"Admiral Sakazuki."
Onigumo muttered Akainu's name, feeling dizzy.
Garen's fierce propaganda offensive had only shaken Onigumo's resolve, but now Akainu's identity as an "undercover agent" had been exposed, utterly shattering the faith he had upheld for years:
The very founder of "Absolute Justice" had gone and colluded with pirates. What was the point of followers like them continuing to uphold it?
Amid his emotional turmoil, Onigumo could not help feeling lost:
Should he continue stubbornly persisting in confusion, or should he follow Akainu and raise the banner of rebellion against the World Government?
The same question echoed in the hearts of the thousands of Marines present.
And as news of Akainu's collusion with pirates spread, this question would arise in the mind of every Marine, including those Hawks commanders who had once clung fiercely to the creed of "Absolute Justice."
"So that's how it is... So that's how it is."
Seeing this scene, the young officer whom Akainu had rebuked earlier could not help muttering excitedly to himself:
"No wonder Admiral Sakazuki wouldn't let us say those things."
"He must have been worried about the safety of comrades like us, afraid that if we exposed ourselves too much, we would be implicated."
Those members of the rebel faction whom Akainu had once personally suppressed immediately understood Comrade Sakazuki's painstaking intentions.
"Enough!"
Spandam paid no attention whatsoever to the rebellious sentiment stirring among the Marines. He merely flaunted those cold Seastone Handcuffs before Akainu once again.
"Sakazuki, come with us!"
"The Five Elders would like to invite you over for tea."
"..."
Akainu stared at the handcuffs with a cold expression and said nothing.
"You!"
Spandam wanted to say a few more provocative words, but Akainu's gaze, suppressing boundless fury, frightened him into silence.
Akainu's stern, resolute face naturally carried an