"It looks like Admiral Sengoku is serious this time, actually granting you the authority to launch a Buster Call."
The warship cruised steadily at high speed across the sea. Borsalino strolled over to Daren's side, his tone light and teasing.
Daren stood at the bow, the cool sea breeze blowing against his face, refreshing and invigorating.
He smiled and said,
"Admiral Sengoku is just being overly cautious. Dealing with someone like Douglas Bullet doesn't warrant a Buster Call."
He turned to glance at the surrounding waters.
Besides the main warship they were on, nine massive heavy warships sailed alongside in a fixed formation.
What was truly terrifying was the sheer size of each ship—towering over twenty to thirty meters high, floating on the sea like monstrous beasts of war.
The hulls were heavily armored, reinforced with the strongest wood and steel. Rivets lined the railings, and the deck itself rose at least ten meters above the water, offering a commanding, bird's-eye view of the sea below.
Compared to the Thousand Sunny of the Straw Hat Pirates, a single Buster Call warship was at least five times larger!
Each ship bristled with cannons. Generally, there were three movable turrets housing a total of nine cannons, and on each side of the ship, twelve additional cannons—six armored on top and six unarmored below.
The hulls also featured side-mounted propulsion systems.
On the decks, layered structures were built up like small fortresses, and Marines stood grim-faced at their posts, a dense and imposing presence.
Even Daren, who had once commanded the North Blue Fleet, couldn't help but be secretly astonished at the overwhelming display.
This was the Buster Call!
Each warship was a blood-soaked fortress of destruction, a monstrous siege engine capable of tearing down cities and strongholds.
And the fierce cannon fire was only part of its strength.
What made the Buster Call truly fearsome was its troop deployment.
Each warship carried at least a thousand elite Marines. In the original timeline, even when Fujitora moved against Doflamingo, he only fielded a main battleship with 800 men.
Ten warships, over 10,000 elite troops, including no less than 100 Marine Headquarters officers and five Vice Admirals... The power of a Buster Call could easily level an island—or even an entire nation!
And indeed, that was the purpose of the Buster Call.
Authorized by the World Government, Marine Headquarters could mobilize a Buster Call to unleash indiscriminate, devastating attacks on any area that sent out the signal, eradicating anything and anyone posing a threat to their rule.
Ten heavily armed warships advancing across the ocean resembled an unstoppable torrent of steel, vast and terrifying, radiating an overwhelming sense of oppression.
To Daren, using a Buster Call against Bullet felt like firing a cannon at a mosquito.
Borsalino shrugged and said,
"Old man Sengoku isn't just being cautious... he's anxious to show off our military strength."
"After all, the Marine Headquarters came back empty-handed from the Edd War. Only you managed to kill the Golden Lion."
Daren shot Borsalino a surprised glance, not expecting the normally elusive man to so bluntly voice such political secrets.
"What's that look for... I'm just an employee,"
Borsalino said lazily, raising his hands in a mock surrender.
Daren chuckled.
It was true—aside from him killing Shiki, the Marines hadn't accomplished much during the Battle of Edd War.
The "sudden" storm that disrupted everything had been Dragon's doing, but officially, it could only be chalked up as an "accident" in the battle report.
Thus, even wiping out the Flying Pirate Fleet wasn't considered a notable achievement.
And after that storm?
As commander, Daren had lured Shiki away, leaving Sengoku, the Admiral of Headquarters, to temporarily assume command and lead a siege against Roger's already battered crew.
Yet in the end, they came back empty-handed.
Judging from how serious Sengoku was acting now, Daren could tell the man was desperate for a major military victory to reestablish his reputation.
Bullet had simply been unlucky enough to get caught in the crosshairs.
"It seems Sengoku is trying to maneuver his way into becoming Fleet Admiral..."
This thought quickly crossed Daren's mind.
With his seniority and the backing of Fleet Admiral Kong, Sengoku indeed had the qualifications for promotion. But he severely lacked military achievements.
Among the three pillars of the Navy from his era, Sengoku was clearly at a disadvantage in terms of merit and reputation.
Garp, though often said to have benefitted from luck, still ended Rocks' ambitions at God Valley and captured "Red the Aloof" Patrick Redfield, making his achievements undisputedly first among the three.
Zephyr, while never having taken down a legendary Great Pirate, had countless victories to his name. His prestige within the Navy was immense, and after becoming Chief Instructor, he nurtured countless outstanding officers, earning the deep love and respect of many Marines.
Compared to them, Sengoku, the "Resourceful General," appeared rather unremarkable.
If it weren't for Kong's support, and Garp and Zephyr's disinterest in political power, the position of Fleet Admiral would never have been Sengoku's to claim.
Then again, that position wasn't really suited for Zephyr or Garp either.
On one hand, they'd have to deal with a host of insubordinate officers; on the other, they'd have to endure the relentless pressure from the World Government... It wasn't a job for just anyone.
It was far too thankless.
"So, I heard you and Bullet get along pretty well?"
Borsalino suddenly asked.
Daren didn't deny it and nodded.
"After all, we were once locked up in the same prison and even briefly teamed up against Kaidou."
"It's exactly because of that connection that Admiral Sengoku sent me on this mission."
"The Buster Call is meant as a deterrent. Recruiting Bullet is far more valuable than killing him."
Borsalino chuckled.
"If you succeed, Vice Admiral Daren, you'll have personally granted titles to two of the Shichibukai."
Daren's eyes flickered slightly as he smiled.
"Just a coincidence."
"Besides, the esteemed Shichibukai aren't exactly under my command."
He paused, then turned, lifting his gaze toward the distant horizon.
Far off, the outline of an island gradually emerged, with thick smoke drifting in the sky above it.
"We're here. We'll talk later, Borsalino."
With that, Daren's figure abruptly shot into the air, speeding toward the distant island.
Borsalino stayed where he was, a hint of amusement glinting behind his exaggerated frog-like sunglasses. He rubbed the stubble on his chin, watching Daren disappear into the sky, and muttered quietly,
"So, have you already decided on the members of the Shichibukai, Daren?"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake