Chapter 49 New World Challenges

As the pirates sank into the sea, Satoru swiftly left the scene, leaving behind a trail of destruction. He had no illusions about their lives—if they were fortunate enough to survive, it could only mean their lives had been too easy.

Upon returning to the warship, Satoru was met with looks of admiration from the sailors. Their respect was evident; they recognized his strength and accomplishments, something that could only be earned by the truly powerful.

After their investigation, the pirates' identity was revealed. They were the Scorpion Pirates, with a bounty of 390 million Berries. Despite their strength, they were wiped out in less than a minute by the young admiral. The speed and precision of Satoru's actions stunned everyone.

Yellow Ape's voice cut through the silence. "Your strength is terrifying. You just took down a sea thief with a bounty that high so easily. I couldn't do that at your age." His tone was somewhat sarcastic, but the praise was clear.

Satoru, unfazed, replied, "It was just a clever tactic. I destroyed their ship, leaving them stranded in the sea—most of them can't even fight back after that."

Yellow Ape nodded in acknowledgment. "Victory is victory, no matter how you achieve it. In the end, it minimizes sacrifice. It's something we all learn to do, even if the history books won't say it."

Chris, who had been watching, cheered for Satoru's growth. "You're getting stronger every day! I'm so proud of you!"

"I've always been strong," Satoru responded, "just waiting for the right moment to show it."

As the warship neared the G8 base, Yellow Ape offered some advice. "These soldiers can be tough, short-tempered, and unruly. Be prepared to deal with them if you want to keep command."

Satoru grinned. "That sounds perfect. It'll be fun training them."

Yellow Ape stepped back, unsure whether to be relieved or worried at Satoru's enthusiasm. "Is he... a psychopath?" he thought, observing the unsettling smile on Satoru's face.

Upon reaching the base, Satoru was met by a lineup of soldiers at the port, waiting to greet their new commander. He could feel the intensity in their stances—these were warriors forged through countless battles.

"Hello everyone, I'm your new commander," Satoru announced, his voice commanding yet calm. But when the soldiers saw the young boy standing before them, their faces twisted into expressions of disbelief and contempt.

The youngest commander? They had expected someone more formidable. Yet, they didn't dare openly disrespect him.

Satoru, unfazed by their reactions, smiled. "A proper greeting is expected when we meet for the first time, don't you think?"

In an instant, a pressure unlike anything they had ever felt radiated from Satoru's body. The soldiers froze, their faces paling as they felt the overwhelming presence of his will. Even Yellow Ape, watching from the sidelines, was stunned.

"Is that... Conqueror's Haki?" the Yellow Ape thought, shocked by the sheer intensity of the domineering force emanating from Satoru. It was an ability that few possessed, and yet Satoru seemed to have mastered it effortlessly.

The soldiers were visibly shaken, no longer daring to mock the boy before them. Instead, they were forced to acknowledge the immense power that radiated from him.

Satoru's smirk widened as he surveyed the soldiers. "Now that you understand the power that commands you, let's begin."