Eve of the Decisive Battle (12)

Akainu and Dragon were both enemies and friends, in the past and even now.

You could tell from what Dragon said when he was captured that he, once a hawk himself, had shared an unusually close relationship with Sakazuki.

Back then, Akainu had regarded him as an enemy in order to defeat him and prove himself. Later, Akainu regarded him as an enemy simply because he was the leader of the Revolutionary Army and stood on the opposite side.

Now that the Revolutionary Army, personally built by the opponent he had considered his lifelong enemy, had been pushed into such a state by Ron, it was impossible for Akainu to have no thoughts about it.

Who among those who became Admirals was not a peerless genius who shone brilliantly?

He had his own pride and convictions, so expecting him to be convinced was utterly laughable.

However, Akainu had nothing to say about Ron's achievements. If anything, he admired them greatly. Thus, what he felt now was more regret, along with anger at Dragon for failing to live up to expectations.

To put it simply...

I considered you my lifelong rival, and yet you lost to someone else just like that?

Then what does that make me?!

A joke?!

That was probably what he was thinking.

Akainu did not get angry at Ron's teasing. He merely shook his head, crossed his arms, and said nothing.

He needed to adjust his mindset for the coming battle.

"If the Revolutionary Army dares show itself again, I'll teach them what Marines' Justice means!"

Sengoku opened his eyes, his face filled with disdain.

This sea ultimately spoke through strength. Without Dragon and Kuma, the Revolutionary Army no longer possessed any power capable of contending with the Marines.

At most, the waves of rebellion they had