Crash... Crash...

  In the first half of the Grand Line, somewhere amidst the vast o...

  The retly promoted Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Sengoku the Buddha stood at the prow of a battleship, arms crossed, gazing solemnly at the unduting waves.

  His eyes were deep and fixed on the horizon, lost in thought.

  "Vice Admiral Sengoku, ever since she learned we’re takio the Holy Land, that woman has attempted suicide seven times and hasen for five days straight..."

  A Marine major stepped forward to report, his words hesitant.

  "It doesn’t matter. If she doesn’t want to eat, let her starve. Just make sure she doesn’t die!"

  Sengoku’s eyes flickered with a traotion. His previously folded hands ched into tight fists. Yet his resolve soon hardened as he bit down and spoke coldly:

  "Our task is simply to deliver her alive and unharmed to the Holy Land, Mary Geoise!"

  "Those damned Celestial Dragons!"

  Rage simmered beh his calm fa?ade.

  "One day, I, Sengoku the Buddha, will overturn this rotten world, correct this twisted sense of justice, and purge the darkness.

  "But until I hold absolute power, I must endure. Even if it means promising my principles and making unspeakable sacrifices, I will climb to the pinnacle of authority."

  Sengoku had long uood the truth of the matter, including the real reasons behind Fleet Admiral William’s cover-up. He was also painfully aware that someone like Tsuru—if not utterly disillusioned—would never have so resolutely joihe Fallen Angel Pirates. Her vi remaieadfast, without the fai attempt to expin or justify her as.

  "Just a pirate who deserves death..."

  Staring ahead at the approag isnd known as Enies Lobby, the “Never-Night Isnd,” Sengoku ched his fists tighter. His gaze was unwavering, almost obsessive.

  He uood that Tsuru had pletely lost faith in the Marines’ cept of justice. But even a fwed system was better than chaos. Without order, the world would desd into madness—a true living hell.

  Sengoku firmly believed that one day, he would utterly transform the Marines aore justice.

  As they drew closer, the three ected ndmasses of Enies Lobby came into full view. Below, a bottomless chasm yawned wide, a spectacle as awe-inspiring as it was terrifying. In the distahe colossal Gate of Justied amidst misty skies, its massive structure bearing the faint emblem of the Wover.

  "Vice Admiral Sengoku!"

  But Sengoku had no iion of stopping at Enies Lobby. He strode toward the ship’s mast, grabbed a ected receiver, and spoke into the microphone:

  "This is Sengoku the Buddha, Marine ID number GXXXXXXX5. Opee of Justice immediately!"

  "Yes, Vice Admiral Sengoku!"

  "Boom... Boom..."

  A deep rumble resonated as the massive Gate of Justice slowly began to part.

  "Vice Admiral Sengoku!"

  Suddenly, a voice called out from the watchtower above.

  "There’s something on the sea!"

  "What?"

  Sengoku frowned.

  "Wait... That’s—"

  "It’s the Fallen Angel El!!"

  "Gulp!"

  The Marines on deck collectively tensed.

  "Isn’t he supposed to be in the New World?"

  "Why is he here?!"

  Both Sengoku and the others wideheir eyes, pupils trag sharply as they stared at the t figure speeding across the sea. Shod dread filled their faces.

  "Damn it, this guy..."

  Staring at the imposing figure, radiating an overwhelming aura like a primordial beast, Sengoku broke into a cold sweat. g his fists tightly, he prepared for the worst.

  "Report to Marine Headquarters immediately!"

  "Yes, sir!"

  The sudden appearance of the Fallen Angel El sent shockwaves through the fleet and Judicial Isnd. Marines aboard the battleships, statioroops, and even the Wover agents were stuheir faces turned pale with panid unease. Nerves were on edge as fear and ay filled the air.

  "Swish!"

  The t figure desded onte battleship. Ign the trembling Marines who had raised their ons but dared not fire, El surveyed the deck with amusement.

  Looking down at Sengoku, he said with a smirk:

  "Tsk, tsk... promoted to Vice Admiral already? gratutions."

  "Fallen Angel El, what are you doing here?"

  Sengoku’s face was filled with wariness as he gred at El. His entire body tensed, muscles taut like steel, ready for any sudden moves. His tone was cold and distrustful:

  "Are you here to break the agreement with the Wover?"

  Six months ago, this monstrous Lunarian pirate had burst onto the se, wreaking havoc. He had inflicted catastrophic losses on the navy, killing Admiral ‘Iron Cw’ Hark and nearly taking down Admiral Kong. His most infamous act was secretly pnting a massive stockpile of explosives and blowing up Marineford, the headquarters of the navy.

  That attack resulted in tless deaths—Marine personnel and i family members stationed on the isnd. It was an act of unparalleled brutality. Even Tsuru, once destined freatness as the ‘Navy’s Flower,’ had been dragged into the abyss by the Fallen Angel Pirates.

  Despite Sengoku’s burning hatred for El, he couldn’t deny the sheer power and terror the man represented. El was a living nightmare, a monster of inprehensible strength. Fag him would require at least two admirals, and even then, victory was far from assured.

  "I received a message from the Kuja Pirates." El poioward the ship’s , his tone ced with calm menace. "My friend was captured by your forces. Do me a favor and release them."

  "What!?"

  "You’re dreaming!"

  "Damn pirate!"

  A chorus of e erupted from the Marines. Many stared at El with burning hatred, their eyes full of fury. The destru of Marineford and the loss of loved ones made this frontation deeply personal.

  "Hum!"

  El’s ornate giant sword smmed into the deck with a heavy thud. Though it remained sheathed, the sheer pressure it exuded weighed heavily on everyone’s hearts, leaving them pale and drenched in cold sweat.

  El’s smirk deepened as he g Sengoku.

  "I won’t say the same thing three times."

  "Damn it..."

  Sengoku’s expression shifted repeatedly. Before he could respond, a subordinate rushed to his side, whispering orders from Marine Headquarters. After listening, Sengoku’s eyes narrowed and he ched his fists. Though relieved not to escate the situation, he felt a deep sting of humiliation.

  "Damn it! Bring the prisoner out!"

  He barked the order, his voice ced with frustration and bitterness.

  Bleam