Onboard the First Division's main battleship, the newly constructed New Mammoth, a portal opened, and a figure stepped through.

The original Mammoth, the flagship of the First Division, had been destroyed in the battle against Kaido. This new vessel had been built afterward—crafted by shipwrights from Sky Island. In addition to the traditional seafaring sails of the Blue Sea, this massive warship was powered by the exclusive Dials of Sky Island, allowing it to sail even without wind—or directly against it.

It boasted many other unique Sky Island features as well. For instance, mounted along its sides were large-scale Flaming Dials, capable of unleashing devastating bursts of flame. However, today, those weapons wouldn't see any action—at least, not yet.

Now, aboard the New Mammoth, every member of the First Division stood ready for battle. Their faces were marked by a feral bloodlust, a chilling hunger for war.

After their cataclysmic clash with Kaido, Jack's original First Division had nearly been wiped out. Of the five thousand warriors, only a few hundred had survived—and even they were all wounded.

But these survivors were the elite of the elite. To survive a battle against Kaido was proof enough of their monstrous endurance and strength. In the months that followed, Jack and Sol reorganized the First Division with these veterans as its core. They then recruited new soldiers from across their territories. In just half a year, the First Division had once again grown to a force of around three thousand.

And with the veterans leading them, even though their numbers had shrunk, their combat power wasn't the least bit inferior to the former force.

From the shimmering space tunnel stepped none other than Bins.

"Captain Jack," Bins reported, "all security around the pillbox vault has been cleared. His Majesty has given the order: the First Division is authorized to commence action. Your mission—seize the largest weapons depot of Marine Headquarters!"

As he spoke, Bins handed over a mission directive, bearing Rosinante's personal signature.

Now that the Grey Kingdom had its own military structure, each division operated under its own captain, with vice-captains managing discipline and training. Rosinante normally didn't interfere in their internal affairs. He only assumed command when the divisions fought in concert.

And when issuing concrete combat orders, he always signed them personally—a command no one in the Grey Kingdom could defy. The directive embodied Rosinante's absolute authority. Any disobedience, unless from a captain or vice-captain, could be met with immediate judgment by the BloodSworn Guards.

Even division leaders and their vice-captains weren't immune. If the situation warranted it, the BloodSworn Guards could detain them, leaving final judgment to Rosinante.

Jack took the directive but didn't even bother to glance at it. Instead, he handed it to Sol behind him.

"Finally... a real battle," Jack grinned savagely. "And against Marine Headquarters, no less. I've been itching for this."

"Alright, boys—let's go crash their little party at Marine HQ!"

"Yeah!!" the warriors of the First Division roared in unison.

"Open the wormhole," Jack ordered.

"Understood!" Bins replied.

He pressed his hand against a tall mirror that the First Division had long prepared in advance. The mirror shimmered, turning transparent and hollow.

"The portal is open. Maintain communication. If danger arises, we'll deploy immediate support and begin extraction procedures," Bins said.

"Talk to Sol about all that. Don't bother me with logistics—I just wanna enjoy the fight," Jack said, already striding into the wormhole.

Sol gave Bins a helpless shrug. "You'd better coordinate with me. Once Captain Jack starts fighting, he forgets everything else."

"Got it," Bins nodded.

"Once you're through, let me know. I'll close the portal on this end to prevent enemies from sneaking onto Sky Island through it."

"Understood," Sol replied.

"Then I'll report back to His Majesty. Contact me if anything changes," Bins said with a nod.

"Give His Majesty my regards," Sol responded.

Bins nodded once more, then stepped into another wormhole and disappeared.

"Kill every last one of them!" Jack's voice rang out. "His Majesty's orders are to take the weapons depot. But my orders to you—raise hell after we take it! We don't get many chances to storm Marine HQ. Let's make it count!"

"Kill!!" The First Division let out thunderous cheers as they charged toward the armory.

"Who goes there?!" The rear admiral of Marine Headquarters, responsible for guarding the ammunition depot, was stunned by the sudden assault. He rallied the stationed marines and rushed out.

"Get lost!" Jack roared. With a single swipe of his massive hand, he grabbed the rear admiral by the face. Effortlessly lifting the man, Jack slammed his head hard into the ground.

After two years of warfare and training on Sky Island—especially his battle with Kaido—Jack's power had soared. He now stood at the level of a top-tier Vice Admiral. That rear admiral never stood a chance.

"CHARGE!!" Seeing their captain crush a Marine officer in a single move, the soldiers of the First Division let out a bloodthirsty roar and surged toward the armory.

Within moments, chaos erupted as marines and First Division soldiers clashed in a brutal melee.

Typically, a captain would command and coordinate the battlefield. But in the First Division, Jack only cared about fighting—leaving the actual command to his vice-captain, Sol.

...

"Your Majesty, the First Division has launched its assault. They're attacking Target One—the largest weapons depot at Marine Headquarters. But…" Bins's image appeared from a portal as he spoke.

"Your coffee, Your Majesty," said Shaxia in a maid's uniform as she gently placed a cup beside Rosinante.

"What about it?" Rosinante asked, sipping his coffee.

"Well, Captain Jack doesn't seem to care much for your specific orders. He's more interested in wreaking havoc at Marine HQ. Could this affect our broader plan?"

"No need to worry about him," Rosinante replied calmly. "Those captains and vice-captains have always been a rebellious bunch. They're used to their freedom. As long as they accomplish the missions I give them, there's no need to micromanage. Too much restriction would only backfire. That's why I gave you all the authority to execute any soldier below the rank of captain or vice-captain."

"But Your Majesty," Shaxia asked, "aren't you afraid that giving them such total freedom could lead to rebellion?"

"Rebellion?" Rosinante chuckled. "Not with Silent Wounds monitoring them from the shadows. Besides, I've already given them more freedom than anyone else ever would. All I ask in return is that they complete their missions. If, after all that, they still rebel… then it only means they think I'm not strong enough. And if that day comes, I'll personally show them why I rule this kingdom—the hard way."

Rosinante had never been the type to handle petty administration. His experience in the Kingdom of Joromia had taught him how overwhelming even a small nation's governance could be. If he had to deal with the paperwork of a full empire or massive pirate organization day in and day out, he'd rather just die.

He didn't build this empire to get buried in bureaucracy. He wanted to live freely, without restraint. So he adopted a laissez-faire approach with his divisions.

Thankfully, the nation he built was a pirate kingdom—each vassal state had its own system. He didn't need to intervene in their internal affairs. All the Grey Kingdom had to do was collect annual tribute, maintain sovereignty over its territories, and protect its allies from outside threats.

The tasks of defense and recruitment were left to the BloodSworn Guard and the various divisions. Rosinante only needed to preside over the yearly tribute ceremony. Aside from that, he could do as he pleased.

In a world ruled by strength, the best part was—if you were strong enough, no one beneath you dared rebel.

"Since the First Division has begun," Rosinante said, setting down his cup, "let the other divisions begin as well."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Bins answered, and immediately set things in motion.