As Akira turned to leave, only Sengoku and Sakazuki remained in the conference hall.
"Sakazuki, tell me what you're really thinking."
As if he had known Sakazuki would stay, Sengoku didn't turn around. With his back to Sakazuki, he said gravely, "You need to think this through. Akira wants more than the position of Marshal at Marine Headquarters. Are you really prepared to follow him all the way?"
Sakazuki nodded. "Before I came in here, I still had some reservations. But after hearing that Lord Im was hidden behind the scenes in the Holy Land, I'm convinced I made the right choice."
Sengoku furrowed his brow slightly. "Im's existence is based solely on Akira's word. It's too soon to draw any conclusions!"
Sakazuki didn't hesitate. "I believe him."
With that, Sakazuki didn't linger. He turned and strode out.
When he reached the conference hall's entrance, he suddenly stopped and looked back. "Even if this hidden figure, Im, doesn't exist, it wouldn't change my choice! Akira gave me the chance to honor my mother and enjoy her company while she's still alive!"
At that, Sengoku spun around and stared intently at Sakazuki. "The elderly woman Akira has been looking after for the past three years—is she your mother?"
Sakazuki didn't answer. He simply walked out.
Watching Sakazuki disappear through the doorway, Sengoku shook his head and smiled wryly to himself. "What a masterful move, Akira. You actually found Sakazuki's one and only weakness."
After a brief pause, Sengoku looked around the empty conference hall. Then he strolled to the window and gazed down at the brightly lit Marineford plaza.
The plaza had quieted down. All the soldiers and officers stood in orderly ranks, waiting for Akira, the new Marshal, to arrive.
Just then, Akira and his group emerged from the headquarters building and came into view.
Watching the young man head toward Marineford, surrounded by Gion and the others, Sengoku felt a strange sense of anticipation rise within him.
At that moment, he found himself wanting to see just how far this young man could go. Akira excelled at schemes, strategy, and winning people over. If the Holy Land made concessions and acknowledged the legitimacy of his position as Marshal of Marine Headquarters, perhaps he could seize the opportunity to secure more rights for the Marines, freeing their justice from every shackle and restraint.
As Marshal of Marine Headquarters, how could Sengoku not know that the World Government was no longer what it used to be? The Celestial Dragons, who lived in the Holy Land and called themselves descendants of the gods, had grown increasingly brazen as they enjoyed supreme privilege. They treated murder, the abduction of other men's wives, and all manner of such abuses as nothing more than rights befitting the World Nobles they were!
Even when their actions sparked trouble, the Admirals had to rush to protect them unconditionally, while being forbidden from offering any protection to the oppressed common people.
As Akira had said, so long as the Celestial Dragons loomed over the World Government, the Marines, under its command, could never achieve true justice.
Sengoku understood all of this, but he hadn't had the courage to change it.
One small change could affect everything. If anyone stood up and tried to break the status quo, it would surely unleash even greater turmoil.
Most importantly, the World Government must have had its reasons for standing atop the Red Line for eight hundred years. All he could do was fulfill his duties as best he could and spread the Marines' justice across the world to the best of his ability.
He watched Akira and his group leave the headquarters building and disappear into the night. Only then did Sengoku look away and murmur to himself, "Since time immemorial, fame and glory have belonged to the young. I was once full of fire and ambition, too..."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Sengoku's expression changed. He quickly turned toward the entrance.
Three figures stood before the door. He hadn't noticed when they arrived.
At their head was Zephyr, the former Admiral of Marine Headquarters, codenamed Black Arm.
Behind Zephyr stood two young officers, a man and a woman.
The young male officer was named Binz. He wore an unusual outfit and was a Shove-Shove Fruit user who had earned Zephyr's deep trust.
The young female officer was named Ain. She wore black pointed high heels and a blue cloak. Her eyes held a hint of sorrow, as if she had just endured a painful parting.
"Zephyr?"
Surprised to see Zephyr there, Sengoku hurried over, looking worried. "What are you doing here? Your arm—"
As he came up to Zephyr, Sengoku immediately looked at his right arm.
Zephyr raised his left hand and touched his severed arm. "Don't worry. It's been three years. I'm used to it by now! But you should urge the science team to hurry up and develop that mechanical arm!"
Sengoku hesitated, unsure what to say.
As if he knew what Sengoku was thinking, Zephyr went straight to the conference table, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Then he looked up at Sengoku and said, "I forgot you've already handed the authority of Marshal over to Akira. But even if you're no longer Marshal, the science team will still do you a favor!"
"Hm?"
Sengoku's pupils contracted. He stared at Zephyr in shock. "You're not surprised by what happened at headquarters? Could it be... you knew Akira was going to stage a mutiny?"
Zephyr smiled and nodded. "He's my student!"
Sengoku shook his head helplessly. "It seems you've completely lost faith in the Marines!"
"I have!"
Zephyr glanced at Ain and Binz, his two students standing by the entrance. His words were tinged with resentment and hatred. "If it weren't for Akira, I might have already built an entirely new Marine force!"
"After all, you've all forgotten what happened three years ago, when the training ship was attacked and dozens of young lives were lost at sea. I can no longer put my faith in the Marines!"
Sengoku's expression shifted. He quickly explained, "I haven't forgotten."
"Not forgotten?" Zephyr sprang to his feet, his emotions flaring. "Dozens of young officers from Marine Headquarters died at sea. As Marshal, you should have ordered an all-out pursuit until their killers were captured and publicly executed. Only then would pirates who dared to kill Marines fear the consequences. Only then could those dozens of young lives rest in peace, and those who survived keep fighting for justice!"
"But you didn't do that. In those three years, it wasn't my heart you chilled!"
As he spoke, Zephyr pointed at Ain and Binz. "It was theirs—and the hearts of all the other young officers who carry the future of the Marines on their shoulders!"
Realizing he was on the verge of losing control of his emotions, Zephyr paused. Then he sat back down and lowered his voice. "Sengoku, you're old. We're all old."
Sengoku didn't say anything. He stood there, his expression troubled and his feelings conflicted.
He hadn't forgotten that the training ship Zephyr had led was attacked three years ago, leaving dozens of young officers dead at sea. He had continued sending people after the man responsible for slaughtering those young trainees.
But he didn't explain. As Marshal of Marine Headquarters, he had to consider more than just one pirate. He had to think of the bigger picture; he couldn't send all Three Admirals after a single pirate.
Still, Zephyr had a point.
Dozens of young officers had been brutally murdered, and their killer was still at large. Sengoku bore an undeniable share of the responsibility.
"I know what you're thinking!"
Seeing Sengoku remain silent, Zephyr continued, "You're probably thinking I chose to stand by because Akira promised he'd bring the pirates who attacked the training ship to justice. To tell you the truth, Akira didn't promise me anything. But I believe he won't let me down."
With that, Zephyr turned to his two students, standing quietly outside the door. "Ain, Binz. The outcome is settled tonight. From now on, follow Akira. He'll be an outstanding leader!"
Before you continue