Faced with Bastille's pointed questioning, many Marines and even pirates who did not know the full story instinctively turned their eyes toward Sengoku.
"Bastille, you're mistaken. If the two people Laxus brought back aren't qualified to serve as Admirals, then among all those recruited through the World Military Draft, no one on these seas—whether in reputation or strength—could possibly measure up to them," Tsuru, who stood nearby, explained first.
"They are monsters who became famous across these seas long ago. They have simply appeared rarely in recent years. I never expected Laxus to encounter them and persuade them to come to Marine Headquarters."
"Such means and ability are not something ordinary people can compare to."
Monsters?
Many of those present froze in disbelief. No one had expected it.
The Marine Chief Staff Officer Tsuru had given such an overwhelmingly high evaluation to a disabled man and an oddball.
Yet the slightly ashen faces of Blackbeard Teach and Akainu seemed to confirm that her words were an undeniable fact.
"What a Thunder Dragon Laxus. After waiting so long, I've finally seen your true face." Shiki, floating in the air, was the first to burst into laughter.
"Before I came here, Whitebeard told me that you were an unpredictable variable. I thought I would never get the chance to meet you."
"Now that you're here, I'll see exactly what makes Whitebeard regard you as a variable. Today, I'll sink this eyesore called Marineford into the sea. Let's see how you plan to stop me!"
"Lion Might: Air Drop Pagoda!"
As his imposing roar rang out, Shiki spread his hands and grabbed through the air. The massive floating island erupted with deafening rumbling.
In the next instant, before everyone's eyes, a shocking, enormous fissure ripped open across the underside of the floating island,