A Fierce Battle! The Five Elders' Decision

"We can't let the pirates get Pure Gold. We have to fight this battle!"

Fleet Admiral Akainu had rushed to the Holy Land and joined the Five Elders in the hall. Seeing the swordsman among them flare up, he stepped forward and volunteered to fight.

"Calm down, Akainu. Too many pirates have surrounded Sabaody. If we fight, don't forget about the Revolutionary Army!"

Longbeard Five Elder spoke gravely. "Oric's motives may differ from theirs, but his plan is no different from the Revolutionary Army's. Both are using the strength of the entire world against us. We can't act rashly!"

Like Bald Zero, the Five Elders believed Oric was entirely responsible for the incident. None of them had noticed the part Ron played in it.

That did nothing to ease their predicament. With so many pirates and ambitious figures joining forces, whatever their motives, there was no quick solution.

"So we just let those villains stay out there?!"

Akainu seethed. "The Holy Land is surrounded by enemies. This is a disgrace to the government!"

"Enough!"

Freyk suddenly roared. "Do you think we don't know that?!"

The meeting room fell silent. Freyk, his head covered in white curls, struck the floor hard with his cane. "Do your own jobs and await orders for the rest. That is the Marines' duty. Understood?!"

His meaning was clear: however humiliating it was, the Marines had to obey and swallow it.

"I..."

Akainu gritted his teeth in anger. Only now did he realize the Fleet Admiral's seat was not so easy to occupy.

Even after becoming Fleet Admiral, he still had the Five Elders above him, their greater authority constraining the Marines at every turn.

Absolute Justice?

Until the Five Elders said otherwise, yes.

Akainu clenched his jaw and forced an answer through his teeth.

"Understood!"