The seas surrounding the Navy G8 Base had become a gathering ground for pirate ships. Rumors of Admiral White Dragon's stationing had spread like wildfire. Many pirates were eager to test the strength of the newly appointed admiral, aiming to either defeat him to gain infamy or expose him as a pretender unworthy of his rank.
Among the gathered fleets, a single ship emerged, its massive hull cutting through the waves with an aura of dominance. The flag it bore sent shivers down the spines of even the most hardened pirates.
"That's the flag of the Beast Pirates!" one pirate gasped.
Whispers of panic rippled through the crowd as their eyes fixed on the monstrous vessel. At the bow of the ship stood a figure cloaked in black flames—the infamous King of the Beast Pirates' All-Stars, **Ember**.
"Ember himself has come!" a voice stammered.
The weaker pirates quickly withdrew, unwilling to challenge the authority of one of Kaido's most powerful commanders. But others remained, their curiosity piqued by Ember's presence.
"Is he here to challenge White Dragon?" another asked.
---
G8 Base on High Alert
The naval officers at the G8 Base quickly identified the approaching vessel. The sight of the Beast Pirates' flag brought tense silence to the command room.
"Admiral Satoru," an officer reported urgently, "it's the Beast Pirates. Ember is leading them!"
Satoru, seated lazily in his office, smirked at the news. "So, Kaido's already making moves?"
As he stood and stretched, he muttered, "Sending Ember, huh? Guess Kaido doesn't think I'm worth his time."
But what Satoru didn't know was that this attack wasn't sanctioned by Kaido. Ember had come of his own accord, driven by a need to prove himself after Kaido's dismissal of his capabilities during their last battle with the White Dragon.
---
### **Arrival of the Beast Pirates**
As the Beast Pirates' ship neared the base, Ember's booming voice echoed across the harbor.
"Admiral White Dragon, show yourself!"
In an instant, Ember unleashed a powerful slash of fiery sword energy, sending a massive wave of destruction toward the base. The sea split in its wake, and the attack threatened to tear through the naval defenses.
Before the strike could reach the base, a figure appeared. **Cullom**, one of the G8 Base's rising stars, intercepted the attack with a single swing of her blade. The clash of energies created a shockwave that sent ripples through the water.
---
Cullom Steps Up
"Admiral," Cullom said as she turned to face Satoru, "let me handle him."
Satoru raised an eyebrow. "You're confident, aren't you?"
Cullom's gaze didn't waver. "I've been training under your guidance for a year. Let me prove myself."
Satoru gave her a small nod. "Fine. But remember, Ember isn't just another pirate. He's dangerous."
Cullom smiled. "Understood."
With that, she launched herself into the air, using the Moonwalk technique to close the distance between her and Ember.
---
The Watching Crowd
As the battle began, the gathered pirates and marines alike held their breath. Ember was a seasoned warrior, a fearsome hybrid of Lunarian endurance and swordsmanship, bolstered by his Devil Fruit powers.
"Does she even stand a chance?" Claire, another officer, asked as she approached Satoru.
Satoru leaned casually against the railing, his six eyes glowing faintly behind his glasses. "No," he said bluntly.
Claire's eyes widened. "Then why let her fight?"
Satoru's gaze didn't leave the battlefield. "Because she needs this. Strength isn't forged in comfort. It's shaped in battle, under pressure. If she doesn't face real danger, she'll never grow."
---
The Battle Begins
Cullom's sword met Ember's in a flurry of sparks and steel. The difference in power was immediately apparent. Ember's strikes carried overwhelming force, and each clash sent shockwaves that rocked the Beast Pirates' ship.
"You're brave," Ember sneered, his wings spreading wide as flames ignited around him, "but bravery alone won't save you."
Cullom gritted her teeth, refusing to back down. She countered with precise strikes, using the techniques Satoru had taught her. But it was clear she was being pushed to her limits.
---
Satoru's Confidence
"Are you sure this is wise?" Claire asked, her voice tinged with worry as she watched Cullom struggle.
Satoru remained calm. "She won't win, but she won't die either. I'll step in before that happens."
Claire frowned. "And if she loses?"
"Then she learns," Satoru replied simply. "Victory isn't the only way to grow stronger."
As he spoke, his six eyes observed every movement of the battle, analyzing both Cullom's techniques and Ember's.
---
A Test of Potential
The fight dragged on, with Cullom refusing to give up despite her injuries. Ember began to grow frustrated. "You're persistent," he said, "but this ends now!"
He unleashed a devastating attack, a wave of flames that engulfed the battlefield.
At that moment, Satoru appeared between them, effortlessly deflecting the attack with a flick of his hand. The flames dissipated as if they had never existed.
"That's enough," Satoru said, his tone carrying undeniable authority.
Cullom collapsed to her knees, exhausted but alive.
---
A Message to Kaido
Ember glared at Satoru. "You should've let her die. She was no match for me."
Satoru smirked. "You're right. She wasn't. But she's stronger now than she was an hour ago, and she'll keep growing. That's the difference between us and you, Ember. We don't stagnate."
Turning his back on the Beast Pirate, Satoru added, "Tell Kaido that if he wants to test me, he'll have to come himself next time."
With that, the Beast Pirates retreated, their mission a failure.
Cullom, despite her defeat, stood taller that day. She had faced one of the New World's strongest warriors and survived, earning the respect of her peers and the confidence of her admiral.