The seagull-marked bow of the warship cut through the endless waves, but it had also drawn countless dangers born from an enormous bounty.
Zaraki stood at the bow, his Justice coat snapping loudly in the sea wind and revealing the lean, powerful frame beneath it.
One hand rested near the hilt of the sword at his side as he narrowed his eyes and gazed into the distance.
The horizon had been dyed orange-red by the rising sun, the shimmering sea looking peaceful and beautiful.
But Zaraki knew that peace was only an illusion.
Danger had long since hidden itself beneath the surface.
Ever since the news of Zaraki killing Jack the Drought had spread, the entire sea had been thrown into turmoil.
In particular, the bounty offered by the Beasts Pirates was enough to drive countless pirates mad, drawing greedy enemies toward him like sharks smelling blood.
Zaraki could feel an unusual scent in the air.
It was not the briny smell of seawater or gunpowder, but something mixed with greed, savagery, and restless ambition.
"Heh..."
Zaraki chuckled softly, a bloodthirsty curve tugging at the corner of his mouth.
This was much more interesting than a dull voyage or boring paperwork.
"Helmsman. Thirty nautical miles ahead, roughly sixteen degrees to port. Three pirate ships."
Zaraki suddenly spoke, his voice calm, yet carrying absolute certainty.
The Marine at the helm paused slightly. Carina, who had been checking the navigation chart beside him, also looked up in surprise, confusion and concern flashing through her eyes.
According to the Marines' navigation chart, that stretch of sea should have been empty right now.
Zaraki did not turn back.
He merely lifted his chin slightly, gesturing ahead.
"Three groups. Hostile. Weak. The lookout can confirm their flags once they get closer."
The moment his words fell, Vice Admiral Yamakaji's tall figure appeared on the deck.
Yamakaji looked anxious, his rough face filled with worry.
Vice Admiral Gion followed close behind, her expression equally grave.
"Zaraki! Did you spread your senses again?" Yamakaji's voice carried a hint of reprimand, but even more concern.
He knew Zaraki's Observation Haki was sharp, but when that brat spread it together with his Reiatsu, it was no different from lighting a signal fire for every monster nearby.
"Of course. How else would I know there are three batches of pirates taking the bait up ahead?" Zaraki answered casually, though the light in his eyes was growing brighter.
Carina's heart tightened when she heard that.
Just as she had thought, Zaraki's words confirmed her guess.
He had gone looking for them on purpose.
"Pirates?!" Yamakaji's eyes widened.
Looking at Zaraki's eager expression, his anger surged despite himself.
"Do you even know what situation we're in right now? Kaido of the Beasts, that madman, is searching everywhere for you! Those pirates sniffing around are just small fry hoping to step on your shoulders and make a name for themselves. Your priority right now should be returning to Marineford at full speed and seeking protection, not going out of your way to invite trouble!"
Gion also stepped forward. Her tone was much gentler, but the worry in it had not lessened at all.
"Vice Admiral Yamakaji is right, Zaraki. Headquarters has already sent orders for us to escort you back as soon as possible. Your killing of Jack has shocked the higher-ups at Headquarters, and they are urgently discussing countermeasures to secure enough benefits and protection for you. You—"
"Back to Headquarters?"
Zaraki interrupted her, a disdainful smile appearing on his face.
"What would I go back for? To be locked inside a fortress as some dangerous special envoy they don't dare use properly? Or to let those old men point fingers at me, treat me like a problem being hunted by an Emperor, and shelve me somewhere high and useless?"
Zaraki turned around and faced the two Vice Admirals, his gaze sharp as an unsheathed blade.
"I didn't come to Marine Headquarters to suffer that kind of frustration. I came to the sea to make my way across it, to make my name resound throughout these waters, and more than anything... to fight."
His voice was not loud, but every word was clear and carried weight.
The arrogance and freedom in his words left both Yamakaji and Gion momentarily speechless.
They had not expected that even at such a dangerous moment, Zaraki could still maintain such intense fighting spirit.
"But... Kaido..." Yamakaji still wanted to say something, only for Zaraki to raise a hand and stop him.
"Kaido is strong. I know that very well," Zaraki said. "But running back to Headquarters like a beaten dog isn't my style. These pirates have come at just the right time. They can help me stretch my muscles and, while I'm at it, tell all those restless idiots that I, Zaraki, am not someone they can provoke so easily."
Zaraki looked toward the helmsman and ordered, "Sail us over. Don't rush to meet them. Let them come closer first. I want to see which blind fool came here to die."
A trace of struggle flashed across the helmsman's face, but in the end, he tightened his grip on the wheel.
"Yes, Special Envoy!" he answered loudly, turning the wheel with precision.
The warship's course shifted slightly, sailing toward the direction Zaraki had indicated.
Yamakaji and Gion exchanged looks, then could only sigh helplessly.
They knew that once Zaraki made a decision, he would not easily change it.
Before long, the lookout's voice came from above.
"Three pirate flags confirmed! One red-nosed skull, one cat motif, and one serpent mark! They're not major New World crews—probably desperate fools from the edge of the route chasing Kaido's bounty!"
"If you don't want to return to Headquarters, then at least act carefully," Gion said, suppressing the worry in her heart as she tried to persuade him patiently.
"We know you crave battle, and we know you can't stand pirates who commit evil. For example... Doflamingo."
When Gion said the name "Doflamingo," she deliberately emphasized it and watched Zaraki's reaction closely.
Sure enough, Zaraki's expression changed.
"That guy... will have to be dealt with sooner or later."
Zaraki's voice turned cold, carrying certainty that allowed no doubt.
He had heard plenty about what Donquixote Doflamingo had done.
That kingdom built on lies and bloodshed was long overdue for someone to tear it down.
Seeing this, Gion relaxed slightly.
She had guessed correctly. Zaraki really did have thoughts about Doflamingo.
But she also knew that Doflamingo was entangled in far too many things and was absolutely not someone they could easily move against right now.
"I know you have plans for Doflamingo, but he is still one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and there are deeper matters tied to him." Gion spoke earnestly. "Your priority right now should be stabilizing the situation and building your strength, not creating more complications. If you want to move against him, you'll still need a... proper excuse."
Zaraki raised an eyebrow.
Gion's words reminded him.
Acting rashly would indeed cause unnecessary trouble.
He needed a reason that even Marine Headquarters could not argue against.
"An excuse?" Zaraki repeated softly, the corner of his mouth curving with renewed amusement.
"Mm. I really do need an excuse."
Zaraki looked toward the sea ahead, where the silhouettes of three pirate ships could already faintly be seen.
Then something stirred in his mind, and he suddenly remembered something important.
"Come to think of it, it's been a while since last time..." Zaraki muttered to himself.
He thought of the system, and of the rewards it had given him after he killed Jack.
That battle had forced him to exhaust almost all his strength before he had barely managed to kill Jack.
Afterward, the system had sent him information about template synchronization and rewards.
At the time, he had been busy moving away from G-18 and dragging Kaido's attention toward the open sea, so he had no time to check them carefully.
Now, with pirates coming toward him, this might be a good opportunity.
As Zaraki calculated his next battle in his mind, his consciousness sank into the system interface.
At that moment, a familiar cold mechanical voice sounded in his head.
**[Ding!]**
**[Detected that the host has completed a stage achievement: killing an All-Star of the Beasts Pirates. Rewards have been issued.]**
**[System Shop has refreshed.]**