"Sakazuki, tell me, what exactly are you thinking?" Sengoku, as if he knew Sakazuki would stay behind, didn't turn around but spoke with his back to Sakazuki, his voice heavy.
"You need to think carefully. What Orion wants isn't just the position of Fleet Admiral. Are you really prepared to follow this path to the end?"
Sakazuki nodded. "Before entering here, I still had some hesitation. But after hearing about the existence of someone called Im-sama, the hidden figure in the World Goverment, I believe my choice is not wrong."
Sengoku brow furrowed slightly.
"The existence of Imu is just Orion one-sided claim. It's too early to make a judgment!"
Without hesitation, Sakazuki replied firmly.
"I believe it."
Having said that, Sakazuki also didn't linger. He turned and strode out of the conference hall. As he stepped through the doors, he suddenly paused and looked back.
"Even without the existence of a hidden figure like Imu, it wouldn't change my choice! Because Orion has given me the opportunity to serve with loyalty and honor!"
Hearing this, Sengoku abruptly turned around, staring straight at Sakazuki.
"The elderly person Orion has been taking care of for the past three years—is she your mother?"
Sakazuki didn't respond. Instead, he simply strode out without a word.
Watching Sakazuki disappear beyond the gates, Sengoku shook his head with a bitter smile.
"What a clever move, Orion. You've managed to find Sakazuki only weakness."
After a brief pause, Sengoku turned his gaze away and surveyed the empty conference hall. He then walked leisurely to the window, looking down at the brightly lit Marineford Square.
The square had now quieted down. All the soldiers and officers stood in orderly rows, awaiting the arrival of Orion, the newly appointed Fleet Admiral.
At that moment, Orion and his entourage emerged from the headquarters building, coming into Sengoku view. As he watched the young figure, surrounded by the likes of Gion and others, making his way toward Marineford Square, an inexplicable sense of anticipation rose in Sengoku heart.
In that instant, he suddenly wanted to see just how far this young man—who excelled in strategy, tactics, and winning people over—could rise.
If the World Goverment were to compromise and recognize Orion legitimacy as the Fleet Admiral, perhaps Orion could seize this opportunity to secure more rights and benefits for the Marines, freeing their sense of justice from any chains or constraints.
As the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, how could he not know that the World Government was no longer what it once was? The Celestial Dragons, who resided in the Holy Land and claimed to be descendants of gods, had grown increasingly reckless abusing their supreme privileges.
To them, acts like taking lives at will or forcibly taking others' wives were nothing more than their inherent rights!
Even when such actions caused trouble, the Marine Admirals had to rush to protect the Celestial Dragons' safety without question, while being unable to offer any shelter to the oppressed commoners.
As Orion had said, as long as the Celestial Dragons loomed over the World Government like a mountain, the Marines, as subordinates of the World Government could never truly achieve justice.
Sengoku understood all this, but he lacked the courage to break the status quo. Because pulling one thread could unravel the entire fabric. If someone were to stand up and challenge this system, it would inevitably lead to greater chaos.
Most importantly, the World Government had stood atop the Red Line for eight hundred years for a reason.
All Sengoku could do was fulfill his duties to the best of his ability, spreading the Marines' sense of justice across the world as much as possible.
As he watched Orion and his group leave the headquarters building and disappear into the night, Sengoku finally withdrew his gaze and murmured to himself.
"Since ancient times, glory and fame belong to the young. Back in my day, I too was full of ambition and vigor."
Before he could finish, Sengoku expression suddenly changed, and he swiftly turned to face the door.
Standing at the entrance were three figures who had appeared out of nowhere. At the forefront was none other than the former Marine Admiral, known by the codename "Black Arm" Zephyr. Behind Zephyr were two young officers—a man and a woman.
The young male officer, named Binz, wore a peculiar outfit and was a skilled user of the Mosa Mosa no Mi, earning Zephyr deep trust.
The young female officer, named Ain, wore a pair of black pointed heels and a blue cloak. Her eyes carried a hint of melancholy, as if she had just experienced a heart-wrenching farewell.
'Zephyr?'
'I never expected him to appear at this moment.'
Sengoku quickly strode forward to meet him, his voice tinged with urgency.
"Why are you here? Your arm—"
As he spoke, Sengoku immediately turned his gaze to Zephyr right arm. Zephyr raised his left hand and touched his severed arm, speaking calmly.
"Don't worry, it's been three years now. I've long since gotten used to it! But you should hurry up and push the science division to speed up the development of the mechanical arm!"
Sengoku hesitated, as if wanting to say something but holding back.
As if he knew what Sengoku was thinking, Zephyr walked straight to the conference table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Then he looked up at Sengoku and continued.
"I forgot you've already handed over the Fleet Admiral authority to Orion. But even if you're not the Fleet Admiral anymore, the science division will still give you some respect."
Hmm?
Sengoku pupils contracted, and he stared at Zephyr in shock.
"You're not surprised by what's happened at headquarters? Could it be that… you already knew Orion would stage a coup?"
Zephyr smiled and nodded. "He's my student, after all."
Hearing this, Sengoku shook his head helplessly, his voice tinged with resignation.
"It seems you've completely lost faith in the Marines!"
"Yes." Zephyr replied, glancing at his two students, Ain and Binz standing by the door. His words carried a hint of resentment and anger.
"If it weren't for Orion, I might have already built a brand-new Marine force by now!"
"After all, you've all forgotten the incident three years ago when the training ship was attacked, leading to the deaths of dozens of young lives at sea. That made me lose all hope in the Marines."
Sengoku expression shifted slightly, and he quickly explained. "I haven't forgotten."
"haven't forgotten?" Zephyr suddenly stood up, his emotions flaring.
"DOZENS OF YOUNG OFFICERS FROM HEADQUARTERS PERISHED AT SEA. AS THE FLEET ADMIRAL, YOU SHOULD HAVE ORDERED A FULL-SCALE PURSUIT TO CAPTURE THE PERPETRATORS AND PUBLICLY EXECUTE THEM. ONLY THEN WOULD THE PIRATES WHO DARE TO KILL MARINES FEEL FEAR. ONLY THEN COULD THE DOZENS OF YOUNG LIVES REST IN PEACE. ONLY THEN COULD THE LIVING CONTINUE TO UPHOLD JUSTICE!!"
"But you didn't do that. Over these three years, it's not my heart you've chilled!"
As he spoke, Zephyr pointed at Ain and Binz. "It's theirs, and all the young officers like them who bear the future of the Marines!"
Realizing his emotions were on the verge of spiraling out of control, Zephyr paused briefly then sat back down in his chair, lowering his voice as he said.
"Sengoku, you've grown old. We've all grown old."
Sengoku remained silent, standing in place with a grim expression, his thoughts complicated.
Of course, he hadn't forgotten the incident three years ago when Zephyr training ship was attacked, leading to the deaths of dozens of young officers. He had been sending people to hunt down the perpetrators who had slaughtered those young trainees.
But he didn't explain himself.
As the Fleet Admiral, he had to consider more than just one pirate. He had to think about the bigger picture. He couldn't mobilize all three Admirals just for one pirate.
Still, Zephyr words held truth.
Dozens of young officers had been brutally killed, and the culprits were still at large. He bore an undeniable responsibility.
"I know what you're thinking" Zephyr spoke again, seeing Sengoku remain silent.
"Are you thinking that I chose to stand by because Orion promised me he'd bring the pirates who attacked the training ship to justice? Let me tell you the truth—Orion never made any promises to me. But I believe he won't let me down."
At this point, Zephyr turned his head to look at his two students, Ain and Binz, who were standing quietly outside the door.
"Ain, Binz. The situation tonight is settled. From now on, you will follow Orion. He will be an exceptional leader!"