Akainu's Past Reckoning

I'll answer this question myself.

Akainu put the melted pen into the ashtray, the molten iron leaving a red mark inside. He didn't look away; the image of the Ohara refugee ship still hung in the Sky Screen, the cannon fire illuminating the sea, and the cries of the civilians on board were deliberately amplified by the Throne.

No one in the Marine Headquarters dared to speak first.

Sengoku: His hand was pressed on the table, veins bulging from the back of his hand.

He closed the notebook, then reopened it.

"A public hearing cannot consist solely of the person being investigated speaking; the evidence must also be complete."

Akainu looked at her.

"Can."

Garling said from the Chief Adjudication Platform, "Admitting is sufficient."

Akainu raised his eyes.

"I admit that I carried out the order to fire."

The Sky Screen record has fallen.

[The party involved admits: Responsibility for shelling the Ohara refugee boat is established]

In the naval formation, some soldiers lowered their heads, while others dared not look up at the Sky Screen.

Luffy gripped his Straw Hat tightly.

"He admitted it."

Robin stood at the exit of Sabaody, his face pale, but his fingers gripped the edge of the book page firmly.

No trace of Saul appeared, only the burning sea surface of that ship.

Garling said, "How can someone who has massacred civilians represent the Navy in reviewing evidence?"

Akainu looked at him.

"I cannot claim innocence."

The Sky Screen fell silent for a brief moment.

Akainu continued, "But the Navy Review Seat doesn't exist because I'm innocent. The Navy must be reviewed, and the Holy Land's orders must also be reviewed."

The crane raises its pen.

This sentence is recorded in the Navy Seat's autobiography.

Sengoku said in a deep voice, "Sakazuki, you need to understand that if option D is true, it might bring up your old case as well."

Akainu said, "Hang."

The naval staff officer turned pale.

"Fleet Admiral, this will damage the prestige of our headquarters."

Akainu looked over.

"Prestige is not maintained by covering up the fire on the wreckage."

Robin finally spoke.

"You now admit that you won't bring the dead back."

Akainu looked at her.

"I know."

Robin removed his fingers from the pages.

"Then what gives you the right to sit in the examination panel?"

Akainu didn't avoid her question.

"Because I can now order the Navy to stop destroying evidence for the Holy Land, because I am willing to put the Navy's past cases under the same set of rules for trial, and because I cannot allow the Throne to use my crimes to hand over all the witnesses."

Robin looked at him but didn't answer immediately.

The Sky Screen- covered canvas unfolds.

[Independent review by the Navy Review Seat]

[Question: Did Akainu lose his eligibility for the Navy Review Seat due to old cases such as Ohara?]

[A. Disqualified, Navy Seat revoked]

[B. Disqualified, the Navy Seat is handed over to the World Government]

[C. Temporarily disqualified, to be reinstated upon Throne pardon]

[D. He will not lose his eligibility, but the Akainu case will be subject to public accountability, the Navy Seat will be subject to independent oversight, and he cannot be adjudicated independently when the Navy itself is involved in wrongdoing.]

Garling said, "Option D is nothing more than reserving seats for sinners."

Robin looked at option D.

"It also leaves an opening for censorship."

Luffy turned to look at her.

"Robin?"

Robin said softly, "I won't forgive him on Ohara's behalf."

Akainu remained silent.

Robin continued, "But if A or B passes, and the Navy Seat is revoked or handed over to the World Government, the Holy Land will immediately take over the escort of witnesses and the preservation of evidence."

Nami gritted her teeth.

"So they're using his crimes to force us to hand over power again."

Usopp muttered, "This is so uncomfortable."

Franky crossed his arms.

Even if it's painful, I have to choose something that can save lives.

Robin looked up.

"I choose D, but I demand that the Ohara Refugee Ship Bombardment Case be investigated independently, and that the victims and survivors have the right to hold those responsible accountable."

A supplementary message then appeared on the Sky Screen.

[Victim Supplemental Clauses Application: Ohara Old Case Filed Independently]

[Applicant: Nicole Robin]

Akainu looked at the line of text.

"The Navy Review Seat accepts."

Sengoku closed his eyes briefly, then spoke.

"Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku testified that Operation Ohara was authorized by the World Government and executed by the Navy; the specific chain of command should be made public."

Crane said, "The General Staff testifies that old files must not be destroyed; any violation will be considered as destruction of evidence."

The scene shifts to Kizaru, who is standing at the edge of the path of light.

"I also choose D. The Navy has to admit what it has done before it can promise not to do it again."

Aokiji remained silent for a long while, as the ice spread beneath his feet.

"D."

Akainu looked at him.

Aokiji didn't look at Akainu, but only at the old silhouette of the Ohara evacuation ship.

"My account is in Ohara's too."

The amount of data recorded by the Sky Screen has increased.

[A shared commitment to accountability has been established within the Navy]

Garling sneered.

"Sinners vouch for one another."

The dragon opened its mouth.

"The Revolutionary Army, D, Akainu's old case must be investigated, but the Throne has no right to use this to take over the Navy Seat."

Shanks said, "The Red Hair Pirates, D."

Benn Beckman whispered, "Boss, the Navy will keep a record of this vote."

Shanks replied, "They always remember."

Lumi couldn't fathom Ohara's full weight, but she understood Robin's words.

"Victim Witness Seat, D, but Sister Robin said it should be included."

Makino looked at Lin Qi.

Lin Qi didn't say anything, but simply turned the keyboard towards her.

Makino confirmed.

"Civilian Witness Seat, D, the accountability for old cases cannot be cancelled; saving lives is the priority."

Voting has begun around the world.

The name Ohara was seen by countless civilians for the first time. Some hesitated to act, while others gritted their teeth and pressed D, looking at the evidence of the Old Archive of the Holy Land.

Golden Light converged in the Sky Screen.

[Answer: D]

[Akainu will not automatically lose his eligibility for the Navy Review Seat due to the old case]

[Ohara Refugee Ship Bombardment Case enters public accountability chain]

[Navy Seat Restriction: When the case involves naval culpability, it must be reviewed by the remaining four seats and the victim access channel.]

The Navy may not unilaterally take control of evidence and witnesses.

The sea breeze billowed the justice cape on Akainu's shoulders. He looked at the words "chain of accountability" and pushed the document to Tsuru.

"Case filed."

The crane nodded.

"It's already written."

Robin stared at the chain of accountability displayed on the Sky Screen, his eyes still red, but his voice remained steady.

"I'll be watching."

Akainu responded.

"You should watch."

Garling did not get the result he wanted, and the black markings on the Chief Adjudication Platform did not weaken. Instead, they pulled out new chains from the Navy's old cases and wrapped them around the waters where the Red Hair Pirates were located.

[The Throne is attempting to corrupt the World Witness Seat]

[Target: Shanks, the Pirate Witness Seat]

On Red-Hair' ship, the flask beside Shanks wobbled, but Benn Beckman held it down.

The Sky Screen pulls back the old image of the God Valley chest, the records of the Figarland Collateral Branch Inheritance Record, the Straw Hat Lining Index, and the scene of him interfering with the Holy Knights' chain of command.

[Throne Accusation: Shanks has Figarland blood and is connected to the Old Days Index; his Witness Seat has a conflict of interest with his family.]

Garling looked at Shanks, his tone finally revealing a hint of anger.

"You are both a traitor and the holder of the inherited fragments."

Shanks raised his hand to press the sword at his waist, but did not draw it.

"It's my turn now."

Luffy immediately shouted, "Shanks won't help you!"

Shanks looked at Luffy, a smile about to appear on his face, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Luffy, don't answer this question for me."

Garling's blade was pointed at the Straw Hat.

"He gave you the index, concealed the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Nika from the world, and then interfered with the trial at a crucial moment using his family bloodline. You call this testimony?"

Shanks watched the Sky Screen curtain descend, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, but his words were addressed to the entire world.

"Alright, then let's lay bare everything I've been hiding from you."