Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield, after the Marines retreated, a heavy silence settled over their fleet. The defeat was devastating, and every soldier felt the weight of it. This was not a minor setback. It was a crushing blow to the prestige of the Marine Headquarters.
Aboard one of the warships, Saint Mars listened to Admiral Aramaki's report with an expression of deep dissatisfaction. His voice was cold and sharp.
"Hmph. Sengoku and Garp are utterly incompetent. They actually allowed Kaido to escape, leading to this disastrous outcome. Truly useless."
Admiral Aramaki stood in silence. As a newly appointed Admiral, this had been his first major operation, and it had ended in failure. The shame of it pressed heavily on him. Yet this was not merely his failure. The entire Marine force had suffered. Even the Gorosei had intervened personally, and still they failed to secure victory. The reality left him powerless.
Saint Mars dismissed him with a glance. He had no expectations from Aramaki. As a new Admiral, Aramaki lacked the experience and authority to offer meaningful solutions. Without further comment, Saint Mars picked up a Den Den Mushi and contacted Sengoku directly.
"Sengoku. This is one of the Five Elders."
On the other end, Sengoku stiffened. His tone was respectful and composed.
"Yes, Saint Mars-sama."
Saint Mars wasted no time.
"You are hereby ordered to resume the position of Fleet Admiral immediately. Report to Marine Headquarters and stabilize the situation at once. In addition, locate Aokiji and summon him back."
Sengoku was not surprised. He had already learned that Sakazuki had fallen in battle. With Akainu dead, Kizaru captured by the Phoenix Pirates, and the remaining Admirals, Aramaki and Fujitora, still inexperienced in comparison, there was no one else capable of restoring order. It was inevitable that he would have to return.
"Yes," Sengoku replied firmly.
After ending the call, Saint Mars waved his hand impatiently.
"You may leave."
"Yes."
Aramaki departed in silence.
In the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, within Pangaea Castle, a Magic Circle appeared. Saint Mars was summoned by Saint V. Nusjuro.
"How is the Marine situation?" Saint V. Nusjuro asked without preamble.
Saint Mars answered calmly, "Sengoku has been dispatched to retrieve Aokiji. However, this defeat has inflicted enormous losses upon the Marines. We may need to continue the World Military Draft to replenish our forces."
Saint Saturn responded dismissively, "It is of no consequence. They are merely insects. No matter how many perish, it changes nothing. Still, Sakazuki's death is regrettable."
The others silently agreed. Though they regarded the people of the lower world as insignificant, Admiral level combat power was rare. Such individuals stood at the pinnacle of countless others. Losing one was no small matter.
Saint V. Nusjuro spoke again. "When Aokiji returns, do we appoint him as Fleet Admiral?"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter replied coldly, "We will discuss that after he is found. He resigned after losing to Sakazuki. If we immediately grant him the Fleet Admiral position, it will appear as though we are desperate."
Saint V. Nusjuro shifted the topic. "What of Borsalino?"
The room grew tense. Even the Five Elders found this issue troublesome.
Saint Saturn sighed. "Have the Marines negotiate with the Phoenix Pirates. Attempt to exchange Borsalino back."
The others nodded.
Saint V. Nusjuro continued, his voice turning grave. "Leave Marine affairs to Sengoku. He has decades of experience. The greater concern is the Three Emperors Alliance. Their combined strength has exceeded all expectations. Their threat now surpasses even that of the Rocks Pirates."
The others nodded in agreement.
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said solemnly, "Setting aside Big Mom for the moment, Marco possesses the power to defeat Kizaru and kill Sakazuki. That alone suggests his strength rivals that of Rocks in his prime."
Saint Mars, however, expressed a different view.
"Not necessarily. According to Aramaki's report, Marco deliberately provoked Sakazuki. Sakazuki responded recklessly and was drawn into Marco's trap. He was unable to fully utilize his Logia abilities before Marco pierced him. Strategy played a decisive role."
"A calculated move," Saint V. Nusjuro murmured in understanding.
Saint V. Nusjuro's expression remained cold. "Regardless of whether it was strategy, Sakazuki died before the eyes of a Marine Admiral. Even if he had sustained injuries from fighting Big Mom earlier, defeat is defeat. Death is death. There is no room for excuses. Furthermore, we personally witnessed Marco's strength. It is extraordinary."
He paused before continuing.
"Even if Sakazuki had faced Marco at full strength, I believe the outcome would not have changed."
The others silently agreed.
Saint V. Nusjuro added, "Sengoku has also reported that Kaido's power now surpasses that of Whitebeard and Roger in their later years. Even if he and Garp fought together, their chances of victory would be slim."
Saint Mars nodded solemnly. "That means both Marco and Kaido possess strength comparable to Rocks. This truly is a terrifying era."
The name Rocks carried heavy implications. Decades ago, a single Rocks had nearly destabilized the world. Now there were two individuals of similar caliber, alongside Big Mom, whose strength remained at the level of an Emperor. United under the Three Emperors Alliance, their power exceeded that of the Rocks Pirates in the past.
Originally, the Five Elders intended to exploit the newly formed alliance. Their plan had been to strike swiftly at Big Mom, whom they considered the weakest link, and dismantle the alliance piece by piece. Instead, they had gravely underestimated their opponents.
On Whole Cake Island, they had faced only two Emperor crews, the Big Mom Pirates and the Phoenix Pirates. Even with the Five Elders themselves, two Admirals, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea, they barely gained the upper hand. When Kaido arrived, they were forced into retreat.
For the Five Elders, this battle was an unprecedented humiliation.
They had intervened personally, yet still failed.
This reality forced them to confront a harsh truth. The World Government was facing its greatest crisis in a century, possibly even more dangerous than the Rocks era forty years ago. If mishandled, it could threaten the very foundation of their rule.
The Five Elders exchanged solemn glances before walking deeper into Pangaea Castle.
There, before the Empty Throne, they knelt in unison.
A dark figure slowly emerged and took a seat upon the throne.
"Imu-sama…"
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Powerstones?? (´ε｀ )
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Patreon = _Zeph