New Fleet Admiral

Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.

Sengoku stood by the window, gazing absently at the construction scaffolding erected outside, the busy craftsmen repairing the structures, and the marines continuing their drills. He slowly shifted his gaze upwards to the somewhat gray sky, and finally couldn't help but sigh. They had lost. This war had been a complete and utter defeat...

"Sengoku, stop looking, the war is over..." Tsuru calmly sat down in the guest seat, closing her eyes and blowing on the hot tea in her hand. "The past cannot be undone; the only thing we can change is the future. Isn't that what you're aiming for today..."

"Tsuru ...you're right. I should bear the responsibility for the past, but I must entrust the future to someone I can trust." Sengoku turned his gaze from the window. "This war was lost, but the Navy hasn't lost. The Navy still has a future..."

"I apologize for being late, Fleet Admiral..." Aokiji walked in carrying a backpack, unintentionally interrupting Sengoku's words.

"Sit down, Kuzan." Sengoku sat down in a chair and placed another empty chair opposite him. "I'm here today to discuss something important with you."

"Please speak," Aokiji, sitting down in a chair.

Sengoku, with a serious yet composed expression, said, "The failure of the Marineford War is entirely my fault... I will resign to take responsibility, so I intend to recommend you to the World Government to become the next Fleet Admiral. This is not just my wish, but also the shared thought of Tsuru, Garp, Momonga, Yamakaji, and many other Marines."

He took a sip of hot tea and said slowly, "Kuzan, you have great ideas and drive, and you see the world more clearly than us old folks. With your vision and qualifications, you are absolutely capable of serving as Fleet Admiral."

"I see..." Aokiji glanced at Tsuru, then turned back to Sengoku. After a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement. "I understand. Fleet Admiral, Staff Officer Tsuru, and everyone else have faith in me. I will do my duty... and uphold my [justice]!"

"Alright." Sengoku smiled, a long-lost smile returning to his face, and nodded with satisfaction. "I will now submit the request to the World Government."

After saying that, he immediately summoned a messenger from the intelligence department, handed over the prepared files, and instructed him to deliver them to the World Government in Mary Geoise. Then, still feeling uneasy, he went to his desk and dialed Den Den Mushi.

A few breaths later... the Den Den Mushi was connected.

"This is Marineford, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

A strong, resonant voice came from the other end, "This is the World Government. Speak your mind, Sengoku."

Sengoku said, "Regarding the next Fleet Admiral, I recommend Admiral Aokiji and Kuzan."

After a moment of silence, the person on the other end said, "We already have a plan in mind... but not Kuzan, it's Sakazuki."

"What...!!" Sengoku exclaimed in disbelief, immediately saying, "The majority of the Navy supports Kuzan. You can't jump to conclusions about this so easily. The Navy has lost this war. If morale continues to decline, it will fall apart sooner or later!!"

Sengoku's words clearly had some effect, as a slight murmur of discussion came from the other end. Then, another voice came from the Den Den Mushi: "We favor Sakazuki more. His style is more in our interest. Rampant pirates must be dealt with severely, while Kuzan is a bit 'weak'."

Sengoku was about to speak, but Aokiji walked over and nodded to Sengoku. Although Sengoku didn't know what Aokiji wanted to say, he handed him Den Den Mushi.

Aokiji took the Den Den Mushi and calmly said, "This is Kuzan."

"..." After a moment, the other end spoke, "Well, is there something you're unhappy about?"

"The future direction of the Navy is not just a personal matter, nor is it solely related to the interests of the World Government... I will discuss this matter privately with Sakazuki, and I will give you an answer later."

After a long silence, the person on the other end of the Den Den Mushi finally said, "We hope you can give us a satisfactory answer."

The answer was finally given fifteen days later, not only to the World Government, but also to Buggy on Sabaody Archipelago and people all over the world: Marine Admiral Aokiji and Akainu had a serious disagreement and agreed to a showdown on Punk Hazard. After ten days of fierce fighting, a victor was finally decided... Aokiji defeated Akainu and became the new Fleet Admiral!

"What!" Buggy exclaimed in surprise upon hearing the news from Lilina, asking again to confirm, "Aokiji... defeated Akainu?"

Lilina was somewhat puzzled by Buggy's expression. "I know news of internal strife within the Navy does have a strange feel to it, but you don't need to make such a fuss..."

"You don't understand..." Buggy said helplessly, but before he could finish, Lilina interrupted him, "What do you mean you don't understand? You always talk so mysteriously, it's so strange!"

"I fought them in Marineford ... In my opinion, Akainu is stronger than Aokiji, and his attacks are more aggressive, which is why I find it strange. Logically speaking... Akainu should have been the winner of this duel." Buggy made up an excuse to get away with it.

After listening to Buggy's words, Lilina thought for a moment and felt there was no problem with them, so she explained, "It's said that Akainu's injury from being severely wounded by Whitebeard during the Marineford War aggravated his performance in this duel, which is why Aokiji won... It's possible that if he hadn't been injured in the Marineford War, Akainu would have been the victor, as you said. However, this is just a rumor. There were only the two of them on the island during the battle, and no one knows the specifics of what happened..."

"Is that so..." Buggy nodded. Given that the two were very evenly matched, their duel was not only based on strength but also on many other factors. After thinking it over, Akainu's defeat might not be surprising.

He continued thoughtfully, "So what happened next...? Did Akainu stay in the Navy?"

Lilina replied, "I heard he left the Navy and was drafted into the World Government. After all, losing a duel and having to become the victor's subordinate must be incredibly humiliating..."

Buggy, resting his head on his right hand, murmured, "Aokiji became Fleet Admiral, while Akainu left the Navy. That's truly unexpected..."