After clashing fists with Jon using his most powerful punch, Barrett was also heavily injured, though he still had some strength left.
Taking advantage of Jon's condition, he didn't risk finishing him off. Instead, he avoided Borsalino and escaped underground.
The fight with Jon had taken a massive toll on him—something Barrett hadn't anticipated—leaving him nearly exhausted. That's why he chose not to continue tangling with Borsalino and instead fled in a rather sorry state.
It wasn't truly about fleeing; he wanted to find a place to recover his strength and then return to wage war on the Marines, seeking to destroy them.
However, before he could get far, he ran into a large wave of Marines.
The bloodbath resumed. The Marines gave him no chance to breathe, attacking him relentlessly.
Despite being drained and heavily wounded from the earlier fight, Barrett still held out for several hours under the Marines' onslaught before finally collapsing from exhaustion and being overwhelmed.
With Barrett's capture, the Marine Buster Call operation could be considered a great success.
When Barrett was taken into custody, Jon had also recovered some of his strength with Borsalino's help and managed to stand on his own, returning to the warship.
"Well done, kid," Garp said as he patted Jon on the shoulder with a big smile.
Jon gave a bitter smile. "I let you down."
Garp laughed heartily. "Look at you. You've done more than enough. With the Buster Call activated, if you had taken care of everything by yourself, what would that say about the rest of us?"
The pirates nearby saw that the battle was over, but none of them dared to make a move. They could only watch helplessly as the Marines took Barrett away.
Garp led the headquarters personnel and escorted Barrett back to the first half of the Grand Line. They had no intention of executing him. Instead, they planned to imprison him in Impel Down.
This was standard procedure for powerful Devil Fruit users. The Marines preferred to imprison them to prevent their fruits from reincarnating and falling into the wrong hands.
Jon remained at the Marine G1 base, having not received a transfer order. Naturally, he stayed in the New World.
The Buster Call incident had stirred quite a buzz throughout the New World, prompting many pirates to lay low, avoiding the kind of high-profile behavior Barrett had displayed.
However, the deterrent effect of the Buster Call didn't last long. Soon, chaos returned to the New World.
Pirate infighting became increasingly frequent. Countless individuals took to the seas in search of the One Piece. Before the treasure could be found, battles among pirates were already intensifying.
Due to the surge in pirate activity, Jon became increasingly busy, constantly out on missions. Within a few months, he had captured thousands of pirates.
Only one of them had a bounty exceeding 100 million beli. The vast majority were small fry worth only a few million.
After spending an entire year in the New World, Jon finally received a transfer order from Marine HQ.
"Sakazuki, we're heading back."
Inside the office, Jon was saying farewell to Akainu, who nodded and said, "Then you guys go ahead. I probably won't be staying here much longer either."
Unlike a regular base commander, Akainu had only been temporarily assigned. Given his strength and importance to HQ, there was no way he would remain stationed at a base long-term.
Upon returning to HQ with Pemberton and their forces, Jon was immediately summoned by Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"Jon, you've done exceptionally well this past year—especially during the last Buster Call. Garp told me you were instrumental to its success."
Sengoku showered Jon with praise as soon as he saw him.
Jon replied, "It was my duty, Admiral."
Sengoku nodded with satisfaction and continued, "We've lost two Vice Admirals in battles with pirates, and several others are retiring. That opens up a few vacancies, and after much discussion, we've decided to select promising younger officers to fill those roles. You are one of the top candidates."
Jon's expression remained calm, but inside he was overjoyed. This was the moment he had been working toward.
"I will obey any order."
"Good. Be prepared. The appointment should happen within two months. If you are selected, you must watch your conduct carefully. A Vice Admiral bears far more responsibility than any previous rank."
Sengoku's tone was serious, emphasizing the weight of the role.
Jon responded solemnly, "Understood. I won't let you down."
"It's not about disappointing me," Sengoku corrected. "It's about not letting anyone down—not your comrades, not the Marines who trust in you."
"Yes, sir."
Sengoku continued his advice and warnings, while Jon nodded attentively.
"Whew—" Jon exhaled heavily after stepping out of Sengoku's office, a look of energized anticipation on his face.
He immediately headed toward the Strategy Division to see Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Huh? Gion?"
Before he reached Tsuru's office, Jon ran into someone he hadn't seen in a long time—Gion.
"Jon, you're back from the New World?" she asked cheerfully, clearly pleased to see him again.
"Yeah, just got back. I was on my way to see the Vice Admiral. When did you return?"
Gion had long since left Tsuru's side and was usually stationed in the Four Seas or the first half of the Grand Line.
Despite being a female officer, her rank was no lower than Jon's—she was also a Commodore and well-known in HQ.
"I just got back from the East Blue. I'll be staying at HQ from now on, back under the Vice Admiral," Gion said.
"That's great. No more wandering the seas."
Life at sea was tough, especially for female Marines who valued cleanliness and order.
"You here to see the Vice Admiral?" Gion asked.
"Yes," Jon replied. "Let's catch up after I talk with her?"
"Sure."
Gion led him to the office door and knocked.
"You saw Sengoku?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked as Jon entered.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then he's likely told you—this is the best chance for you. If you become a Vice Admiral, I'll be proud."
Jon responded sincerely, "I owe everything to your guidance, ma'am. Without you, I'd be nowhere."
"No need for flattery. I truly am happy for you. But once you become Vice Admiral, you'll no longer be under the Strategy Division, and I won't be able to protect you. Not that you need my protection anymore."
Tsuru shook her head with a smile. Truthfully, Jon might already be stronger than her.
"As a Vice Admiral, unless you make a serious mistake, you won't be punished. Still, you must act with caution and responsibility."
"Yes, ma'am."
Jon was genuinely grateful to Tsuru. In HQ, Borsalino might be his closest friend, but Tsuru was the one he was most indebted to.
"No matter where I go, the Strategy Division will always be my home."
He had spent eight years there—it truly was a second home.
"Well said. I have confidence in you. I believe you'll be promoted. Now, go say goodbye to your 'sisters.'" Tsuru said with a sly smile.
Jon's face turned bright red. "Sisters"? He was a man through and through!
"Ma'am, you're joking, right?"
"Go on. Gion is waiting outside for you. She asked about you as soon as she got back. Go catch up."
She had always thought the two of them were a good match and would love to see them get closer.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll take my leave."
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