As expected, it's Kong!
Seeing the text on the system panel, Magnus wasn't surprised at all.
To the Marines, this was a critical point in time.
The older generation of admirals had yet to retire, while newcomers like Kong already possessed taishou-kyuu (admiral-level) combat strength and could take over at any moment.
Including the Fleet Admiral, there were currently six individuals with taishou-kyuu strength openly known to the world: two veteran admirals, one new admiral, one admiral candidate, and a semi-retired former admiral now serving as a Marine staff officer.
The system indicated Kong was approaching, but that didn't mean the Marines would send only one powerhouse. It could very well be two.
"Ripley, Rocks, Newgate! Stop training! We've got work!"
Magnus's voice was loud enough to be heard beyond the villa.
Ripley, in her giant form dodging attacks from Rocks and Newgate, turned her head—only to be kicked in the knee by Rocks.
Seeing Rocks launch a sneak attack, Ripley was furious. She raised her palm, but Rocks had already escaped using Soru (Shave), leaving only Newgate standing dumbfounded.
Dust filled the villa's yard.
Rocks, who had dashed into the house, flashed a mischievous grin—only to be kicked in the rear by Magnus.
"Stop bullying Newgate."
"I'm not bullying him!" Rocks pouted and looked outside. "I'm helping him unlock his potential."
The chaotic brawl between Ripley, Rocks, and Newgate was really training: Ripley fought Rocks without using Busoushoku Haki (Armament Haki), Newgate dodged their collateral damage.
Ripley was training her Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki).
Rocks aimed to master Busoushoku.
Newgate was trying to grasp the Rokushiki (Six Powers), pushing past his own limits.
After some time, Magnus noticed Newgate wasn't suited for Rokushiki; his progress lagged behind Rocks considerably.
However, there were signs of early awakening in his Busoushoku Haki.
Considering Newgate's future weapon would be a naginata (glaive)...
"No more training for now. Rest up. The Navy's probably coming."
"Yep. We robbed the Celestial Dragons of their Heavenly Tribute. The World Government won't let it slide. They'll send the Marines to capture us."
Magnus glanced at Stussy, who stood behind the door, and grinned.
"You can still make it back to the clinic, you know."
"W-Who wants to go back!?"
She had finally built a connection with the White Wolf Pirates under the guise of changing bandages. If she ran now, all that effort would be wasted.
"I want to join the White Wolf Pirates!"
"Why!?" Stussy glared at Magnus.
"Doesn't your crew need a doctor?"
"Yes. But not a quack."
Magnus looked at her with disinterest. If she had even half the skill of her mentor, Doctor Goat, he might consider letting her onboard.
But she wasn't even close—let alone to the old woman who used to be their ship doctor.
Stussy gritted her teeth in anger. She truly had studied medicine diligently under Doctor Goat, even if it was just to latch onto someone powerful.
She may not have reached Doctor Goat's level, but as an ordinary doctor, she was definitely qualified.
Is this old man blind?
Stussy subtly adjusted her heavy chest, then peeked at her own plump, seductive curves. Doubt flickered in her eyes.
This foolish woman...
Thanks to his Kenbunshoku Haki, Magnus easily picked up on her suspicious glance. His lip twitched.
Did she really think he was that old?
Even though he was technically seventy-one, his body had not only stopped aging—it was getting younger. He had fully returned to his prime and was still improving.
He simply had no interest in minors.
Despite her mature figure, Stussy was just two years older than Newgate.
Newgate was fourteen in sui-sai (East Blue age system), technically thirteen.
Stussy was fifteen—still a high schooler.
How could he possibly lay a hand on her?
"If you truly want to join the White Wolf Pirates, study hard under your mentor. Stop hovering around me."
Magnus said grumpily.
"If you can reach even half her level, then we'll talk about joining."
If she achieved that much, she'd practically be a famous doctor already. Given her young age and potential, Magnus wouldn't mind giving her the medical books Kureha left behind.
Hearing Magnus's words, Stussy's eyes lit up with energy.
Watching her rush off excitedly, Magnus rubbed his chin.
He said "join the crew," not "join the bed."
Those words sounded completely different in this world's language. Surely she wouldn't confuse them... right?
A flash of awareness hit him. With his enhanced Kenbunshoku Haki, Magnus could now sense nearly the entire island.
And he was standing at the edge.
So he picked up on two extraordinarily strong auras slowly approaching.
"Ripley, Rocks, come with me to the port. Newgate, hide the kids. If things get chaotic, treat anyone not on our side as an enemy and cut them down!"
Ripley and Rocks were ready enough to face the big stage. Newgate still needed time.
Magnus shot toward the port.
At that moment, chaos erupted across the harbor.
Just as Magnus sensed the enemies, pirates standing on the lookout tower also spotted Marine flags.
"It's the Navy! The Navy is here!"
"How many? What's their number!?"
"They're definitely here for White Wolf Magnus. We can't fight this. Let's run before we're caught up!"
The pirates had no intention of dying alongside the White Wolf Pirates. Sphinx had been "besieged" before, and they always managed to escape.
They assumed it would be the same this time.
Until news came in from all around the island—
Seven massive Marine battleships. Fifteen large warships.
Every possible escape route from Sphinx had been blocked by the Navy.
Sphinx was completely surrounded!
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