"..."
Akainu took another sharp, deep drag from his cigar, his eyes squinting against the swirling smoke as he carefully dissected Kizaru's words.
'Two headquarters-level war fortresses.'
'Limitless military funding.'
'And a New World Army under my complete command.'
The conditions were like the whispers of a demon, endlessly tempting.
But what truly stirred his heart, what resonated with a deep, long-buried frustration, was Kizaru's phrase: "constantly restrained by the World Government, bound hand and foot."
"Haa—" Akainu exhaled a long, thick stream of smoke, as if trying to expel all the pent-up rage that had been simmering in his chest for years.
Yes.
He had had enough.
On the surface, being a Marine Admiral was a glorious position.
But in reality? It was suffocating.
Only those who reached the very top of the Marine hierarchy could see the truth: the Marines were nothing more than a blade in the hands of the World Government, a tool used to maintain the decadent rule of the Celestial Dragons.
An Admiral had to drop everything and act as a glorified bodyguard whenever one of those "gods" was slighted.
They were seen not as the pinnacle of military might, but as powerful dogs on a leash.
Was he, Sakazuki, truly willing to live his entire life as a puppet Admiral?
To have his hands tied by political maneuvering when there were pirates that needed to be eradicated?
What kind of Justice was that?
It was ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
The more Akainu thought about it, the hotter his anger burned.
With a sharp, hissing sound, he abruptly stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, crushing it with brutal finality.
"Borsalino. Explain in detail," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"What exactly… is this New Marine?"
"Heh—" A wide, sly grin spread across Kizaru's face.
This is it! He's hooked!
As long as Sakazuki was willing to listen, this was practically a done deal.
"The New Marine will no longer be chained to the Holy Land. We will not receive orders from the Five Elders," Kizaru's voice was soft, but every word landed with the force of a hammer blow.
"We will have independent finances, independent military resources, and an independent will. Within the waters of the New World, you, Sakazuki, will have absolute autonomy." He paused, letting the weight of his next words sink in.
"Your task will be to nail the Four Emperors firmly in place and never let them leave."
"Hmm," Kuzan chimed in at the perfect moment, his voice calm and steady.
"The pirates in the first half of the Grand Line, 'Paradise,' and the four seas will be my responsibility. Borsalino will hold the center, ready to provide support and prevent any of the Emperors from uniting and breaking your containment." He opened his eyes, a glint of determination flashing within them.
"The evil on these seas will be thoroughly purged by us. What the old Marine couldn't accomplish, the New Marine can. We have the funds, the strength, and the unwavering resolve."
"..." Akainu remained silent, his expression unreadable as he listened.
He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping a slow, rhythmic beat on the desk.
The steady tap-tap was the only sound in the quiet office.
"Full authority over all New Marine decisions in the New World… given entirely to me?" he finally asked, his voice a low rasp, seeking confirmation.
The New World.
The most chaotic, crime-infested, pirate-run sea in the world.
To be given a blank check and absolute command to enforce his will there… it meant he could finally carry out his "Absolute Justice" without restraint.
He could wipe out every last criminal pirate.
The Four Emperors, pinned down and eradicated? It was everything he had ever wanted.
The long-suppressed desire in his heart erupted like a volcano, making his breathing grow heavy with anticipation.
"Mmm," Kizaru nodded, a smug smirk curling his lips.
"The New Marine's backer is that kid, Mike. He's a hands-off boss if there ever was one. He'd be thrilled to have someone else do all the hard work. Strictly speaking, the top leaders of this new organization will be you and Kuzan." He deliberately trailed off.
'And my role? My role will be to collect my bonus and then follow Mike's lead in enjoying life to the fullest!'
"Mike?" Akainu recalled the name.
"That adjutant you recruited from the East Blue?"
He was the one behind all of this? This young man was suddenly a figure of immense intrigue.
"Interesting…"
He stood up, his decision made.
"If he is truly willing to delegate that authority to me, then I will lead the New World Army of the New Marine."
"Now that's more like it!" Kizaru slapped his thigh in delight.
Bonus secured!
"Sakazuki, I knew you wouldn't let me down!" He turned and winked at Kuzan.
"Sakazuki," Kuzan said calmly, "you've made a wise decision."
"Hmph, I don't need either of you to tell me what to do," Akainu snorted.
But despite his sharp words, he was already moving toward the door.
"Take me to see this Captain Mike." His clenched fist began to transform, molten rock dripping from his knuckles.
"Let me see for myself… just what kind of strength and wealth the man who can bankroll a new world order possesses."
"Haha, let's go!" Kizaru, unusually cheerful, laughed loudly and strode out of the office.
"Perfect timing! I need to report my first successful recruitment to young Mike!"
Kuzan followed, his towering figure casting a long shadow down the corridor.
Akainu took one last, complex look at the office that had been his for so long, then turned and strode forward, the three of them walking side-by-side.
As they moved through the administrative building, countless Marine soldiers stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and confusion as they snapped to attention.
"SALUTE!"
The synchronized sound echoed through the hallways.
"It's the Admirals!"
"All three of them… moving together?!"
"Has something major happened?!"