his face betraying no sign of disagreement, subtly implying his recognition of Stainless's prowess.
Stainless, lying injured and deep in thought, shared his insights with Kizaru. "The power that guy unleashed at the end," he said, referring to Bai Ye, "it wasn't something that a Devil Fruit could make up for." He looked squarely at Kizaru, his meaning clear: to emphasize the importance of dealing decisively with Bai Ye's explosive strength. "His final slash was of THAT caliber," Stainless added, revealing a fact that even made Kizaru raise an eyebrow in surprise.
"That's quite alarming," Kizaru responded slowly, pondering over Stainless's words. He then half-jokingly asked, "Has he been hit by the light yet?" Although Kizaru seemed a bit skeptical, Stainless chose not to elaborate further. In his view, Bai Ye wouldn't be able to replicate that overwhelming strength again.
Changing the subject, Stainless remarked, "You didn't visit just for small talk, did you, Kizaru? You're not known for such diligence." Kizaru nodded, acknowledging Stainless's understanding of him. He then shared that Sengoku had sent him with a specific query. "Have you made your decision?" Kizaru asked, his tone growing more serious.
Stainless, his gaze drifting to the containers holding his severed limbs, took a moment before responding. "Tell Sengoku I need more time to decide," he said thoughtfully, recognizing the gravity of the choice before him.
Kizaru, understanding the weight of the decision, stood to leave. "I'll relay your message to Sengoku," he said, heading toward the door. But just as he reached it, he paused and turned back briefly. "Come back soon, Stainless. The seas are becoming increasingly interesting." With that, Kizaru departed, leaving Stainless alone with his thoughts and the crucial decision that lay ahead.
-----
In the vast expanse of the Grand Line, a small, seemingly insignificant dot moved steadily across the water. Suddenly, a curious large fish burst from the sea, eager to inspect the mysterious object. To its surprise, it found a man leisurely pedaling a bicycle across the ocean surface.
This man was no ordinary traveler. He was tall and muscular yet carried an air of relaxed confidence. Dressed in a smart white vest with a high collar, over a long-sleeved navy-blue shirt, he presented a figure of calm authority. His attire was completed with matching white trousers, black shoes, a uniquely patterned yellow tie, and a sleep mask pushed up onto his forehead. A navy cloak draped elegantly over his shoulders, fluttering in the sea breeze.
"Ah la la, what brings you here?" he asked the fish, his voice as cool as his appearance.
He was Kuzan, widely known by his alias Aokiji, one of the three marine Admirals. Known for his philosophy of 'lazy justice'.