Admiral Aokiji hopes that Admiral Akainu can recruit Akihara Kagura within the Navy, inviting him to join their alliance and change the seas together!
As long as Akihara Kagura can act with them, whether in strength or strategy, it will be a huge boost to their plan!
"What did you hear?"
Kizaru curiously leaned in.
"Nothing..."
Akainu pressed his hand against his shoulder, grimacing from the pain of frostbite. Despite this, the man remained resilient, refusing to flinch even slightly at the chill, which made his stubborn nature somewhat unsettling.
Actually...
Kizaru is also one of the people they've chosen.
Akainu believes that Kizaru should be recruited to act together, since they were formerly part of the Three Great Admirals and their strength is sufficient.
Unfortunately, Kizaru, this former colleague, did not gain Aokiji's trust. Based on some hearsay Aokiji caught, Kizaru has become too close with Bartholomew Kuma and Vegapunk, and there might be some issues with Kizaru in Vegapunk's escape from naval control...
"..."
Akainu glanced at Kizaru, recalling the things he exchanged with Aokiji during battle concerning Kizaru and Akihara Kagura.
"Some things..."
"Are better left unknown to others..."
"We need to use the Heavenly Celestial Dragon and Konoha Pirates' strengths to overturn them, but if Borsalino is too close to others, it's likely our secrets would be exposed and used by another force..."
"Regarding the former Seven Warlords of the Sea, Bartholomew Kuma's identity, you should know something, Kuma is closely tied with the Revolutionary Army..."
"Dragon's Revolutionary Army, huh..."
"Yes..."
"If Borsalino really has any relation with the Revolutionary Army, then we might be utilized by them, becoming tools for the Revolutionary Army to seize world power..."
"Moreover..."
"Borsalino lacks firm resolve and maintains a vague attitude towards everything; best not to let him know about this..."
Undeniably...
Aokiji understands his colleagues very well.
Akainu initially considered recruiting Kizaru for big plans purely due to his sufficient strength and decades of friendship... Now, Akainu recognizes Aokiji's accurate assessment of Kizaru.
"What did you hear?"
Kizaru, hearing no reply from Akainu, lightly tilted his head towards Akihara Kagura, hoping to get answers from him.
"..."
Akainu's face darkened.
Borsalino's curiosity is overwhelming...
He now seems less likely to join in major undertakings with them.
"Heard them arguing..."
Standing beside Akainu, Akihara Kagura grinned as he casually replied, "Admiral Sakazuki is quite displeased about Admiral Aokiji's resignation, considering him as a deserter who retreats when faced with problems..."
"..."
Akainu glanced at Akihara Kagura, nodding slightly.
It must be said...
Aokiji's judgment of Akihara Kagura was correct too.
Akainu recalled Aokiji revealing Akihara Kagura's secrets to him and speculated about his actions.
"I hope we choose to invite Akihara Kagura instead of Borsalino because we know Kagura's identity and secrets better..."
"I checked Akihara Kagura's profile, he's just 21, and joined the Navy at an East Sea base as a regular Navy soldier. That base's Colonel Nezumi colluded with Pirate Ah Long, making the citizens of East Sea suffer miserably..."
"However..."
"After Kagura entered the Navy, the Arlong Pirates killed Colonel Nezumi at the base, and the Straw Hat Pirates defeated the Arlong Pirates..."
"Previously, I probably wouldn't care about such small matters, but recalling some conversations with him, I suspect it's all his doing or orchestrated by him..."
"Whether using the Arlong Pirates to cleanse Navy's internal mess or using the Straw Hat Pirates to deal with Arlong's crew, these are exactly the tactics we want..."
"Perhaps..."
"It was then Konoha Pirates noticed him too, employing him as a spy in the Navy to secure achievements and quickly establish himself..."
"But Kagura utilized this; instead, he leveraged the Konoha Pirates, obtaining the Logia-type·Rumble-Rumble Fruit, elevating his strength to match ours, even surpassing us with Konoha Pirates' and Vegapunk's technology..."
These things...
Were unknown to Akainu.
Because Aokiji had past entanglements with Konoha Pirates, he knew a bit about Akihara Kagura's secrets, though these were mere guesses by Aokiji.
Of course.
Aokiji, while investigating inside Konoha Pirates, would investigate Akihara Kagura as well, but he highly esteemed Kagura's wisdom...
Now it seems...
This young Vice Admiral's intelligence is indeed commendable.
Akainu watched as Akihara Kagura dismissed Kizaru with a few words, then turned to meet his gaze, seemingly wanting to communicate something.
"I didn't want to hear either..."
With a rueful smile, Akihara Kagura looked at Akainu, explaining, "Unfortunately, I had to use Observation Haki to monitor your battle; Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability strengthens Observation Haki too much..."
"No worries."
Akainu didn't mind Kagura eavesdropping on their conversation, speaking hoarsely and gloomily, "I originally planned to propose once we resolve Dressrosa's troubles, now I just ask ahead, Vice Admiral of Navy Headquarters Akihara Kagura, what is your choice?"
"Of course...to join."
Akihara Kagura's words came as no surprise.
Akainu was prepared for Kagura's choice, as Aokiji speculated his past actions align with their cause.
Though Akainu anticipated it, hearing Kagura agree still relieved his mind, assuring no troubles ahead...
Definitely...
His and Aokiji's plans are grand.
Such matters remain secret wherever, not to be disclosed to more people, and Kagura's existence was like a sword hanging over this secret, impossible to remove...
Now...
Akihara Kagura joining suits perfectly.
"Welcome."
Akainu extended his hand to Akihara Kagura.
The broad, thick hand bore frostbite and scars, yet expressed Akainu's utmost friendliness; this Naval Admiral certainly wasn't eloquent...
"Actually..."
Akihara Kagura's lips curled into a smile as he shook Akainu's hand, cheerfully saying, "Even if Admiral Aokiji and Admiral Sakazuki didn't act, I would opt for this; at Shampodi Islands, I attacked Heavenly Celestial Dragon under Admiral Sakazuki's name, hoping to remove him from Admiral and Navy Admiral positions, sparking conflicts between Navy and Celestial Dragons..."