From the moment Chaton effortlessly subdued Brook to when Maude suddenly appeared and sent Chaton flying with a single kick, the entire sequence lasted no more than two seconds.
By the time the gathered Marines registered what had happened, they were left staring in shock at Maude, who now stood calmly adjusting his stance.
"That wasn't Shave... it was more like he appeared out of thin air!"
Wolfrat was stunned, his gaze toward Maude filled with complex emotions.
Every time they crossed paths, Maude never failed to surprise him in the most unique ways.
Like now—sending Vice Admiral Tokikake (Chaton), known for his absurd close-combat prowess, flying with a single kick.
If Maude had used a sword or a gun, that would have been one thing. But to accomplish such a feat with just his leg? Unbelievable.
Wolfrat, who had memorized every scrap of intelligence on Maude's abilities, couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. His scalp tingled with unease.
The ranks of Marines who had arrived in formation were even more dumbfounded.
After all, the one sent flying wasn't just any ordinary officer—it was Vice Admiral Chaton, one of the most renowned figures in the Navy in both strength and reputation!
"So this is the man making waves lately—Bacardi Maude."
Sentomaru lowered his massive double-bladed axe, his sharp gaze locked onto Maude, who had seemingly materialized before them. He showed no concern for Chaton's well-being.
"And also… the vile man rumored to have sullied Sister Gion's honor!"
Sentomaru's eyes darkened, a hint of eagerness in his expression.
Since fate had brought them together, he figured it was only right to help Gion teach Maude a lesson for his supposed transgressions.
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Sentomaru sensed something off. When he turned around, he found Wolfrat and the other Marines staring at him with strange expressions, their jaws slack with disbelief.
"What?"
Sentomaru blinked, confused as to why they were looking at him like that.
Wolfrat, speaking from experience, carefully advised, "Sentomaru, you shouldn't believe everything you hear in the barracks."
"Huh!?"
Sentomaru finally understood their reaction.
But… he had only been thinking out loud. How had he blurted it out just like that?
Could it be…?
Sentomaru gasped. "Did I… fall under Sister Gion's ability that forces people to speak their true thoughts?!"
No!
This clearly wasn't due to Vice Admiral Gion's ability—it was entirely your own doing!
Wolfrat and the other Marines screamed internally.
"..."
Having just been unintentionally slighted twice in quick succession by her own allies, Gion furrowed her brows as she regarded Sentomaru, who had never been known to hold back his thoughts.
Bringing Chaton and Sentomaru along… was this really the right decision?
She sighed inwardly before drawing her sword, Konpira, once more. Her sharp gaze locked onto Maude, whom she had not seen in some time.
Sensing Gion's hostile glare, Maude turned his head slightly.
There she was—Gion, whom he hadn't seen in a while, as well as his old acquaintance Wolfrat.
And then… the uniquely dressed Sentomaru.
Bowl-cut hair, red bellyband, double-bladed axe.
Maude instantly recognized him.
This was a character who, despite limited appearances in the original story, was undoubtedly strong.
If nothing else, Sentomaru's mastery of Armament Haki was impressive, placing him a notch above the likes of Vice Admiral Momonga.
Chaton, Gion, and Sentomaru—
With this lineup, they must have come expecting a guaranteed victory against him.
"Captain!"
Seeing Maude descend like a divine warrior and send the formidable Chaton flying, Brook was both shocked and ecstatic.
Just moments ago, he had been in grave peril, his nonexistent sweat nearly breaking out in panic.
Maude glanced at Brook, who remained unharmed. "Good thing I made it in time. Otherwise…"
He left the sentence unfinished.
Even without words, the chilling aura of murderous intent he emitted made the message clear.
"Yohohoho…"
Brook instantly understood Maude's intent, his previously frantic heart now steadied.
Maude's sheer strength as their captain was a source of great reassurance.
Yet, the danger had not passed. They were still surrounded by formidable foes, leaving no room for carelessness.
Raising his half-broken cane sword, Brook assumed a battle stance brimming with intent.
Even with his weapon shattered, he refused to hide behind his captain and do nothing.
Sensing Brook's unwavering fighting spirit, Maude chuckled.
From the moment he assumed the position of Warlord of the Sea, this battle—initiated by Gion—had already been fated to reach a stalemate.
That was why, when he used his Shunpo technique to arrive beside Chaton, Maude had chosen to kick rather than use his sword.
Of course, part of that decision was practical—kicking was slightly faster than drawing his blade, ensuring he could save Brook in time.
Regardless, Maude had no intention of openly clashing with the Navy just yet. Not until he had squeezed every last advantage from his Warlord title.
So, his kick had been just that—a kick. Nothing excessive.
Without dampening Brook's battle spirit, Maude placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword, Shusui, turning slightly to regard Gion with a teasing glint in his eyes.
"Old hag, stop chasing after me. There's no future for us."
"!!!"
Hearing Maude's words, laden with hidden meaning, Sentomaru and the gathered Marines widened their eyes in shock.
Chasing after him?
No future together?
Was this… confirmation!?
Could it be… Vice Admiral Gion and Maude really…!?
In an instant, countless Marines, many of whom secretly admired Gion, felt their hearts shatter, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.
But as they took a closer look at Maude's imposing yet striking appearance, realization dawned upon them.
"..."
At that moment, even if Gion had noticed her subordinates' thoughts, she had neither the time nor the patience to correct them.
Her eyes sharpened as she unleashed a deep crimson flying slash toward Maude.
Clang—
Maude drew Shusui.
The moment the blade left its sheath, it was already cloaked in a dense layer of Armament Haki.
With a swift, decisive slash, Maude cleaved the incoming sword energy in two.
The bisected attack veered off in opposite directions before crashing into the ground, triggering violent explosions.
After countering the attack, Maude slowly lowered his sword, holding it upright before him. His voice was calm but carried an undeniable challenge.
"I'm no small fry. If you want to kill me, do it up close."
Seeing Maude effortlessly deflect Gion's attack, Sentomaru and the others were once again shaken.
They had encountered pirates with bounties exceeding 500 million berries before, but Maude's presence in this brief encounter alone suggested he was far beyond that level.
Gion narrowed her eyes at Maude, now vastly different from before. She nodded lightly, her lips parting to speak.
"You're right."
Without using Shave, she strode toward Maude, each step radiating oppressive force.
Maude watched her approach with a calm gaze. "Looks like you really don't know, huh?"
Gion's advance remained steady.
Maude continued, "I've been made a Warlord of the Sea."
"…What?"
Gion's steps halted abruptly, her expression shifting as she stared at Maude in shock.
Seeing her reaction, Maude smirked.
"Old hag, I don't think I need to remind you what it means now that I've taken up the position of Warlord of the Sea, do I?"
"And just to jog your memory a little—back on Leviathan Island, I told you something…"
"The next time we meet, it'll be quite interesting."
"Well, look at that—it sure is interesting, isn't it?"
With that, Maude shrugged, his expression a perfect mix of indifference and provocation, as if daring her to do something about it.
Gion's face darkened immediately.
Maude's appointment as a Warlord meant that she could no longer lay a hand on him.
If this was true…
There couldn't be worse news.
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