The sea breeze at Marineford carried a heavy, bloody tang.
Two battered wooden pirate ships now sat in what had once been a spacious, immaculate harbor parade ground.
The blood on their decks had yet to dry. Their flags had been hacked to shreds and tossed into the muddy water, where no one spared them a glance.
They belonged to the vicious prisoners of war who had just been escorted into port.
Sengoku stood before the raised platform, his Fleet Admiral's coat billowing in the wind.
His expression was grim.
The reports reaching headquarters lately had been stranger and more disturbing by the day.
First, Vegapunk and his entire operation had been swept up by the Eclipse Organization. Then the Five Elders had released several monsters of the Old Era who had lain dormant in Impel Down for years.
Even those brutally violent giants of Elbaf had received mobilization orders under God's Summons.
The World Government's situation had deteriorated to the point where it had to abandon every shred of dignity.
The Marines' banner of justice could barely conceal the ugly schemes of those overlords in Mary Geoise anymore.
"Fleet Admiral, can these two really be appointed Admirals outright?"
The adjutant behind him held the appointment papers, his voice trembling.
"Skipping the assessments for field officers and Vice Admirals to promote them directly through the World Military Draft... there's no precedent for this in Marine history."
Sengoku turned and glared at him.
"If we don't make exceptions, who do you expect to fill the gaps?"
"Kizaru is lounging around Egghead Island pretending to be injured, Aokiji's position is unclear, and do you think Akainu can split himself into eight people?"
"Eclipse's flying fortress is already roaming the New World unchecked! Can regulations put food on the table?"
Sengoku turned his