Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Office of the Grand Inspector Fleet Admiral.
The atmosphere was thick with silence, the air so heavy it felt hard to breathe.
"So, are we just going to let that kid Sakazuki do whatever he wants this time?"
Sengoku said with a gloomy face.
He felt helpless as he looked at Garp, who was sitting on the sofa and stuffing senbei into his mouth continuously, looking as if it had nothing to do with him.
Garp shook his head slowly, his disapproval evident.
"Sengoku, what are you worrying about?"
"Isn't this a good thing?"
"The World Government and those damn Celestial Dragons have been riding on our backs for far too long. Now we finally have a chance to break free from their control. Isn't that something to celebrate?"
Garp muttered incoherently as he crunched on his senbei.
"I used to dislike that arrogant little brat Sakazuki, but now, I find him much more pleasing to the eye."
Sengoku remained silent, but his fists were clenched tightly.
Garp suddenly stopped what he was doing, smiled, and said:
"We are all old now, so let's not worry about it."
"Sakazuki is now the Fleet Admiral of the Navy, so he can do whatever he wants."
"Besides, I believe you also understand that he is also under a lot of pressure, isn't he?"
Sengoku paused, then let out a long sigh.
He knew well that the main reason Akainu "dared to defy the will of the world" and led his forces to attack the World Government's member states, ultimately steering the Navy Headquarters toward independence, was the aggressive rise of the new NEO Navy.
The NEO Navy's rapid rise had been so overwhelming that it even made everyone feel uneasy.
After the devastating defeat in the G1 war, the entire Navy Headquarters had fallen into a state of despair.
Morale was at an all-time low.
Even the World Government began to question the leadership and decisiveness of Akainu, the Navy Fleet Admiral, and there were rumors that he would be dismissed.
Although this news was most likely just groundless, it undoubtedly pushed Akainu into a corner.
Sengoku understood Akainu's character all too well.
Tough, unyielding, and never one to bow his head.
There was no way Akainu would simply sit back and allow the World Government to strip him of his power and position. He had no choice but to resist.
But as long as the Navy Headquarters remained under the control of the World Government,
The seagull of justice would never be able to spread its wings and soar.
Akainu understood this very well.
The navy's top brass understand this, too.
If they didn't break free from the control of the World Government,
Facing the NEO Navy, they had no chance of victory.
After the G1 defeat, absolute power was no longer a taboo for the Navy Headquarters.
Instead, it had become a massive cage.
Most importantly, this wasn't just a war—it was a battle between two factions of justice.
Neither side would allow anyone or anything to stand in their way.
The entire Navy was filled with anger, all waiting for the right moment to break free.
As Sengoku thought about this, his gaze slowly shifted toward the window.
In the distance, the snow-white seagull flags flew high, dancing and rustling in the strong wind.
He couldn't help but wonder what fate Akainu would lead the Navy to—
Would it be a final victory or a step toward the hell of failure?
The only thing he knew for certain was that the entire world would quietly await the "final battle of justice."
And the buffer zone for this war—
Would be the Red Earth Continent, which separated the two major naval camps:
The World Government.
….
….
At that moment, in the office of the Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, two tall, imposing figures entered slowly. Behind them, two large cloaks billowed in the strong wind from the open door.
The word "justice" carried a powerful impact.
Fujitora and Green Bull, the Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, and the highest combat powers of the World Government, had arrived.
"A lot has really happened," Fujitora said.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki," Green Bull added. "Perhaps you should explain this to us?"
Fujitora stared at the figure behind the desk with a gloomy expression and said coldly.
Green Bull also rubbed his temples and said helplessly:
"We almost didn't make it back."
"The government has sent people to block our room."
The two of them have been staying in the holy land of Marijoa all this time, helping to guard the preparations for the World Conference.
However, they hadn't anticipated that, within just two days of guarding, the door would be blocked by CP0 members. By the time they reacted, they realized Fleet Admiral Akainu had sent troops to conquer three member states of the World Government.
The Navy was declaring independence!
Both Fujitora and Green Bull were struck with confusion. They quickly rushed back from the holy land of Marijoa.
Akainu slowly raised his head, his eyes cold as ice beneath his military cap.
"I'm glad you're back," he said.
"Get ready."
"Once we unify Paradise and gather all our forces, the war will begin."
"When the time comes," he added, "I will stand with you and defend true justice with my life!"