When Akainu's fist lifted from the table, it left a charred imprint from the magma. Judging by the surrounding marks, this table wouldn't last much longer.
He competed for the position of Marshal to showcase his abilities, to lead the Navy to pacify The Sea in his own way. But upon achieving this position, he found himself frustrated every day, perhaps even more so than in Sengoku's era.
During Sengoku's time, although one of the Three Great Admirals liked to slack off and another was rather lazy, they were ultimately doing their jobs. Not to mention there was Akainu, a model worker, and the situation in The Sea was relatively stable.
When he took over, The Sea went on a rampage. The Navy suffered significant losses, and although the World Government expanded recruitment to bolster its forces, restoring past strength wasn't easy, with disciplinary issues declining considerably.
The new recruits and temporary promotions were much harder to manage compared to the veterans.
Kuzan's actions at this time were tantamount to stabbing him in the back again. Years of camaraderie led Akainu not to go for the kill after his victory. Kuzan lost a leg, and holding a grudge against Akainu for that was understandable.
Although this battle was one both parties agreed to, everyone has emotions; it's nothing out of the ordinary.
Akainu could understand Kuzan leaving the Navy. Had he lost, he likewise couldn't accept Kuzan's philosophy. But he never imagined Kuzan would turn and truly join the pirates, especially the Hundred Beasts, who were already at their zenith after the top war.
Judging from Kizaru's report, Kuzan wasn't just fooling around; he was serious. Regardless of Kuzan's motives, this act of joining pirates made Akainu utterly resentful.
"This matter is already settled. It seems the previous rumors were true. Sakazuki, what do you plan to do? Will you issue a bounty?"
"Wait a bit longer...."
Kuzan's identity was too unique. This wasn't the first defection incident, but previously it was just a Junior Admiral, and at most, Saul, a Vice Admiral from the Giant Race, so the bounty wasn't much of an issue.
Kuzan's identity, however, was the former highest combat power of the Navy Headquarters. The impact of such a force joining pirates was too significant. Before Kuzan's situation became widely known, Akainu didn't want it to be heavily publicized.
"There are more troublesome matters than just this. Zeraora's combat power is also steadily increasing, and at the same time, Hundred Beasts are searching for something. I saw it myself; after Shaina absorbed that Plate, her whole power underwent a qualitative change."
Speaking of Shaina's change, Kizaru had already put down his crossed leg.
"The feeling those wings gave me was like encompassing the entire sky. That attack during the previous war might have been their mastery of the Plate's power. If such power can be used by everyone, or even Kaidou....
Sakazuki, you must understand, they have more than just one."
"I know this. Besides this one, there was another in the previous transaction.
Decades ago, when Kaidou escaped from the laboratory, he took two with him. They have at least four Plates.
Over these years, they've been searching for these things at any cost. How many Plates they truly possess has become an unknown."
"It's becoming more terrifying. This sea is truly too dangerous. Is there anything else? If not, I'll take my leave. I don't think I need to give suggestions on the bounty, right?"
"Yes, go ahead. Oh, by the way, your subordinate can be posthumously promoted to a Headquarter Colonel, and family benefits will be of the same rank."
Before Kizaru left, Akainu mentioned Sentomaru's situation again. Posthumous promotion in rank after dying in the line of duty was customary.
...
"Garp! It's always people related to you, can't anyone associated with you ever be trouble-free!"
At the retirement department of the Navy Headquarters, Sengoku roared at Garp as always. Even after stepping down, Sengoku still maintained his old habits regarding this matter. He had lost count of how many times he'd roared at Garp over the years.
Son - Monkey D. Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, the most notorious criminal in history.
Grandson - Monkey D. Luffy, pirate, Super Rookie, involved in the Impel Down escape incident, participant in the war at the summit.
Disciple - Kuzan, former Admiral, now defected to join the Hundred Beasts Pirates.
These three alone were enough to drive an ordinary person mad.
"I never expected it to turn out this way. I did teach him to act as he pleases, but I didn't expect him to take it to such an extreme."
Seeing Kuzan's news, Garp also felt a headache. Yet, during this brief moment, all the senbei and donuts in front of him were devoured by Sengoku. After resigning as Marshal, Sengoku had clearly started letting himself go and gradually turned into Garp.
If you can't beat them, then join them. At this moment, Sengoku was using Garp's method to deal with Garp, and it was working very well.
...
Meanwhile, in Mary Geoise, the Five Elders were also troubled by this news.
"Is it confirmed that Vegapunk is dead?"
Wearing a black suit, white curly hair, bushy white beard, flat hat, and a scar on his left cheek, one of the Five Elders asked with grave concern as he looked at the CP0 agent reporting the news.
"Saint Saturn, several squads have already explored the area. The information is basically accurate unless Vegapunk had some contingency. Otherwise, he... is definitely dead."
One of the Five Elders, Jaygarcia Saturn, in charge of science-related matters and respected as the Scientific Defense Martial God, had previously dealt with Vegapunk through him. Now, with Vegapunk's death, he felt quite troubled.
The unfinished Blazing Angels and the "Holy Mother's Flame" damaged during the war at the summit—just these two matters were already a big headache.
Kuzan's defection, the mysterious Plate, and this scattered series of events, even for the Five Elders, were quite a headache.
Apart from the Navy and the World Government, who were deeply involved in this matter, others who saw the newspaper had their own thoughts.
On Kuraigana Island, Hawkeye stood atop the castle waiting for something. After a short while, a Dragonite appeared in front of him, holding something resembling a delivery box.
After placing the box on the rooftop, Dragonite's round arms retrieved a Rotom Phone from the satchel on its chest, starting to verify the order information. Upon confirming it, it took the Belly handed over by Hawkeye and left.
Online payment was still relatively challenging on this sea, so this delivery business adopted cash on delivery. To prevent defaults, Dragonite, tasked with express deliveries, were quite strong.
Alongside Dragonite on this island was a News Bird, delivering newspapers that Hawkeye had subscribed from Morgans. To stay informed about world affairs, he paid extra Belly for dedicated delivery service.
"What a convenient invention. It's now much easier to procure supplies."
Hawkeye put away the publicly sold Rotom Phone, very satisfied with the business expansion of the Hundred Beasts Fruit...