As fellow Admirals, they had fought side by side during the Summit War. Now, as candidates for Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki naturally understood just how crucial Wright's presence was to the Navy.
But his pride as a warrior, his dignity as a man of strength, made it impossible for him to simply step aside—no matter what conspiracies or machinations lay behind this moment.
"A duel!"
Sakazuki's voice was resolute, carrying the weight of iron and blood.
"As Fleet Admiral, one's strength must command absolute authority. This is also the only method that will silence any objections from the World Government!"
"A battle to the death. The victor takes the mantle of Fleet Admiral, while the loser bears the consequences—whether it be death or disgrace. For the one who will lead the Navy in subjugating the seas, there could be no more fitting way to ascend!"
Wright, wearing an expression that said "Just as I expected," caught the sharp glint in Sakazuki's narrowed eyes.
"It seems, Wright, you were already prepared for this."
"With your temperament, Sakazuki-senpai, this was the only proposal you could make. I'm not surprised in the slightest."
Taking a sip from his teacup, Wright nodded in agreement.
"No problem. When it comes to fighting, I've never backed down from anyone… And don't worry, Sakazuki-senpai, as long as you're not dead, even if you lose an arm, I can reattach it for you."
"…"
"Hmph. You're looking down on me… acting like you've already secured victory, Wright!"
Wright turned to the silent Sengoku.
"Old man Sengoku, that settles it then. No need to waste your energy thinking it over anymore."
Sengoku, looking helplessly at the two Admirals—one like a raging volcano ready to erupt, the other like a blade poised to cut through everything—could only nod.
"Since you both have no objections, I won't argue further. I'll report this to Commander-in-Chief Kong immediately. Once the World Government grants approval, you may begin."
"Now then, what do you two think of the underlying implications from the World Government's side?"
Sakazuki shook his head.
"No matter what schemes they're plotting, the Navy remains the Navy. As long as one's strength is absolute, any conspiracy will crumble before sheer power!"
Wright narrowed his eyes. Sakazuki's words certainly held truth, but only under the assumption that the "strongest force of the World Government" was truly the Admirals, as they claimed.
But reality was far from that.
That meant exposing a deliberate weakness was now necessary—the new Marine Headquarters, which would descend upon the New World as an iron force, must not provoke excessive fear from the World Government.
"Heh… Looks like, Sakazuki-senpai, we'll be 'enemies' for quite some time."
From the moment the World Government approved the duel between the two candidates for Fleet Admiral, the news swept across the world like a raging storm.
They had no choice but to agree. After all, this request came from Sakazuki himself, their handpicked candidate. And considering that Admirals were nominally the highest combat force under the government, determining the next Fleet Admiral through battle was entirely logical.
With such a duel set in stone, speculation about the combatants' strengths spread like wildfire.
Until now, no battle had definitively proven which Admiral was the strongest.
Against pirates, Admirals had always fought like monsters. Even during the Summit War, it took two of them working together to bring down Whitebeard.
Wright, as an Admiral, possessed unparalleled healing abilities and was also one of the world's top swordsmen—his offensive capabilities were nothing short of terrifying.
But Sakazuki was nearly a decade older than Wright, with far more battle experience and the explosive power of the Magma-Magma Fruit. The outcome of this fight was anyone's guess.
With Big News Morgans fanning the flames, the Fleet Admiral battle became the new global sensation following the Summit War.
"I hope Admiral Wright wins… His ideals of justice are truly admirable!"
"But Admiral Sakazuki's doctrine of 'Absolute Justice' is also commendable! A Navy Admiral who mercilessly eradicates pirates deserves support!"
"Yet, Admiral Sakazuki disregards collateral damage, even at the cost of civilians and Marines… Isn't that too extreme? Admiral Wright, on the other hand, protects both his subordinates and the innocent!"
"But doesn't that sometimes leave lingering threats behind?"
Across the world, supporters of both Admirals clashed in heated debates. Meanwhile, the two men in question were already scouting a suitable battleground.
"Punk Hazard should do. The place is still covered in toxic gas, and we haven't had time to clean it up."
Wright suggested. Punk Hazard was large enough, well-positioned near the G-5 branch of the New World, and had been under strict joint lockdown by the World Government and the Navy. It was an isolated battlefield, free from unwanted interlopers.
"Fine."
Sakazuki didn't care where they fought. Any island would do. Naturally, an island with an active volcano—like Little Garden—would boost his power, but relying on terrain for victory would undermine the legitimacy of his triumph.
Punk Hazard would suffice.
With their location decided, Wright and Sakazuki prepared to depart. The battle's venue, however, remained top-secret.
After all, if word got out that two Admirals were engaging in a life-or-death duel, troublemakers like Kaido or that lunatic Big Mom could very well try to interfere.
Even Red-Haired Shanks—could they be sure he had no motive to weaken the Navy?
At New World's G-5 branch, Wright and Sakazuki stepped out from a Lightforged Beacon, greeted by Rosinante.
"Admiral Wright. Admiral Sakazuki."
"The warship is ready. We can depart for Punk Hazard at any time."
"Let's move now. Ensure defenses are in place—not just to deter any reckless fools, but also to keep the true peak combat power of Admirals from being fully exposed to the world."
Wright spoke seriously. A battle to the death would bring out their deepest reserves, even their final trump cards. This was nothing like the Summit War.
"Understood. Leave it to us."
...
As the toxic fog of Punk Hazard came into view, Wright, standing at the prow of the warship, glanced at Sakazuki beside him—suddenly feeling a sense of… disharmony.
"Height difference… Hmph! Even old man Sengoku wasn't as tall as Sakazuki and the others!"
"Height isn't an issue. It's not an issue… It's definitely not an issue…"
Sakazuki's expression turned strange. Wright was muttering under his breath like a man grinding his teeth, and at this close distance, Sakazuki couldn't help but hear it.
For the first time, even someone as rigid as him found himself momentarily doubtful.
Is this guy really the right choice to lead the Navy?
"Sakazuki-senpai."
Wright's voice interrupted his thoughts. Turning to face him, he found Wright looking unusually serious.
"No matter who wins, the loser must not leave the Navy out of spite."
"…"
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow and let out a cold snort.
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
"It must be the Navy. It can only be the Navy!"
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TL/N:
Ugh... How do you refer to someone as "junior" in Japanese? I looked it up, and it said "kohai," but apparently, when addressing a kohai, you just use their name with "-kun" or "-san." At least, that's what Uncle Google told me.
Oh, right—it's been years since I last watched anime. I've been so busy with work that I haven't even had time to catch up on One Piece or the new anime sprouting these years.
Sigh.
That's why I'm not entirely sure how to properly address a kohai in Japanese. It's also why "junior brother" has been showing up in my recent translations—I haven't been completely confident in the right term.
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