At the port of Marineford.
A searing wave of heat shot into the sky.
Boom!
Crimson magma erupted at the edge of the port. The stone paving glowed red, and the air warped in the heat.
Sakazuki stood on the shore, his broad Justice coat billowing in the blast.
In his hand was a fresh order from the World Government.
Admiral Akainu, Sakazuki, is not to leave Marineford.
Just one short line, yet it felt like a slab of iron pressed against his throat.
The next moment, Sakazuki's fingers turned to crimson magma.
Hiss!
The order burned away in an instant, without even ash left behind.
Beside him, the messenger had gone deathly pale. His legs felt weak, but he did not dare take a step back.
"A-Admiral Akainu..."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku wants to see you."
Sakazuki did not turn around. He simply watched a warship that had already left port.
It sailed farther and farther away, the wake behind it tracing a white line beneath the sun.
He bit down so hard on his cigar that it bent. Thick smoke drifted from the corner of his mouth.
"You old fossils. One day, I'll melt the lot of you..."
The messenger froze.
Old fossils?
Who was he talking about?
The Five Elders?
I'm done for. Did I just hear something I shouldn't have?
How am I supposed to dig that memory out of my head?!
The messenger grew paler by the second, cold sweat running down his cheeks.
Sakazuki paid him no further attention.
Face cold, he turned and headed toward the Headquarters building.
Every step left a faint scorch mark on the ground.
The messenger looked down at the marks and swallowed.
"I didn't hear a thing..."
"I never even came to the port today..."
"Right."
"I