Next! It's Time for Marine Headquarters to Perform

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

Mary Geoise.

"You're Sakazuki?!"

Shaya, with his short red hair, sat casually on a sofa in a villa within Pangea Castle, in Mary Geoise, a descendant of the original twenty Celestial Dragons, the Figarland family. He casually crossed his legs and looked at the man before him, whose face was resolute and who wore a Marine justice hat, asking softly.

"Indeed..."

The man nodded slightly at Shaya upon hearing this.

Yes, the man who appeared before Shaya at this moment was none other than...

The future Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, 'Sakazuki'.

At this time, Sakazuki's face looked very young, appearing to be only in his early thirties.

"Speaking of which, this isn't our first meeting. It was half a year ago in Loguetown, at the scene of Pirate King Gol D. Roger's execution. We met on that World Government warship. I remember your rank was still Rear Admiral back then..."

Shaya glanced at the epaulets on Sakazuki's shoulders, symbolizing a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, with a casual expression, as if chatting about everyday matters, and said to Sakazuki.

"Because, for the merit of successfully defending the Celestial Dragons at the execution site, and for maintaining order at Roger's execution scene, not allowing anyone to disrupt the execution, and successfully allowing the government to complete Roger's execution in front of the cameras..."

"Kuzan, Borsalino, and I were all promoted from Rear Admiral to Vice Admiral by Fleet Admiral Kong after the Roger execution incident."

Sakazuki replied truthfully after hearing Shaya's words.

"Heh heh..."

"Not bad! Speaking of which, your promotions were actually my suggestion to Kong~"

"From the moment I saw you three, I knew that with your strength, being Rear Admirals at Marine Headquarters was a great waste of talent..."

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

"Oh?!"

As Shaya's words fell...

Sakazuki, who had been lowering his head, hiding his expression under the brim of his hat, and wondering about something since meeting Shaya, finally raised his head.

At this moment, his gaze towards Shaya held a trace of confusion. Even Sakazuki was somewhat unsure what game Shaya, as a Celestial Dragon, was playing right now.

Even if he, Sakazuki, had indeed rendered meritorious service in protecting the Celestial Dragons, the other party shouldn't have recommended their promotion to Vice Admiral to Fleet Admiral Kong, nor should he have summoned him on the eve of Shiki's execution!

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

To be honest, this was far beyond Sakazuki's expectations and imagination. Based on his interactions with the Celestial Dragons over the years, his understanding of them...

Logically speaking, wouldn't the Celestial Dragons only believe that the Marines' protection was their duty? Let alone promotion and thanks, it would be good if they didn't curse him before leaving.

"Sakazuki, do you know why, even though you, Kuzan, and Borsalino all have credit for protecting me, I only summoned you?"

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

"I don't know..."

Sakazuki shook his head at Shaya and replied truthfully.

"Haha, you are quite honest..."

To this, Shaya chuckled lightly.

Then, without giving Sakazuki any chance to think, Shaya directly asked him softly, "Sakazuki, what do you think of this era of 'Great Pirates' that Pirate King Gol D. Roger started with the help of our World Government at the execution scene?"

"It's utterly terrible!"

"There were already too many scoundrels on the seas, and now there are even more."

Upon hearing Shaya's words, Sakazuki's brows furrowed tightly, and he said angrily.

"So..." Before Sakazuki could finish, Shaya asked again, "Sakazuki, what do you think the government and the Marines should do with these pirates?"

"Exterminate them all!"

Sakazuki's eyes flashed with a cold glint, and he replied truthfully.

"Haha..."

"Well said, 'exterminate them all'!"

"As the saying goes, severe times call for severe measures! I believe your approach is correct."

Shaya chuckled lightly and directly agreed with Sakazuki's statement.

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

Then, Shaya explained to Sakazuki the reason for summoning him.

"I have high hopes for you!"

"Not just for your promotion to Admiral..."

"But even more so for your promotion to Fleet Admiral!"

Next, Shaya expressed his confidence in Sakazuki...

"Sakazuki, you absolutely must not disappoint me."

This wasn't all. Shaya then softly instructed Sakazuki.

At this moment, Shaya's voice was filled with anticipation for Sakazuki.

"I will not disappoint you!"

Upon hearing this, Sakazuki solemnly replied to Shaya.

"Mm! You may go now~"

Shaya took in Sakazuki's resolute expression, then waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

"Farewell."

Sakazuki bowed slightly to Shaya before turning and departing with large strides.

"Absolute justice?"

"Sakazuki, as a soldier, is indeed qualified..."

"If only the entire Marine force was as obedient as Sakazuki."

"Of course, that's assuming Sakazuki doesn't intend to eradicate the World Government's evils along with everything else, in order to uphold what he calls absolute justice in his heart..."

Shaya narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Sakazuki's retreating back.

Shaya absolutely did not believe that the SWORD organization in the original story had no connection whatsoever to Sakazuki, the Fleet Admiral...

After all, Sakazuki had a jet-black sharp blade tattooed on his right arm! In Shaya's opinion, Sakazuki was the type of person who, when he saw the opportune moment, would unsheathe that blade against all evils as he defined them, unable to tolerate even a speck of dust in his eyes...

However, if such a person were utilized well, he would also become a deadly weapon against enemies! His deadliness was akin to the Magma-Magma Fruit he wielded, one of the highest offensive Logia Devil Fruits, which would leave enemies dead or injured upon contact...

"Next! It's time for Marine Headquarters to put on a show~"

With this thought, Shaya drained the fragrant red wine in his cup.

He then stood up and walked to the edge of Mary Geoise, gazing at the endless sea of clouds, seemingly contemplating something...

The direction of Shaya's gaze was precisely towards Marineford, the location of Marine Headquarters.