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The sun was beginning its descent, casting an orange glow over the tumultuous sea, as Brontes returned, his silhouette outlined by the fading light.
In his formidable grip, he hauled the notorious Black Fox, whose face was marred by a massive fist mark.
The pirate's body bore the signs of a fierce electrical assault, his skin charred, eyes rolled back to reveal a ghostly white, while a steady stream of saliva dripped from his mouth. The Black Fox's infamous reign had come to an electrifying end.
The other Vice-Admirals, witnessing the scene, ceased their movements. It was a stark reminder of their overwhelming might—four of the Marine's finest against two pirates with bounties surpassing two hundred million was not a battle; it was a statement.
The Black Fox Pirates, along with their notorious counterparts, the Dagger Pirates and the Knight Pirates, had been subdued with a swift and decisive force.
The question of who had been pulling the strings behind these nefarious groups was now a mystery for the stone walls of Impel Down and the judicial halls of Enies Lobby to unravel. Perhaps within those confines, secrets would be pried from their lips.
With the pirate crews neutralized, Brontes made his way back to the two marine warships anchored in the rear. The skirmish there had also drawn to a close.
Casualties among the marines were present but minimal; the true threats had been quelled by Brontes' hand.
The supplies, critical to the Marine's normal operations, remained untouched, and the warships had suffered only superficial damage.
The captured pirates were now the responsibility of the personnel from G-1 base, who would oversee their transport, while Brontes and his team continued their mission to deliver supplies to G-2 base.
Upon reaching the dock, the figure of Garp awaited them. His presence was as commanding as the sea itself. As the warships made fast, Brontes oversaw the meticulous unloading of supplies.
...
"Good job, kid." Garp commended, his voice a deep rumble: "But we only snagged three of 'em, and one's already been snatched by the World Government's CP agents."
Brontes nodded, his expression unreadable. "We've secured our end as well. Vice-Admiral Feibo is en route to Marineford. They'll handle the details. The supplies are secure."
Garp clapped Brontes on the shoulder, a rare gesture of approval: "The base is yours now. I've got an old score to settle with Chinjao." He said loudly, his eyes alight with the thrill of the hunt. With that, he boarded his warship, his team in tow, and set sail in pursuit of his old rival.
Chinjao, the head of the once-feared Happo Navy, will soon be reduced to a shadow of his former self, his spirit will seemingly crushed by Garp's indomitable fists. Brontes could only offer a silent prayer for the old pirate.
With Garp's departure, the weight of command settled on Brontes' shoulders.
G-2 base was abuzz with activity, and there was much to be done. Orders from Marineford demanded his attention, and the internal affairs of the base now rested in his hands.
...
A few days after the confrontation, the waves of the Grand Line carried whispers of a legendary clash.
The news was as impactful as the strike that had reshaped a man's very skull: Chinjao had fallen. The once fearsome drill-head of the Happo Navy had been rendered a flattened remnant of his former glory by none other than Garp, the Fist.
With their leader's defeat, the Happo Navy retreated, their sails disappearing into the horizon of Kano Country.
Garp, true to his restless spirit, did not anchor himself to the duties awaiting at G-2 base. Instead, he let the sea's call guide him, his silhouette a constant blur on the ocean's vast canvas.
....
Six months had sailed by when the murmur of the Roger Pirates stirred the waters once more. Garp, with the title of acting commander of G-2 Base still tethered to his name, was out chasing the tides again.
Vice-Admiral Dis lounged on his sofa, his voice laced with irritation: "The Roger Pirates have been spotted? And Garp is leading a pursuit again. What is that bastard thinking?! He's supposed to be the acting commander of G-2 Base, and yet he's running all over the sea again."
Brontes, leaning against the wooden chair with a light chuckle, responded: "Don't you know his character? If he could sit still, he wouldn't be the Vice-Admiral Garp we know."
Dis, who held Brontes in high regard, often sought the comfort of his office for tea and conversation during quieter times: "That's true. If that guy could sit still and listen to orders, he'd probably be an Admiral by now. The sea's been calm lately, and the other Elite Camp graduates have been making waves of their own these past six months."
Brontes' thoughts drifted to his peers as Dis sipped his tea. Their batch was indeed remarkable.
Sakazuki stood out with a sterling record, having led a mission from G-1 base that saved a kingdom and wiped out several pirate crews. Yet, his disregard for civilian and even marine lives during missions cast a shadow over his accomplishments, earning him the disdain of the more moderate factions within the Marine.
Momonga and Comil had also carved their names into the annals of the Marine with their respective feats. Polusalino, under Sengoku's wing, was notching up political achievements and seemed poised for a stable future.
The other graduates were making their presence felt across the Grand Line and the four seas. The seeds sown by Zed's elite camp were now blossoming into a formidable force.
In this era of relative stability, the number of pirates had not surged, their presence mainly was in the New World, the domain of the Overlords.
Pirates rarely sought conflict with the Marine, their motivations as varied as the stars—freedom, power, wealth.
Engaging the Marine brought no benefit, and thus, it was the Marine who often initiated confrontations.
G-2 Base, under Brontes' watchful eye, had not been idle. Patrols were dispatched with regularity, and the training of its soldiers was intensified.
Reports of pirate incursions rippled across the world daily, a relentless tide of lawlessness and ambition.
The World Government and the Marine, however, stood as selective sentinels, their protection extended only to those nations that lined their coffers with the so-called "Heavenly Tribute."
Those unable or unwilling to pay found themselves adrift, their cries for help lost in the vastness of the sea, their lands deemed lawless zones by the very force meant to protect them.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are bolstering their ranks with youths. The entire crew's might seems to hinge solely on Whitebeard himself. Meanwhile, the Golden Lion Pirates are on the prowl, their influence spreading like wildfire in the New World. Shiki is a man to be wary of." Vice-Admiral Dis remarked, his tone laced with gravity.
Brontes nodded in agreement: "Yes, Shiki's actions have indeed drawn eyes, and now he finds himself contending with powerful opponents beyond us."
Dis exhaled deeply, the weight of his thoughts evident: "These days of calm are a rare gift. If only it could remain so. Pirates are the scourge that the world needs to cleanse."
"Where there's an ocean, there will be pirates. For some, it's a path forced upon them; for others, a choice to sow chaos." Brontes replied.
Dis looked at him, a playful smile in his eyes: "Do you plan to set sail yourself? You've been anchored to this desk for half a year. Your fellow elite camp graduates are carving their legacies upon the sea, yet you, their presumed leader, are buried in paperwork."
Brontes shrugged, a wry smile on his face: "Garp-san has bequeathed his duties to me and set off to the sea, as is his wont. I've scarcely had a moment's rest. A voyage might indeed be a welcome respite. Besides, I can already hear the World Government's criticism of a fortress that's all pomp and no plunder."
"They're always quick to judge. Pay them no mind." Dis replied, his voice tinged with resignation.
Brontes stood up, resolve firming his stance: "Then it's settled. I'll take to the sea. The base is in your hands, Dis-san."
Dis nodded, with a wide smile: "Go. The sea is a young man's game, and with your strength, it's a shame not to have you out there, reeling in the rogues."
Brontes' eyes sparkled with anticipation: "There's fresh intelligence from G-1 Base. It seems we have a prime opportunity to bring down a formidable pirate."
"The Red-Fox Pirates? That captain is a formidable pirate. Her Devil Fruit powers are not to be underestimated." Dis warned.
Brontes' chuckle was light, yet it carried the thrill of the challenge: "All the more reason to look forward to the encounter."
With a confident stride, he donned his coat and stepped out of the office.