For the past three years of continuous patrol and pirate elimination, Sakazuki’s strength had improved tremendously.

On top of that, through guided training, he had already mastered Haki.

All that remained was slow and steady refinement.

At this point, Sakazuki already carried the demeanor of his canon self.

A white Marine uniform, thick and muscular build.

A billowing cloak with the word “Justice” inscribed boldly on the back.

Just standing there, he exuded overwhelming pressure.

Not to mention, Sakazuki never left survivors when he struck.

Now, in the North Blue, the mere mention of the name “Sakazuki” struck fear into the hearts of pirates.

His reputation was even beginning to spread to the other seas, though that was largely because Jorrison had nothing better to do than brag about him to colleagues in the other branch offices…

…

One week later…

A Marine Headquarters warship dispatched to pick up elite class students was scheduled to arrive at Branch 194 the next day.

The night before departure, Jorrison called Sakazuki into his office:

“It’s hard to believe it’s already been three years.”

“Time really flew by.”

“Sakazuki, take this notebook.”

As he spoke, Jorrison pulled out a notebook.

Sakazuki accepted it with a puzzled look.

Jorrison chuckled:

“This notebook contains information I compiled on some of the internal factions within Headquarters.”

“And some details about people’s personalities and preferences.”

“After all, I’ve spent most of my life in the Marines. I know a thing or two.”

“Connections and relationships are just as important.”

Hearing this, Sakazuki carefully put the notebook away:

“Thank you.”

Jorrison patted Sakazuki on the shoulder:

“Haha, it’s rare to hear you say thanks.”

“Don’t keep that stern face on all the time. Come on, walk with me for a bit!”

…

The next day.

After shaking hands and bidding farewell to Jorrison…

Sakazuki boarded the Headquarters warship sent to retrieve him.

The ship was a large Marine Headquarters vessel.

As Sakazuki stepped aboard, numerous eyes turned to look at him.

Besides the regular patrolling soldiers…

There were also dozens of young Marines who didn’t engage in much conversation, instead sizing each other up on the deck.

All of them were elite soldiers recommended by the branches of the Four Blues.

When Sakazuki came aboard, many of them furrowed their brows in silence.

The name “Sakazuki” was well known throughout the seas. A person’s reputation is like the shade of a tree.

Young people naturally tended to compare themselves with others.

But seeing Sakazuki in the flesh, most couldn’t help but frown. His physique alone outclassed most of them—and that aura of his…

Led by a soldier on board, Sakazuki picked a room and settled in alone.

After he disappeared from sight…

Several acquainted soldiers gathered in small groups to chat:

“Hiss… So that’s Sakazuki, huh? He really lives up to the rumors.”

“Tch, he’s just big. I don’t see what makes him better than me.”

“Don’t underestimate him. If he were weak, he wouldn’t be so famous.”

“Yeah, but nobody’s seen him fight. Who knows if it’s all true?”

“Besides, this time it comes down to actual ability.”

“As long as you stand out, your future’s limitless.”

“How can you get anywhere if you’re scared of everything?”

“Easier said than done.”

“We’re still a tier below those from the Grand Line.”

“All the more reason to fight for it!”

“You wanna stay in a backwater place like the Four Blues your whole life?”

“…”

…

Over the next month, the warship picked up all the recommended personnel from the Four Blues’ various branches.

Then, it set course for the Grand Line.

After crossing Reverse Mountain, Sakazuki assumed they would take the Calm Belt straight to Marineford.

But that wasn’t the case—they continued sailing through the Grand Line.

Thinking about it, it made sense. The main storyline was still forty years away.

Vegapunk hadn’t begun developing Seastone warships yet.

…

On the tenth day in the Grand Line…

A sudden alarm blared. Sakazuki quickly suited up and stepped out of his cabin.

The Rear Admiral in charge of transport, Wells, had a grim expression.

He shouted loudly:

“Form ranks!”

Though they weren’t familiar with each other…

They were all elite soldiers, after all.

The ranks were quickly and neatly assembled.

Wells spoke:

“Two nautical miles ahead, we’ve spotted a pirate ship.”

“Confirmed identity: Barbaric Bone Noss.”

“All of you were recommended by your respective branches as outstanding soldiers.”

“A mere pirate worth 24 million Belly shouldn’t be an issue, right?”

As his voice faded, some of the students began whispering to each other.

Wells roared:

“Silence!”

“I’m asking you—any objections?!”

Seeing this Rear Admiral lose his temper…

Most of the students shivered and shouted in unison:

“No, sir!”

Wells nodded:

“Good.”

“Pass the order—full speed ahead.”

“Prepare for boarding combat.”

Under Wells’ rapid string of commands, the warship accelerated toward the pirate ship.

…

On the Barbaric Bone.

The lookout shouted loudly:

“Bad news, Captain!”

“There’s a warship chasing us!”

Barbaric Bone, who had just looted a merchant ship…

Lifted a still-bloody, massive beast bone and laughed:

“Ah hahaha! What are you afraid of? Turn the ship around!”

“I’m the great pirate Noss with a bounty of 24 million Belly!”

“How dare just one Navy warship chase after me!!!”

His subordinates began to cheer excitedly:

“Hahahaha, Boss Noss is invincible!”

“Kill those useless Navy scum!”

“My great blade is already thirsty for blood!”

“Oooh! Oooh!”

“Charge!”

…

On the warship, seeing the pirate ship turning around and charging straight at them,

Rear Admiral Wells felt a flash of disdain in his heart and ordered:

“Prepare for a boarding battle.”

Then he adjusted his mindset, ready to rescue people at any moment.

Although a pirate with a 24 million bounty meant little to him,

It was still a bit much for these young Navy trainees.

Just as there were only a few hundred meters left before collision—

Not to mention the other cadets’ nervousness—

Sakazuki showed a cruel smile at the corner of his lips.

He walked to the front of the ship and stood there, ignoring the surprised looks of others.

In his right hand, a heart of magma began to form, pulsating, as if it were alive.

A steady flow of magma poured into it, yet the magma heart showed no sign of growing larger.

When the distance between the warship and the pirate ship shrank to just one hundred meters—

Sakazuki hurled the magma heart with force:

“Meteor Volcano!”

Like a shooting star,

It flew straight into the pirate ship’s cabin. Before the pirates could react—

Boom!

Endless magma burst out of the ship’s hold, soaring skyward and then crashing down.

In an instant, the entire ship transformed into a moving volcano.

“What the hell is this?!”

“I’m burning alive!!!”

“Captain! Save me!”

“Aaaahhh!!”

Unfortunately, no one came to save them. As for their captain—

Very unlucky for him, he had been standing right at the mouth of the “volcano.”

Without even a chance to react, he was instantly reduced to ashes.

When the two ships finally came into contact, everyone looked at the half-sunken pirate vessel.

A heavy silence fell, as they stared at Sakazuki’s figure.

In their hearts, a shadow of something called fear flickered…

Countless pirates were engulfed by the magma, their bodies melted.

The ship was filled with severed limbs and corpses, each face frozen in despair and terror as they died…

[A/N: Recommended to start reading from Chapter 48.]

[This is my first time writing a novel. The beginning is really bad, mostly because I was too lazy to revise it. It’s just too much trouble to do a complete rewrite of the first 48 chapters…]

[PS: Chapter 50 features a fight against Roger, Chapter 67 is an alternate Marineford where Whitebeard dies. As for characters like “Ace” and “Uta”—either they never got born, or they died horribly. If you’re a fanboy pirate-lover, you might want to quit now. Don’t get all worked up and start complaining later. Fair warning—I’m not saying I didn’t tell you.]

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep