"What's with the panic? Running in all flustered, what kind of conduct is that?"
Akainu already had fire in his heart. A cigar clamped in his mouth, he exhaled smoke with a face full of irritation.
"F-Fleet Admiral! Captain Koby's returning fleet was ambushed near Karai Bari Island, and everyone was captured!" the reporting officer stammered.
"Koby's been captured?!" Garp exclaimed in shock.
"By who?" Akainu asked in a low, grim voice.
"K-Kuzan…"
A name they hadn't heard in a long time instantly darkened the expressions of every Marine officer in the room.
"Kuzan?!" Akainu tilted his head, thinking he'd misheard.
"What the hell happened? Why would Kuzan attack Koby?!" Garp asked.
"We've received the latest intel… Kuzan has officially joined Cross Guild. He's now the Vice President of the organization."
"WHAT?!"
Every Marine present looked dumbfounded, as if they'd just heard the most absurd joke of their lives.
"He… joined Cross Guild?" Akainu's voice was cold, tinged with fury.
A former Marine Admiral had now become a pirate. And on top of that, another Marine Admiral had been captured.
For the Navy, this wasn't just a defeat. This was a disgrace.
For the past 800 years, such a thing had never happened.
How did the Marines come into existence?
Eight centuries ago, when the 19 nations became the Celestial Dragons, their most elite soldiers formed the first force of order, not called the Marines back then, but the Dragon Army. As pirates increased across the seas, they evolved into what became the Marines, tasked with suppressing pirates.
And pirates themselves? They originated with Joy Boy, the first pirate in history.
The Marines' original mission was to prevent the rise of another Joy Boy. But over the centuries, the Marines changed, shifting to protect civilians and safeguard the maritime interests of the World Government's nations.
Kuzan's leaving the Marines after losing to Akainu in the battle for Fleet Admiral was understandable. But for him to then join a pirate organization? That was utterly humiliating for the Navy.
Ryokugyu's defeat hadn't been shameful; he had lost to an Emperor, after all.
Admirals could be defeated; it wasn't that damaging. It only proved Roy's strength.
But Kuzan's betrayal, combined with Koby's capture, directly stained Akainu's leadership.
"War. We must mobilize against Cross Guild, and I will personally lead the campaign," Akainu growled, his clenched fist glowing red with heat as his rage boiled over.
"Fleet Admirals have rarely gone to the frontlines themselves," Sengoku warned.
"What rules matter at this point? They must be annihilated!" Akainu snapped.
"Then who will protect Mary Geoise?" Sengoku's calm question struck him silent.
purupuru puru
Just then, the Den Den Mushi on Akainu's desk began ringing.
"Fleet Admiral, urgent report from Sabaody!"
"What is it? Speak."
"We've sighted former Warlord Bartholomew Kuma in Sabaody; he's climbing the Red Line toward Mary Geoise!"
"Kuma? Heading for the Red Line? Wasn't he fully modified already? Damn it… one thing after another!" Akainu stood up, his fury burning hotter.
"I'll go to Mary Geoise myself and request instruction from the Five Elders."
"You can't leave Marineford or Mary Geoise unattended, not unless the Celestial Dragons themselves dismiss you," Sengoku cautioned.
Akainu glared at him, seething, deeply dissatisfied.
"…Then let me handle it," Garp sighed, standing up at last.
All the officers turned toward him, surprised that Garp would volunteer.
"The Fleet Admiral can't move. Then I'll go. Kuzan was once my subordinate; I'll deal with him. And Koby is my disciple. I'll save him myself. Issho will go with me. Add Tokikake and Gion, and we'll be enough."
2 Admiral-level and 2 Admiral Candidate combatants were the strongest force the Marines could muster short of Akainu himself.
Akainu assessed the plan.
Cross Guild now had four top fighters: Buggy, Mihawk, Crocodile, and Kuzan.
On their side, they had Garp, Fujitora, Tokikake, and Gion, plus Vice Admirals and thousands of soldiers. It was enough.
"I'll stay here in HQ," Sengoku added.
"Fine. Go." Akainu nodded reluctantly. With Sengoku overseeing HQ, there was no problem. He himself would rush to Mary Geoise to guard against Kuma, who, even as a cyborg, was dangerous.
Kuma's powers were troublesome, and his strength was on par with an Admiral. Forcing him into the Warlord system had been the World Government's idea, but in truth, if he fought seriously, he could wreak havoc even in Mary Geoise.
The Marines mobilized. Akainu departed for Mary Geoise.
Kuma continued climbing the Red Line, but Akainu's speed would surely outpace him.
Fujitora stayed silent, accepting the assignment without protest.
The strike force assembled: 20,000 Marine HQ elites, one Admiral, ten Vice Admirals, and among them three Vice Admirals qualified for Admiral rank, Garp, Tokikake, and Gion.
.....
Meanwhile, at Karai Bari Island
Cross Guild had debated Kuzan's entry carefully. After all, he was a former Admiral.
So Crocodile had demanded proof of loyalty: "Take down a Marine fleet."
A surveillance fleet had been shadowing Cross Guild, a remnant of forces once sent to capture the Warlords, reinforced by Koby's detachment returning from Amazon Lily.
Kuzan moved. With a sweep of his ice powers, he froze the sea and the entire fleet in moments, ending the battle instantly.
The offering was complete. Kuzan had crossed the line. He had struck against the Marines. There was no going back.
Koby, shackled and hung on the wall, stared at Kuzan in disbelief. The Admiral, whom he once revered, now sat among their enemies.
"We've just received word. The Marines are on the move. Admiral Fujitora is leading forces here. What should we do?" Buggy panicked.
He had only just declared his bid for the One Piece. To fight the Marines now? That was terrifying.
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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