A white warship flying the flag of the World Government was breaking through the waves at high speed, heading toward the Red Line.
On the deck, Tatsuki wore his brand-new Rear Admiral coat, the sea breeze making the hem flap loudly.
He gazed at the silhouette of the Red Line in the distance, calculating the upcoming meeting in his mind.
The Gorosei? The kings of the world?
In Tatsuki's eyes, they were just five old men sitting on the world's largest gold mine of Violation Points.
This summons was a crisis but even more, it was a massive opportunity.
'The higher the risk, the greater the reward.'
Tatsuki sneered inwardly.
The one thing he didn't lack right now was courage.
"Rear Admiral Tatsuki."
Behind him, a cold voice sounded, carrying the unique and unpleasant arrogance of CP0.
"We are about to reach the Red Line. I'm reminding you one last time."
"Holy Land Mary Geoise is the residence of the gods. Once you get there, put away your Marineford ways. Don't look at what you shouldn't look at, and don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
"Most importantly, watch your mouth."
Another CP0 Agent picked up the thread, his tone full of warning. "In front of the Gorosei, even Fleet Admiral Kong must kneel to speak."
"No matter what they ask, you only need to answer 'Yes'."
"Any extra explanation could bring disaster upon you, and even your superior, Sengoku."
"We're doing this for your own good, understand? Rear Admiral."
These words sounded like a reminder, but the condescending tone was no different from training a dog.
Tatsuki turned around, that warm, spring-like smile still on his face. "Thank you for the advice, sirs."
"I, Tatsuki, have grown up in the Marines since I was a child. What I understand best are the 'rules'."
"As the sword of justice, I will, of course, maintain the highest respect for the helmsmen of the world."
His heart was untroubled, he even felt like laughing. 'Trying to intimidate me? Just with you two thugs who can't even take off your masks?'
Tatsuki's gaze turned back to the sea. Deep in his eyes, an imperceptible wisp of green airflow quietly drifted out and merged into the seawater below.
'Fine, I understand the rules. I just don't know if you understand physics.'
The smile on the corner of his lips grew even deeper.
Suddenly, the originally steady warship jolted violently. The deck beneath their feet tilted sharply. The previously calm sea had, without warning, whipped up giant waves several meters high, slamming fiercely against the ship's hull.
"What's going on?!"
The two CP0 Agents stumbled, nearly falling, their faces showing shock for the first time.
Tatsuki, however, was as steady as a rock, not even the corner of his clothes swaying. He looked at the two masked men struggling to maintain their balance in the turbulence, the smile on his face becoming playful.
"Steady yourselves, sirs. The weather on this sea is just that unpredictable."
As soon as the words fell, the warship gave another violent lurch, and then began to spin and sway at high speed without any pattern.
"Blergh!"
A CP0 Agent could no longer hold it back. He ripped off his mask and leaned against the railing, vomiting till his world spun.
The other man's face turned ashen as he gripped the gunwale tightly, forcing down the churning in his stomach while looking at Tatsuki with suspicion and uncertainty.
This was definitely no ordinary wind and waves.
As top agents of the World Government, what kind of harsh sea conditions hadn't they seen?
But the turbulence before them completely defied the laws of physics, as if an invisible giant hand had maliciously toyed with the vessel.
Tatsuki, however, remained steady, with not even a single slide from the coat draped over his shoulders.
He shrugged with an innocent expression.
Was the power of the Storm-Storm Fruit only meant for killing? Controlling the currents and air pressure around the warship with precision was simply too easy.
Tatsuki enjoyed the pathetic sight of the two top agents with pleasure.
...
Half an hour later, the warship finally docked at the port below the Red Line amidst a final violent jolt.
The two CP0 Agents helped each other crawl off the ship. Their white suits, which represented supreme power, were stained with filth, and their arrogant aura was completely gone.
In contrast, Tatsuki was refreshed, his coat draped over his shoulders without a single wrinkle.
Boarding the bubble gondola, they pierced through the clouds and arrived at the top of the world—Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Stepping onto this land hailed as the "Abode of the Gods," everything in sight was paved with white jade, and Pangaea Castle towered like a dream.
Every flower in the garden bloomed perfectly, the air was thick with the scent of expensive spices, and even the sunlight seemed filtered to become soft and holy.
It was beautiful here.
A beauty built upon the flesh and blood of commoners from all over the world.
On the paths, one could occasionally see a few arrogant Celestial Dragons dressed in bulky, astronaut-like outfits, riding on the backs of numb-eyed slaves wearing collars, taking a leisurely "stroll."
Tatsuki's gaze swept over the slaves used as mounts and the gold-crafted decorative pistols at the Celestial Dragons' waists meant purely for show. Only one thought remained in his mind.
'If I were to drop a maximum-power attack in a place like this...'
Once this thought arose, it could no longer be suppressed. Tatsuki's eyes instantly became burning hot.
The two CP0 Agents, who had just recovered, keenly noticed the change in his emotions. Thinking he was intimidated by the majesty of the Holy Land, they sneered inwardly.
Country bumpkin, scared senseless already?
They passed through a long corridor and stopped before a giant door carved with the symbol of the World Government.
"Go in. The Gorosei are waiting for you inside."
"Remember our words."
Tatsuki ignored their warning, merely adjusting his high collar one last time to perfectly conceal that inner fire.
He pushed open the heavy doors and stepped inside.