Since the last communication with Akainu's lieutenant, there had been no further updates.
Even when Sengoku tried calling back via Den Den Mushi, there was no response.
Sighing in his office, Sengoku ran a hand through his hair, which now bore streaks of white.
It was easy to imagine how grueling these past few days had been for the newly appointed Fleet Admiral.
Knock, knock, knock—
The office door opened, and Aokiji stepped inside.
Aokiji belonged to the more moderate faction of the Marines. In fact, since his enlistment, Sengoku and others had consistently promoted him.
Thus, their conversations tended to be more relaxed.
"Aokiji, how did your mission go? Please don't tell me it's bad news."
Aokiji looked at the visibly weary Sengoku and forced a bitter smile. "Admiral, according to my investigation, Whitebeard, Kaido, BIGMOM, and Red Hair... it seems they're forming an alliance—the Four Emperors."
"The Four Emperors?"
Sengoku repeated the term reflexively.At that very moment, a soldier outside delivered a newspaper to Sengoku.
The headline on the newspaper boldly proclaimed: "The Four Emperors Rise!"
After reading through the paper, Sengoku's brow furrowed deeply.
"This is an open challenge to the Marines! A direct affront to our authority!"
But as his words trailed off, Sengoku's thoughts turned to Roya and Akainu.
Now, with the Four Emperors newly established in the New World and a mysterious organization emerging across the seas, the situation was dire.
Roya's whereabouts were unknown, his fate uncertain.
Akainu, if nothing unexpected had occurred, was likely dead.
The Marine forces had suffered an unprecedented weakening.
Even Sengoku, hailed as the "Resourceful General," found himself powerless despite his best intentions.
Just then, Sengoku's Den Den Mushi rang.
"Brrr Brrr."
Sengoku sighed, glancing at the snail before speaking in a low voice, "I hope this isn't more bad news."
He picked up the receiver, but before he could speak, an overwhelmingly excited voice burst from the other end.
"Fleet Admiral! Fleet Admiral! W-White Pigeon Admiral and Vice Admiral Akainu... they've returned!"
The caller was so overcome with emotion that his words stumbled.
Yet, the impact of this news was undeniably immense.
Even Sengoku himself froze for a moment before erupting into joyous disbelief.
"What did you say?! White Pigeon and Akainu are both back?!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral! White Pigeon appears completely unharmed, though Akainu is severely injured."
Relief washed over Sengoku.
As long as they were back—that was all that mattered!
Without hesitation, Sengoku immediately arranged for a top-tier medical team to treat Akainu's injuries.
Punishment for Akainu's actions could wait until he recovered.
For now, Sengoku simply ordered into the Den Den Mushi, "Assemble the troops—prepare to welcome them!"
Instantly, Marineford sprang into action.
Sengoku didn't forget to notify Kalifa either.
Having just joined CP9, Kalifa immediately requested leave and rushed toward Marineford's harbor.
Zefa, who had mostly recovered, now equipped with a Seastone mechanical right arm, accompanied Sengoku to the port.
Also joining them were the Marine trainees Roya had once saved.
To them, Roya was nothing short of a hero.
As Roya steered the ship he'd purchased toward Marineford, he saw the soldiers standing tall and proud, awaiting his arrival.
A gentle smile curved his lips.
He disembarked alongside Akainu, though the latter was swiftly whisked away by the medical team.
Left alone, Roya basked in the spotlight of countless gazes.
The difference in treatment was admittedly stark.
Sengoku strode forward, his earlier despondency nowhere to be seen, his demeanor vibrant.
He looked Roya up and down before asking, "Are you alright?"
"Fine. Just forgot my Den Den Mushi, then the island got destroyed. On the way back, I picked up Akainu—bit of a hassle, really."
At Roya's words, Sengoku exclaimed "Good!" three times in succession.
He clapped Roya firmly on the shoulder before raising his voice to announce, "Soldiers! Let us welcome Admiral White Pigeon back to Marineford with the loudest cheers!"
"Welcome back, Admiral White Pigeon!""Welcome back, Admiral White Pigeon, to Marineford!"
"Welcome back, Admiral White Pigeon, to Marineford!"
...
With each chant of Roya's title, the soldiers' voices grew louder.
In no time, Roya's name echoed across the entire sky of Marineford.
At that moment, a graceful figure flashed by.
She threw herself into Roya's arms at lightning speed.
Kalifa gazed at Roya's face, feeling tears welling up uncontrollably.
"Roya, it's wonderful! You're unharmed! You're truly unharmed!"
Kalifa clung tightly to Roya, as if trying to merge herself into his body.
Just then, another graceful figure approached Roya.
This figure was Tina.
Seeing the man she admired standing before her, even her usual composure couldn't suppress her excitement.
Sengoku's lips twitched slightly at the sight.
Well...
While he was genuinely happy about Roya's safe return,
seeing this scene made him inwardly remark: I suppose being handsome really is attractive!
It wasn't just Sengoku.
Even the surrounding soldiers watching this scene felt nothing but envy and resentment.
After all, both Kalifa and Tina were considered top beauties in the hearts of Marine soldiers!
Yet here were these two beauties, gathered around Roya—a devastating blow to their morale.
But that wasn't all.
From behind Sengoku, Zefa approached Roya with Ain in tow.
Clearing his throat deliberately, Zefa looked at Roya and said, "Admiral White Pigeon, I can never repay you for saving my life. If there's ever anything you need, just say the word. I'll go through fire and water without hesitation!"
As Zefa's words fell, the Marines erupted in murmurs.
They never expected Zefa to say such things to Roya.
After all, Zefa was a former Admiral.
Now the strongest instructor at Marine Headquarters, commanding vast Marine resources—his words carried immense weight.
"Teacher Zefa, you jest. Whitebeard Jr. was already a ruthless pirate. Upholding justice is our duty!"
Hearing Roya's words, Sengoku sighed.
It reminded him of Akainu, who had always adhered to Absolute Justice.
Yet he lacked Roya's overwhelming strength.
And so, he met such an end.
"Roya, shall we continue inside, or would you like to rest first?"
"Let's head to your office first, Fleet Admiral. I'll report on the mission. Oh, by the way—could you reimburse me for this ship's cost?"