"Lord Imu?"
Hearing this unfamiliar name, a trace of confusion flashed in Sengoku eyes.
As the Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, he had traveled between the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and Marineford countless times.
He had also been responsible for the security of Mary Geoise on multiple occasions, safeguarding the Levely held every four years. During these times, he had meticulously arranged defenses in Mary Geoise to prevent any unexpected incidents.
Yet, even so, the name "Lord Imu" was completely unknown to him.
If even Sengoku was unfamiliar with it, the others present naturally wore expressions of bewilderment. They exchanged glances, half-believing and half-doubting Gion words.
.....
At That Moment, on the Top Floor of the Marine Headquarters Building.
As the elevator doors opened, Orion standing inside, stepped out without hesitation. Following closely behind him were Vice Admirals Strawberry and Bastille, along with several Rear Admirals who had already rushed ahead of Orion.
They stood respectfully in front of the conference hall doors at the end of the corridor.
As Orion approached, the two Rear Admirals immediately pushed the doors open. Without pausing, Orion strode confidently into the conference hall.
"Clatter—"
Inside the hall, Gion, Hound, and the other Marine officers, along with the soldiers standing behind them, all rose to their feet and took a step forward.
Instead of heading to his seat, Orion walked briskly up to Sengoku under the gaze of everyone present.
"Attention!"
Before Sengoku could react, Orion suddenly snapped his feet together, then raised his right hand in a salute toward the Fleet Admiral.
"Salute to the Fleet Admiral!"
As Orion voice fell, Strawberry, Bastille, and the other Rear Admirals and Commodores behind him also snapped to attention. Gion, Hound, and the others naturally followed suit, standing straight and facing Fleet Admiral Sengoku as they shouted in unison.
"LOYALTY!"
Sengoku showed little reaction, calmly watching Orion salute him. Maynard and other officers who had not yet submitted to Orion wore hostile expressions, eyeing Orion as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Vice Admiral Orion, you've been quite busy tonight!" After a brief silence, Sengoku shook his head and sighed, speaking unhurriedly.
"Using the lives and blood of your comrades to fulfill your ambitions—is this the justice you uphold?"
Hearing this, Orion took out a document from his pocket and placed it in front of Sengoku, then took a step back, saying.
"Years ago, I met a prophet on Fish-Man Island. She told me that my success would be built on the bones of countless others. I don't see it that way. In my view, life and death are choices one makes for oneself. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Marineford is now largely under my control. If you don't want to see more people die in resistance, I urge you to sign this document."
"Orion! You traitor!" Before Sengoku could respond, Maynard suddenly stood up, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Orion.
"As long as we're alive, you'll never succeed!"
"You Dare!" Without waiting for Orion orders, Strawberry and Bastille moved in perfect unison, stepping forward in a flash.
In the next moment, Strawberry finger gun was pointed at Maynard chest.
At the same time, Bastille large blade was already resting against Maynard neck.
Following suit, Gion instinctively gripped the hilt of her sword, while Hound bared his teeth in a bloodthirsty grin.
If Maynard, along with Yamakaji and Stainless, made any sudden moves, they would not hesitate to suppress and eliminate them.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the conference hall became tense, with a battle ready to erupt at any moment.
"Strawberry!"
"Bastille!"
Maynard, restrained by the finger gun and blade, glared with bloodshot eyes, furious.
"Orion has only been in headquarters for six years. What has he done to make you abandon the honor of the Marines and follow him in this rebellion?"
"A warrior dies for those who understand him" Strawberry said coldly, staring at Maynard.
"My honor is loyalty!"
Bastille wasted no words, speaking with an unyielding tone.
"Sit down, or I won't spare you even for old times' sake."
"You…" Maynard seethed, instinctively wanting to step forward.
At that moment, Sengoku slammed his hand on the conference table, his voice heavy.
"Enough! Maynard, sit down!" After speaking, he no longer looked at them, opening the document Orion had placed before him.
"Huh?" As soon as he saw the contents, Sengoku pupils contracted, and he looked up at Orion in disbelief.
"Appointing you as acting Fleet Admiral? Orion, do you think this is realistic? The appointment of the Fleet Admiral isn't up to me. Without the World Goverment approval—"
"The World Goverment approval isn't necessary." Orion smiled faintly.
"As long as the soldiers of Marineford, the four seas, and the major bases of the Grand Line know that you're unwell and that I'm temporarily overseeing all Marine affairs, that's enough. Of course, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you can choose not to sign. But if that's the case, many people will die tonight."
Hearing this, Sengoku fell silent.
As the Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, he was well aware that this was Orion delaying tactic. By temporarily stabilizing the soldiers across the Four Seas and the major Marine branches and fortresses along the Grand Line, Orion could swiftly dispatch his trusted subordinates to eliminate all uncontrollable factors at the lowest cost.
Once Orion had complete control over the Marines, the Goverment would be left with only two choices, either compromise with Orion, who now wielded the Marines as his personal force and recognize his legitimacy as the Fleet Admiral of the Marine Headquarters or in a fit of rage, mobilize all combat divisions of the World Government to fight against the Marines under Orion control.
Seeing Fleet Admiral Sengoku fall silent, Orion no longer remained standing. He turned and walked directly to the empty seat opposite Sengoku at the conference table. As soon as he approached the table, Gion who was standing nearby immediately moved the chair forward for him.
Once Orion sat down, she gripped the hilt of her sword and took a step back, positioning herself to his left. Shortly after, Strawberry and Bastille quickly moved to Orion right side, both staring intently at the grim-faced Sengoku across the table.
"Admiral Sengoku, you cannot sign this!" Suddenly, Maynard stood up again his voice filled with agitation.
"We still have the strength to fight! If we fight to the death and hold out until Vice Admiral Garp returns from his leave, victory will surely be ours! Besides, the three Admirals haven't fully expressed their stance yet..."
BANG—
Before Maynard could finish speaking, the tightly shut doors of the conference hall were forcefully thrown open once more.
Following this, Sakazuki, now clad in the Admiral's coat and wearing the Marine cap, entered the hall accompanied by Vice Admiral Momonga.
Under the disbelieving gazes of Maynard, Yamakaji, and Stainless he walked straight to Orion side.
"Admiral Sakazuki!" Maynard pupils constricted in shock as he exclaimed.
"What... what are you doing? Have you also... No, this can't be! You're the Admiral who tolerates no flaws! What happened to your absolute justice?"
At this moment, Sengoku also looked up at Sakazuki, his voice heavy as he asked.
"Sakazuki, is this your choice?"
Sakazuki slowly raised his head, a brief moment of hesitation flickering in his eyes. But in an instant, he cast aside all doubts and nodded firmly.
"Yes."