(T/N: Please consider reviewing this Fanfic, Thanks and appreciate all who support me)
(T/N: Enjoy!!)
<><><><><><>
The commotion outside was so loud that Sengoku, not being deaf, noticed it immediately.
Initially intending to handle it, he saw Aokiji appear out of nowhere and create a gigantic ice wall.
This changed Sengoku's mind; it should have been enough with Aokiji on the scene. However, what happened next left Sengoku utterly astonished.
The nearly hundred-meter ice wall suddenly had a huge hole blown through it, ice shards flying everywhere, and a dark figure emerging from the gap, continuing in Sengoku's direction.
What the hell, even Aokiji couldn't stop them. Who on earth could this be? It couldn't be that old man Whitebeard, could it?
Sengoku didn't have time to ponder as the 'enemy' was already approaching. Just as Sengoku's body began to radiate golden light, he suddenly heard Byakuya's voice.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it's Byakuya! I need to speak with you urgently!"
"What? Byakuya?" Sengoku was taken aback. The figure halted in front of him, and sure enough, it was Byakuya.
At this moment, Aokiji dissipated the ice wall and explained to the other advancing Marine vice admirals that the figure was Byakuya, reassuring them that it was not an enemy attack and they could stand down from battle stations.
This brought a sigh of relief to the vice admirals; as long as it wasn't an enemy assault. Sengoku, however, looked at Byakuya with rising anger.
"You could have just come normally. Making such a scene, anyone would think someone was attacking Marine Headquarters."
But seeing Byakuya's anxious expression, Sengoku knew he had something urgent to discuss, and asked, somewhat nervously,
"What on earth has happened?"
"Master Zephyr is in danger. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, do you have Master Zephyr's Vivre Card?"
Sengoku was shocked. "Zephyr is in danger?"
"Yes, I need Master Zephyr's Vivre Card right now to determine his exact location, then rush over there."
Naturally, the Marines had Zephyr's Vivre Card.
All Marine Headquarters officers of vice admiral rank and above had their Vivre Cards made and securely stored in a heavily guarded room, never taken out under normal circumstances.
Previously, there had been a serious incident due to a Vivre Card leaking.
A group of pirates, holding a grudge against a particular Marine Headquarters vice admiral, accidentally acquired his Vivre Card.
Using the card's location-tracking function, they ambushed the vice admiral during a raid on other pirates, ultimately killing him and wiping out his entire crew, causing a significant impact on the Marines.
This incident had served as a wake-up call for Sengoku, so since then, all Vivre Cards never left Marine Headquarters.
Usually, they only used the cards to confirm the current status of the Marines.
Out of caution, Sengoku took a deep breath and asked again, "Are you sure Zephyr is in danger now?"
Byakuya nodded firmly. "Before I came, I called Master Zephyr, but I couldn't reach him."
Hearing this, Sengoku realized the seriousness of the situation. "All right, wait here. I'll go get Zephyr's Vivre Card right now."
Having resolved the disturbance, Aokiji, overhearing Byakuya and Sengoku's conversation, understood the situation.
No wonder Byakuya had caused such a ruckus; something had happened to Master Zephyr.
This was not something that could be delayed; every second wasted could affect Zephyr's life.
Moreover, Zephyr had taken cadets from the training camp with him.
If something truly happened, it would create a gap in the Marine's middle officer ranks for the next two to three years, a matter of significant consequence.
A few minutes later, Sengoku returned with a Vivre Card missing a corner, and solemnly said, "This is Zephyr's Vivre Card. You must keep it safe."
Byakuya took the Vivre Card and, seeing no noticeable changes, felt a wave of relief.
It seemed that Master Zephyr was still in a stable condition, not in immediate danger as he had feared.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Aokiji, I'll be going now," he said.
Sengoku asked, "Can you handle this alone? Should I send others to assist you?"
If not for needing to stay at Marine Headquarters, Sengoku would have wanted to go with Byakuya himself.
After all, he and Zephyr had been comrades for decades, sharing a deep bond.
Noticing that Zephyr's Vivre Card was intact, Byakuya's tension eased, and he smiled, no longer appearing as anxious. "I can manage on my own," he assured.
Sengoku had many questions but understood the urgency of the situation and refrained from asking.
Aokiji spoke up, "Byakuya, let me go with you. I don't have any pressing matters right now, and two of us together would be safer."
Sengoku agreed, "That's a good idea. If you two go together, there'll be no need to worry even if you encounter an Emperor's pirate crew."
Byakuya waved off their concerns. "No need. Admiral Aokiji's speed is too slow. Going together would only waste time."
Aokiji was taken aback. "Too slow? Me? A Marine Admiral, being considered slow by a Rear Admiral?"
Recalling how Byakuya had punched through the ice wall earlier, Aokiji fell into a deep self-doubt. Was he really that weak, or was Byakuya just that incredibly strong?
Before leaving, Byakuya turned back and said, "The disturbance at Marine Headquarters was my fault. I'll take full responsibility for it."
Sengoku dismissed it, "It's no big deal. Saving Zephyr is the priority."
Although Byakuya's actions had caused a significant stir, it hadn't resulted in any real damage and even served as an impromptu training exercise for the Marines.
If pirates ever attacked Marine Headquarters for real, Byakuya's actions might have provided valuable experience.
Though Sengoku doubted such an attack would ever occur.
As Byakuya moved, he generated a piercing sonic boom, vanishing from sight in an instant.
Watching Byakuya's disappearing figure, Sengoku turned to Aokiji and asked, "Kuzan, just how strong do you think Byakuya is?"
Sengoku noticed Aokiji wasn't paying attention, awkwardly cleared his throat, and repeated his question.
Aokiji, having reassured himself that the ice wall shattered because he only used a third of his strength, and that Byakuya called him slow because his Devil Fruit powers weren't suited for flight, felt much better.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, what did you ask?"
"I asked, how strong do you think Byakuya is?"
Aokiji confidently replied, "Not much, just about a third of my strength!"
"...." Sengoku didn't think so, from what he observed, Byakuya's strength probably rivalled that of Zephyr during his peak days maybe even greater.
But that's just what he sees, he doesn't know yet the true strength of Byakuya.
If you want to support me, join my patr**on. Have 10 advanced Chapters for you guys.
patr**n.com/saitamablast > OP:OPM NOVEL TIER