Sakazuki: You're Right. We Really Can't Die!

When Longinus's gaze swept over them, the New Marines' hearts clenched.

Katakuri had fought their leader, Akainu, to a standstill. Even if he was weaker, the difference couldn't be that great.

Yet Longinus had beaten someone as powerful as Katakuri in mere minutes. If their leader had faced him instead, wouldn't he have lasted five minutes at most before getting his head beaten in?

Seeing Longinus fly toward them, a nearby Marine asked anxiously, "Fleet Admiral, are you..."

"He's probably not here to fight," Sakazuki said gravely. "Leave us alone for a while."

By the time Longinus landed on the deck, every other Marine had moved to the other warships.

Only the two of them remained on the flagship. Sakazuki sat with one leg crossed over the other, projecting all the authority of an Admiral.

"You've guessed why I'm here, haven't you, Admiral Akainu?"

Hearing Longinus use that title again, Sakazuki asked without changing expression, "You want us to return to Marine Headquarters?"

Longinus nodded slightly. "I think we should first agree that there can be only one Marine force."

Sakazuki raised an eyebrow. "Obviously. There can only be one."

"Then should I say, welcome back?"

"What if I said my condition for returning was that I become the leader?"

Longinus smiled. "Of course."

Sakazuki stared into Longinus's eyes as though trying to see through him. After a long moment, he said coldly, "Forget it. If I really became the leader, those people would raise hell. As for our return, it's simple. Beat me, and we'll come back!"

Longinus sighed helplessly. "Is that really necessary?"

"What? Are you looking down on me? You think I'm certain to lose?" Sakazuki demanded.

"That's not what I meant."

"Then fight me!"

Before Longinus could answer, Sakazuki hurled a blazing fist of magma past