With the boss's assurance, the Flying Sky Pirates' crew charged at Chronos like they were on steroids. They all ditched their original opponents—some of them even dragging themselves across the ground after being knocked down by the Roger Pirates—just to get to him.
"Captain Rayleigh, you have to protect me!"
Chronos, who had just finished off a half-dead enemy, saw a wave of red-eyed lunatics rushing toward him. Without hesitation, he pulled out his trump card—calling for backup.
Rayleigh glanced at him wearily. It's your own little brother—deal with him yourself. He raised a hand, and a powerful slash of sword aura exploded among the crowd, barely keeping Chronos safe.
Meanwhile, far from the New World—Marine Headquarters, Marineford
The current Fleet Admiral, Kong, had a rare moment of peace. He pulled out two old photos of women from his chest pocket, gazing at them with deep nostalgia.
The women in the photos had completely different styles—one carried a heroic elegance, while the other had a charming, innocent beauty.
Back in the day, he had been the most handsome young man in ten towns.
After falling in love with one of the women, he drank a little too much on a mission… and ended up developing a "more than friends" relationship with the other.
Eventually, the truth came out, and both women left him.
"Sigh…"
Kong let out a long sigh. He was never the same pure-hearted man after that.
BANG!
"Fleet Admiral! The Golden Lion Pirates and Roger Pirates have started fighting!"
SHWIP!
Kong swiftly hid the two photos.
No one could ever find out that he was the scumbag who dated both of the Navy's top beauties. Fortunately, most who knew had either aged out, retired, or been reassigned to guard remote ponds...
"Karp, you bastard! Why do you never knock before entering my office? Lieutenant! Deduct the cost of the broken door from Karp's hero stipend—same as always!"
Kong didn't even look back as he barked out orders. At this point, only that thick-skinned Karp would dare kick down the Fleet Admiral's door.
If Karp hadn't taken down Rocks back in God Valley, earning enough merit to last ten lifetimes, Kong would've sent this guy packing long ago.
"Haha! Fleet Admiral, don't sweat the details. Just give the order—I'm all set!"
Karp, in his prime, casually dug his nose and flicked a dark clump of gunk right into Kong's teacup.
"…We'll wait until Sengoku and Tsuru arrive first."
Kong held back his disgust, resisting the urge to punch him. As much as he wanted to, he wasn't sure he could win against this "junior admiral" in front of him.
"Fleet Admiral, don't you know victory favors speed? By the time Sengoku gets here, Roger'll be long gone. I'm heading out!"
Before Kong could respond, Karp strolled right out of the office.
"YOU BASTARD!!"
"Chicken-slaying—mmph!"
"Chronos, can you please shut up for a sec?!"
Chronos had just finished off a pirate that Rayleigh had missed and was about to brag about his deadly sword skills when Buggy clamped a hand over his mouth.
Buggy was on the verge of tears. Running into the Golden Lion, one of the most ruthless pirates around, was already a nightmare. But this idiot just had to yank the lion's whiskers. Fine if you want to die—but don't drag me down with you!
"Buggy, you don't get it! I'm pulling aggro! The more I attract them, the less pressure there is on Rayleigh!"
"Who the hell just hit me?! I swear, I curse his neighbor to forever be named Wang…"
Chronos had barely finished speaking before getting smacked by a spiked club. Thankfully, it wasn't from that Kaido.
"You okay, Chronos?"
Shanks rushed over after finishing off a wounded enemy, concerned for his friend.
He had just seen Chronos take several slashes from some random pirates.
"I'm fine. Stay away from me! You should stick with Jabba. I'll keep pulling the mobs!"
Seeing his close friends rush to him, Chronos naturally couldn't back down. If he acted like useless Buggy, how could he ever become a real boss?
Even though he was bleeding heavily from multiple cuts, Chronos didn't feel tired at all. In fact, he felt strangely energized. As long as the Golden Lion didn't target him directly, even if the rest of the Flying Sky Pirates each slashed him once, he probably wouldn't die.
What Chronos didn't see was that a deep wound on his back had already stopped bleeding—and was scabbing over rapidly.
"How are you holding up, Chronos?"
Rayleigh looked at the blood-soaked Chronos, whose glasses were stained red and body drenched like he had bathed in blood. Despite his sharp tongue and cheeky attitude, this kid was brave—he'd stuck by Rayleigh's side the entire fight, slaying enemies without hesitation. Not like Buggy, who was now pretending to be dead after smearing blood on his face.
As long as this kid survives the rookie phase, he's got real potential.
"Vice-Captain, who do you think I am? I'm Marshall D. Chronos! Attacks like these? They can keep hacking away for three more days and I'd still be standing!"
Chronos slashed down another pirate that Rayleigh had left half-dead and declared confidently. Although he had taken a beating, his body felt strangely fine. He didn't have time to figure out why, but maybe it was fate's way of compensating the most miserable transmigrator ever.
"Haha! Well said, Chronos! One day, I'll personally teach you Armament Haki!"
Jabba, cutting his way through from the other side, gave Chronos a big thumbs-up. Among the interns, Shanks was already leaning on his sword, panting, and Buggy was still lying on the ground. But this kid? He still had energy to argue with Rayleigh!
I knew it! I've always said this kid had promise.