Three months passed in a flash. During that time, Luffy's group had fought their way from Big Mom's territory to Wano Country, where they had also reunited with Ace.
Meanwhile, Mu Chen had taken command at Marine Headquarters in the New World, and the deadline set by the Five Elders was drawing ever closer.
On this day, Sakazuki came to see him.
Sakazuki wore an Admiral's uniform, his hands clenched into fists. His scarlet eyes were fixed on Mu Chen in the seat of honor, and his voice was filled with suppressed fury. "Mu Chen, what exactly are you doing?"
For the past three months, he had been ordered to guard the western defensive line of the New World, yet he had constantly received reports from the soldiers under his command.
He discovered that more and more Marines had begun privately complaining about the World Government. Some even openly said that the Celestial Dragons were a cancer on the sea and that the World Government had no right to command the Marines.
At first, he had assumed it was merely a few soldiers venting their frustrations. But he soon realized it was not an isolated case. At least half of the Marines felt this way.
Sakazuki stepped forward, his voice full of anger and accusation. "Mu Chen, half the Marines have begun to hate the World Government, yet you're turning a blind eye! What kind of Fleet Admiral are you?"
Mu Chen sat in the seat of honor, lightly tapping his fingers against the table. His face remained utterly calm. He had known this day would come. Sakazuki was no fool; those spreading criticism of the World Government throughout the Marines were all members of the Revolutionary Army.
Though it could not exactly be called slander. They were simply stating