When Akainu lifted his fist from the table, a charred handprint left by magma remained. Judging from the several marks nearby, this table would not last much longer.
He had competed for the position of Fleet Admiral to showcase his abilities, to lead the Marines in pacifying the seas in his own way. But once he truly attained the position, he found himself being frustrated everyday, which was even more stressful than the era of Sengoku.
During Sengoku's time, although one of the three Admirals liked to slack off and another was rather lazy, they still got the work done. Not to mention there was Akainu himself, a model worker, so the seas were relatively stable.
But under his own leadership, not only had the seas gone into turmoil, the Marines had also suffered heavy losses. The World Military Draft had expanded their forces, but restoring their former strength was not easy, and discipline had dropped considerably.
These newly recruited and hastily promoted people were much harder to manage than veterans.
Kuzan's recent actions were like stabbing him in the back again. Their years of camaraderie had led Akainu to spare his life after victory; Kuzan lost a leg, and it was understandable he bore resentment toward Akainu.
Although the duel had been a mutually agreed battle, people have emotions, and there was nothing wrong with it.
Akainu could also understand Kuzan's departure from the Marines. If it had been he himself who lost, he too could never accept Kuzan's ideals. But what he never expected was for Kuzan to turn around and actually join the pirates, and not just any pirates, but the Beasts Pirates, who had risen to glory after the Summit War.
From Kizaru's report, Kuzan was not merely playing around but truly committing himself. Whatever Kuzan's purpose, this act of joining pirates filled Akainu with hatred.
"This matter is already settled. It seems the previous rumors were true. Sakazuki, what do you plan to do? Issue a bounty?"
"Wait a little longer."
Kuzan's identity was far too special. This was not the first case of desertion, but in the past it was only Rear Admirals, at most Giant Vice Admiral Saul. Issuing bounties in those cases was nothing.
But Kuzan was once one of Marine Headquarters' highest combat powers. For someone like that to join the pirates was too great an impact. Before this matter spread widely, Akainu did not wish for it to be publicized.
"This isn't the only troublesome matter. That Zeraora's strength is also steadily increasing, and there is also the thing the Beasts Pirates are searching for. I saw it myself, the moment that woman absorbed the plate, her entire strength underwent a qualitative transformation."
When speaking of Shayna's change, Kizaru lowered his crossed leg.
"The feeling those wings gave me was as if they contained the entire sky. That attack during the war may well have been the plate's power. If such power can be used by everyone, or even by Kaido himself, Sakazuki, you must realize, they have more than one plate in their hands."
"I know. Besides that one, there was another in an earlier transaction. Decades ago, when Kaido escaped from the laboratory, he took two plates with him. They at least have four in their possession. Over the years, they've spared no cost in searching for these things. Just how many plates they actually have is unknown."
"It's getting more and more scary… this sea is truly too dangerous. Anything else? If not, I'll be leaving first. I don't need to give my suggestion on bounties, do I?"
"Mm, go. By the way, your subordinate can be posthumously promoted to Captain. His family will also receive the corresponding benefits."
Before Kizaru left, Akainu mentioned Sentomaru's case. Dying in the line of duty and receiving a promotion was customary.
"Garp! Once again, it's someone connected to you. Can't anyone related to you ever give us peace of mind?!"
In the Marine Headquarters' retirement division, Sengoku was once again roaring at Garp. Even though he had stepped down, Sengoku had retained this habit. Over the years, he had lost count of how many times he had shouted at Garp.
Son - Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, the most dangerous criminal in history.
Grandson - Monkey D. Luffy, pirate, Super Rookie, participant in the Impel Down breakout incident, and the Summit War.
Direct disciple - Kuzan, former Marine Admiral, now defected and joined the Beasts Pirates.
Just these three people alone were enough to drive an ordinary man insane.
"I never thought it would turn out like this. I did teach him to follow his own nature, but I didn't expect him to take it to such an extreme."
Seeing the news about Kuzan, Garp also felt a headache. But in that short span of time, the senbei and donuts in front of him had all been devoured by Sengoku. After resigning from the post of Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had clearly begun to let himself go, gradually becoming more and more like Garp.
If you can't beat the opponent, then join them. At this point, Sengoku was using Garp's own ways to deal with Garp, and it was working very well.
Meanwhile, in Mariejois, the Five Elders were equally troubled by this news.
"Are we certain Vegapunk is dead?"
Wearing a black suit, with a head of white curly hair, a thick white beard, a flat hat on his head, and a scar on his left cheek, one of the Five Elders looked seriously at the CP0 agent reporting before him and asked.
"Saint Saturn, several squads have already searched the surrounding area. The report is essentially accurate. Unless Vegapunk had some kind of contingency, he is definitely dead."
One of the Five Elders, Jaygarcia Saturn, was in charge of scientific matters and was revered as the Warrior God of Science and Defense. Most of the previous dealings with Vegapunk had been handled by him. Now, with Vegapunk's death, he found it extremely troublesome.
The incomplete Seraphim project, the "Mother Flame" damaged during the Summit War. These two matters alone were already a major headache.
Kuzan's defection, the mysterious plates, and this scattered series of incidents together left even the Five Elders deeply troubled.
Aside from the Marines and the World Government, who are closely involved in this matter, others who read the newspaper also had their own thoughts.
On Kuraigana Island, Hawk Eyes stood atop the castle, waiting for something. Before long, a Dragonite appeared before him, carrying something that resembled a delivery box.
After setting the box on the rooftop, Dragonite's round arm reached into the satchel on its chest and pulled out a Rotom Phone, beginning to verify the order information. Once the details were confirmed, it accepted the Berries Hawk Eyes handed over and departed.
Online payment was still a rather difficult matter in these seas, so this delivery service adopted a cash-on-delivery system. To prevent customers from not paying, the couriers were all strong Dragonite.
Accompanying the Dragonite on the island was also a News Coo. This was the newspaper Hawk Eyes had ordered from Morgans. To stay informed of world affairs, he had deliberately spent extra Berries for the special delivery service.
"What a convenient invention. Procuring supplies will be much easier now."
Hawk Eyes put away the commercial version of the Rotom Phone, quite satisfied with the current expanded business of Beasts Fruits.
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