Today, at Marine Headquarters, the most proactive person was neither Akainu, the protagonist of this event, nor his most loyal subordinates.
It was Zephyr.
"Check everything again."
Zephyr personally went around making inspections—checking the surveillance Den Den Mushi, ensuring the Fleet Admiral's seal was in order, confirming nothing had been misplaced or overlooked...
He was the most diligent of them all.
After leaving the recruit training camp, Zephyr, who should have retired, was now busier than anyone else.
"Zephyr-sensei, there's no need for you to be involved. Go back to your hometown and enjoy your retirement."
Hina watched as Zephyr hurried past her, his voice filled with constant irritation.
"…Hina?"
Zephyr stopped in his tracks, furrowing his brows as he looked at her with dissatisfaction.
There was even a trace of disgust in his expression.
Because of Kuke, Zephyr despised everyone from that generation of recruits.
"Hina, the Marines are not what they used to be. We will no longer tolerate any corruption. If you have any ties to Kuke, you'd best turn yourself in."
Hina frowned.
She looked at Zephyr—her former teacher—in disbelief.
Corruption?
What am I supposed to turn myself in for?
"The next Fleet Admiral will be Sakazuki. He will not spare any evil or tolerate any darkness. Marines like you, who waver in their sense of justice, should go through re-education."
Zephyr left those words behind.
He didn't care about Hina's reaction.
With a wave of his hand, he walked away.
Hina silently took out a cigarette and lit it.
Taking a deep drag, her beautiful face was obscured by the smoke as she gazed at Zephyr's departing figure, her eyes filled with melancholy.
"The Zephyr-sensei who once vowed never to kill… has become like this."
She looked around at Marine Headquarters.
She was part of it.
And she could feel the changes happening within the Marines.
Changes that had begun ten years ago.
Back then, they weren't as extreme, but after Akainu defeated Aokiji and was confirmed as the next Fleet Admiral—
Hina remembered it well.
The Marines underwent a complete transformation.
All the pacifist factions were forced out of Headquarters.
She thought back to a month ago when she had been on a mission to capture a pirate crew. Because she prioritized the safety of innocent civilians, she allowed two or three members of the hundred-man crew to escape.
When she returned—
She was severely punished and demoted from Colonel to Lieutenant Colonel.
"Are the lives of hundreds of innocent people really worth less than two or three low-level pirates?"
Hina couldn't accept the Marines' current philosophy.
"Maybe I should follow Smoker's example and leave."
She thought of her comrade, Smoker, who had voluntarily requested a transfer to an East Blue base half a month ago because he couldn't stand the direction the Marines were heading.
"But I doubt they'd let me leave."
Hina sighed, puffing out a ring of smoke.
Over the past few days, she had submitted multiple transfer requests, all of which had been denied.
Even the higher-ups had issued a direct order—
Hina was forbidden from leaving Marine Headquarters.
"Because of Kuke?"
She thought for a moment and realized that was the only explanation.
"But Kuke and I were just former classmates. Just because of that, they're restricting my freedom? Hina is not happy."
Just as she resigned herself to her fate—
A solemn bugle call echoed through Marine Headquarters.
Tens of thousands of Marines immediately moved to their assigned posts, standing tall and presenting the disciplined image of an elite military force.
"Begin!"
Zephyr issued the command, and the surveillance Den Den Mushi went live.
Akainu was ascending to power.
Once just another soldier cast aside by fate, Zephyr had regained significant influence within Marine Headquarters.
And now, he was Akainu's strongest supporter among the high-ranking officers.
"With Sakazuki's leadership, Red-Haired Shanks will be executed today. And one day, Kuke will meet the same fate. When that time comes, I will be the executioner."
That belief was what kept Zephyr going.
For that reason, he was willing to serve Akainu without complaint.
The broadcast began spreading across the world.
The first to receive it—
Sabaody Archipelago.
"It's starting."
Among the bustling crowd, a disguised little girl—Supernova Jewelry Bonney—stared at the massive screen.
"It's a shame I couldn't find a way to rescue Shanks, nor locate the remnants of the Red-Haired Pirates."
Bonney felt helpless—there was nothing she could do.
"The entire Marine high command is present."
"There are so many strong Marines here—the three current Admirals, former Admiral Zephyr, the soon-to-be Fleet Admiral Akainu, Marine Hero Garp, former Fleet Admiral Kong… Is this the strongest lineup in history?"
"Definitely. At no other time in history has the Marines had this many top-tier warriors. And that's not even counting monsters like Tsuru, the Chief Strategist."
"When Sengoku died and Aokiji left, I thought Marine strength would decline. But it's only grown stronger. At this rate, they might actually wipe out all the pirates."
"Not might—they will. Akainu is the most terrifying force on the seas. Under his rule, the Marines will eradicate piracy."
"Before he even took office, he already took down one of the Four Emperors. Now only three remain—Whitebeard and Kaido aren't that much stronger than Shanks. They won't be able to stop the Marines. And the Sun and Moon Pirates? They probably aren't even as strong as the Red-Haired Pirates."
"The Sun and Moon Pirates have always been the weakest of the Four Emperors. Their crew is full of women—can they even compare to us? I don't think so."
"Forget relying on those women. Whitebeard and Kaido are our only hope."
The ignorant newcomers continued their chatter.
"Heh, don't be so sure. The remnants of the Red-Haired Pirates will definitely show up today. And the old monsters from Roger's crew might make an appearance, too. With so many legends gathering, today's outcome is far from certain."
"Yeah, the Roger Pirates… Every single one of them is a legendary figure."
As the debate raged on—
The broadcast showed Shanks, shackled in heavy chains, being escorted to the execution platform.
It was expected.
But seeing it happen with their own eyes—
The entire world was shaken.
Especially the pirates.
Their fear of the Marines only deepened.
Then—
As Akainu and Kong stepped onto the stage—
The entire Marine Headquarters saluted.
Tens of thousands of Marines stood straight, raising their heads high in perfect unison.
Even through a screen—
The sheer military presence was overwhelming.
Many pirates watching felt their blood run cold.
Akainu stood at the center of attention.
This was the peak of his life.
He looked down at the tens of thousands of elite Marines before him.
They were all his men.
In this moment—
A powerful aura radiated from him, so imposing that it was impossible to look at him directly.
"Truly awe-inspiring."
Shanks lifted his head slightly.
In this specific place, at this specific time—
Even Shanks could feel that Akainu had surpassed him in sheer force of presence.
Just as the world held its breath—
In the waters of Marine Headquarters—
Bubbles rose.
A crimson dragon-headed pirate ship burst from beneath the waves.
Dark King Rayleigh—
They had arrived.
The entire world watched.
Whooosh!
The sea roared, waves crashing in all directions.
"The Roger Pirates… These legendary figures… They're here!!!"
"The 'Summit War' has begun!"