Redfield's Resolve and the Marine Meeting

Crack!

The two slashes collided. Redfield was still far behind Caius in strength and swordsmanship. Even with Caius holding back, he could not withstand the blow.

The deadly arc rushed toward him.

Redfield's heart hammered, but fear never took hold. He was seeing the height of swordsmanship he had pursued for years.

He lived for the sword. Faced with a glimpse of its summit, he could only feel exhilaration.

Rip!

The slash skimmed past his ear and took a few strands of hair. An uneven lesson, perhaps, but it thrilled him.

Two seconds later, an explosion tore across the sea. An immense volume of water blew aside, exposing a seabed so deep it was almost impossible to see.

That was a casual stroke from Caius. His full strength could do far worse.

Anyone who had seen the island where he fought Joy Boy would understand why he remained the world's second-strongest fighter, even with a tenth of his power suppressed.

The women watching were not surprised. They had seen enough of Caius's strength.

If Redfield had actually beaten him, that would have shocked them.

"That's it," Tina said. "We knew how this would end, but Redfield looks more impressed with Caius than ever."

She smiled.

For Redfield, seeing Caius's swordsmanship firsthand was a reward in itself.

Tina knew his loyalty depended on genuine respect for a swordsman's ability. A master who could teach him had his attention.

Without that respect, though, things might be different.

"That was a lesson, not a real contest. You should have seen Caius fight Joy Boy," Toki said. "That was a clash between equals."

"Joy Boy lasted seven days. Caius acknowledged his strength afterward, and that's rare."

Toki shook her head.

The adult Imu said nothing. She remembered the island and the battle that had helped set her on her path.

That day had sharpened her political resolve. Across the centuries, she had risen to the summit of the world.

The memory made her smile. Caius had come back to her, and she wanted to see what they would build together.

His strength was not the reason she loved him now.

On the island,

Caius studied Redfield and nodded. He liked the man's devotion to the sword, though his first judgment of him had been colored by what Caius already knew.

Redfield was proud and difficult. For now, he was also willing to learn. Caius had no need to decide how much of that respect came from his superior power.

Redfield was serving under him. Whether he might one day grow strong enough to leave was a question for another time.

If he ever reached that level, he could try.

"You still have a long way to go, Redfield. I'll continue teaching you, as I promised."

"Breaking through in raw strength is one thing. Breaking through in swordsmanship is harder. It takes time, though with your talent perhaps not too much."

It was an honest assessment.

"Understood, Lord Caius. I'll keep working."

Redfield answered respectfully.

Whatever else he thought, he could see that Caius meant to teach him rather than use him as a disposable weapon.

Redfield had his own ambitions, of course. He was careful with them, knowing Caius could read minds.

He had spent nearly a year in Wano without receiving the instruction he had been promised. He had resented the delay.

Had Caius been weaker, or Wano less full of formidable people, Redfield might have left.

But Caius had returned and begun to teach him. That steadied him for now.

Time would show what became of their arrangement.

...

News of Caius's return to Wano spread. Leaders across the seas cursed their hesitation.

They had coveted what Wano possessed, not necessarily planned an open invasion. While Caius was absent, some had considered a quick raid to seize whatever they could.

That chance was gone. Attacking Wano now would be suicide.

They had relied on wishful thinking more than intelligence.

They had also overlooked Barrett, Rosha, Yelan, and the other powerful people still in Wano.

In any case, it was too late.

...

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Inside the Fleet Admiral's office,

Kong gathered Garp, Zephyr, Sengoku, Tsuru, and the others. Caius's return had put them on alert.

They knew little about where he had been during his absence.

Now that he was back, the Marines had to prepare for whatever he intended next.

"Let's hear it," Kong said. "Caius has reappeared, and we still can't account for at least six months of his movements. We need to stay alert."

He looked around the room, worried.

"What would that change?" Garp said. "If Caius decides to act, none of us can stop him. One man could ignore this whole room. We have to face that."