Koala suppressed her urge to gag and forced down the Devil Fruit.
"Wow~ This feeling of turning into gas is so strange!"
Amazed by the wonders of a Logia-type Devil Fruit, Koala activated her elementization ability. Her legs transformed into vapor, allowing her to float effortlessly.
"Wow~ Sabo-kun! I can fly now!" she exclaimed in excitement.
Nearby, Shakky furrowed her brows. "Admiral Wright… If I remember correctly, the Gasu Gasu no Mi belonged to the fugitive scientist M. Caesar Clown, a former World Government criminal."
"That guy's bounty was never revoked. Could he be dead?"
Wright nodded. "The fruit itself is unmistakable. I've seen it in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia… These two fruits are incredibly rare, but if they've reappeared, then it's fate."
"Fate, huh…"
Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke.
It's only been a month since Whitebeard died… and the Gura Gura no Mi has already resurfaced, with Admiral Wright obtaining it. That alone is a miracle.
But thinking back to when the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi—belonging to Golden Lion—reappeared almost immediately after Wright cut him down…
This goes beyond simple luck.
Could this really be fate?
Unlike Sabo and Koala, Shakky was a veteran in the underworld. The mechanics of Devil Fruit reincarnation had always been a mystery to even the world's strongest figures.
Otherwise, how could they be called the "Sea's Ultimate Treasure"?
And yet, Admiral Wright had managed to consecutively acquire such powerful fruits. Was he truly blessed by fate?
"Well then, now that today's matters are settled…"
Shakky snapped out of her thoughts as Wright stood up, adjusting his hat.
"Aunt Shakky, I'll leave these two kids in your care."
"The stationed Marines won't interfere here, but pirates are another story."
He patted Sabo on the shoulder, whose expression was still conflicted, then turned to Koala, who was practically sparkling with excitement.
"The next two years will be tough, but… it'll be worth it. For both of you, and for Luffy and the others."
"The Thousand Sunny… I've already spoken to Merry. She'll treat you both as family, so get along well~"
"Well then, until next time!"
"I wish you both… good luck!"
Sabo was still puzzled. "Merry? Isn't that the name of Luffy's old ship…?"
Watching Wright walk out the door with effortless composure, Sabo set aside his confusion and let out a deep breath.
"Ojisan…"
"Koala, this all still feels like a dream…"
"It really does, Sabo-kun…"
Koala floated closer to him. "I never imagined the ojisan you always talked about… would turn out to be that guy."
"The next Fleet Admiral… Sabo-kun, isn't he only in his thirties? He's incredible!"
"And way more handsome than you!"
That's my ojisan, you know…
Sabo held back the urge to retort but couldn't help muttering, "Koala! That last part was unnecessary!"
"I was just joking! Sabo-kun is the most handsome~"
"Ugh~ That actually made my skin crawl. Koala, you're acting really weird today!"
Shakky shook her head, sighing. Watching Koala tug at Sabo's cheeks, stretching them like dough, she couldn't help but smile. In that moment, she saw the shadow of an old man in glasses.
"Heh… men."
...
Marine Headquarters – Marineford.
"Admiral Sakazuki!"
Marines broke into a cold sweat as they watched Akainu Sakazuki march toward Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office. His Justice coat billowed behind him, his presence akin to an erupting volcano.
Vice Admiral Onigumo's warship had just returned from Punk Hazard, bringing Sakazuki back. According to the rumors, after losing to Admiral Wright, Sakazuki had even refused to stop at the G-5 branch for resupply…
Had he grown to resent Wright's entire faction of Vice Admirals?
Well, that was to be expected…
If Sakazuki had simply shrugged off his defeat, that would have been out of character.
Every Marine who crossed paths with him was on edge. Sakazuki was clearly in a foul mood, and anyone who showed even a hint of weakness might end up on the receiving end of a harsh reprimand—or worse.
"Sengoku-san."
With the door shut behind him, Sakazuki sat down on the sofa, his hat brim obscuring his eyes.
"You've had a rough time, Sakazuki."
Sengoku sighed. To create the illusion of discord within the Marine leadership, Sakazuki would have to maintain the appearance of an ongoing feud with Wright for the foreseeable future.
And he was playing the role perfectly.
The World Government had been caught off guard by Sakazuki's defeat. They hadn't expected an experienced war veteran like him to lose to Wright, who had only been an admiral for a few years.
And it wasn't a matter of endurance—Wright hadn't simply outlasted him. He had won in a direct, head-on clash of powerful techniques.
Still, if Sakazuki's loss fostered resentment against Wright, it could drive a wedge into the Marines' unity—something the World Government could exploit to weaken their influence.
Thus, they had reluctantly approved the new Fleet Admiral's appointment while privately assuring Sakazuki of their continued support.
"Hmph! A bunch of self-important fools!"
Sakazuki scoffed. He had never held the World Government in high regard.
As an admiral, he understood their operations more than most Marines.
For someone who believed in Absolute Justice, their actions were anything but just—let alone absolute.
But the Marines were still under their jurisdiction. As an admiral, he had no choice but to comply with their orders.
Or at least… that had been the case until now.
Under Wright's influence, the entire Marine leadership had begun shifting—from mindlessly executing the World Government's orders, to questioning them, to outright resentment… and now, even defiance.
Sakazuki found himself welcoming the change.
The Marines should be the embodiment of justice—not mere puppets of some corrupt organization.
"This war at Marineford… Though Wright's abilities ensured minimal casualties, there were drawbacks."
Sakazuki lifted his head, lighting a cigar with a fingertip of molten magma, earning a surprised look from Sengoku.
"Sakazuki, since when do you smoke cigars?"
"Got it from Onigumo on the way back."
He exhaled a plume of smoke. "It's time for a change of image."
"Wright's healing abilities make the soldiers reliant on him. But once he becomes Fleet Admiral, he won't be on the frontlines as often."
His gaze hardened. "If the troops can't handle brutal combat without him, how will we maintain order in the New World?"
"Hmm… You have a point. Wright and I have discussed this as well."
Sengoku studied Sakazuki before offering a faint smile.
"Well then, Sakazuki, I have a job for you. You'll be the new Combat Training Instructor."
"Make sure the troops understand the harsh reality of war—because in this new era, battle will only become more ruthless."
"…That suits me just fine."
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