At the same moment Mike and Whitebeard struck their monumental deal…
Within the solemn, high-ceilinged conference room at Marine Headquarters, the meeting that would decide the fate of the seas had begun.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat at the head of the table, his sharp, intelligent eyes scanning each of the high-ranking officers present.
These were the elites of the Marines, and every single one of them wore a grave expression, their minds already focused on the coming storm.
The only exceptions were Kizaru and Kuzan.
One was in the middle of a lazy, jaw-cracking yawn, while the other was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, looking for all the world like this world-altering meeting had nothing to do with him.
"Gentlemen," Sengoku's voice was a low, commanding rumble that instantly seized everyone's attention.
"The war with the Whitebeard Pirates is about to begin! We must be fully prepared." He turned his head, his gaze landing on Kizaru.
"Borsalino, what is the status of the Pacifista forces?"
"Ohoho, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you can rest assured," Kizaru replied in his signature lazy drawl.
"Dr. Vegapunk's creations are always top-quality. I guaranteed it."
"Hmm," Sengoku nodded, his expression easing slightly.
"Next, regarding Ace's true identity as the son of the 'Pirate King' Gold Roger," a sharp glint flashed in Sengoku's eyes.
"This information must be made public just before the execution! We will let the entire world know that the bloodline of the Pirate King will be completely and utterly eradicated by us! This will not only serve as a powerful deterrent to all pirates but also as a grand piece of propaganda for the Marines!"
"YES, FLEET ADMIRAL!" the officers roared in unison, their voices booming with resolute determination.
Sengoku nodded, satisfied.
"In this war, we Marines fight for Justice! Victory will be ours! Dismissed!"
The officers stood, saluted, and filed out of the room, their faces etched with grim resolve.
Admiral Akainu was among them, his stern face an unreadable mask of cold indifference.
He adjusted his Marine coat and began striding purposefully toward his own office.
He had his own mission from Sengoku: to drive a wedge between Whitebeard and his subordinate, Squard, a pirate who held a deep grudge against Roger.
"Sakazuki, wait up," a languid voice called out from behind him.
Akainu stopped and turned.
Kizaru was approaching with a lazy smile, while Kuzan trailed a few paces behind, looking as indifferent as ever.
"Borsalino. What is it?" Akainu asked, his voice flat and hard as stone.
"Don't be so cold, Sakazuki," Kizaru said cheerfully, casually draping an arm over Akainu's shoulder.
"We're old friends, aren't we? There's something important I'd like to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"This isn't the right place to talk," Kizaru glanced around, then lowered his voice.
"Let's go to your office and have a proper chat."
"Hmph." Akainu snorted but turned and headed toward his office.
Kuzan just shrugged and followed them.
Once inside Akainu's spartan office, the door was shut tight.
Kizaru immediately plopped onto the sofa, while Kuzan leaned against a wall, closing his eyes.
In an instant, two powerful surges of Observation Haki enveloped the entire room, creating an impenetrable shield against any and all prying ears.
"..."
"Alright. Now can you tell me what this is about?" Akainu said, sitting behind his desk with his arms crossed, his sharp, molten gaze fixed on Kizaru.
The fact that both of them were here, and using their Haki to secure the room was highly unusual.
Something was definitely off.
"Sakazuki, what do you think of the Marines… as they are now?" Kizaru asked, his tone surprisingly serious.
"What do you mean by that?" Akainu frowned.
"The Marines are the embodiment of Justice. The foundation of peace on these seas."
"Is that so?" Kizaru chuckled, a hint of something unreadable in his smile.
"Then why are there still so many pirates? Why is the World Government still so corrupt? Why do the Celestial Dragons still act with such impunity? Why…" he paused, his gaze sharpening, "…are we shedding our blood to uphold a 'Justice' that protects the scum of the Holy Land?"
"Borsalino, what exactly are you trying to say?" Akainu's expression darkened, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl.
"Those words shouldn't be coming from your mouth. You've crossed a line today." He scrutinized them both.
Kuzan, he expected this kind of talk from.
But to hear it from Borsalino—the king of slacking off—was downright bizarre.
"Sakazuki…" Kizaru pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and slid it across the desk.
"Take a look at this first."
Akainu unfolded the paper.
His pupils contracted to pinpricks.
Emblazoned across the top were the words: "New Marine Proposal."
"What is this?!"
"The New Marine," Kizaru said solemnly.
"Jointly founded by Captain Mike and Kuzan. Our aim is to establish a Marine force that truly serves the people, free from the corrupt control of the World Government. Sakazuki, join us. Let's create a world of true Justice together!"
'And hurry up and say yes,' Kizaru thought, 'so I can get my bonus!'
"Don't be ridiculous!" Akainu slammed the paper down and shot to his feet, his body beginning to smolder.
"Have you lost your mind, Borsalino?! Teaming up with Kuzan to form some 'New Marine'?! This is treason!"
"Treason?" Kuzan opened his eyes, his gaze calm and cold.
"Sakazuki, isn't that a word better suited for the World Government? They're the ones who betrayed the people. They're the ones who betrayed Justice."
"Enough, Kuzan! What right do you have to speak of Justice?!" Akainu roared, magma bubbling across his shoulders as the temperature in the office skyrocketed.
"Now, now, Sakazuki," Kizaru lazily raised two fingers, wiggling them in the air.
"Two headquarters-class War Fortresses—under your complete and total command."
The magma simmering on Akainu's skin faltered for a fraction of a second.
"And an endless supply of military funding," Kizaru continued, his voice like silk.
"A New World Army, led entirely by you." He paused, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"On one side, you have a rotting old Marine, shackled by the World Government at every turn. On the other, you have full autonomy—the freedom to act as you see fit, to truly realize your 'Absolute Justice' on a scale you've never dreamed of. What will you choose?"
"..."
The oppressive heat in the room began to recede.
Akainu slowly, silently, sank back into his chair.
The air grew thick and heavy with his silence.
Slowly, he reached into the cigar box on his desk and retrieved one.
With a soft click of his lighter, a flame flickered to life.
The pungent aroma of the cigar smoke filled the air, cutting through the tension.
Akainu took a long, deep drag, holding the smoke for a moment before exhaling it in a slow, deliberate stream.
"Borsalino…"
"Explain in detail."