Kuzan Speaks Out

Kuzan took a step forward.

The marines in the square automatically made way for them.

Sengoku looked at him but did not immediately agree.

Crane stood beside him, her notebook already turned to a new page.

Akainu walked from the outer harbor, his cloak still bearing scorch marks, with CP0 members, secured by Seastone, being escorted behind him by marines.

Kizaru pushed his sunglasses back and slowly walked to the end of the pier without saying a word.

Kuzan said, "Fleet Admiral, I request to speak publicly."

In what capacity did the Sengoku ask?

Kuzan said, "Admiral Kuzan of the Marine Headquarters."

Sengoku looked at him.

No one spoke in the square.

The Sky Screen was still showing the trailer for Ohara.

[The Hidden Truth in the Next Episode]

Why Ohara Must Be Destroyed

[And, who gave the actual permission to fire on the refugee boat?]

Akainu walked down the steps and looked up at Kuzan.

Kuzan also looked at him.

Akainu said, "You're going to say Ohara at this time."

Kuzan said, "Precisely because it's this time."

Akainu said, "The Sky Screen hasn't risen yet."

Kuzan said, "Then let's start with what the Navy knows."

One of the Vice Admiral couldn't help but speak up.

"Admiral Aokiji, the Ohara Incident falls under the World Government's historical crime investigation scope. Public discussion without permission will cause turmoil within the Navy."

Kuzan turned to look at the lieutenant Vice Admiral.

"It's already in turmoil."

The Vice Admiral said, "But Sky Screen hasn't released its conclusion yet."

Kuzan said, "We can't always wait for the sky to speak for us."

As soon as those words were spoken, many marines in the square looked up.

Sengoku rested his hand on the railing.

The crane glanced at him.

Garp sat on the edge of the steps, the rice cracker bag on his lap, the opening closed.

Sengoku asked, "Kuzan, what are you going to say?"

Kuzan said, "I'm prepared to say that I was there twenty-two years ago, on the day the Buster Call was carried out on Ohara."

The sound of suppressed breathing came from among the marines.

Kuzan continued, "I've seen archaeologists being convicted."

"I saw the island covered in artillery fire."

I saw a woman entrust her child to me.

"I also saw the refugee boats being shelled."

Akainu's face darkened.

He did not interrupt.

Kuzan said, "There were civilians from Ohara on that ship."

"There are elderly people, children, but no one who has read Ancient Script."

They were originally allowed to leave the island.

"Later, they died under naval fire."

A young marine's face turned pale.

"Admiral Aokiji, the matter of the evacuation ship isn't mentioned in the textbooks."

Kuzan said, "Because it wasn't allowed to be written in."

Another marine asked, "Who fired the cannon?"

Kuzan looked at Akainu.

Everyone's eyes turned to look.

Akainu stood at the bottom of the steps, the lava having receded back into his arms.

He spoke.

"I fired the shot."

A hushed murmur arose in the square.

Kizaru raised his hand and touched his chin.

Sengoku closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.

Akainu continued, "Back then, I suspected there might be scholars hiding on the evacuation ship."

"I believe that letting even one person go would put the world in danger."

"Therefore I ordered it sunk."

Kuzan said, "You didn't receive explicit orders from the World Government at the time."

Akainu said, "I uphold Absolute Justice."

Kuzan looked at him.

"And now?"

Akainu did not answer immediately.

Suddenly, Zero Seven, who was being held aside, spoke up.

"Marine Admiral Sakazuki's judgment back then was in line with the highest security principles of the World Government."

Akainu looked at him.

Zero Seven continued, "Ohara scholars research taboo history, posing a risk of leaking information about Ancient Weapons."

"If any scholars escape from the refugee ship, the World Government order will be threatened."

"Akainu 'Admiral actions deserve commendation."

Akainu walked up to him.

The marines escorted Zero Seven back half a step.

Zero Seven said, "Sakazuki, you don't need to be swayed by the Sky Screen Veil."

"The World Government still needs you."

Akainu raised his right hand, and the marines immediately tensed up.

The Sengoku said, "Sakazuki."

Akainu stopped.

He looked at Zero Seven.

I don't need you to explain for me.

Zero Seven said, "I'm explaining on behalf of the World Government."

Akainu said, "That makes it even more disgusting."

Kizaru said in a low voice, "That's a dangerous statement."

Kuzan looked at Akainu.

"You admit that you ordered the sinking of the refugee ship."

Akainu said, "I admit it."

Kuzan asked, "What if the Sky Screen proves that the true cause of Ohara's destruction was not the Ancient Weapons? What will you do then?"

Akainu looked at the sky.

"Then I'll listen to the whole thing."

Kuzan said, "Just listening isn't enough."

Akainu looked at him.

Kuzan said, "You need to tell these marines whether the Navy will continue to mistake the World Government's fear for its own justice."

Akainu clenched his right fist, then released it.

Garp looked up at the two of them.

He said, "The kids have finally gotten to the point."

Sengoku looked at Garp.

Garp said, "What, did I say something wrong?"

The Sengoku did not answer.

The crane wrote a few lines in the logbook.

She said, " In the Sengoku, the outer port CP0 has been taken over, the Sky Screen markers are still in effect, and the Marine Headquarters now has a window of opportunity."

The Sengoku asked, "How long?"

The crane said, "Until the Sky Screen opens again."

The Sengoku was silent for a moment.

Then he walked to the front of the steps.

"Connect to headquarters loudspeaker."

The communications soldier looked at him.

"Fleet Admiral, is the area defined as the plaza, or the entire headquarters?"

The Sengoku said, "The entire army."

The communications officer immediately connected the line.

The Den Den Mushi opened its mouth.

The voices of the Sengoku echoed throughout Marineford.

"All naval personnel, listen to my command."

"CP0 members identified by Sky Screen Veil as carrying out a mission to destroy historical evidence are currently being held in custody by Marine Headquarters."

No unit may transfer it without authorization.

"Marine Headquarters will enter an internal review phase before the next Sky Screen report on the Ohara Incident."

"All files related to the Buster Call of Ohara are to be immediately sealed and transferred to the General Staff."

Zero Seven looked up.

"Sengoku, do you know what this means?"

Sengoku looked at him.

"That means I haven't retired yet."

A marine in the square whispered something.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral."

More voices followed.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral."

Akainu turned around and looked at the marines.

Kuzan stood at the bottom of the steps, saying nothing more.

The Sky Screen suddenly brightened for a moment.

[Marine Headquarters has detected initiating an internal investigation in Ohara.]

[Hidden Truth Series: Temporary Insertion into the Audience Seats]

[Attendees: Entire Marine Headquarters]

[Special inquiry targets: Kuzan, Sakazuki, Sengoku, Five Elders]

Holy Land Mary Geoise.

The Five Elders' expressions changed completely when they saw the last line of text.

Saint Saturn whispered, "It's going to drag us in too."

Saint Peter looked toward the door deep within the Room of Authority.

There was no response from behind the door.

Marine Headquarters Plaza.

The Sengoku began.

Kuzan also looked up.

Akainu looked at the four names on the Sky Screen.

Kizaru said, "Oh dear, I can't even avoid being an eavesdropper."

Another line of text appeared below the Sky Screen.

[The public Q&A session regarding the Ohara Incident will begin in ten minutes.]