Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Sakazuki stood behind the promotion platform, wearing the Fleet Admiral's cloak.
There were not many people around him. Only Sengoku, Carlo, Zephyr, and Morris were present.
Even Bullet and Enel were not here. Sakazuki had already sent them to the New World. If not for Sengoku needing to complete the handover, they would already be at their assigned locations.
Carlo raised his hand and glanced at his watch, then smiled.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, it's time."
The corner of Sakazuki's mouth lifted slightly.
"Begin."
Carlo immediately stepped down to start the preparations.
With a single command issued, a series of harsh, killing alarms echoed across the area.
WEEOO—WEEOO—WEEOO—WEEOO—
Everyone watching was stunned. Had someone chosen this moment to cause trouble?
But as Sakazuki and Sengoku slowly walked onto the stage, people realized something strange.
This was ceremonial music.
The reporters at headquarters finally let out a sigh of relief. Their lives were safe. At the same time, excitement surged through them.
Using alarms as promotion music. It was enough to imagine how fierce this new Fleet Admiral's methods would be.
Was a world war about to erupt?
Before a single word was spoken, cameras were already clicking nonstop, afraid to miss even one moment.
On the promotion platform.
Sengoku took out the Fleet Admiral's medal and handed it to Sakazuki, placing it on him personally.
The two exchanged a nod, and Sengoku slowly stepped down.
People around the world were confused. Where were the other procedures?
Sakazuki stepped forward and picked up the microphone.
"Inspector General Sengoku still has duties to carry out. We'll keep it simple. Everyone, war is about to begin. Prepare yourselves and be ready to face it."
He paused briefly, giving the world time to react.
But the world was already boiling. No one expected the new Fleet Admiral to be this extreme. By his third sentence, he had already declared war.
Countless enemies of Sakazuki straightened unconsciously, waiting to hear what he would say next.
Who was he declaring war on?
Pirates? The Revolutionary Army?
The reporters at headquarters were trembling. Some were so excited they could not speak, and a few even dropped their cameras to the ground.
Sakazuki slowly began, "On this blue sea, there are beautiful sights that one could never finish seeing in a lifetime. Born into such a beautiful world, we should have been extremely fortunate.
"But… there exists a group like this. They treat plunder as pleasure. They wipe out villages and towns at the slightest whim. Every year, no fewer than hundreds of thousands die because of them.
"They treat slaughter as loyalty. For petty arguments, or to vent anger for so-called companions, they massacre nations and destroy islands. They recklessly destroy everything in the world and call it adventure. They openly challenge the Marines and the government and call it freedom.
"The cancer of the world. Pirates.
"The word pirate can be traced back to the founding of the World Government. Eight hundred years. For eight hundred years, this cancer has never been eradicated. Especially after the so-called Pirate King, the criminal Roger, stirred the world.
"He unleashed a disaster that has lasted nineteen years. Millions of lives have been ruined, directly or indirectly, by pirates. Tens of millions of civilians have been affected. This is the so-called Great Pirate Era, worshiped as a myth by pirates.
"What a horrifying set of numbers that is. What is even more shocking is that these numbers are still rising. Every single day, people die under pirate blades. And that is why I am standing here today.
"I can responsibly tell the people of the world, and those pieces of garbage at sea, eliminating pirates cannot be delayed. There is no place in this world for garbage like pirates."
He paused again.
Then came the preparation for war.
"First. Effective immediately, the Sabaody Archipelago will be sealed off. All coating workshops will be forcibly taken over by the Marines. Merchant ships and passenger vessels may enter the New World only after registration.
"The person in charge of the Sabaody Archipelago base will be the former Fleet Admiral and current Inspector General of the Marines, Sengoku.
"Second. All branches in the first half of the Grand Line will transfer one-third of their forces to the New World. Branches in the Four Blues will transfer one-tenth of their forces to reinforce the first half of the Grand Line.
"As for strategic deployment in the New World, the pirate Knox front will be commanded by Marine Admiral Aokiji.
"The pirate Big Mom front will be commanded by Marine Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp.
"The pirate Kaido front will be commanded by Marine Admiral Kizaru.
"The pirate Shanks front will be commanded by Marine Admiral Candidate Enel.
"Additionally, a new rank will be established above Admiral. Grand Admiral. The former Admiral Candidate, Douglas Bullet, will assume this position and serve as central command.
"All remaining Vice Admirals of Marine Headquarters will enter the New World in batches and be reassigned uniformly.
"Marine Headquarters, Marineford, will be redesignated as G-1 Branch. The G-1 Branch in the New World will be upgraded to the new Marine Headquarters, known as New Marineford.
"Every marine bases worldwide will enter a state of combat readiness. At the same time, after discussion with the government, a three-year global conscription will begin. The number of Marine Admirals will also be increased to four.
"During the global conscription, anyone with sufficient strength may be directly promoted to Admiral."
Sakazuki signaled to Carlo.
The massive screen erected in the plaza suddenly lit up.
On the screen was a small island, with countless warships and vessels departing.
"Third. There are three Endpoints located in the New World. The legends that claim they can destroy the New World have been treated as jokes. But as Fleet Admiral, I can responsibly tell the entire world. The legends are real.
"Beneath these three Endpoints lies an enormous reserve of magma. If all three are detonated, the resulting chain reaction of the earth's veins will destroy the entire New World. No one will escape. Now…"
Boom!
On the massive screen, the island was blown apart.
The terrifying power was enough to make hearts tremble even through the screen.
"The first one has just been detonated. When we launch the final battle against the pirates, the second will be triggered. If we lose that war, the third will be detonated.
"No pirate will escape the New World.
"On this blue sea, what should exist are people's joyful smiles. Not garbage at sea who wield weapons and live by burning, killing, and plundering. The so-called Great Pirate Era is about to enter its opening chapter of destruction."
Sakazuki took a deep breath.
"Justice!"
Below him, the neatly formed ranks of soldiers, along with Marine forces around the world watching the broadcast, roared with faces flushed red.
"Victory! Victory! Victory!"
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