The Old Marshal's Choice!

Sakazuki's words shocked every Marine in the conference room.

As expected of the most resolute man in the Marines, even when facing such a situation, Sakazuki displayed traits that matched his character.

Whether negotiating with the New Marines represented by Tsugikuni Yoriichi, or gathering all of Marine Headquarters' strength to attack Whole Cake Island.

No matter which of these two options Marine Headquarters chose, it could bring disaster upon itself.

The Celestial Dragons would never allow Marine Headquarters to compromise with the New Marines. Everyone present understood this, because it had happened once before.

Before Tsugikuni Yoriichi disappeared, the New Marines had pulled the "Minor Faction Joins Major Faction" maneuver, attempting to gain complete control of Marine Headquarters. That plan had only fallen apart when Tsugikuni Yoriichi vanished in the Alabasta Kingdom.

After that, the Celestial Dragons, having regained control of Marine Headquarters, carried out a massive purge within the organization.

Some officers who had leaned toward the New Marines were driven out of Marine Headquarters. Perhaps only those under Borsalino, whose strength was exceptional and whose stance remained ambiguous, had been able to continue working at Marine Headquarters.

Nor had those dismissed Marines been able to peacefully live as civilians. Within just a few years, they encountered all kinds of accidents. Some vanished, some died, and almost none of them could still be contacted.

Everyone understood that this was the consequence of betraying the Celestial Dragons.

No one knew what trump cards the Celestial Dragons, who had ruled the world for nearly eight hundred years, possessed. When Tsugikuni Yoriichi had taken charge of Marine Headquarters, everyone had thought he had already won. Yet in the end, the Celestial Dragons had still managed to turn the situation around.

This time, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had returned, and the New Marines were stronger