It was the fifth day since Rhett Vane arrived at the Grand Tesoro. Today, he found himself on the exclusive golf course inside the glittering Golden City.

Golf wasn't something Vane had ever tried before, and frankly, it felt like a pastime reserved for nobles and the idle rich. There weren't many people here, only those who could afford the VIP access.

From a distance, Kalifa and Esdeath quietly observed.

For them, this life was temporary. In a few days, they'd leave this place behind. Kalifa dreamed of a peaceful, ordinary life. Esdeath, on the other hand, was determined to see Vane ascend to the very top. She wasn't content with ordinary — she wanted him to rule the world. The two women's desires couldn't have been more different.

Esdeath envisioned a future where the entire world knelt before Rhett Vane.

"I'll help him become the strongest, no matter what it takes," Esdeath muttered to herself, watching Vane swing the golf club. He was strikingly handsome, sometimes a little naive in her eyes, but more often mature and reliable.

"This kind of peaceful life isn't so bad," Kalifa sighed, resting her chin in her hand. "I don't know why everything always has to turn into blood and battles."

"Is that what happens when you stop being an agent? Girl with glasses, weren't you a Cipher Pol operative? Killing used to be nothing to you. Thinking about retiring now?" Esdeath scoffed, clearly unimpressed with Kalifa's sentimentality.

"You—!" Kalifa was annoyed but quickly brushed it off. "Forget it. I'm not arguing with you. Do whatever you like. I'll still support Vane-sama. Unlike you, torture freak."

The two women sat on a long bench beneath a parasol.

"Kalifa, what do you think — should we step in?"

"No. Vane-sama would be furious if we interfered without his say-so."

Their conversation was cut short when a third figure joined them on the bench. A mature, strikingly beautiful woman in a Marine Vice Admiral's coat.

It was Vice Admiral Gion — better known as Momousagi.

An elite female swordsman of the Navy Headquarters, some said she was strong enough to be considered a great swordsman in her own right.

"Who's that man?" Momousagi asked casually, sitting down without invitation, her eyes fixed on Vane, who was poised with the golf club.

"Who are you asking about?" Esdeath narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah, what business do you have, Vice Admiral?" Kalifa added, unflinching.

Neither of them was intimidated. If this Marine woman tried anything, they wouldn't hesitate to show her her place.

"That young man swinging the club." Momousagi gestured with a smile.

"My family," Esdeath answered with a dangerous grin, adjusting her hat. "Why? Want to know more about him?"

"Isn't he a pirate?"

"He is," Esdeath smirked. "I believe the world's calling him a Pirate Emperor now. What's it to you?"

"Are you threatening me?" Momousagi raised a brow.

"Should I be?" Esdeath's grin widened.

In truth, Momousagi believed neither of these women was a real threat to her. According to the Navy's intelligence, Kalifa was a former Cipher Pol agent with a combat power under 700 — hardly more than a Colonel in strength. And while information on Esdeath was scarce, Momousagi doubted she was stronger than a Vice Admiral.

She was badly mistaken.

In reality, Esdeath could crush her outright. Even Kalifa's ability to unleash 200 million volts of lightning made her far more dangerous than the Navy credited.

Momousagi didn't realize just how out of her depth she was.

"To be honest," Momousagi smiled coldly, "I wouldn't mind teaching you two a lesson myself."

"Oh? Navy, have you ever been a prisoner?" Esdeath taunted, tilting her head.

"Prisoner?" Momousagi scoffed. "You're dreaming."

"Hey, girl with glasses, don't we need a floor sweeper and toilet cleaner on our ship?" Esdeath asked Kalifa with mock seriousness.

Kalifa nodded with an evil grin. "Absolutely. It's getting tough keeping everything tidy by myself. Might as well grab a Marine to help out."

The two exchanged a sinister laugh.

Esdeath turned back to Momousagi. "So, what's your rank? Must be something high if you're strolling around here."

"Vice Admiral. Been one for years," Momousagi answered without hesitation.

"Hmm… how old are you then? Wouldn't want you overworking yourself scrubbing decks on our ship."

"Over thirty. Near forty. Strong enough that scrubbing the floor's nothing."

Kalifa stifled a laugh, and Esdeath smirked.

"Almost forty and you probably still single, huh? Poor thing," Esdeath taunted. "At that age, it's slim pickings out there. Looks like you'll be picking up leftovers for life."

Kalifa burst out laughing. Esdeath's venom was as sharp as ever.

Momousagi clenched her fist, but restrained herself. It wasn't proper for a Navy officer to lose her temper over childish provocations. Her true aim was to capture these two women and use them as leverage against Rhett Vane.

What Momousagi didn't know was that she'd severely underestimated her opponents.

Elsewhere, Vice Admiral Tokikake — was already positioned near Vane, casually playing golf. Tokikake, a wily old pervert, was one of the elite Vice Admirals, strong enough to be considered for Admiral promotion in the future. Both he and Momousagi were operating under orders.

Four days ago, the Navy's surveillance agents in Golden City confirmed Rhett Vane's presence. The Navy had since mobilized, and their main assault force would arrive within days.

Their plan was simple.

Capture Rhett Vane and his crew in one swift operation. This so-called "fifth Pirate Emperor" would be dragged down to the sixth floor of Impel Down, never to see daylight again.

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