Chapter 59: The Four Emperors
Other forces might not know the details of the battle between Shanks and Kaido, but for the World Government and the Marines, it wasn't difficult. Both crews had spies. Every detail of the fight was reported back.
At Marine Headquarters, in a secure conference room, almost every high-ranking officer was present. Their faces were grim. The details of the Kaido-Shanks clash were shocking. Vice Admirals would be outmatched in that kind of fight. Only Admirals could contend with that level of power.
Both Kaido and Shanks had mastered Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion. Even an Admiral couldn't guarantee victory against them. In a fight to the death, an Admiral risked falling.
"What are your thoughts on these two pirates?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked, massaging his temples. The only pirate crew that gave him a headache back in the day was the Rocks Pirates. But he wasn't Fleet Admiral then, so the burden wasn't his.
Later, the troublesome crews became two: the Roger Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates. Sengoku was still not Fleet Admiral then. While he gave counsel, it was far less stressful than now.
Now the troublesome crews were four: Whitebeard, Big Mom, Beast... and now, Red-Haired. When they learned Shanks's background, they were all stunned. The first three were remnants of Rocks. Even the Red-Haired Pirates could be called remnants of Roger's crew.
"Hmph," Akainu grunted, a cold, murderous aura leaking from him. "Such pirate crews should be eliminated as soon as possible."
He'd been an Admiral for only a few years. His belief in Absolute Justice was unwavering. Pirates were evil. If he died in such a battle, he'd have no regrets. He'd see it as his destined end.
But his statement was pointless. Did Sengoku not want to destroy them? Of course he did. But he couldn't.
To destroy even one of these crews, they'd have to mobilize over half their total force. That would leave Headquarters vulnerable. Other pirates would seize the opportunity.
If Marineford was breached because they overextended to destroy one Emperor, it would be a disaster. Even if they recaptured it, the stain on the Marines' honor—and on Sengoku's career—would be permanent. If that happened, his tenure as Fleet Admiral would be over.
Some officers from Akainu's faction immediately voiced their agreement.
The other two Admirals, Aokiji and Kizaru, hadn't spoken yet. Aokiji looked solemn, genuinely considering the feasibility of an all-out assault.
Kizaru was different. He wore an expression of utter detachment, as if he had no thoughts at all. Whatever order Sengoku gave, he'd carry it out, then clock out on time. That was enough for him.
"If we attack them," Aokiji finally said, his voice low, "the losses for the Marines would be unimaginable. I don't think it's feasible. I vote against mobilizing forces."
Akainu's fiery gaze snapped to him. Fire and ice were incompatible. Since the incident at Ohara, their ideologies had clashed. Aokiji no longer agreed with Akainu's brand of justice.
Officers from Aokiji's faction voiced their support.
"Then do we just let these two pirates continue their arrogance?" Akainu shot back, his voice like grinding stone. "Have you considered the sacrifices we're allowing by doing nothing?"
Aokiji and Akainu faced off, neither backing down. Kizaru, on the side, examined his fingernails, mildly surprised. He'd come to this meeting to do the bare minimum. Seeing this little drama was an unexpected bonus.
Sengoku was at a loss. He was called the "Resourceful General," but this situation couldn't be solved by strategy alone. Their military strength simply wasn't enough.
Not acting would embolden the New World pirates further. Acting could fail spectacularly and cause catastrophic losses.
BANG!
The conference room door was thrown open violently. Every Admiral and Vice Admiral turned to look. It was a messenger.
An ordinary messenger might have frozen under such a collective gaze. But this one was different. Not only did he move, he ran. He rushed to Sengoku's side.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" he gasped, out of breath. "There's... there's trouble!"
"What is it? Why the panic?" Sengoku frowned.
"The newspaper, sir! Look at the newspaper!"
The messenger thrust a crumpled copy of the World Economic Journal into Sengoku's hands.
The headline leaped off the page:
THE EMPERORS OF THE NEW WORLD!
The article detailed how the Whitebeard Pirates, Big Mom Pirates, Beast Pirates, and now the Red-Haired Pirates held unshakable positions in the New World.
'I call them the Emperors of the Sea,' the article quoted Morgans, the head of the news organization. 'The Four Emperors.'
'And unless something unforeseen happens, the next Pirate King will likely rise from among these Four Emperors. Let us wait and see who it will be.'
Sengoku didn't finish reading. He was already trembling with rage.
This newspaper had just elevated the reputation of these New World pirates to a terrifying new height. It was disastrous for the Marines. The pressure on them would now be immense.
Sengoku could already imagine the impact this would have across the world.
"The meeting is dismissed," Sengoku said through gritted teeth, his voice tight. "Kuzan, Sakazuki, Borsalino—to my office. Now."
He stood and stormed out, leaving the other officers in stunned silence. They quickly recovered, scrambling for copies of the day's paper to see what had enraged their Fleet Admiral so completely. The title 'Four Emperors' now hung over the New World, and over Marine Headquarters, like a storm cloud. And in a fortified base at the edge of that turbulent sea, a young Rear Admiral read the same headline, a thoughtful, ambitious glint in his pale blue eyes. The game board had just been officially named. It was time to learn how to play.
(End of Chapter)
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