Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The warships slowly sailed into the port, and countless soldiers eagerly awaited.
The moment the Golden Lion's fleet was annihilated, countless photographs were sent back.
In just one day, they spread across the sea.
This was why the soldiers had gathered at the port.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood atop the fortress, watching it all with a smile.
There were successors.
Beside him stood Garp and Sakazuki.
Garp, while eating a donut, laughed heartily:
"Hahahaha, Sakazuki is quite popular, isn't he?"
Sakazuki narrowed his eyes and nodded.
He had been involved in this entire incident from beginning to end. Everything, it could be said... was a fortunate coincidence...
Fleet Admiral Sengoku gave the order, he and Garp fought, Sakazuki reaped the rewards, and the government publicized it.
In this incident, apart from commanding a few warships, Sakazuki had no hand in anything else.
Nor could he control it.
Yet, it unfolded so naturally, allowing Sakazuki to gain immense fame.
This was quite disheartening...
With his Great Buddha-like wisdom, Sakazuki had pondered much during this period.
Conspiracy theories, rebellion theories, and so on...
But when he became involved, he found that the other party had done nothing...
It was like boxing at shadows.
It was no wonder he felt disheartened.
Looking at Sakazuki being surrounded by the crowd below.
Perhaps, I was too suspicious...
Sakazuki temporarily let go of his doubts.
And a faint smile appeared on his face.
After all, they had consecutively defeated Whitebeard and the Golden Lion's pirate crews.
Even though the Golden Lion had escaped, the blow to piracy was immeasurable.
The world would be more peaceful.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had specially granted the headquarters' soldiers a day off to celebrate.
This was not just for celebration, but also to build momentum for Sakazuki.
There would be speeches and interviews.
These would dominate the headlines of the seas for a long time to come.
By the time Sakazuki finished his social obligations and returned home, it was already evening.
He walked into the room and casually tossed his Justice cloak onto the sofa.
He slumped onto the sofa, his whole body sinking into it.
"Hoo—"
Sakazuki let out a long sigh.
This was more tiring than a major battle...
For a whole day, the voices of the crowds buzzed in his ears.
He could still vaguely hear phantom sounds now.
Creak—
The sound of the doorknob turning.
Enel pushed open the door and charged in like a bolt of electricity.
He materialized on a small sofa next to Sakazuki.
He fell into the sofa, looking at Sakazuki excitedly:
"You were so cool! Uncle!"
"There were so many people today!!!"
He gestured with his hands, trying to describe the vastness of the crowd.
"My classmates from the academy have been talking about your exploits all day."
He then chuckled proudly.
After all, his relationship with Sakazuki was so close.
He had been looked at with envy by his classmates all day.
He was almost floating.
Sakazuki shook his head and smiled helplessly.
Then, he pushed himself up and stood.
Looking at the figure walking towards him:
"Vice Admiral Morris."
Morris walked over, smiling, and pressed Sakazuki back onto the sofa:
"You've had a long day, rest up."
"How does it feel to be a hero?"
Sakazuki covered his face and said helplessly:
"Too noisy..."
"My ears are still ringing."
Vice Admiral Morris chuckled:
"Hahahaha, that's normal."
"The Marines need new heroes."
"To inspire all the Marines and civilians in the world."
"The last person called a hero was that guy Garp."
"But he's too casual and irresponsible."
"Which has led to the higher-ups in the Holy Land having many reservations about him in recent years."
"This is a perfect opportunity to establish you as the new Marine hero."
"I believe you will do a better job."
"This is also an opportunity."
"To set you as a benchmark for the Marines."
"To sing praises of your deeds and spread your will."
"The impact this will have on the new generation of Marines in the coming years."
"Is immeasurable, hahahahahahaha."
He couldn't help but burst into laughter, what a stroke of destiny.
He wanted heads, and the enemy delivered; he wanted prosperity, and his allies stepped aside.
It was as if heaven itself was helping them.
Sakazuki also laughed:
"Indeed."
"The future of the Marines."
After laughing for a while, Vice Admiral Morris remembered why he had come.
He called out towards the door.
Then, a group of soldiers entered with steaming hot food.
Placing it on the table, Morris said:
"Come and eat quickly, there's a banquet later."
Sakazuki covered his face again:
"A banquet?"
Morris smiled:
"Yes, to build momentum for you, the new hero."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has invited many officials from the Holy Land."
"Just to show them how strong the future of the Marines is."
"Eat well and be energized."
"Half of the generals from the Army and Air Force alone are here."
"Let's really impress them."
Morris said meaningfully.
When Sakazuki heard this, he thought, well, there's nothing more to say, they must be impressed.
He stood up and walked towards the dining table:
"But..."
"Speaking of which... Vice Admiral Morris."
"Why invite so many generals from the Army and Navy?"
Morris smiled:
"To show off our strength. Not only does the Navy have successors,"
"But the Army and Air Force do too, though they are not as famous as the Navy."
"And it's also to prepare for the competition for the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armed Forces."
Sakazuki mused:
"Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armed Forces, huh..."
Morris nodded and sighed:
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armed Forces."
"A while ago, the current Commander-in-Chief suffered a relapse of an old injury."
"He almost died."
"Fortunately, he was discovered and saved in time."
"It is said that while in the hospital, he proposed his retirement to the Five Elders."
"After the news spread, the Army and Air Force were the first to show their strength and build momentum."
"Our Navy was put in a difficult position."
"However, our main objective this time is not to show off our strength."
He then chuckled with a hint of schadenfreude.
Looking at Vice Admiral Morris's mischievous smile.
Sakazuki recalled that Fleet Admiral Sengoku would only take over more than a decade later...
Seizing the turning point in Vice Admiral Morris's speech.
He said:
"Almost died..."
"Is he alright now?"
Morris smiled:
"Yes, those idiots, they heard that the Grand Commander's organ failure had spread."
"They thought he was definitely going to die."
"And wanted to gain an advantage by building momentum. But last time, they captured some scientists, right?"
Sakazuki fully understood.
Artificial organs...
What bad luck.
If the leader had died, it would have been fine, but he didn't...
Sakazuki couldn't help but laugh:
"Hahahahahahaha."
After they finished eating, both of them still had slight smiles on their lips.
Mainly because it was too...
Hahahahahaha.
With cheerful hearts, they headed towards the banquet hall for the evening.
----------
The next day.
The Grand Line, Minaihee Island.
Sakazuki's warship slowly sailed into the port.
The warships returning to headquarters, temporarily led by Karor, docked for supplies.
Karor looked at everyone and clapped his hands:
"Alright, everyone take a half-day break and get off the ship for supplies."
The soldiers excitedly shouted:
"Whoa!!!!"
Everyone rushed down enthusiastically.
Karor looked at Barrett, who was standing still with a slight smile on his lips:
"Barrett, aren't you going shopping?"
Barrett shook his head:
"I'm going to train."
Karor smiled helplessly:
"Alright, I'll head down then."
Barrett nodded and walked towards the training room.
At this moment, Karor's voice drifted from behind him~
"I heard~"
"The desserts on Minaihee Island are exquisite~"
Barrett stopped, desserts...
"Strawberry Mousse~"
Barrett's throat moved.
"Chocolate Sundae~"
Barrett held his breath.
"Rainbow Marshmallows~~~"
Karor's voice faded into the distance.
After a second of hesitation... Barrett turned around!
----------
Minair Island, a secluded alley.
Karor, dressed in a cloak, appeared here with a box.
His long cloak obscured his face.
Following the mark left behind, Karor walked towards a house deep inside.
As agreed, he knocked rhythmically on the wooden door.
The person inside saw the box in Karor's hand through the peephole.
With a greedy smile, he opened the door and whispered:
"Come in quickly."
Karor quickly entered.
In the dim interior.
Karor placed the box he was holding on the table.
The greedy figure's gaze followed the box.
Karor chuckled:
"The news spread well."
"The Golden Lion knows the Marines' weakness. He has already gathered his fleet yesterday."
"This is a reward from someone important for you."
He then smiled meaningfully.
The greedy figure said:
"Win-win, win-win~"
Having not left his room all day, he still didn't know the news of the Golden Lion's fleet's annihilation.
He eagerly reached for the box with his hands, but found it wasn't very heavy.
A sense of unease washed over him, but greed still overcame his reason.
He forcefully opened the box!
Inside the box, there was nothing but a newspaper!
The large headline on the newspaper read:
"Golden Lion's Fleet Annihilated, A New Marine Hero is Born!"
He looked at Karor in anger:
"You!!!"
*Thwack.*
The sound of a sword entering flesh was heard.
Then, a large head flew off.
Karor wiped the blood from his long sword.
He picked up the blood-stained newspaper and casually placed it on the severed head.
Ring, ring~ Ring, ring~
The sound of a Den Den Mushi echoed in the dim room.
Karor's lips curled up.
He took out the Den Den Mushi he carried:
"Moshi~ Moshi~"