I choose a C ranked hero in another world, I was mocked online

Chapter 204: A Surge in Strength and the Start of the Summit War!

"Oh?"

Hearing Chen Ye's statement, Qin Muyin's curiosity only deepened.

"Is there a story behind our target this time?"

"Of course, there's a story!" Chen Ye replied with a smile.

"He's quite the familiar face among the upper echelons."

"Is that so?" Qin Muyin asked, intrigued.

"Chen Ye, it seems like you've already figured out the target's background. Tell me about it!"

Chen Ye nodded and began to explain.

"Based on the intel I've gathered, Zefyr was the previous Marine Admiral, a contemporary of Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Iron Fist Garp. They were close friends. Moreover, Admirals Akainu and Kizaru were once Zefyr's students."

"To put it bluntly, nearly all of the current Marine leadership has a special connection with him. That's why a mission like this has fallen to us."

Qin Muyin was shocked.

Who would've thought that Zefyr, their mission target, had such a storied past?

"Then how did he fall out with Sengoku and the others, ending up as the leader of such a fringe group as the 'NEO Marines'? And why would he go so far as to plot the destruction of the world? Was he treated unfairly?"

"That… I'm not entirely sure."

Chen Ye was honest; he didn't know.

According to the original storyline, Zefyr had left the Marines after the Summit War. The events involving Zefyr and Luffy in the movie storyline also occurred after the Summit War.

But now, the timeline had shifted.

Zefyr had left the Marines less than six months ago and was already contemplating world destruction...

Chen Ye speculated that this change might also be related to Admiral Aokiji's downfall.

Zefyr was a straightforward person who couldn't tolerate injustice. Aokiji had been his prized student, and the two shared a strong bond (in the original storyline, Aokiji buried Zefyr after his death).

Hearing news of Aokiji's death would undoubtedly have enraged Zefyr, likely driving him to seek immediate vengeance.

However, the Marine leadership, aiming to maintain stability, had merely issued a bounty for the culprit rather than avenging Aokiji immediately.

Rushing into action without understanding the enemy's strength would have been reckless, but this decision likely caused a rift between Zefyr and the Marine leaders, ultimately leading to his departure.

Without exaggeration, Aokiji's death had already altered the trajectory of the pirate world's storyline…

"Is this Zefyr really that strong?" Qin Muyin asked.

Chen Ye thought for a moment and replied, "He's formidable, but with the two of us, it shouldn't be a problem.

The real concern is one of Zefyr's female students. There's a girl named Ain with the power of the Return-Return Fruit.

If her energy hits you, your age will regress by ten years."

"Oh? Such an ability exists?"

Qin Muyin's eyes lit up, and she asked, "If my age regresses by ten years, would it affect my current strength?"

Chen Ye broke into a sweat.

"Sister Qin, you're not thinking about getting hit on purpose, are you? If she loses control, you could end up as a child—or worse, vanish entirely!

Besides, her ability is easy to counter. If she's defeated or her state falters, her powers might deactivate, and there could be unknown side effects."

"I see..."

Qin Muyin looked visibly disappointed.

At 29, she couldn't help but yearn to be ten years younger…

She then changed the subject.

"The information from Fleet Admiral Sengoku came from a mole within Zefyr's subordinates. Is it reliable?"

"It should be."

Chen Ye seemed to recall something and added, "By the way, Sister Qin, regarding this mission—though Fleet Admiral Sengoku said to capture Zefyr alive, it's actually better if he dies.

As for his subordinates, we can take them in and reinforce your team."

Qin Muyin wasn't naïve and quickly understood Chen Ye's implications.

"You're saying… someone doesn't want Zefyr to return alive?"

Chen Ye nodded.

"Given Zefyr's reputation and past status, even Sengoku would hesitate to punish him harshly, fearing the backlash.

Executing him would seem heartless and could alienate the older Marines.

On the other hand, imprisoning him would put Akainu and Kizaru in a difficult position—they are, after all, his students.

Could they really watch their teacher be jailed?"

"If Zefyr were to return alive, it would be an embarrassment for everyone involved.

A noble death in battle is the best outcome for him."

The mission, including travel time, took just one week.

One week later, the warship returned to Marine Headquarters.

With Admiral Blue Eagle and Vice Admiral Honey Badger leading the charge, the mission was relatively successful.

Zefyr was indeed strong.

However, in terms of power, speed, and defense, Chen Ye easily outmatched him.

Even Zefyr's powerful Armament Haki (his arm was still intact) and Seastone weapons were useless against Chen Ye.

After all, Chen Ye wasn't a Devil Fruit user.

As for Zefyr's two students and subordinates, Qin Muyin's telekinesis easily subdued and controlled them.

The only hiccup in the mission was that, although Sengoku had ordered Zefyr be captured alive, Zefyr ultimately died—not in battle, but by his own hand.

Realizing his plan had failed and that he was no match for Chen Ye, Zefyr chose to end his life.

Before his death, he entrusted his two students and subordinates to Admiral Qin Muyin.

He made this decision because Chen Ye personally promised to avenge Admiral Aokiji.

Although the mission didn't conclude perfectly, no one in the Marines blamed Qin Muyin.

On the contrary, they treated her with newfound respect, solidifying her position as a Marine Admiral.

Upon hearing of Zefyr's death, Sengoku merely sighed in sorrow.

When he learned that Qin Muyin wanted to craft Seastone weapons, he even rewarded her with a batch of Seastone.

How utterly practical!

Time passed swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had gone by.

Calculating the time, it had already been a full year since Chen Ye and Sister Qin arrived in the Pirate World.

And then, this morning—

Just after waking up, Sister Qin received a notification from the secret realm:

Her first mission had been overachieved.

At the same time, her second mission was immediately issued.

Upon receiving the new mission, Sister Qin grabbed her Den Den Mushi to call Chen Ye without delay.

"Sister Qin? Calling me so early? What's up?"

The Den Den Mushi transformed to mimic Chen Ye's bald head, complete with a drowsy expression.

The likeness was uncanny.

Sister Qin, however, had no time to admire it. She went straight to the point.

"Chen Ye, come to my office. My new mission has arrived..."

Moments later, Chen Ye yawned as he walked into Sister Qin's office.

"Sister Qin, what's the new mission?"

Sister Qin first unleashed her telekinetic power, forming a barrier around them to prevent eavesdropping.

Only then did she speak.

"This time, there are two missions released simultaneously."

"My second mission is to ensure the Marines' victory in the Summit War."

"The third mission is to kill the heretic: Kawashima Nao!"

Hearing these tasks, Chen Ye was momentarily stunned.

The Marines had already been the victors in the original Summit War.

The Whitebeard Pirates were not only defeated but also suffered heavy losses.

Ace the Fire Fist had died, and Whitebeard himself had fallen in battle...

That had been the original storyline's outcome.

For the secret realm to issue this mission now, it suggested that something had changed.

As for the third mission...

A heretic being a "traveler"?

Then what about him and Sister Qin? Were they not heretics as well?

"Kawashima Nao—isn't she the one who killed Admiral Aokiji?" Sister Qin remarked.

"So, she's a heretic?"

Chen Ye's eyes narrowed at her words.

"Sister Qin, you know about heretics?"

"Of course!" Sister Qin nodded.

"Heretics are travelers from another world... Chen Ye, you'll encounter heretics yourself in upcoming secret realms."

This secret realm world was more intricate than he had anticipated.

"Chen Ye, I remember you had a feeling before—that we'd cross paths with Kawashima Nao. I didn't expect it to actually happen."

Sister Qin gave Chen Ye a curious look.

"Have you developed a danger-predicting ability like mine?"

"Uh... not really. Just a hunch."

Sensing that Chen Ye didn't want to elaborate, Sister Qin didn't press further.

Instead, she shifted the conversation back to the second mission.

"So, what exactly does the Summit War entail?"

Chen Ye was about to explain when—

Knock, knock, knock!

A knocking sound came from the door.

Sister Qin's telekinetic barrier prevented any sound from leaking out but allowed external noises to enter—a rather ingenious setup.

The two immediately stopped their discussion.

As Sister Qin dispelled the barrier, she called out, "Come in."

At the door, a Marine soldier entered and saluted the two.

"Admiral Blue Eagle, Vice Admiral Honey Badger, there's an emergency meeting. The Fleet Admiral requires your immediate attendance."

"Oh?"

Sister Qin was momentarily surprised but quickly replied, "Understood. We'll head there right away."

The Marine soldier saluted again upon hearing the response and then turned to leave.

As soon as the soldier was gone, Qin Muyin instinctively turned to Chen Ye for his thoughts.

"Chen Ye, what do you think Fleet Admiral Sengoku suddenly calling us for a meeting is all about?"

Chen Ye's heart skipped a beat.

He had a hunch it was related to the Summit War.

But he couldn't voice his guess.

Qin Muyin wasn't foolish.

One slip of the tongue could expose his identity as a traveler.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Qin Muyin, but explaining such a thing would be far too troublesome.

It was easier to keep it a secret.

"We'll find out when we get there," Chen Ye replied calmly.

The two wasted no time and made their way to the Fleet Admiral's office.

Shortly after—

In a spacious meeting room, nearly all Marine high-ranking officers had gathered.

Most wore curious expressions, unsure why such an urgent meeting had been called so early in the morning.

The only exception was Garp, whose face was clouded with displeasure.

When everyone was present, Fleet Admiral Sengoku glanced at Garp before addressing the room.

"I've called this meeting because I've received word that last night, Fire Fist Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, was handed over to the World Government.

He's now being held in Impel Down."

The announcement left everyone in the room stunned.

Fire Fist Ace was indeed a famous pirate, but a mere division commander being captured hardly seemed reason enough for such a grand gathering.

Many turned puzzled gazes toward Sengoku.

Qin Muyin was among the confused.

Only Chen Ye's eyes flickered with understanding.

Knowing the plot, he realized that Fire Fist Ace's capture marked the beginning of the Summit War.

"Fleet Admiral, who was it that captured Fire Fist Ace?" someone asked out of curiosity.

"A pirate with the alias 'Blackbeard,' real name Marshall D. Teach.

He was formerly a member of the Whitebeard Pirates but defected," Sengoku replied.

The questioner exclaimed, "An internal conflict within the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"Not exactly. It was merely a fight over a Devil Fruit...

As expected, these pirates only have eyes for profit," Sengoku explained, his tone tinged with disdain.

As Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had access to many intelligence channels and naturally knew the details.

He continued, "Regardless, Blackbeard's act of handing over Fire Fist Ace has earned him merit.

Combined with his strength, the World Government has decided to appoint him as one of the new Warlords of the Sea, filling the vacancy left by Crocodile."

Crocodile, a former Warlord and wielder of the Sand-Sand Fruit, had recently been defeated by the protagonist Luffy and stripped of his title.

Hearing this, many silently committed Blackbeard's name to memory.

Although the Warlords were pirates, they were nominally considered allies.

Encounters with them required restraint.

When no one else spoke, Sengoku dropped a bombshell:

"I've also received confirmation that Fire Fist Ace, whose real name is Portgas D. Ace, carries a sinful bloodline.

His true identity is the son of Gol D. Roger!"

At the mention of "Gol D. Roger," the entire room was thrown into shock.

Even Qin Muyin, well aware of the name's weight, couldn't hide her surprise.

It was no exaggeration to say that the current flood of pirates in the Grand Line was all because of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, and his parting words.

This was the man who had sparked the Great Pirate Era.

The room was filled with stunned silence, except for Chen Ye, who already knew the truth.

"I plan to publicly execute Fire Fist Ace in seven days," Sengoku declared grimly.

Garp's fists clenched tightly beside him.

None in the room were fools; they immediately grasped the implications of a public execution.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," someone voiced concern, "Fire Fist Ace is a division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Publicly executing him could provoke Whitebeard's wrath, possibly even war..."

"The decision to execute Ace publicly comes directly from the World Government," Sengoku replied sternly.

"The number of people turning to piracy is increasing rapidly.

This dangerous trend must be stopped immediately."

"The best way to curb it is with a resounding victory in a war that will shake the world, deterring those who might have thoughts of rebellion."

"Destroying an emperor-level pirate crew will send the message I intend."

Sengoku's gaze swept the room as he added, "Furthermore, the sinful bloodline must be eradicated entirely."

Hearing these words, those who had intended to voice objections fell silent.

With the World Government's backing, the decision was as good as set in stone.

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