Michael didn't stay at Marine Headquarters for long.

After reporting to Sengoku about the Fish-Man Island collaboration, he prepared to return to Alabasta.

After all, his beloved subordinates were eagerly awaiting his return there!

But... fate had other plans.

Some strange occurrences always seemed to welcome him.

For instance...

Blocking his path were four figures clad in pure white cloaks and suits.

And at a glance, they were all familiar faces.

The same CP0 agents who had appeared in Dressrosa and Onigashima in the original story.

"Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral and Alabasta Marine Branch Commander Michael, we've been waiting for you for quite some time."

Michael tilted his head, his expression unreadable.

He had once thought that after the events of Fish-Man Island, even if he had once been a benefactor of the Celestial Dragons, they would probably still send someone to quietly eliminate him.

But he hadn't expected them to be so impatient.

This place was less than twenty kilometers from Marine Headquarters.

Were they really going to ambush him here?

It seemed CP0 had been given an absolute order by the World Government.

Michael chuckled and shook his head.

"Since you came to intercept me early, it's understandable that you haven't received the latest information."

"I'm no longer a Rear Admiral of Headquarters—I'm now a Vice Admiral."

His voice carried not a trace of tension from start to finish, instead brimming with amusement.

This demeanor unsettled even these professional CP0 agents and executioners.

Why did they inexplicably feel… that they were the prey?

He was just a Vice Admiral of Headquarters!

"Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are members of CP0, acting under the orders of the Five Elders… to eliminate you."

The speaker was Guernica, the one the Five Elders had rated as a "Special-Class Agent."

In other words, the unlucky fool who had interfered in Kaido and Luffy's battle and was instantly obliterated by Kaido.

Michael raised an eyebrow.

If he were truly just an ordinary Marine Vice Admiral, facing these people would indeed be a death sentence.

They all possessed strength surpassing that of supernovas like X Drake or Apoo.

Even the weaker ones, could take down Izou in a mutual kill.

In other words, they were at least on par with four Whitebeard Pirates division commanders.

Within the World Government's CP organization, such combat prowess could already be considered the pinnacle.

After all, long-term espionage missions were particularly prone to wasting potential.

Take the CP9 agents who infiltrated Water 7, for example.

"Eliminate me?" Michael frowned. "Are you sure? From what I know, with your level of strength… you're just daydreaming."

Michael was well aware that his earth-shattering battle with Whitebeard had not been publicized.

First, he had instructed Morgans to deliberately omit the relevant details in the report, focusing instead on the cooperative aspects.

And the subsequent Fish-Man Island Purge, while intended to rid the island of scum, also served to eliminate anyone who might leak information to the World Government.

The most likely candidates for such leaks were either members of the Regional Justice Faction within the Marines or those running black-market operations for World Government officials.

So Michael had spared none of them.

Thus, the information gap between him and the World Government had persisted until now.

Though after today, the World Government would probably have a rough idea of Michael's true strength.

After all, four CP0 agents would perish here.

"Michael, Mythical Zoan-type, Model: Seraph… Please don't resist pointlessly and make our job harder."

With that, the four CP0 agents activated Geppo, surrounding Michael from all sides.

For those who sought death…

Michael never hesitated to grant them their wish.

"Honestly, having masters like the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders… must be exhausting for you."

As he spoke, Michael drew Morning Star.

If it were Michael before heading to Fish-Man Island, facing such a situation, he would undoubtedly unleash a "Starfire Rune Blade: Judgement," sending the four unfortunate CP0 agents straight to heaven.

But after experiencing Whitebeard's "lesson in combat," Michael gained a new understanding of what true "battle" meant...

Thus, instead of overwhelming holy light and sacred flames filling the sky, there was only a thin layer of pale blue fire condensed along the edge of his blade.

A simple, unadorned draw-and-slash—and the four CP0 agents charging at Michael from all directions suddenly froze in place.

All four of them lowered their heads in unison, staring at their abdomens.

There was no spray of blood as one might expect.

Only a tiny wound, wreathed in faint blue flames.

"I told you, you really didn't stand a chance."

Michael shook his head and sheathed Morning Star at his waist.

Then, with a single beat of his Wings, he continued flying towards Alabasta.

Without so much as a glance back at the CP0 agents left dumbstruck where they stood.

Yet the moment Michael's Wings flared, the CP0 agents burned from the inside out, completely turning to ash over the sea.

That single slash had sent the Judgement Flame from his blade into their bodies through a razor-sharp strike and detached advanced Armament Haki.

In an instant, it destroyed their nerves and internal structures.

Until nothing remained but drifting embers.

All with just one strike.

In terms of raw power, Michael wasn't actually stronger than he had been before going to Fish-Man Island.

But when it came to combat technique, he was now in an entirely different league.

...

Alabasta Naval Base, codenamed 'Yellow Sand'.

"Good grief, wasn't Michael supposed to return to Marine HQ to see the newborn? How did he suddenly end up making headlines in Fish-Man Island?"

Bellemere held the newspaper in her hands, disbelief coloring her voice.

Meanwhile, the members of the SWORD Classified Special Forces seated around her wore expressions of resigned familiarity.

Making headlines? That was just Michael's style.

Silent until the moment he struck—then earthshaking.

The only thing that truly frustrated the SWORD members was that this time, he hadn't taken them along!

They wanted to see the wonders of the deep sea ten thousand meters below too!

And a historic moment like the Marines collaborating with the Whitebeard Pirates? No matter what, they would've loved to witness it firsthand!

Compared to the mix of excitement and regret among the SWORD members, the blue-haired woman puffing on a cigar and the man with hawk-like eyes exchanged a glance—one filled with shock.

"Did they just say… the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates?" Crocodile frowned, seeking confirmation from Hawkeye.

"If there's no mistake, yes." Hawkeye nodded. "I never expected Michael to be this… unconventional."

"Tch, that old man Whitebeard really has lost his edge…"

Though Crocodile was now firmly on Michael's side, deep down, she still held a bit of respect for the 'World's Strongest Man'.

"Who are you saying has lost his edge?!"

"It's called 'the wise adapt to circumstances'!"

"After all, the one he's facing is none other than your beloved Vice Admiral Michael!"

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