"Has it already begun...?"
"The battle over there."
A cigar hung from Akainu's mouth, but his expression no longer carried the same viciousness as before. Instead, there was a trace of profound calm.
It was not only because he had gone through so much and suffered repeated blows, but also because the Marines were no longer ruled solely by the faction of Absolute Justice.
The current Fleet Admiral was Aokiji, whose Moderate Justice had been passed down from Sengoku.
"Yes, Admiral Akainu."
"Intelligence reports that Sarutobi Hiruzen has returned from the New World and is currently fighting Charlotte Linlin!"
"It will likely take some time before the battle ends!"
The intelligence officer beside him reported respectfully.
"In that case..."
"Let's move, everyone."
Akainu strode toward the bow. Not far beyond the horizon lay Charlotte Linlin's headquarters—Whole Cake Island!
One after another, several towering figures emerged from Akainu's ship. They were all powerful Vice Admirals!
"Senior Akainu..."
"Do you need me to act as well?"
A green-haired figure on the other side looked at Akainu with a hint of admiration as he asked.
This equally imposing man was the newly appointed Marine Admiral—Ryokugyu, a Logia-type Woods-Woods Fruit user and another monster-class existence.
Like Akainu, Ryokugyu was a follower of Absolute Justice, and he held Akainu in high regard.
"You don't need to act, Ryokugyu. Stay on the ship and keep watch, just in case."
Akainu declined his new colleague's offer.
A Four Emperors' territory whose main forces had been drawn away did not warrant the deployment of two Admirals.
Ryokugyu's task was to watch the waters around Whole Cake Island, preventing any uninvited guests from interfering!
Ryokugyu nodded. Though he wanted to fight, he remained rational and understood just how important this plan was to the Marines.
If it succeeded, the