Out on the vast open sea.
A Marine warship sliced through towering waves with power and purpose, its sails billowing in the strong wind.
On the deck, standing alone, was a Marine Vice Admiral.
"Ah, searching for someone... how troublesome," muttered Borsalino, hands in his coat pockets. His tone was light, almost whimsical, and his demeanor relaxed despite his complaint.
"Vice Admiral-sama, perhaps you should return to the cabin. We won't be reaching the next intelligence station for a while," a nearby Marine sailor said respectfully as he approached.
"No need to fuss. Staying cooped up inside all day gets boring, y'know? It's nice to enjoy the sea breeze once in a while," replied Borsalino, his eyes lazily scanning the horizon.
The sailor nodded and walked away.
Borsalino stretched slightly, his voice carrying a tone of satisfaction. "The sun, the sea... what a beautiful day! Feels almost too peaceful, doesn't it?"
"Enjoying yourself, Vice Admiral-dono?"
The voice was calm and composed, but its suddenness shocked everyone.
Marines halted their work, their heads snapping toward the source of the voice, searching the empty deck with bewildered expressions.
"Who said that?"
"Show yourself!"
Before anyone could react further, a figure leapt gracefully onto the deck, landing across from Borsalino with practiced ease.
"Well, well... throwing yourself into a trap? That's bold of you," Borsalino said with faint amusement as he recognized the intruder. His posture didn't change—hands in his pockets, shoulders relaxed. His expression carried no trace of alarm, only curiosity.
The Marines quickly raised their rifles, aiming them directly at Kaizen's head.
Kaizen smiled calmly, brushing his black coat aside. "Beautiful day, isn't it? Hardly a time for fighting. Lower your guns, please. Those toys can't hurt me anyway."
"Silence!" shouted one of the Marines, unwilling to lower his weapon.
Before Kaizen could respond, Borsalino raised a hand lazily, signaling his men to stand down.
"Lower your weapons. He's right—it's pointless," Borsalino said nonchalantly.
The Marines hesitated but obeyed their superior's command, albeit reluctantly.
Borsalino tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on Kaizen. "Now, what brings you here, hmm?"
Kaizen took a step forward, his demeanor unchanged. "I've come to propose an alliance."
Borsalino's eyes narrowed slightly, though his casual posture remained the same. "An alliance, you say? Now that's unexpected."
"That's right," Kaizen replied, his tone firm.
Borsalino chuckled softly. "You refused when we offered you a position as a Shichibukai, and now you want to cooperate? Seems like you've had a change of heart. Don't you think it's a little late for that?"
Kaizen's expression darkened. "At the time, I didn't know that Rocks D. Xebec was still alive."
Borsalino blinked, his lips parting slightly. "Rocks D. Xebec? Alive? Surely you're joking, Kaizen-dono."
"Do I look like someone with time for jokes?" Kaizen retorted, his tone sharp.
Borsalino studied Kaizen's face. His seriousness was unmistakable.
"If Rocks is alive, it could shake the world to its core. That man is... chaos incarnate," Borsalino muttered, a rare note of concern creeping into his usually carefree voice.
Kaizen nodded. "The signs are all there. Your Marine intelligence network is vast. If you dig deep enough, you'll uncover the truth—a mortally wounded man disappeared from the battlefield in God Valley ten years ago."
Borsalino frowned thoughtfully, scratching his head. "What a headache... you even know about God Valley."
Kaizen smirked faintly. "I know more than that, Vice Admiral-dono. If you host a banquet for me, I'll tell you everything."
Borsalino tilted his head curiously. "A banquet? You sure know how to bargain."
Kaizen shrugged, a confident smile playing on his lips. "I figure the fate of the world is worth a good meal, don't you?"
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TO BE CONTINUED...