Akainu left without looking back.
The atmosphere in the conference room, which initially seemed tense, had now frozen like ice.
Due to the incident in the West blue Sea, Sengoku, Garp, Aokiji, and others wanted to seize the moment to strike at Sakazuki, find his weaknesses, and undermine his influence in the Marines.
But they did not expect the situation to change so drastically.
In the end, they found themselves in an awkward position, like jesters, while the crafty Sakazuki emerged victorious. Moreover, he managed to orchestrate the appearance of his son-in-law, possessing incredible combat power, in the West blue Sea, and all of it went unnoticed.
The most irritated among them was Garp.
Sengoku had called him in to conduct a minor investigation against Admiral Sakazuki, to see if there were any violations in his actions.
But everything turned out differently.
Sakazuki's son-in-law took matters into his own hands in the West blue Sea, eliminating Byrnndi World.
There were no violations.
On the contrary, Sakazuki was right in refusing to send Marine forces to the West Sea. He saved resources and people, which was a huge achievement.
"Ah..." Sengoku looked at the table, which he had just struck with his fist, and sighed heavily.
"He deserves the title 'Calculating General.'"
After the Summit War, his behavior had become too impulsive.
Now, thanks to Sakazuki, it felt as if he had been doused with cold water.
"Sakazuki, this guy..." Garp reached for a snack in annoyance, but found he had no appetite at all. He looked at Aokiji and said, "We hoped you would become the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, but... everything is decided by the World Government."
"I know," Aokiji replied firmly, his eyes shining. "No matter what happens, I will not give up fighting for this position."
But he did not voice one thought:
If he doesn't become the Fleet Admiral, he no longer wishes to remain an Admiral of the Marines.
The world is so vast, and he wants to see it for himself.
To seek his own sense of justice in another way.
Moreover, knowing Akainu,
if he doesn't secure the position of Fleet Admiral, he will likely leave the Marines as well.
In other words, ever since they decided to vie for this position,
only one can stay.
"Alright," Garp nodded, slightly irritated. "The issue with the West Sea is closed. We in the Marines will remain silent."
Brr… brr…
Before Garp could continue, Sengoku's golden Den Den Mushi rang.
"Yes!" Sengoku took a deep breath, composed himself, and answered, "This is Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku speaking."
"Sengoku, this is Saint Saturn!" came the stern voice from one of the Five Elders, Saturn.
"Saint Saturn, what are your instructions?" Sengoku asked, maintaining calm and respect.
"Regarding the new Fleet Admiral of the Marines... you recommended Kuzan, one of the three admirals. But... another admiral, Sakazuki, has long expressed his desire to become Fleet Admiral to serve the World Government."
"Both Kuzan and Sakazuki are exceptional talents for the Marines."
"After extensive discussions, we, the Five Elders, have decided that in six months, Kuzan and Sakazuki will determine who will take the position of Fleet Admiral based on their strength."
"I understand," Sengoku paused for a moment, then nodded. "I will relay your decision to both of them."
"Very well!" Saint Saturn was about to hang up, but suddenly added, "By the way, regarding the West Sea. The Marines must handle this so that the countries of the West blue Sea do not say that the World Government does nothing."
"Saint Saturn, the matter of the Western Sea has been resolved. The World Destroyer Byrnndi Wald is dead."
"Oh?" Saint Saturn's voice wavered. "Are you saying Byrnndi World is dead?"
"Yes," Sengoku answered after some thought. "Sakazuki's son-in-law ended up in the West blue Sea and personally destroyed Byrnndi World. We at headquarters didn't even have to intervene."
"Sakazuki's son-in-law?" Saint Saturn was clearly surprised.
"Yes, his name is Tengen," Sengoku explained. "He is a hidden warrior in the West blue Sea with incredible strength."
"Interesting..." On the other end of the phone, Saint Saturn stroked his white beard and barely smiled.
"Sakazuki? We, the Five Elders, really hold you in high regard. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been given a chance to compete for the position of Fleet Admiral. Now you have a son-in-law, which means we have yet another weakness that can be exploited."
As for the so-called "monster-level power," Saint Saturn didn't even consider it. No matter how strong someone is, it doesn't matter in front of the World Government, a giant that has ruled the seas for more than eight hundred years.
"Fight! Sakazuki, you and Kuzan should have a good fight! A strong person is who should become the new Fleet Admiral of the Marine Corps."
"So be it!" — he said, then casually hung up the phone.
Sakazuki's son-in-law, Tengen, wasn't even considered.
"Did you all hear that?" Sengoku, looking at the now disconnected phone, glanced around the room and focused on Aokiji. "The World Government wants you and Sakazuki to have a fight in six months. The winner will become the new Fleet Admiral of the Marine Corps."
"Alright... Just what I wanted," Aokiji exhaled, releasing a breath of cold air and clenched his fists. "I want to take an extended leave and train in solitude for a while."
In the world of pirates, strength is respected, and the Five Elders' decision was fair both to Akainu and himself. With that, Aokiji left the meeting room.
Remaining were Sengoku, Kizaru, Garp, Momousagi, and Tea Chanton, each displaying different emotions on their faces. Sengoku, watching Aokiji's departing figure, took a deep breath and slowly said:
"Let's continue the meeting! Now let's discuss which pirates to select for the vacant positions in the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
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