My Honor Is Loyalty!

"Lord Im?"

Sengoku's eyes flashed with confusion at the unfamiliar name.

As Marshal of Marine Headquarters, he had traveled between the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and Marineford countless times. He had also been responsible for the Holy Land's security on several occasions, safeguarding the Reverie held every four years.

During those visits, he had always carefully arranged defenses around Mary Geoise to prevent any mishaps.

And yet, he had never even heard the name Lord Im.

If even Sengoku found the name unfamiliar, then naturally everyone else present looked just as bewildered. They exchanged glances, uncertain whether to believe Gion.

Just then.

The top floor of the Headquarters Building.

As the elevator doors opened, Akira stepped out without the slightest hesitation.

The two Vice Admirals, Strawberry and Bastille, followed close behind. Several Rear Admirals hurried out ahead of Akira and stood respectfully before the doors to the conference hall at the end of the corridor.

As Akira approached, two Rear Admirals immediately opened the doors.

Without slowing, Akira strode into the conference hall with his head held high.

"Rumble—"

Gion, Hound, and the other Headquarters Officers inside the conference hall, along with the soldiers standing behind them, rose to their feet and stepped forward.

Akira didn't head for his seat. Under the watchful gazes of everyone present, he strode straight up to Sengoku.

"Attention!"

Before Sengoku could react, Akira snapped his feet together, faced him, and raised his right hand. "Salute Marshal Sengoku!"

At Akira's words, Strawberry and Bastille, along with the Rear Admirals and Commodores behind him, snapped their legs together and straightened up. Gion, Hound, and the others did the same, facing Marshal Sengoku as they shouted in unison, "Loyalty!"

Sengoku showed little reaction, calmly watching Akira salute him.

Menard and the other officers who had yet to submit to Akira looked hostile, watching him as if bracing for an attack.

"Vice Admiral Akira, you've had a busy evening!"

After a brief silence, Sengoku shook his head with a sigh and said unhurriedly, "You've used your colleagues' lives and blood to fulfill your ambitions. Is this the justice you stand for?"

At that, Akira took a document from his coat and placed it in front of Sengoku. Then he stepped back and said, "Many years ago, I met a prophet on Fish-Man Island. She said I was destined to achieve greatness at the cost of countless lives. I don't see it that way. In my view, each person decides for themselves whether they live or die. Marshal Sengoku, I have Marineford almost entirely under my control. If you don't want to see more people die resisting me, please sign this document."

"Akira! You traitor!"

Before Sengoku could react, Menard sprang to his feet and glared at Akira with bloodshot eyes. "As long as we're still alive, you won't get away with this!"

"Looking to die?"

Before Akira could give an order, Strawberry and Bastille sprang forward in perfect unison.

The next moment, Strawberry's Finger Pistol was aimed at Menard's chest.

At the same time, Bastille's greatsword was pressed against Menard's neck.

Gion instinctively gripped her sword hilt, while Hound bared his teeth in a bloodthirsty grin. If Menard, Akainu, Stainless, or any of the others made a move, they would crush them without hesitation.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the conference hall grew tense, and a fight seemed imminent.

"Strawberry!"

"Bastille!"

With a Finger Pistol and a greatsword trained on him, Menard glared at them with bloodshot eyes and fumed, "Akira has only been at Headquarters for six years! What did he do to make you abandon the Marines' honor and join him in this rebellion?"

"A man dies for one who understands him," Strawberry replied, his expression cold as he fixed Menard with a stare. "My honor is loyalty!"

Bastille didn't waste words. His voice brooked no argument as he said, "Sit down, or I won't spare you out of regard for our old friendship."

"You..." Menard was furious and instinctively took a step forward.

Just then, Sengoku slammed his hand on the conference table and said sternly, "Enough! Menard, sit down!"

Then he ignored the others and opened the document Akira had placed before him.

"Hm?"

As soon as he saw the contents, Sengoku's pupils contracted. He looked up at Akira in disbelief. "You want to serve as acting Marshal of Headquarters? Akira, do you think that's realistic? The appointment of the Marshal of Headquarters isn't up to me alone. Without the Holy Land's appr—"

"The Holy Land's approval isn't necessary."

Akira smiled faintly. "As long as the soldiers at Marine Headquarters and the various branch bases and fortresses across the Four Blues and Grand Line know that you're unwell, I can temporarily oversee all Marine affairs. Of course, Marshal Sengoku can choose not to sign. But if you do, many people will die tonight."

At that, Sengoku fell silent.

As Marshal of Headquarters, he knew this was Akira's stalling tactic. If Akira could temporarily stabilize the soldiers across the Four Blues and the Grand Line's various Marine branches and fortresses, he could quickly send his trusted men to eliminate every uncontrollable element at the lowest possible cost.

Once Akira had fully taken control of the Marines, the Holy Land would have only two choices: either concede to Akira, who would be wielding the Marines as leverage, and recognize his legitimacy as Marshal of Marine Headquarters, or, in its fury, mobilize every combat division of the World Government against the Marines Akira had taken over.

Seeing Marshal Sengoku fall silent, Akira stopped standing and turned to take the empty seat opposite him at the conference table.

As soon as he reached the table, Gion moved the chair forward for him. Once Akira sat down, she immediately rested a hand on her sword hilt and stepped back to stand at his left. Strawberry and Bastille then hurried to Akira's right, all three looking toward Sengoku, whose expression had grown grave.

"Lord Sengoku, you can't sign that!"

Menard suddenly stood up again, visibly agitated. "It's not as though we're incapable of fighting back! If we fight to the death and hold out until Vice Admiral Garp returns from leave, victory will surely be ours! Besides, the Three Admirals haven't all declared their positions..."

Bang—

Before Menard could finish, the tightly shut doors to the conference hall burst open again.

Akainu, now wearing the Marine Headquarters Admiral's coat and a Marine cap, strode into the hall accompanied by Vice Admiral Momonga. Under the disbelieving gazes of Menard, Akainu, Stainless, and the others, he walked straight to Akira's side.

"Admiral Akainu!"

Menard hadn't expected Akainu to ignore Marshal Sengoku and stand with Akira. His pupils contracted as he cried out, "Y-you... What are you doing? Don't tell me you, too... No, that's impossible! You're the Admiral who can't stand even the smallest bit of evil! Where's the absolute justice you uphold?"

Sengoku looked up at Akainu as well and said sternly, "Akainu, is this your choice?"

Akainu slowly raised his head. A moment of hesitation flickered in his eyes, but he cast aside every doubt almost at once. With a firm expression, he nodded. "It is."