One Piece: One Punch Man

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After wrapping up the matters involving Vergo, Byakuya set out to find Issho, only to discover that Zephyr was with him as well. 

Zephyr, the former Marine admiral, had earned the admiration of many for his deeds across the seas, Issho included. 

The respect Issho showed in their conversation was evident, while Zephyr, impressed by Issho's strength and similar age, praised him wholeheartedly. 

The two were chatting like old friends when Byakuya arrived.

"Zephyr-sensei, Mr. Issho," Byakuya greeted them.

Zephyr turned and chuckled, "Well if it isn't 'Admiral' Byakuya! What brings you here to visit two old men like us?"

Issho, hearing Zephyr's teasing tone, also broke into a smile. Ever since the footage of Byakuya's battle circulated across the seas, his name had gained widespread fame. 

Some even referred to him as the "fourth Marine admiral," given his daring clash with Night, a pirate with a 3.7 billion berry bounty, holding his ground in a confrontation. 

Such feats, in the eyes of many, were only achievable by someone of admiral-level strength.

On top of this, Sengoku had deliberately spread the news of Byakuya escaping an ambush by the Beasts Pirates and defeating two members of the Tobiroppo. 

To build Byakuya's reputation, Sengoku even credited Zephyr's contributions to Byakuya, something Zephyr fully supported without a hint of resentment. 

This dual narrative left an indelible impression on the world, making Byakuya's title widely recognized. The moniker "fourth Marine admiral" gained universal approval.

When Byakuya first heard about it, he found it amusing. "Great," he'd thought, "I'm now the fifth emperor of the sea and the fourth Marine admiral. Busy days ahead."

Hearing Zephyr's greeting, Byakuya sighed, "Sensei, please stop joking. I'm far from worthy of the admiral title right now."

Zephyr laughed. "Back when you graduated, you dared to tell me to demand the rank of admiral—or even fleet admiral—from Sengoku." 

"How is it that your courage has shrunk over the past year?"

"Given my current situation, the World Government would never agree to promote me to admiral," Byakuya replied.

Zephyr gave him a knowing smile. "Don't speak so soon. If that old fox Sengoku wants to groom you, he'll find a way to make it happen." 

"Among our generation of Marines, he was always the one with the craftiest schemes. That's how he became a fleet admiral."

Byakuya shrugged nonchalantly. "Well then, I'll wait and see what tricks Fleet Admiral Sengoku has up his sleeve."

Turning to Issho, Byakuya said, "Mr. Issho, I only have an open position for a Marine rear admiral at the moment. I hope you won't mind."

Issho smiled warmly. "I didn't join the Marines for rank or status, but to pursue my ideals." 

"Besides, being appointed as a rear admiral upon joining is already quite the privilege—far better than what you received when you started, Vice Admiral Byakuya."

Byakuya couldn't help but think how different the situation was from the original timeline, where Issho had joined as a Marine admiral right away. 

Still, he agreed that the rank of rear admiral was too low for Issho. Zephyr, standing nearby, expressed his dissatisfaction. 

"With Issho's strength, he's more than qualified to be an admiral. Rear admiral is an insult to his abilities." 

"Maybe I should talk to Sengoku and get him promoted to vice admiral at the very least."

Byakuya nodded. "I'll join you, Sensei."

Issho quickly waved them off. "No need, no need. I believe in your abilities, Vice Admiral Byakuya." 

"It won't be long before you become an admiral—or even the fleet admiral. When that happens, my rank will naturally rise as well. There's no rush."

Seeing that Issho was firm in his stance, both Byakuya and Zephyr dropped the matter.

The next day, at noon, the Marine ship escorting Doflamingo, led by Tsuru and Vice Admiral "Momousagi" Gion, was approaching G-5. 

Zephyr informed Byakuya and Issho of his plans to return to Marineford.

"Sensei, you're leaving so soon?" Byakuya asked.

"Can't be helped. That old goat Sengoku is rushing me. 

Besides, he's concerned about potential problems during the escort mission, so he wants me to accompany Tsuru and Gion back to headquarters."

Byakuya chuckled knowingly. That was typical of Sengoku. 

In the original timeline, the escort mission had indeed encountered unexpected trouble—the arrival of Jack the Drought, a man who brazenly attacked a convoy carrying Admiral Fujitora (Issho), Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and Vice Admiral Tsuru. 

Jack's suicidal assault led to his ship sinking and himself nearly dying, saved only by his Fish-Man lineage.

Whether the Beasts Pirates would attempt another attack this time was uncertain, but Byakuya remained vigilant. 

Together with Issho, Ain, and Tashigi, he escorted Zephyr to the base gate, where Fergus was bringing out a now-conscious Doflamingo.

Bound with Seastone cuffs, Doflamingo stepped out of the base, his sharp eyes catching sight of a corpse hanging above the gate.

The corpse, though scarred and exposed to the elements for days, was still recognizable in its general shape despite the face being indistinguishable. 

Doflamingo's instincts told him that the body was Vergo's. A wave of bitterness surged through him—he hadn't expected Vergo to meet such a gruesome end.

As the escort ship approached, Doflamingo, for once, spoke with a hint of pleading in his tone. 

"Vergo was planted in the Marines on my orders. Other than occasionally sending me information, he didn't do anything excessive." 

"Now that he's dead, can't you bury him—or even toss him into the sea? Just don't leave him like this."

Byakuya's response was laced with disdain. "Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?"

Infuriated, Doflamingo snapped, "Fine, fine, you've won this time. But as long as I'm alive, one day I'll kill you and hang you up there in his place!"

Byakuya sneered, pointing at Doflamingo. "Oh? Threatening me now, are you? Do you think I don't dare kill you right here and now?" His voice turned colder. 

"The fact that Vergo was your spy in the Marines came from your mouth. And now you're trying to play innocent? Say one more word, and I'll hang you right beside him."

Sensing Byakuya's growing anger, Zephyr quickly stepped in, grabbing Byakuya by the arm. 

"Byakuya, killing Doflamingo isn't worth it. Do you think he'll ever leave Impel Down once he's sent there?"

Doflamingo, realizing his outburst had been reckless, quickly lowered his head. He'd seen firsthand how ruthless Byakuya could be. 

If he pushed too far and Byakuya decided to kill him on the spot, his slim chances of making a comeback would vanish completely. 

Swallowing his pride, he remained silent, avoiding Byakuya's gaze. Thankfully, the escort ship soon docked at the harbor. 

Before Tsuru and Momousagi Gion could even disembark, Zephyr grabbed Doflamingo and leaped onto the ship in one swift motion. 

"Set course for Marine Headquarters immediately," he barked at the soldiers on board.

Zephyr's urgency wasn't without reason. He knew his pupil's temperament well. 

If Byakuya's anger flared further, killing Doflamingo might be a small matter, but the consequences for Byakuya's future would be severe. 

After all, the order to put Doflamingo on trial came directly from the Five Elders. 

If Doflamingo were to die at Byakuya's hands now, no amount of cunning from Sengoku would be enough to secure Byakuya's rise to fleet admiral.

Even Doflamingo himself seemed relieved when Zephyr swiftly removed him from Byakuya's proximity. For the first time in a while, he exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.

Tsuru, just emerging from the cabin with Gion, looked at Zephyr in surprise. 

"In such a rush? Gion and I haven't even disembarked yet. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the 'fourth admiral.'"

Zephyr waved dismissively. "Nothing much to see. Just a stubborn kid with a Lion's temper. We'd best head back to Marineford quickly before things take a turn."

While Tsuru and Zephyr chatted, Gion quietly scanned the harbor, her eyes searching for someone. 

When her gaze landed on Byakuya, his cold demeanor on full display, her eyes lit up. She murmured to herself, "Even colder in person than in the footage. How intriguing."

Under Zephyr's insistence, the escort ship left as quickly as it had arrived. 

Within moments, it was out of sight. Byakuya watched the ship vanish on the horizon and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Was that necessary? Did they think I was going to eat Doflamingo or something?"

Fergus, standing nearby, blurted out, "It wouldn't be impossible."

Realizing his mistake, Fergus immediately regretted his words. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he glanced nervously at Byakuya, who was now staring him down.

"What did you just say? I didn't quite catch that. Care to repeat yourself?" Byakuya's voice was icy.

Ferguson stammered, his face pale. "I-I said… my mouth slipped!"

Byakuya's expression softened as he patted Ferguson's shoulder repeatedly—each pat harder than the last until Fergus winced in pain. 

"Good. I think you're right."

Nearby, Ain and Tashigi couldn't hold back their laughter, covering their mouths to stifle their giggles. Even Issho, typically composed, was amused by the exchange.

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