Chapter 222: Chapter 221: The Warring States Vomit Blood (Part 1)
"All naval officers, huh? As expected of the navy." Watching six naval officers use Geppo to approach him, Daniel Davis couldn't help but smile.
Among the six, there was one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, and three majors. As elite subordinates under the command of the elite Vice Admiral Weasel, it was no surprise that they were all skilled. Generally, someone of Weasel's rank wouldn't have recruits under their command; the lowest-ranking personnel would at least be sergeants.
Of course, this doesn't include the crew members who handle miscellaneous tasks on the warship.
The navy's ranks, from lowest to highest, start with Seaman Recruit, Seaman Apprentice, Seaman, Petty Officer Third Class, Petty Officer Second Class, and Petty Officer First Class. These are considered soldier ranks. Above them are the officers, starting from ensign, lieutenant, commander, and then admiralty. However, there is no rank of general among the admirals; the highest rank is Admiral. This means that under normal circumstances, an individual can only be promoted up to Vice Admiral based on merit.
The position of Admiral is not awarded based on merit alone; strength is the primary criterion for this rank.
"Rankyaku." Facing the three navy officers charging at him in a fan-shaped formation—one colonel and two lieutenant colonels—Daniel Davis lifted his right leg, sending a large, crescent-shaped air blade toward them.
As the air blade approached, the three officers raised their swords to meet the attack. The colonel, being the first to face the air blade, had his weapon, hardened with Armament Haki, immediately shatter upon contact. The blade cut deeply into his chest, scattering blood in all directions, before his body plummeted to the ground.
The impact on the two lieutenant colonels was less severe, as the colonel had absorbed the brunt of the attack. Though they managed to block the air blade, the powerful force behind it sent them flying backward more than ten meters.
"Go back and tell those World Government lapdogs that I will expose their true faces." Looking at the two lieutenant colonels who had fallen and the three majors retrieving Vice Admiral Weasel's body, Daniel Davis left this parting message before using Geppo to leave.
Though it would have been easy for Daniel Davis to kill everyone aboard the warship, doing so would mean his words to Vice Admiral Weasel would go unreported. And he was curious to see the reactions of Sengoku, Garp, and the three Admirals to his message. Even though this idea came to him on the spot during his confrontation with Weasel, he couldn't help but admire his own quick thinking. Coming from someone else, these words might only anger Sengoku and the others. But coming from Daniel Davis, they were bound to provoke a much stronger reaction, possibly even causing Sengoku and others to vomit blood in anger.
With these thoughts in mind, Daniel Davis opened the Gate of Secrets and returned to his secret base in the Calm Belt after leaving the small island.
This secret base was on an uninhabited island in the Calm Belt, a remote location that people generally avoid. The dangerous animals on the island had all been cleared, leaving only harmless creatures. The island, complete with a beach and villa, could be considered a private luxury estate in the Marvel universe. Now, he was a man with a private beach.
"I wonder what the navy's reaction will be if this information gets out. From Weasel's previous reaction, I can't wait to find out." With this thought, Daniel Davis instructed Red Queen to execute his plan.
Having graduated from nine years of compulsory education in China, Daniel Davis might not be outstanding, but he knew a thing or two.
"I hope you don't blame me, Sengoku, Garp, Kizaru, Aokiji, Akainu." He muttered with a strange smile on his face.
In modern society, the best tool for destroying someone's reputation is exposure on the internet. While such technology wasn't available in the world of pirates, Daniel Davis had another method: pamphlets.
The Gate of Secrets from Kamar-Taj, when used correctly, could destroy someone without shedding a drop of blood. Although smearing Sengoku and Garp's reputation made Daniel Davis feel a bit guilty, he quickly dismissed this feeling when he thought about the actions of the Celestial Dragons.
Daniel Davis had once held a favorable opinion of Garp, but the events at God's Valley had changed that. Regardless of Garp's intentions at the time, he did save the Celestial Dragons.
In Daniel Davis's view, anyone or any faction taking power would be better than the Celestial Dragons, whether it was Rocks, Kaido, or Charlotte Linlin.
Most people, even if they had similar thoughts, wouldn't have the means to act on them. But Daniel Davis was different; he had the capability. With the Gate of Secrets, he could instantly go anywhere he wanted in the pirate world.
"It's not the right time yet. I'll wait a bit longer. I can't wait to see the expressions of Sengoku and the others." With this in mind, Daniel Davis disguised himself and headed toward Marineford.
Marineford, the base of the navy, was an island primarily inhabited by navy personnel and their families. Outsiders required a special permit issued by the navy or a pass issued by the World Government to enter the island.
"The island is on lockdown. It seems the death of Vice Admiral Weasel has really angered the navy's top brass." Disguised on a merchant ship, Daniel Davis observed the situation at the harbor. He used a teleportation spell to leave immediately, having come to Marineford only to confirm its location for his next plan.
"Damn it." In the office of the Fleet Admiral of the navy, Sengoku was in a state of unprecedented fury. This was the first time the strategist Sengoku had lost his temper, smashing his desk into pieces with a single punch.
His anger was partly due to the death of Vice Admiral Weasel and partly due to the information brought back by the navy officers. Nearly three hundred navy personnel on the warship had heard Daniel Davis's words. How could this not enrage Sengoku?
It wasn't just Sengoku; Garp had lost his appetite for senbei, Aokiji was no longer acting lazy, even Kizaru seemed more serious, and Akainu's eyes were burning with fury.
Their reactions were understandable; Daniel Davis's words were too venomous. He had shifted the blame for the slave trade from the World Government to the navy. Worse, some of the three hundred navy personnel believed it. To prevent this information from spreading, Sengoku had them temporarily confined.
Sengoku felt no guilt regarding the slave auction houses; they had nothing to do with him. But the real existence of these auction houses and the employment agencies made it impossible for even a strategist like him to refute the accusations effectively.
If this information were to spread, and the navy couldn't clear its name, the impact would be enormous, possibly even shaking the navy to its core.
One can imagine how furious Sengoku must be now.
"We can't let this continue. Borsalino, I'm entrusting this matter to you. Handle it as quickly as possible." After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, Sengoku issued his orders.
"Understood." Kizaru said as he stood up and walked out. Daniel Davis's slander had even angered the laid-back admiral who usually just wanted to clock in and out of work.
With the death of Vice Admiral Weasel, Daniel Davis had stirred up a hornet's nest.
The Sabaody Archipelago, also known as Bubble Island, is a unique place. Although referred to as an archipelago, it is actually composed of giant mangrove trees, with each "island" being a single tree.
Ten thousand meters below the archipelago lies Fish-Man Island. On the other side is the Red Port, guarded strictly by the navy and World Government, serving as the only gateway between the first half of the Grand Line and the New World.
Surprisingly, this area with its 79 independent islands is divided between the navy and pirates, each controlling about half. The two sides maintain a mutual understanding, avoiding unnecessary conflict unless absolutely necessary.
This delicate balance was disrupted when Luffy, aspiring to become the Pirate King, arrived here.
"The Butcher, Claude. What's he doing here?" Daniel Davis, under the alias Claude, was spotted as soon as he disembarked on Island No. 4 of the Sabaody Archipelago.
The archipelago is full of bounty hunters and slave traders, challenging every pirate attempting to pass through.
However, neither the bounty hunters nor the slave traders dared to act against Daniel Davis. Even infamy has its advantages.
"Three billion now, huh? Killing Vice Admiral Weasel raised it by two billion." Glancing around at the people watching him but not daring to make a move, Daniel Davis headed towards his prearranged destination.
Since he was at the Sabaody Archipelago, Daniel Davis wanted to meet Silvers Rayleigh and visit Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
With a swift slash of his greatsword, the figure in front of him was cut in half, writhing in agony on the ground. The Sabaody Archipelago's many factions meant some people refused to believe in Daniel Davis's infamy and tried to capture or kill him. After all, a bounty of three billion was a sum that an ordinary person couldn't earn in a lifetime.
"The Poisonous Thorn Brothers got taken down. Definitely not someone to mess with." Some people following Daniel Davis dispersed upon witnessing this scene.
While some gave up, others, hoping to take advantage of the chaos, continued to follow Daniel Davis, hoping someone else would make a move so they could benefit.
"Seems Shakky
's bar has quite the deterrent effect." As Daniel Davis entered Island No. 13, he noticed that those following him had not entered.
Seeing this, combined with the surrounding environment, gave Daniel Davis a clearer understanding of Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
On the entire Island No. 13, the only building was Shakky's small bar, perched on a hill. The rest of the area was deserted.
As the bar's doorbell rang, Daniel Davis entered Shakky's establishment.
"A rare guest indeed. What would you like to drink?" Shakky's eyes lit up upon seeing Daniel Davis, and she immediately began mixing a drink for him.
"Smells good." Though the drink looked inviting, Daniel Davis had no interest in drinking it.
"I want all the information on Island No. 1." Daniel Davis stated his purpose directly. Despite acquiring information from Crocodile, he had yet to see significant results in a short time.
"All of it? What do you plan to do?" Shakky asked, lighting a cigarette.
"That's my business." Daniel Davis replied calmly.
"I advise against it. I'll give you some free advice: Admiral Kizaru is already making his move against you. You should leave the archipelago immediately." After blowing out a smoke ring, Shakky spoke softly.
"Admiral Kizaru, huh? That's bad news." Shakky's words shocked Daniel Davis. Though he had killed Vice Admiral Weasel, facing an Admiral still made him nervous.
The gap between an elite Vice Admiral and an Admiral was substantial. Daniel Davis was not arrogant enough to think he could currently contend with an Admiral.
"And the information?" Daniel Davis asked.
"I have it, but it's expensive." Shakky didn't press further, understanding the risks Daniel Davis was willing to take.
"Let's hear it."
Just as Shakky was about to speak, a den den mushi rang in another room. Shakky nodded to Daniel Davis and went to answer it.
"Another piece of free information for you: Kizaru is already here." Shakky said with a surprised expression as she returned. "I'm really curious about what you've done to provoke the navy to this extent. Killing a Vice Admiral shouldn't warrant such a response."
Even with her extensive network, Shakky couldn't always get the information she wanted.
"Maybe you'll find out soon enough. Thanks for the hospitality." Daniel Davis said, standing up to leave. Facing Admiral Kizaru, known for his speed and power, was not something he took lightly.
Though leaving now was the best option, he didn't want to seem like he was running away from the navy. He intended to complete his business before departing.
Leaving Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, Daniel Davis immediately sped toward Island No. 12. While moving, he activated his illusion magic and changed his face, transforming into a nondescript middle-aged man in the blink of an eye.
"It's quite a bustling business, but it seems there are no Celestial Dragons here." On Island No. 1, Daniel Davis observed the rows of slave auction houses and the people cheerfully entering and exiting them. He couldn't help but smile coldly.
"Now, the show can begin."
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