"The Warlords are here!"
Tashigi took a hard drag on her cigarette, her expression turning unpleasant.
Walking at the very front was Donquixote Doflamingo, swaggering forward with a completely unrestrained stride.
Right behind him was Bartholomew Kuma, holding a book in one hand, his face stiff and expressionless.
After that came the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, followed by the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk… Hawk-Eye.
"Move it. Marines. Don't block my way," Doflamingo barked arrogantly at a Marine standing in front of him.
The Marine wore the rank of Captain, yet he could only swallow his anger and step aside.
Several of the Seven Warlords of the Sea walked straight through Marineford as if it were their own backyard, showing absolutely no regard for the hundred thousand elite Marines present.
Smoker was far less polite than Tashigi, shouting angrily, "So the mighty Marines actually have to rely on pirates to fight their battles. What a joke!"
Tashigi immediately cut in. "Enough, Smoker. The Warlords answered the World Government's summons to assist us. At the very least, they'll help reduce our losses."
Smoker snorted coldly. "Reduce losses? We should thank the heavens if they don't sabotage us from behind."
"If these people were really reliable, they wouldn't be pirates in the first place."
Tashigi fell silent.
To be honest, she did not trust these so-called Warlords either.
But because of the Marines' position, she could not openly question or oppose the World Government's decision.
A thoughtful look appeared in Aizen Sōsuke's eyes as he spoke quietly, "Compared to actually making the Warlords fight, I think the World Government's real goal is to put its power on display."
Under Smoker and Tashigi's puzzled gazes, Aizen explained calmly.
"With the Marines' massive military strength under its command, and with even notorious pirates forced to obey orders, they can then use that combined force to wipe out the Whitebeard Pirates, who are known as the strongest in the world."
"Anyone who sees that would inevitably be awed by the supreme authority of the World Government."
At this point, Aizen adjusted his glasses. A silver glint flashed across the lenses as his deep voice continued.
"More importantly… this is a war that's guaranteed to be won. If all the credit went to the Marines alone, their prestige would grow far too great."
"At that point, even the World Government might not be able to fully control them."
"But with the Warlords involved, part of the credit gets divided. And if the Marines have to rely on pirates to win, that naturally weakens their authority as well."
"In the end, the Marines remain firmly under the World Government's control."
"For the World Government, that's far more important than how the Marines feel, or what they lose."
Smoker and Tashigi were shaken.
There was really that much hidden behind it?
It sounded almost unbelievable.
Yet when they thought it through carefully, it was completely logical.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
A crisp round of applause rang out.
"I never expected to see someone this sharp among the younger generation."
The three turned their heads to see a gray-haired elderly woman walking toward them with a gentle smile.
The Marines' Chief of Staff… Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
All three immediately snapped to attention and saluted.
Despite holding only the rank of Vice Admiral, in emergencies she could issue orders even to the Admirals.
And as a legendary figure from the same era as Sengoku and Garp, her prestige within the Marines was in no way inferior to theirs.
Tsuru looked at the refined and composed Aizen Sōsuke, her eyes filled with approval.
"For someone as talented as you, staying by that old fool Garp's side must really be hard on you."
Aizen smiled politely. "You flatter me, Vice Admiral Tsuru. Vice Admiral Garp has taken very good care of me. There's nothing difficult about it."
Tsuru merely smiled.
She knew exactly what kind of person Garp was.
Not saying it out loud here was simply giving him some face.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru!"
At that moment, the hot-tempered Smoker could not hold back anymore.
"The World Government is scheming against the Marines like this. Are we really just supposed to swallow it?"
Tsuru looked at him and sighed helplessly.
Did they want to be shackled like this?
But ninety percent of the Marines' funding came from the World Government. If you did not listen, what could you do?
Tsuru said calmly, "Some things aren't about whether you want to do them or not. You do them because you have no choice."
"The Marines cannot oppose the World Government. Otherwise, the entire sea would fall into total chaos."
She fixed her gaze on the three of them. "What you must do is uphold justice and eradicate pirates."
"As for those frustrating political matters, leave them to us old bones to deal with."
Young people should keep charging forward with passion.
She patted Aizen Sōsuke on the shoulder and said to all three, "If you're dissatisfied, then perform well in this war."
"When you reach positions high enough, then you can think about changing things for the Marines."
Smoker's expression turned solemn as he saluted sharply. "Yes. I understand!"
Tsuru nodded in satisfaction and went off to inspect the preparations around the plaza.
Sengoku was in his office watching Whitebeard's movements.
The three Admirals were conserving their strength for the coming battle.
Only this old woman was personally checking the battlefield.
As for Garp?
That man was still wandering around in a daze.
Letting him do inspections now… who knew what kind of mess that would turn into.
Aizen watched Tsuru's departing figure and inwardly praised her.
With just a few words, she brushed past the issue of the World Government suppressing the Marines, while also boosting the morale of the younger generation. Her handling of the situation was flawless.
"No wonder Lord Soul King said so," Aizen adjusted his glasses, a faint smile forming on his lips. "The sea truly is full of interesting characters."
That was how it should be.
If there were no worthy opponents at all, wouldn't that be far too boring?
Suddenly, a wave of noise erupted from the rear of the plaza.
The three looked up to see several Giant Vice Admirals slowly walking forward, taking their places in the open area near the Warlords.
There were not many Giants within the Marines, but every single one was a carefully selected elite.
Thanks to their natural physiques, Giants possessed terrifying strength and astonishing vitality.
They were born warriors.
"It's finally starting," Tashigi said, finishing her cigarette and tossing it into a nearby trash bin.
At the same time, Vice Admirals who had yet to appear all stepped into view.
Below the execution platform, three imposing chairs were occupied by three figures.
In the center sat Akainu, Sakazuki.
To his right was Kizaru, Borsalino.
To his left was Aokiji, Kuzan.
The Marines' highest combat power.
The three Admirals.
Their mere presence alone sent the hundred thousand elite Marines below into thunderous cheers.
The overwhelming momentum made even the seasoned Warlords change their expressions slightly.
"Fufufufu… so this is the strongest force on the sea," Doflamingo chuckled. "It really does make a pirate like me tremble in fear."
Despite his words, there was not the slightest trace of fear on his face.
He could already sense it.
This war would shake the entire world.
And when that happened, his ambitions would finally have a chance to come true.
***
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