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"That's genuinely frightening," Kizaru said, stroking his chin. "If I get hit by that move, I won't be able to use my light-speed kick, will I? Sakazuki, you're lucky — all your abilities are centered in your body. Astolfo would be a problem for you, but at least your legs are fine. Me, on the other hand, I rely heavily on my legs. I'm the unlucky one here."
Akainu glanced at him and said nothing.
"Still," Sengoku said after a moment, "Ikki's partner Astolfo is quite something. It's a shame the spear can only be used to its full effect by Astolfo himself. If we could borrow it, dealing with the Whitebeard Pirates would be considerably easier." He exhaled and continued.
"Speaking of which, Ikki only brought Nami, Nojiko, and Vivi to Marine Headquarters. Where did Astolfo come from, and how did Ikki get him to appear here? And more importantly, does his being here mean he'll take part in the war against the Whitebeard Pirates?"
There was a flicker of anticipation in Sengoku's eyes. Even if the Trap of Argalia couldn't be lent to anyone else, Astolfo participating directly would still be a significant asset against the Whitebeard Pirates.
Astolfo also had Hippogriff, capable of soaring high above the battlefield. A surprise attack from altitude would make striking Whitebeard far easier. If Astolfo and Ikki coordinated together against Whitebeard, the war would become considerably less costly.
"Sengoku, don't overthink it," Tsuru said. "This is a war between Marine Headquarters and the Whitebeard Pirates. It is not a war between Ikki's crew and the Whitebeard Pirates. We still need to rely primarily on our own strength."
Sengoku nodded. As Fleet Admiral, he understood that well enough. Ikki had brought Nami and the others to Marine Headquarters and would likely contribute meaningfully to the fighting. But ultimately, Ikki and his crew would be prioritizing their own survival and interests. They might fight hard, but the most dangerous positions on the battlefield would still be held by the Marines themselves.
Ikki might engage the division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates. But Whitebeard himself had to be handled by the Marines. Even if Ikki did manage to deal the killing blow to Whitebeard, Sengoku privately hoped that distinction would fall to one of his own.
This battle was being broadcast live to the entire world. If Ikki were the one to ultimately bring down Whitebeard, that image, witnessed everywhere, would do nothing for the Marines' prestige. It would look as though they needed a pirate to fight their war for them.
So even in the best case, Sengoku's hope was simply that Ikki's presence would make the fighting easier, while the Marines bore the weight of the main confrontation. Even if Ikki held back and did nothing more than stand there alongside Nami and the others, that alone would bring considerable pressure to bear on the Whitebeard Pirates. Sengoku was still looking forward to seeing what Ikki would do.
After Tsuru finished speaking, Aokiji scratched the back of his head. "Ikki didn't say anything about Astolfo joining the battle. That said, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Astolfo is currently flying around out there with Ikki. Are we really not going to step in?"
Sengoku waved a hand. "With Gion watching over things, Ikki won't be a problem. What I'm more concerned about are the other Warlords. Especially Blackbeard Teach." He looked at Aokiji. "Kuzan, when you have a moment, go and see what Teach is doing. Ever since Ikki arrived, that man hasn't shown his face once. I don't want him starting any trouble right now."
Aokiji's expression immediately became pained. "I'm destined to never have a quiet day, aren't I." He sighed with theatrical resignation, then accepted the task and headed off to find out what Teach was up to.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
"This is incredible! This is the real world, the real ocean!" Astolfo steered Hippogriff out toward the outskirts of Marine Headquarters, and the vast expanse of sea spread out below them. The sight sent Astolfo into a state of pure delight. "Compared to Valhalla, the scenery out here is so much more beautiful."
Gion, seated behind Ikki with her arms wrapped snugly around his waist, glanced at the excited Astolfo and looked at Ikki with a puzzled expression. "Valhalla. What kind of place is that?"
"Valhalla is where heroes go after they die," Ikki said. "Heroes of the past, present, and future alike. Generally speaking, the greater someone's deeds in life, the more likely they are to end up there." He smiled. "You might even find yourself in Valhalla one day, Gion."
"Valhalla." Gion said the word quietly. "I won't deny there's something appealing about it. But someone like me probably has no chance of becoming a Heroic Spirit."
"That's not quite right," Ikki said. "If you became a Marine Admiral and left a mark on this world that couldn't be forgotten, a place in Valhalla might not be out of reach."
Whether Valhalla actually existed in this world was uncertain. But that wasn't enough reason not to say it.
"Become a Fleet Admiral?" Gion turned the thought over. "If you were willing to become my admiral, Ikki, then maybe I really could become Fleet Admiral someday." She fixed her gaze on him as she said it.
"If it really were you becoming Fleet Admiral, Gion," Ikki said with a laugh, "I might actually consider becoming a Marine admiral."
"Seriously? This is a cycle that could go on forever." Gion shook her head. "I'm already aiming for Fleet Admiral. Whether or not you become my admiral, I'm not stepping down." She paused. "Still, it means something to me that you said that, Ikki."
She gave him a long, quiet look. Then, without another word, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
A soft warmth settled over Ikki, carrying his thoughts somewhere far more pleasant than Marineford.
"Oh my!" Astolfo turned his head at exactly the wrong moment, or perhaps the right one, and immediately pouted. "You two are kissing right in front of me! Master, you can't play favorites like this."