One Piece: Gawain The Knight Of The Sun

"Admiral Krieg's men?" Kuro nodded. "No wonder. Posing as Marines to infiltrate ports and attack from within is his specialty. Should we strike?"

Gawain shook his head. "Let's avoid trouble. Krieg's strength is average, but his fleet of thousands and dozens of ships is a problem. We could take him, but our crew would take heavy losses."

"Not worth it."

"Move quickly. We resupply and leave."

"Got it." Kuro agreed.

Gawain glanced at Gin, still on the deck. Their eyes met briefly before Gin turned to the cabin.

Gawain activated his badge's ability, scanning:

Name: Gin

Potential: Bronze

Rating: Black Iron - Repays all debts, fiercely loyal! Though his talent is average, no captain dislikes such a subordinate!

"Loyal and repays kindness…" Gawain's interest piqued. "Bronze potential, nearly on par with Kuro. A solid experience source. If there's a chance, I'll recruit him."

"But first, supplies."

Closing the badge interface, Gawain left most of the crew on the ship to guard against surprises, then followed Kuro to meet their contact, Harbin Jack.

…

Meanwhile, Gin returned to his ship, where Balu had woken from his昏迷.

Seeing the shattered shield and Gin's silence, Balu realized what happened and said apologetically, "Gin, sorry."

"No point now. Stay and recover. I'll handle the rest," Gin said, patting Balu's shoulder, his mind replaying Mouse's odd reaction, forming a hunch.

He pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed Krieg.

A deep voice answered, "Gin?"

"Done?"

"No." Gin shook his head, voice heavy. "Two other groups are here."

"One's Colonel Mouse, but he left—no threat. The other's tricky."

"They didn't even act, and Mouse was scared witless."

"Either strong pirates or Grand Line monsters. Neither's simple."

"Their leaders' auras outmatch mine."

"Captain, should we delay and wait for another chance?"

"Another chance?" A scoff came through. "Gin, do you know the cost of a 5,000-man fleet for a month? How long our food lasts? How much ammo spoils daily?"

"Fighting is your duty, understand?"

Krieg's voice rose with unmatched confidence. "I can't wait. This path is forward only!"

"With this massive fleet, I'll make the seas hear my voice alone."

"Dozens of ships can level a town in one volley. What's personal strength against that?"

"My weapons for survival are ready. No one's stronger than me!"

"I understand." Gin nodded, bound to obey Krieg's orders, even if it meant death.

Deep down, he agreed. On these seas, individual strength had limits—flesh couldn't withstand steel or cannons!

Hanging up, Gin's gaze sharpened. After mustering enough men, he began scouting the city's defenses and ammo stores.

He quietly positioned key forces at these points.

One order, and the port's resistance would crumble, possibly without losing a single man.

He'd done this countless times, never failing, each success proving Krieg's strategic brilliance.

"This time won't be different, despite the complications!" Gin steadied himself, personally leading a team to track Gawain's movements.

…

Elsewhere, Krieg studied reports from the port, frowning.

Two worn wanted posters lay on his desk.

"Captain, based on Gin's intel, we're certain the other force in the port is these two," his aide said, presenting the compiled data.

"Knight Gawain, 8 million Berry bounty."

"Captain Kuro, 15 million Berry bounty."

The aide added, "Our posters haven't been updated in a while. This info might be outdated."

Krieg nodded. "Pirate bounties don't change much in a few years."

"No issue."

"Gawain's name only surfaced two years ago, and rumors say Kuro's considering retirement."

"Hmph." Krieg sneered. "For a pirate, that thought means he's close to death."

"But posing as Marines to control Raven Port from within—they're likely planning the same as us."

"If they succeed first, it's trouble."

"Strike first! We move now!"

The aide hesitated. "But Gin and Balu are still in the port. Won't that…?"

Krieg's lips curled into a vicious grin.

Subordinates were expendable. To achieve his goals, anyone could be sacrificed, even his second-in-command, Gin.

"No matter," he said. "I trust their strength to survive."

"If they don't, they're not fit to be my right hand!"

The aide swallowed, fear in his eyes.

He wondered when he, too, might be discarded—maybe years from now, maybe next second.

The thought drove him to prove his worth, obeying Krieg's will without question.

As the aide fretted, Krieg turned, caressing his golden armor with a mesmerized gaze.

"This armor, forged from special alloys, can withstand warship cannons at close range. Even the strongest swordsmen can't cut it."

"Every piece hides deadly weapons."

"Armor-piercing rounds, high explosives, poison gas—each can kill instantly. And then there's this!"

Krieg gripped a massive, ornate spear weighing over a ton, his eyes blazing with confidence. "The stronger the swing, the bigger the explosion…"

"With this armor alone, I'd claim a place in the Grand Line. In the East Blue, who can stop me?!"

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