Inside the Room of Authority, the temperature dropped sharply.
The faces of the Gorosei instantly darkened. They could tolerate the defiance of the Marine top brass, but they would never tolerate the slightest sign of disloyalty from their own dogs.
Boom!
An aura of extreme terror erupted instantly, causing the expensive carpet in the hall to crack inch by inch.
The Gorosei, of course, wouldn't fully believe Tatsuki's side of the story. But it was a fact that those two CP0 Agents had appeared at the Holy Land with disheveled clothes and covered in filth, shaming the World Government.
Furthermore, CP0 had indeed been getting a bit too arrogant lately, overstepping their bounds.
Regardless of the truth, using this opportunity to discipline the CP department while simultaneously appeasing this newly recruited dog was a worthwhile trade.
"Hmph."
Saturn let out a cold snort that was bone-chilling.
"Two useless dogs who can't even stay steady on a ship, keeping them is just a waste of food."
Nusjuro stroked his sword hilt without even lifting his eyelids.
"Tatsuki, since you discovered them, these two traitors shall be left for you to handle."
At those words, a bloodthirsty light erupted in Tatsuki's eyes.
This was exactly what he had been waiting for.
"As you command! I guarantee you will be satisfied!"
Tatsuki stood up abruptly, turned around, and strode toward the door.
"Tatsuki! What do you think you're do—"
Before the CP0 agent could finish, Tatsuki's figure had already turned into an afterimage.
Soru!
His speed was so extreme that the two CP0 Agents' Observation Haki could only capture a blurry outline.
They were horrified, but by the time they tried to react, it was too late.
Shigan!
Tatsuki's index finger was as hard as iron, coated in a layer of pitch-black Armament Haki, cutting through the air with a shrill whistle.
Pfft! Pfft...
Almost simultaneously, his finger moved like a sewing machine needle in a storm, frantically stabbing into the four limbs and joints of the two CP0 Agents.
"Aaaahhh!!!"
Shrill screams echoed through the quiet corridor.
The two who had just been the supreme shields of the Celestial Dragons were now like puppets with their strings cut, slumped limply on the ground. Their limbs were twisted at bizarre angles, and blood gurgled from their wounds.
They were crippled.
The taijutsu they were so proud of had been completely destroyed by Tatsuki using the most basic of the Rokushiki in a display of absolute dominance.
Tatsuki looked down at the two twitching figures on the ground, his face devoid of expression. He slowly raised his foot and lightly stepped on the face of the CP0 Agent who had vomited earlier, grinding his heel.
'I told you, I'm a man who understands the rules better than anyone.'
'Besides, if I let you two idiots out alive and you go around saying Rear Admiral Tatsuki is a greedy scoundrel, wouldn't my painstakingly crafted righteous persona collapse? Only the dead can keep secrets.'
[Ding! Detected that the host has framed colleagues and committed a public assault with cruel methods!]
[Congratulations to the host! Obtained 5,000 Violation Points!]
[Violation Points: 402,700]
"Guards." Nusjuro spoke flatly.
The doors opened, and several guards from Knights of God clad in black armor walked in.
"Dispose of those two CP0 members."
His tone was as casual as if he were telling them to throw away two bags of trash.
"Tell the CP Chief to keep his dogs on a leash. If this happens again, he's out of a job too."
"Yes."
The guards took the order and left.
"Are you satisfied?" Warcury looked at Tatsuki.
"Satisfied! Extremely satisfied!" Tatsuki's face was instantly covered in a fawning smile.
"With such great favor from my Lords, I, Tatsuki, am willing to work myself to the bone. I'll head back to the headquarters now and find out exactly what color underwear Fleet Admiral Kong is wearing today for you."
This crude and blunt metaphor made even the old men twitch their lips.
Nusjuro said coldly, "We don't need to know that. We only want useful intelligence. Go, and do not disappoint us."
"Yes."
Tatsuki took the document and backed out of the hall with bows and scrapes.
As the heavy doors slowly closed, they sealed off the oppressive air of the Room of Authority.
Exiting Pangaea Castle, he was bathed in sunlight once again.
Tatsuki stopped in his tracks, pulled a clean white handkerchief from his robes, and slowly wiped the blood from his hands. He adjusted his slightly crooked tie, turned back, and took a deep look at the towering building of authority that reached into the clouds.
The humility and fawning on his face vanished without a trace in an instant. In its place was a look of unfathomable mockery and a heart-stopping arrogance.
'A bunch of self-righteous fools.'
—
By the time Tatsuki returned to the Marineford headquarters, it was already dusk of the following day.
The setting sun was like blood, painting the massive "Justice" fortress with a layer of chilling crimson.
Inside the military port, the atmosphere was abnormally oppressive. The usual noisy sounds of training had vanished, replaced by the hurried movements and solemn expressions of soldiers.
As soon as Tatsuki stepped off the warship's gangway, countless gazes instantly focused on him. There was worry, curiosity, and even some schadenfreude from other factions.
"Rear Admiral Tatsuki is back."
"He was taken away by CP0 and actually came back unscathed? It's a miracle."
"Shh! Don't talk nonsense."
Tatsuki ignored the surrounding whispers, straightened his collar, and walked toward the headquarters building with a calm expression and steady steps.
Only he knew that the real show was about to begin.
Spy on Kong and Sengoku?
What a joke!
Did those old geezers in the Gorosei really think of him as their dog?
The corner of Tatsuki's lips curled into an imperceptible arc as he walked straight to the Fleet Admiral's office on the top floor. He didn't knock immediately but stood still for a moment.
He controlled his facial muscles, adjusted his breathing, and forced his tear glands to begin secreting a small amount of fluid.
Three seconds later.
That arrogant, high-spirited "Child of the Storm" disappeared. In his place was a weary traveler returning home with heavy steps and a struggling expression, as if carrying a weight of ten thousand pounds.