Next! It Was Time to Watch Marine Headquarters Perform

~

A few hours before the public execution of the legendary great pirate, Golden Lion Shiki.

Mary Geoise.

"You're Sakazuki?!"

A World Noble Celestial Dragon, a descendant of The First Twenty, a member of the Figarland family, in a villa within Pangea Castle in Mary Geoise...

Shaya, with his short red hair, lounged casually on the sofa with his legs crossed, looking at the stern-faced man wearing a Marine justice cap before asking softly.

"That's correct..."

Hearing this, the man gave Shaya a slight nod.

Yes, the man standing before Shaya at that moment was none other than...

The future Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, "Akainu" Sakazuki.

Sakazuki still looked quite young then, only a little over thirty.

"Come to think of it, this isn't our first meeting. Half a year ago in Loguetown, at the execution of Pirate King Gol D. Roger, we met aboard that World Government warship. If I recall correctly, you were still a rear admiral then..."

Shaya glanced at Sakazuki's shoulder epaulets, which signified his rank as a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, and spoke casually, as though making small talk.

"Because of my merits in successfully protecting the Celestial Dragons at the execution site, maintaining order at Roger's execution, preventing anyone from disrupting it, and ensuring that the Government successfully carried out Roger's execution before the cameras..."

"Kuzan, Borsalino, and I were all promoted by Fleet Admiral Kong from Marine Headquarters rear admirals to Marine Headquarters vice admirals after the Roger execution incident."

After hearing Shaya's words, Sakazuki answered truthfully.

"Hehe..."

"Not bad! Speaking of which, I was the one who suggested to Kong that you be promoted~"

"From the moment I saw you, I knew that with the strength you three possessed, being rear admirals at Marine Headquarters was a terrible waste of talent..."

Shaya chuckled softly at Sakazuki, a hint of reminiscence in his expression.

"Oh?!"

As Shaya's words fell...

Sakazuki, who had kept his head lowered and his expression hidden beneath the brim of his cap, seemingly lost in thought ever since meeting Shaya, finally raised his head.

At that moment, his gaze toward Shaya held a trace of confusion. Even Sakazuki could not figure out what a Celestial Dragon like Shaya was plotting.

Even if Sakazuki truly had merit in protecting the Celestial Dragons, Shaya should not have both recommended that Fleet Admiral Kong promote them to vice admirals and summoned him on the eve of Shiki's execution!

It gave Sakazuki the feeling that Shaya seemed to value him highly...

Honestly, this was far beyond Sakazuki's expectations and imagination. Based on what he had learned from his dealings with the Celestial Dragons over the years...

By all rights, weren't the Celestial Dragons supposed to believe that the Marines protecting them was simply their duty? Forget promotions or gratitude; it would have been a blessing if they did not curse them out before leaving.

"Sakazuki, do you know why, when you, Kuzan, and Borsalino all rendered me service by protecting me, I summoned only you?"

Shaya seemed to see through Sakazuki's thoughts and asked him directly.

"I don't..."

Sakazuki shook his head at Shaya and answered honestly.

"Haha, you're quite forthright..."

Shaya smiled lightly at that.

Then, without giving Sakazuki any chance to think, Shaya quietly asked, "Sakazuki, what do you think of this era of 'great pirates' that Pirate King Gol D. Roger started at the execution site by using our World Government's hand?"

"It's utterly terrible!"

"There were already enough scum on the seas. Now there's even more."

After hearing Shaya's words, Sakazuki's brows twisted tightly together as he answered angrily.

"Then..." Without waiting for Sakazuki to finish, Shaya asked again, "Sakazuki, how do you think the Government and the Marines should deal with these pirates?"

"Exterminate them all!"

A cold glint flashed through Sakazuki's eyes as he answered truthfully.

"Haha..."

"Exterminate all pirates, huh!"

"Harsh measures are needed in troubled times! I think your approach is correct."

Shaya gave a light laugh and directly agreed with Sakazuki.

"Sakazuki, that is why I summoned you..."

Then, Shaya made clear why he had summoned Sakazuki.

"I think highly of you!"

"I don't just think highly of your chances of becoming an admiral..."

"I think highly of your chances of becoming Fleet Admiral!"

Next, Shaya expressed just how highly he regarded Sakazuki...

"Sakazuki, do not disappoint me."

That was not all. Shaya then quietly instructed Sakazuki.

At that moment, Shaya's voice was filled with expectations for Sakazuki.

"I will not disappoint you!"

Hearing this, Sakazuki spoke to Shaya solemnly.

"Mm! You may go back now~"

Shaya took in Sakazuki's resolute expression, then waved a hand to signal that he could leave.

"Farewell."

Sakazuki gave Shaya a slight bow, then turned and strode away.

"Absolute justice?"

"As a soldier, Sakazuki was indeed qualified..."

"If the entire Marine force were as obedient as Sakazuki, that would be ideal."

"Of course, that was only if Sakazuki had no intention of eradicating the World Government's evil as well, all in the name of upholding his so-called absolute justice..."

Shaya watched Sakazuki's retreating figure and narrowed his eyes slightly.

If anyone said that the SWORD organization in the original story had nothing to do with Sakazuki as Fleet Admiral, Shaya would not believe a word of it...

After all, a pitch-black blade was tattooed on Sakazuki's right arm! In Shaya's view, Sakazuki was the sort of person who, once the time was right, would turn his blade against every evil he defined in his heart, a man who could not tolerate even the slightest stain...

But if used well, such a man would become a deadly weapon aimed at the enemy! He was as lethal as the Magma-Magma Fruit Sakazuki possessed, one of the most offensively powerful Logia-type Devil Fruits. Anyone touched by it would either die or be gravely wounded...

"Next! It's time to watch Marine Headquarters perform~"

With that thought, Shaya drained the fragrant red wine in his cup in a single gulp.

He then rose to his feet and walked to the edge of Mary Geoise, gazing at the endless sea of clouds as though pondering something...

The direction of Shaya's gaze was precisely where Marine Headquarters Marineford lay.