One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

Sakazuki stood with his arms crossed on the side deck of the warship, observing the pirate ship in the distance as it turned into a fiercely burning coffin on the sea.

Most of the sailing ship's hull had already sunk beneath the surface, and the pirates who had jumped into the sea to escape were like moving black dots on the vast ocean, struggling to swim away from the soon-to-be-completely-submerged vessel.

"Report! Vice Admiral! Rear Admiral Onigumo requests your instructions for the next course of action!" A colonel stood beside Sakazuki, saluting and inquiring. Sakazuki didn't turn his head: "Bring the warship closer to the pirates in the water."

"Uh... Vice Admiral, are we to rescue those pirates?" The colonel hesitated, unable to help but ask. The order sounded somewhat out of place, given the Vice Admiral's usual style of showing no mercy to pirates, even executing pirate-captured merchant ship hostages or civilians. But he suddenly recalled the conversation between Vice Admiral Sakazuki and Rear Admiral Onigumo after the Buster Call operation, which made him momentarily unsure of his superior's intentions.

"Has your brain been rattled by the cannon fire, Colonel Lindemann?!" Sakazuki turned his head in surprise, remembering the colonel who had supported him before the Buster Call operation. "Inform the soldiers to aim their rifles at the pirates in the water, leave none alive. Remember, civilians are civilians, pirates are pirates. Do not confuse the two!!!"

"Yes, sir!" Colonel Lindemann was startled and nodded hurriedly. The last bit of dissonance in his mind dissipated, and he thought to himself, "I was overthinking it. I knew the Vice Admiral hadn't turned into a soft-hearted person like Vice Admiral Saul..."

"What are you standing there for?!"

"V-Very sorry!!" The colonel, who had zoned out in front of the Vice Admiral, saluted as quickly as possible and turned to run towards the helm, fearing he might receive a magma punch. As he ran, he loudly commanded the sailors along the deck: "By Vice Admiral Sakazuki's order! All combat units on deck, aim your guns at the pirates in the water. Once the warship reaches the designated area, open fire at will, leave none alive!!!"

Soon, the warship adjusted its course and headed towards the struggling pirates in the sea.

The sailors raised their flintlock rifles, aiming at the figures desperately swimming among the waves.

"Bang!"

"Bang! Bang!"

Scattered gunfire erupted from the warship. The soldiers fired down at the sea from their elevated position, and many pirates blossomed with blood before slowly sinking into the water.

However, some seasoned pirates desperately dove underwater to avoid the bullets. The round lead bullets quickly lost momentum upon entering the water, but Sakazuki's goal had been achieved. The blood-soaked waters would soon become a stage for fierce marine predators. Perhaps some pirates could escape the gunfire, but none would survive the bloody feast that awaited.

Sakazuki noticed a soldier whose hands were trembling, seemingly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Rear Admiral Onigumo, who was in charge of commanding the sailors, also noticed the soldier's unusual behavior. Initially intending to simply cut down the coward with his sword, Onigumo saw Sakazuki staring at him with a meaningful look.

He clicked his tongue, drew his scabbard along with his sword, and slapped the soldier on the back with a "thwack," the force causing the dazed sailor to stumble.

Onigumo sheathed his sword and said coldly, "If you still remember the declaration you made a few days ago calling yourself a 'military personnel,' then follow orders! Soldier!" Sakazuki's voice interjected at the right moment: "If you have any questions about the orders, I will explain afterward. But for now, I order you to shoot, Sergeant."

"Yes, sir!" The sergeant took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and pointed his gun at the crying pirate in the sea, pulling the trigger—"Bang."

Sakazuki nodded slightly behind him. After all, following orders isn't just a loudly shouted slogan; it's an absolute command that requires military personnel to carry it out even in sudden critical moments.

_____________________________________________________________________________The warship had already left the sea area filled with slaughter. Sakazuki stood on the second deck, looking down at the neatly lined-up sailors below, and said loudly, "You all did very well just now, perfectly executing my orders as required. But at the same time, I know that more or less, you all have doubts in your hearts."

He deliberately paused, watching the sailors below who were whispering to each other. After they stopped their brief discussion, he continued, "Having doubts is actually a good thing.

It shows that everyone is thinking, not just mechanically completing tasks assigned by superiors. At the same time, it proves that everyone has taken in what I said last time, regulating themselves according to the requirements of military personnel. I am proud of you."

He was the first to salute the sailors, boosting morale and preparing to push the atmosphere even higher.

Almost all the sailors stood with proud expressions, straightening their chests, and returned the salute neatly to their superior. Receiving praise from the notoriously strict and cold-blooded Vice Admiral was enough for them to boast and brag to their comrades for a good while after returning to port.

Sakazuki's tone shifted, becoming quite stern: "However, a moment's hesitation on the battlefield, a fleeting lapse in concentration, could lead to your death and that of your comrades. I want you to remember that you are not only responsible for your own life but also for the safety of your companions and comrades-in-arms."

Many soldiers lowered their heads, while more soldiers glared angrily at a soldier standing in the middle of the ranks.

Sakazuki clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back: "I don't want you to blame, scold, or target your comrades, because everyone is human. To err is human, and of course, that includes me..." Before he could finish, Onigumo anxiously interjected to defend him: "Vice Admiral Sakazuki would never..."

Sakazuki glared at Onigumo, signaling him to be silent, and continued his motivational speech to the soldiers: "I know what everyone is thinking.

Why exterminate the pirates to the last? Why strike them down when they are defenseless? Most importantly, you are pondering what exactly is the dignity of military personnel, the backbone of military personnel, the soul of military personnel?"