The Knights of God Invade Headquarters!

The world was in turmoil, yet Marine Headquarters seemed as though nothing had happened. Peace and calm reigned.

The officers and soldiers of every rank who had followed Akira all these years, and whose fates had changed because of his arrival, went about their duties as usual, each at their post. They kept the Navy's enormous war machine running smoothly.

Though the officers and soldiers who hadn't taken part in the mutiny had changed their minds after hearing Akira's speech, they still felt deeply uneasy. They worried that they'd be sidelined for having made no contributions, and even feared they'd be punished for not pledging their loyalty to Akira from the start.

But when they received their pay for the coming year, just like the other soldiers and officers, their worries vanished. They returned to their posts full of energy, and many secretly resolved to pledge their loyalty to Marshal Akira amid the changes to come.

One of the fortresses at Marine Headquarters.

Several soldiers stood beside the gun emplacements, watching the endless expanse of sea beyond the high walls as though expecting an attack at any moment.

Two officers in Colonel's coats stood beside them, smoking leisurely. They had both once served under Vice Admiral Doberman. But Doberman had been killed right at the start of the mutiny, and as his subordinates, they had naturally become potential threats.

However, when the officers and soldiers who had joined the mutiny surrounded their barracks, they didn't attack the building right away. Instead, they strictly forbade them from leaving.

At the time, many people had no idea what was happening. They rushed out of the barracks at once, hoping to intimidate the others with their rank, only to be gunned down as soon as they stepped outside.

That was when they learned that someone at Headquarters had launched a mutiny.

Faced with the sudden encirclement by a massive force, no one else in the barracks dared to leave. Even the powerful Rear Admirals who tried to fight their way out were cut down one by one by the officers surrounding the building.

At the time, they had been despairing, all afraid they'd be punished once the mutiny was over.

But to their surprise, Akira, the man who had led the mutiny and become the new Marshal, hadn't slaughtered them. He'd even given them the same pay as the officers and soldiers who had taken part in the mutiny, and now he'd entrusted them with guarding this fortress.

"Colonel Ok, what are you planning to do with your pay? Once this whole affair is settled, want to travel together?"

One of the colonels pulled out a pack of cigarettes he normally couldn't bring himself to buy. He took one out and offered it to Colonel Ok, then shook his head with a smile. "To be honest, I'm jealous of the colleagues who pledged their loyalty to Lord Akira from the start. Ever heard of Stock? During the mutiny, he secretly took a warship to the East Blue. I saw him leave the barracks wearing a Colonel's coat! If nothing went wrong, he must've been headed to take command of some branch base. And when he first joined Marine Headquarters, he served under me!"

"Lots of other officers who took part in the mutiny were promoted two ranks because of this affair. A Major who used to serve under me is now my superior—a Commodore!"

"Don't be jealous, Colonel Snaik," Colonel Ok said with a shake of his head, taking the cigarette and smelling it. "Lord Akira didn't just spare us from punishment. He also gave us a year's pay. What more could you ask for?"

After a brief pause, Ok took out a lighter and lit the cigarette. He inhaled deeply, then continued through a cloud of smoke, "Forget traveling. I've already sent all the money home. You know what my family's like. My parents are in poor health, and I have three younger siblings. If I spent this money traveling, they'd go hungry."

"Oh, right." Snaik suddenly remembered something and said uncertainly, "Back at the cafeteria, I think I heard Lord Akira and Vice Admiral Gion talking about a cadet school. Basically, after this affair is over, he plans to build cadet schools near Headquarters and the major branch bases. Any children of Headquarters or branch officers can attend for free, with all expenses covered by Headquarters and the various branches! When they finish their studies, the officers' children can choose to join the Navy and undergo military training, or return to their hometowns and help build them!"

"Really?" Ok's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Long live Lord Akira—"

Before he could finish, Ok suddenly stopped. He quickly raised the binoculars hanging on his chest and looked out to sea.

Several enormous warships were speeding toward Marineford. The flag flying from the mast of the leading ship clearly bore the words "Judicial Department."

"Warships from Enies Lobby?"

After spotting the words through the binoculars, a doubtful look crossed Ok's face. "Could the Holy Land have been unable to reach Headquarters, so they sent people from Enies Lobby to check on the situation?"

"Whatever the situation is, it doesn't matter!"

Snaik stepped forward and said solemnly, "I don't want to go back to those hard times. The only Marshal of Marine Headquarters I recognize is Lord Akira!"

Before he had even finished speaking, he turned to the soldiers standing beside the gun emplacements and issued a decisive order. "All hands, prepare for battle!"

"Snaik, don't be rash!" Ok quickly tried to stop him. "Report this first. If they're envoys from the Holy Land sent to negotiate, you'll ruin Lord Akira's plans..."

"Hm?"

Once again, before Ok could finish speaking, his eyes widened. He stared in disbelief at the roof of the Headquarters Building.

Before he could react, a terrifying aura suddenly burst from the roof.

The previously clear sky darkened in an instant, and then clouds of flame rose from the roof of the Headquarters Building.

"What is that—"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Ok suddenly cursed aloud. "Damn it, someone's invading Headquarters! Quick, sound the alarm!"

Meanwhile.

On the roof of the Marine Headquarters Building, a gigantic five-pointed star teleportation circle appeared out of thin air. As clouds of flame rose around it, the space itself began to ripple strangely.

Then a figure stepped out of the teleportation circle.

As the figure emerged, Marine Headquarters, peaceful just a moment earlier, was suddenly filled with the tolling of alarm bells. The piercing sirens roused officers and soldiers of every rank throughout Headquarters.

By the cafeteria, Akira had just finished his meal and stepped out the door. The sudden alarm bells didn't surprise him. He raised his head slightly toward the roof of the Headquarters Building and said calmly, "A teleportation circle? The Knights of God?"