Chapter 96 - Formidable Lineup

"What? Speed, what did you do?" Luke nearly roared while Jasper and Vulcan also gazed at Speed for an answer.

"Nothing. Just sent a few people in our crew to a nearby human settled Island to buy supplies. It happened three days back." Speed casually replied. "By now, the Marine would have spotted our location!"

"Ahhh!" Luke groaned hearing it while Jasper and Vulken remained silent looking at their Captain, waiting for his explanation.

Speed Continued: "Recently, there are many changes happened in the higher level Marine command. Marine Admirals have changed as the old-timers have retired, while new and strong ones took their place.

All three of them possess formidable strength and devil fruit abilities, none of them are weak. Besides, Sengoku has become the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines. He's not to be underestimated.

This time, it will be a tough fight. I am also not sure who the Marines will send after us. Let's wait and see."

"Brother, I don't understand. Why do you want to confront the Marines head-on, can't we run?" Luke asked.

"If we run, the Marines will keep on chasing us. Only after they understand our true power, they will stop bothering us. A good example is Whitebeard Pirates.

We were in the New World for many years, but have you ever seen or heard Marines pursuing them? The answer is No. It's because they don't dare to, as Whitebeard is acknowledged as the 'Strongest Man in the World'.

Similarly, we had to instill the same fear. Just a mere mention of 'Speed pirates' should terrorize and intimidate anyone hearing it."

"I like your plan, brother. As soon as the Marines come, I am going to sink their entire fleet and leave none alive." Luke knuckled his fingers one by one in excitement.

"If we do that, our names will once again resound throughout the Grandline and our bounties will raise to a whole new level. It's sufficient to keep the others in check!" Jasper exclaimed.

"But, it won't be easy. They will definitely send an Admiral, it will be a problem if it's Akainu." Vulken uttered in a calm tone.

"It doesn't matter who comes, I will crush anyone who stands in our way! After my fight against Kaido, I learned a new technique. It's time to test them out." Speed rose to his speed and clenched his Fist as red lightning sparkled around his arm.

----

Around sunset, Marine Headquarters.

A fleet of five Marine battleships was docked, ready to set sail any moment. All the ships were huge with four masts, two with two sails, and two sets of six large cannons on both sides of their hulls.

Each ship is capable of carrying 1000 Marine soldiers but right now, they had only 300 soldiers onboard. Meaning, nearly 1500 soldiers were gathered.

Aside from the soldiers, the lineup had one Admiral, two Vice Admirals, five Rear Admirals in their ranks. It's what Aokiji gathered to confront the Speed Pirates.

Such a task force is enough to deter any pirate to death. In a way, the force is nearly equal to the infamous Buster call, the ultimate form of military attack used by the Marines.

To confront Speed Pirates, the lineup is a must!

Everyone has been gathered. In a few minutes, the huge fleet will leave the port and sail towards the Greenhill Island located in the New World.

The Fleet Admiral came in person to give a battle speech and some instruction. What made most of the officers feel weird is Blaize, a captain-ranked fellow standing next to Admiral Aokiji and Marine Hero Garp as his equal.

The funny thing is, no one pointed it out as if he's qualified to stand next to them.

As for Blaize, without minding the weird stares he chatted with Kuzan and Garp who just came back this afternoon, finishing his short vacation.

"You brats, don't get beaten up. I have heard about the Speed Pirates, they rose after Roger's era and become Great pirates in a short period. If you are not careful, they will crush you." Garp told both Blaize and Kuzan to be careful.

Only recently Blaize learned, Sengoku wanted Garp to leave with Kuzan but Garp rejected his request and suggested Blaize in his place.

Blaize is grateful for that, otherwise, he would have missed the opportunity to fight such a strong pirate crew.

Once Sengoku finished his speech, he said some words to Kuzan. He then came to Blaize, "Blaize, be careful and don't let them get away."

After that, the Marine officers boarded the respective ship while Blaize and Kuzan climbed onto the Headship. Soon after, the entire fleet left the port and sailed towards the New World.

Only Kuina and Regis boarded along with Blaize since he has no other soldiers under his command. Sengoku said that a new unit will be assigned under him after this mission.

--

As the entire fleet disappeared under the setting sun, Sengoku spoke: "Garp, is it okay to send Blaize to such a dangerous mission? He's young, talented and if given enough time he will definitely become a mighty figure."

"What do you know? Only when facing death, a person's true potential erupt. Blaize doesn't need time, he lacks strong adversaries.

Wait and see, his powers will soon bloom and may even surpass us in a few years." Garp grinned. He's hopeful about Blaize.

Sengoku shook his head hearing the reason. Both him and Garp's way of thinking is different, while he wants to give Blaize time, Garp wants to send him to death.

"Let's hope nothing happens!" Sengoku sighed.

"I think you lost the drive after becoming the Fleet Admiral. Did you forget our journey? Which of us haven't faced failure or seen death, it's what made us stronger." Garp spoke.

--

"Aokiji! Your Admiral title is cool! Who picked it?" Blaize asked Kuzan.

"You can't choose the title, it's decided by the Marines and directly bestowed by Fleet Admiral," Aokiji lazily responded.

Unlike normal times, he was dressed in a formal outfit that consists of a white buttoned-up vest with a standing collar over a long-sleeved navy blue shirt, with matching white trousers and black dress shoes.

He also wore a Marine admiral's coat draped over him like a cape. With Admirals coat, how to say...he looked young, cool, and formidable.

'No wonder all the Marine soldiers respect him!' Blaize thought.

What he didn't know is, all the Marine soldiers and officers onboard regards Blaize with contempt because of how casual he was with Kuzan. They personally think he's weak and acts superior as if he's above others.

--

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