Chapter 87: 87. There Will Be No Next Time

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- Gion's words caused the group of female Marines to fall into a stunned silence. In this elite lineup of female soldiers, Gion stood as the second-highest figure under Vice Admiral Tsuru and was revered as an idol by most of the new generation of female Marines. "Gion-san! Do you realize what you're saying?! What happened? Did that man threaten you?" Two female Marines beside Tsuru couldn't help but shout in outrage, their hands twitching toward their weapons. However, the presence of a Yonko quickly extinguished any thoughts of reckless action. Tsuru, calm as ever, didn't show any anger. She simply watched Gion with quiet intensity, while Gion returned her gaze to the woman she respected most in the Marines. "No one threatened me, Sister Tsuru. I... I can somewhat understand how Kuzan and Dragon feel now. Is the World Government really a god that can control life so freely?" Tsuru remained silent for a moment, processing Gion's words. The events that had transpired had clearly shaken this child to her core. "I understand," Tsuru said at last, her voice measured. "This incident has undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to you. It's natural to feel conflicted about the justice in your heart. But this confusion—this struggle—is a necessary part of growth. That's what it means to be in the Marines. It's through these trials that the true meaning of justice becomes clear." She paused, her steady gaze resting on Gion. "I've faced this. Sengoku has faced this. Zephyr, too. And someday, even Kuzan will face it." Tsuru noted that Gion remained unmoved, her expression steady. Realizing her words weren't reaching her, Tsuru shifted her tone. "More importantly, I can't stand by and watch my sister lose herself, falling into the schemes of others! Especially not when she's standing beside such a dangerous man!" There were truths Tsuru couldn't reveal here—not with the shadows that lurked behind the Marine's ideals of justice. Exposing that darkness would only throw the soldiers into turmoil. Hearing Tsuru's firm tone, the surrounding female Marines instinctively moved closer to her, their loyalty creating a palpable sense of confrontation. Meanwhile, Alex remained silent. He merely raised his hand, and in the distance, Gion's warship began to lift into the air, completely under his control. The massive ship soared swiftly and came to rest above his head. "Mary! Kuya!" Tsuru barked. The two Marines beside her sprang into action, drawing their weapons. Haki rippled through the air as they combined shooting and sword techniques, unleashing a powerful slash that tore through the ground, hurtling toward Alex. But Alex didn't move. A figure stepped forward, drawing Kinpira with a flash, cutting down the incoming attack. "Gion!!" Mary and Kuya turned on her with disbelief and anger. The respect they once held for her now felt like a distant memory as they glared at her. Alex smiled faintly, his eyes lingering on Tsuru's increasingly grim expression. The ground beneath them began to crumble. Massive chunks of earth rose into the air, forming a platform that carried Alex and his group upward, heading toward the warship suspended in the sky. Grinding her teeth, Tsuru leaped forward. Despite her age, her speed rivaled that of any active Vice Admiral. A shimmering blue light spread from her hands as she launched herself toward Gion. For a moment, Gion hesitated, her blade faltering in her grip. Seeing this, Alex moved swiftly. He flicked his hand, and small stones around them suddenly transformed into a colossal boulder, dozens of meters wide, hurtling toward Tsuru. But just as the boulder was about to collide with her, Tsuru's power took hold. The once-solid stone softened like paper soaked in water, crumpling harmlessly before her. As Tsuru broke through the boulder's obstruction and prepared to use Moonwalk once again, a single droplet of water, no larger than a fingernail, appeared in front of her. She quickly realized there were more—countless droplets suspended in the air around her, like a rainstorm frozen in time, encircling her in an ominous formation. Whoosh! Tsuru, ever composed even in the face of danger, readied herself to evade. But before she could move, an oppressive force seemed to weigh down on the area, freezing her movements for a fleeting moment. That moment was all it took. The suspended water droplets converged into a massive sphere of seawater, encapsulating Tsuru completely and rendering her immobile within the watery prison. "Alex." Gion's voice broke the tension. Her tone carried a note of pleading as she glanced toward him. Alex didn't continue. With a flick of his hand, the seawater sphere sank into the ocean below, taking Tsuru with it. The Marines erupted in panicked shouts, many of them diving into the sea in a frantic attempt to rescue their Vice Admiral. Ignoring the chaos below, Alex ascended with Gion and the two children, riding on a chunk of the earth toward the warship still hovering in the sky. Gion cast a complicated glance down at the scene beneath them. She murmured softly, as though to herself, "Thank you." Against a Yonko, even the Marines, who had relentlessly pursued pirates like the Donquixote Family across North Blue, were little more than ants in the grand scheme. Alex alone could wipe them all out if he so desired. Alex didn't kill Tsuru not because Gion pleaded, but to stop Tsuru's plans. He knew exactly what the wily Chief of Staff was trying to do. Tsuru, ever the tactician, had hoped to provoke him into striking her down, an act that would sear itself into Gion's heart. She had counted on her ability to "cleanse" Gion's conflicted emotions, restoring her faith in Marine justice. But Alex wouldn't give her the satisfaction. He has just recruited Gion into the team, and he won't risk losing a future Marine Admiral candidate. Additionally, he'll have to contend with potential crazy retaliation from both the Marines and the World Government over Tsuru's death. And then there was Garp. Alex could sense it—Garp was on his way. There was no need to escalate further with such a storm brewing on the horizon. Hearing Gion's quiet thanks, Alex's response was casual, almost dismissive. "Don't think too much about it. After all, I value your decision to join us. But make no mistake—this is the first and last time." His tone hardened, his eyes locking on hers. "Gion, you have to understand the cost of the path you've chosen. If you're serious about this goal—about standing against the World Government—then you can't afford to let the weight of past ties drag you down." "The World Government is ruthless. If they sense any lingering weakness in you—any attachment to your old life—they will exploit it. They will use it to destroy you." Gion didn't argue. She knew he was right. Her expression shifted, resolve glimmering in her eyes as she nodded firmly. "I promise you, there won't be a next time."