Gegoria Island, shore.
Sakazuki sat on a massive boulder.
The noise coming from the island behind him could even be heard here.
At his feet lay two figures like lumps of mud, Ivankov and Inazuma.
Although under Sakazuki's control he hadn't killed them, the sheer impact alone had shattered their bones, rendering them unconscious on the spot.
Boom—
Sakazuki's index finger turned into magma, flames flickering.
He brought it to his mouth to light a cigar, took a slow drag:
"Hu—"
Smoke curled around him as he quietly stared at the sea...
The massive cloak of Justice fluttered behind him...
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Even though it was late at night, the lights were still blazing.
Sengoku sat at the Fleet Admiral's desk:
"Fleet Admiral Kong, what exactly does the higher-up mean by this?"
"Are they not going to handle it?"
"Based on the intelligence we have, the Revolutionary Army is no longer a small force."
"Just the islands the government has identified so far already number in the dozens, with quite a few allied nations involved as well."
Clink—
A crisp sound rang out.
Kong set down his teacup and the newspaper:
"This doesn't need to be dealt with for now."
"The key lies in how the government defines them."
"I understand the government's goals more or less."
"It's nothing more than reshuffling the allied nations under the banner of the Revolutionary Army."
"Ever since the Tahoma Kingdom was attacked by pirates and its king was forced to abdicate,"
"the Elders have been very displeased."
"If not for the CP9 agents wiping out all the soldiers and pirates who were taken hostage, we might already have another pirate kingdom in the world."
"The allied nations of the World Government represent the strongest nations in the world."
"But if one of these strongest nations gets overthrown by some unknown pirate,"
"doesn't that in a way prove that the World Government isn't as invincible as it claims?"
"And when that happens, how many pirates do you think can resist the temptation of becoming a king?"
"Rebels and pirates are not the same thing. 'Rebels' represent the people's dissatisfaction with their rulers, forming an army of their own."
"If they overthrow their ruler, the world can accept that more easily."
"The World Government would also have a legitimate reason to kick them out of the allied nations without raising suspicion."
"But if a pirate overthrows a kingdom, the consequences would be unimaginable. Pirates are the most reckless breed of all."
"In the past, pirates were all about looting. If someone sets a precedent,"
"then from now on pirates would start toppling nations and seizing thrones. The whole world would descend into madness."
"Not to mention the deaths, the pressure on the Marines would become unbearable."
"So for now, let the world maintain its peace and stability step by step."
"As for the Revolutionary Army, since the government itself is acting like it's got everything under control, there's no need for you to worry too much either."
Sengoku nodded:
"So that's how it is…"
"I understand now."
Kong smiled faintly:
"Sakazuki has already captured the targets."
"Get things ready. When he returns and everyone's here, we'll hold the Fleet Admiral promotion ceremony."
"It's about time the Marines got some fresh blood."
"Our era has passed…"
Sengoku chuckled:
"Indeed, the new blood of the Marines has already grown strong."
"In the future seas, there will be only one absolute ruler."
"And that will be the Marines."
On the wall behind them hung a massive emblem of Justice, towering and absolute...
Kong took a sip of tea:
"Have the candidates for the three Admirals been decided?"
At this, Sengoku rubbed his temples, looking rather troubled:
"We have the candidates, but choosing who gets the seats is the problem."
Kong looked at Sengoku:
"Let's hear it."
When it came to selecting the three Admirals, Kong had no intention of interfering. This was also a test for Sengoku.
Sengoku sighed softly:
"There are four candidates, but only two seats."
"First, there's Douglas Bullet, with both strength and merits enough to qualify."
"Then there's Borsalino, also with strength and merits enough to qualify."
"Next is Kuzan, strong enough but lacking prestige, though his Devil Fruit powers are formidable."
"Finally, Enel, also strong enough but lacking prestige, with equally formidable Devil Fruit powers."
"The only one confirmed for now is Borsalino."
Sengoku suddenly let out a helpless laugh:
"That old fox, seriously…"
"Riding on the coattails of that years-long mission to eliminate Fisher Tiger, he established close ties with the government."
"Add to that his strength, prestige, and his habit of staying neutral and not offending anyone, and it was only natural to give him one of the Admiral seats."
Kong nodded:
"A neutral, huh…"
"So the remaining seat should go to Kuzan, right?"
Sakazuki was the hawk, Borsalino the neutral. That left the dove position.
Sengoku sighed again:
"Yes, but compared to the others, Kuzan doesn't have the weight to convince everyone."
"In terms of merits and raw power, he can't compare to Douglas Bullet, who killed the 'Dark King' Rayleigh."
"In terms of background and Devil Fruit powers, he can't compare to Enel either."
"Enel grew up before our very eyes, backed by Sakazuki, Zephyr, Morris, and he even saved my boy once."
"And in terms of Devil Fruit powers, lightning naturally counters most abilities, especially those that conduct electricity."
"But both Bullet and Enel are Sakazuki's people."
"Whichever one we promote, I'd end up as a Fleet Admiral with no real authority."
"The best choice is Kuzan, but he lacks the prestige, and Sakazuki might feel slighted."
"Unless you…"
Kong chuckled and shook his head:
"You… you just overthink things."
"Your Buddha Fruit gave you great power, but it also makes you think more than anyone else."
"Thinking things through is good, but when it comes to our own people, you don't need to overcomplicate matters."
"Consider Sakazuki's character carefully, and you won't be so torn."
"Yes, Bullet and Enel obey Sakazuki absolutely."
"After all, when the mass Vice Admiral promotions were happening, Bullet deliberately refused any higher rank until Sakazuki became an Admiral first."
"And as for Enel, he's basically like Rosinante under you."
"So since they're loyal to Sakazuki,"
"just talk to Sakazuki directly."
"He's not the kind to fight over titles. Whatever his past was,"
"he hasn't shown the slightest intention of competing for this Fleet Admiral promotion."
"Over thirty years in the Marines, he's either been killing pirates or on his way to kill pirates."
"So the division you fear probably won't happen."
"Of course… nothing is ever absolute."
"In the end, it's your choice to make. After all, you're the next Fleet Admiral."
"This is all for you to decide."
...
Gegoria Island, shore.
Sakazuki gazed at the sea, his cigar slowly burning out.
Suddenly, a fierce wind rose, pulling him from his thoughts:
"Hm?"