"Kong! Are you alright?!"
A burly figure charged onto the battlefield. It was Garp.
Kong was using Winterborne to support himself. Even as the freezing energy eroded his body, he refused to loosen his grip on the hilt.
His eyes remained fixed on the frozen figure of Redfield, not daring to relax for even a moment.
Only when Garp arrived did he finally let out a slight sigh of relief.
"Garp, don't worry about me. Check on Redfield and take him into custody."
"If this old man can capture a legendary pirate on his final voyage, it'll surely boost the Marines' morale!"
As he spoke of the Marines, a fierce light flickered in Kong's eyes.
Garp nodded and strode across the ice toward Redfield, pushing his Observation Haki to its limit to sense the man's presence.
Upon confirming that Redfield had fallen unconscious from the freezing, a glint of excitement flashed in Garp's eyes.
This was Red Count, Patrick Redfield, and he was defeated at the hands of the Marines' Fleet Admiral.
"Kong, he's already unconscious."
"Good! Bring him aboard the ship, ice block and all! Then we return to Marineford immediately. And have Sengoku contact Morgans! Oh, and get Hammer back to Marineford too, forget about the Four Seas for now. This victory wouldn't have been possible without His contributions!"
Marine Headquarters – Marineford, Admiral's Office
"Hello, this is Sengoku speaking."
"What?! Really?! Got it, I'll make the arrangements!"
"HAHAHAHA! Fleet Admiral Kong! You've outdone yourself this time!!"
After slamming down the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku laughed heartily, the booming sound of his voice echoing throughout the building.
East Blue, Glaze Pearl Island.
"What? Return to Marineford? Come on, Admiral Sengoku, are you messing with me?"
"No way, I still have to patrol the Four Blues! I just finished East Blue and was about to head to West Blue!"
"Huh? Old Man Kong's orders? Still not going! I'm finishing my inspection and coming back to get promoted to Vice Admiral!"
"What? The Red Count? So what if he's captured? That's old man Kong's achievement. What's it got to do with me?"
"...Fine, fine. I'll go back, okay? But you better let me skip patrol in two sea regions later!"
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Hammer smiled to himself and muttered:
"The Red Count, huh… Old Man Kong, you've really made a name for yourself this time..."
"But what a shame for Vice Admiral Garp... missed the credit, haha..."
Then, Hammer stepped onto the deck, saw the ship almost fully repaired, and shouted:
"Lance! Shirley! Prep for return, set course for Marineford!"
He then dashed back to the forge, dumping all remaining responsibilities onto Lance.
Lance: '…I swear to the seas, these old-timers are gonna be the death of me.'
A Few Days Later – Marine Headquarters: Marineford
This ironclad fortress radiated solemnity and authority, an invisible pressure blanketing the island.
At the harbor, Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru led the full lineup of Marine officers, standing at strict attention.
Suddenly, a warship appeared on the distant horizon.
"They're here! Everyone, prepare yourselves!"
At Sengoku's command, all the officers tensed, eyes locked on the incoming vessel.
But as the ship drew closer, they realized... this warship seemed off.
Its silver-white hull and matching sails stood out.
"Hold on. This isn't Fleet Admiral Kong's ship. This is Rear Admiral Hammer's..."
Sengoku looked extremely annoyed but held back his reaction in front of the assembled Marine officers; he had to maintain proper decorum.
As the Warhammer ship slowly docked, the sound of hammering rang out across the harbor like a tolling bell.
Everyone winced at the sound. Sengoku's temple twitched with rage.
Finally, the hammering stopped, only to be replaced by an exclamation
"Woah! What a huge welcome!"
"Admiral Sengoku, did you mobilize the whole Navy just to welcome me?"
"How could a humble guy like me deserve all this?!"
Hammer stood proudly on deck, beaming at the ceremonial guard below.
If only Sengoku's face hadn't darkened to pitch-black in rage, the moment might've been perfect.
"Get down here! And move your ship before I ban you from ever coming back to Marineford!"
Seeing Sengoku glowing with anger, Hammer quickly dropped his grin and told Lance to move the ship.
Lance sighed and shook his head in frustration.
'The officer makes the mess, and the subordinates suffer.'
'This is the path I chose. Even if I have to swallow my tears, I'll see it through.'
Meanwhile, Shirley had already slipped away, whispering with Gion, two young women deep in conversation.
Hammer, now with a serious face, stood beside Sengoku (who had forcibly pulled him over).
No doubt this whole situation involved him somehow... again.
In the end, Lance took care of everything alone.
Once the Warhammer moved away.
Everyone turned their attention back to the sea, waiting once more. Fifteen minutes passed.
Bored out of his mind, Hammer's thoughts drifted back to unfinished projects and blueprints.
"Hey, old man, how long are we waiting?"
He was cut off by Sengoku's murderous glare. He shut up immediately.
Another fifteen minutes later, the Gates of Justice on the distant horizon finally creaked open.
Sengoku's eyes lit up, and with a deep voice, he announced the return of Fleet Admiral Kong.
Sure enough, as a battered warship entered the harbor, all present held their breaths.
The ship docked, and the gangplank lowered.
A towering old man wrapped in bandages, but still full of vigor, slowly walked down.
Every face in the crowd showed admiration, and even Hammer felt a touch of respect.
"HAHAHAHA! Sengoku, what's all this? Such a grand reception just for me?"
Though he spoke humbly, the joy on old man Kong's face was undeniable; Sengoku's effort clearly pleased him.
Sengoku's voice echoed through the harbor, soon followed by everyone else's.
Even the seagulls were startled into flight by the sheer volume of cheers.
Following behind Kong was Garp, who didn't really do anything, and a group of stern-faced marines.
They carefully escorted a red figure off the ship...
It was the defeated Red Count.
"Heh heh… Kong, you Marine folk sure do love your pomp and ceremony."
His tone was light, dripping with mockery. Yet as Redfield spoke, the assembled officers fell silent, every eye fixed on the legendary pirate who had once ruled the seas.
"Still mouthing off, huh? Careful, or I'll freeze you up again!"
Instinctively, Kong's hand rested on the hilt of Winterborne.
The Red Count narrowed his eyes, also focusing on the blade.
He didn't lose to Kong, not exactly...
He lost to that sword, the so-called "Anchor of Justice" that Kong wielded like no other.
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu