Chapter 393
Everyone who should have come—and even those who shouldn't—were present.
Sakazuki took out a phonograph shell and pressed the button.
"Sakazuki, the World Government is preparing to move against the Navy. Leading the charge will be the newly promoted Elder, Findus.
This information isn't free—remember to pay me later.
Oh, and Sakazuki, be careful. The World Government has already planted men inside your Navy. One of them is a major admiral from Headquarters…"
The voice crackled to an end.
The room fell into stunned silence. Naval officers who had heard their own names went pale with horror.
They had received no such warning. That the World Government would strike was known only as rumor—none expected it to happen so soon. There was no time to prepare.
And worst of all… the World Government's agents weren't even here yet.
The Navy was already surrounded by its own traitors.
The end was staring them in the face.
---
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, I was forced!"
One rear admiral collapsed into tears.
"They threatened and bribed me! If I refused, they'd kill me and my family!"
His voice shook with regret. He began heaping blame on the World Government, desperate for forgiveness.
Sakazuki's gaze was like stone.
"It's too late for excuses now. What do you expect me to do with you?"
He swept his eyes over the room.
"We must secure our foundation before we can resist outside aggression. Internal rot must be cut away first.
Or do you believe I should simply hand over the Navy's authority to the World Government?"
He ignored the weeping officer, instead watching the others carefully.
Even as Admiral, he would not make this choice alone.
If they were to fight, he needed allies who would not stab him in the back when the blades of the enemy came crashing down.
---
"Hand it over?"
Fujitora's calm voice cut through the tension.
"Fleet Admiral, do you truly believe that surrendering power would end this?"
His expression was firm, unyielding. Fujitora knew very well how this story would play out.
If they had been ignorant, they might have submitted blindly when the order arrived. But now, with the truth laid bare, there was no excuse to remain idle.
The World Government would never allow a force like the Navy to remain beyond its leash.
If they came to subjugate the Navy, then those who resisted would be cast aside… or eliminated outright.
Freedom was not an option the Government granted.
---
"Admiral Fujitora is correct."
All eyes turned as Vice Admiral Tsukiyama—one of the World Government's own appointees—rose to his feet.
"There's no reason to pretend any longer. We admirals were sent to take control of the grassroots and middle ranks in advance. When the time comes, transition will be easy.
Did you truly believe you could wield such authority without the Government's blessing?"
His tone was arrogant, dripping with condescension.
---
"Yes! If you choose to join us now," another rear admiral added quickly, "not only will you keep your rank—you'll be hailed as heroes of the World Government! Power, wealth, influence… all yours for the taking."
He was the first to betray the Navy, Tsukiyama's most trusted subordinate.
The two men's words made some officers waver. A few even shifted nervously, uncertain of where to stand.
---
Then, one voice rang clear.
"I joined the recruit camp at eleven, trained under Zephyr-sensei, and spent decades fighting at sea. Every scar on my body was earned.
My rank wasn't given to me by anyone. I bled for it."
Another officer stepped forward, righteous fire in his eyes.
"Look at that—a clear head among fools,"
Gion scoffed as she walked up beside Sakazuki.
"Did you think the World Government's pie was sweet? Only an idiot would swallow poison with a smile."
She shot Sakazuki a glance. Though she often clashed with him, on matters of principle her stance was firm.
---
One by one, naval officers rose and stood behind Sakazuki.
In the end, only the names exposed by Morgans remained seated.
Some absentees were not present at all, but Sakazuki silently resolved to deal with them later.
"It seems the results are clear," Sakazuki said coldly.
"Will you take your own lives, or must I end you myself?"
The conference room doors slammed shut.
Senior officers surrounded the eight remaining admiral officers—three planted by the World Government, and five swayed by greed.
A staggering ratio.
---
"Sakazuki, you wouldn't dare!" Yue barked.
"I am a noble of the worl—"
Shhhk!
Before he could finish, Sakazuki appeared before him.
His arm turned to magma and pierced through his chest.
"You said I don't dare?" Sakazuki's voice was deathly calm.
"Too much confidence. There is no surrender in this matter.
As for your future… you no longer have one."
The magma surged, flooding the traitor's body.
In an instant, he was vaporized—nothing left behind.
---
The room froze.
Even Tsukiyama, who moments earlier had shouted with arrogance, now trembled.
Sakazuki wasn't bluffing. He would kill them all.
For Tsukiyama, what was meant to be a simple assignment had turned into a nightmare.
How had Morgans uncovered this? How had the information leaked so easily?
In truth, Findus hadn't bothered to hide his plans at all. He had spoken openly.
And the News Birds had recorded every word.
---
"Vice Admiral Tsukiyama," Sakazuki said coldly.
"Your turn. Will you end yourself, or do I do it?"
There was no mercy in his tone, no hesitation from the kill he had just delivered.
Among the traitors, Tsukiyama was the most senior—their strongest, their most reputable.
Sakazuki never intended to let a single one escape.
---
"Sakazuki, wait—!" Tsukiyama stammered.
But his voice was drowned out as Sakazuki's killing intent surged, filling the chamber.
Everyone felt it.
Sakazuki's Haoshoku Haki had awakened.
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