More than two hours later.
As the meeting ended, Sakazuki, Bullet, Newgate, and the others walked out of the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces amid salutes from the soldiers on either side.
"Sakazuki."
"Hmm?"
Sakazuki, who had been stepping down the stairs, stopped in confusion and turned to look at Newgate.
"I heard from Garp that Ace is staying at your place?"
"That's right. The 'military academy' is on summer break, so I went to Marineford and brought Ace back with me."
"In that case, let him come visit me during this year's winter break."
"No."
With that, Sakazuki walked away without looking back, completely ignoring Newgate's speechless expression.
He felt Ace ought to stay far away from that man.
Soon after.
Sakazuki returned through the Natural Portal to the southeastern coast of Flame Continent.
This was both his new home and the base of the 1st Main Battle Legion.
Once the new Army Headquarters on Red Moon was completed, they would move there.
Still, the environment here was not as unbearably hot as he had imagined.
Other than the slightly charred, reddish ground, the overall temperature was fairly normal.
Sakazuki had specifically used his powers to create a heat-insulating barrier that covered the entire area.
It was not very large, only about a hundred kilometers in radius.
Otherwise, while it would not affect him much, other people and the buildings would not be able to withstand prolonged exposure to such high temperatures.
Outside, it was practically a world of Rengoku, with flames and lava everywhere.
Only extraordinary creatures that loved scorching environments could adapt to it.
In fact, he should have informed Inos, the 'Fire Elemental Spirit King,' about this.
But Inos had neither come looking for him, nor did Sakazuki know of his existence.
Thus, the two