Sengoku Worn Down, the Four Emperors Rise

Ever since Akainu's captain contacted him last time, there had not been the slightest bit of news.

Even when he called back through the Den Den Mushi, there was no response.

Sengoku sighed in his office.

A few more strands of white hair had appeared on his head.

One could imagine how tormenting these past few days had been for him, a Fleet Admiral who had only just taken office.

Knock, knock, knock~

Someone knocked on the office door.

Aokiji walked in from outside.

Aokiji belonged to the Dove Faction. In fact, ever since he had joined the Marines,

Sengoku and the others had been continuously promoting him.

So, their conversations were relatively harmonious and relaxed.

"Aokiji, how did your mission go? I hope it's not bad news."

Aokiji looked at the somewhat haggard Sengoku and gave a bitter smile. "Fleet Admiral, according to my investigation, Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, and Shanks seem to be establishing the Four Emperors."

"The Four Emperors?"

Sengoku repeated it unconsciously.

Just then, a soldier outside delivered a newspaper to Sengoku.

On the newspaper, four bold words stood out: "The Four Emperors Rise"!

After Sengoku finished reading the paper, he furrowed his brows tightly.

"This is an open provocation against the Marines! A challenge to the Marines' authority!"

But as soon as Sengoku finished speaking, he thought of Roya and Akainu.

Right now,

the Four Emperors had just risen in the New World.

A mysterious organization had appeared in the Four Blues.

Roya's whereabouts were unknown, and whether he was dead or alive remained uncertain.

As for Akainu, unless something unexpected had happened, he was likely dead.

The Marines' strength had suffered an unprecedented blow.

Even though Sengoku was known as the "Wise General," his heart was willing, but his strength fell short!

But at that moment, Sengoku's phone rang.

"Buru buru."

Sengoku sighed and looked at the Den Den Mushi. In a low voice, he said, "I hope this isn't more bad news."

He picked up the Den Den Mushi. Before Sengoku could speak, an incomparably excited voice came from the other end.

"Fleet Admiral, Fleet Admiral! Admiral White Dove and Vice Admiral Akainu have... have returned!"

The person on the other end was so excited that he felt as if he could barely speak.

But this news was simply too shocking.

Even Sengoku himself froze for a moment before joy flooded through him.

"What did you say?! White Dove and Akainu have both returned?"

"Yes, Fleet Admiral. White Dove looks completely unharmed, but Akainu's injuries are rather severe."

Sengoku finally let out a breath.

As long as they had returned, that was all that mattered!

Without any hesitation, Sengoku immediately arranged for the finest medical team to treat Akainu.

Once Akainu had recovered, they could punish him for his actions.

For now, Sengoku merely said into the Den Den Mushi, "Form ranks and welcome them!"

At that moment, all of Marineford sprang into action.

Sengoku did not forget to notify Kalifa.

Kalifa, who had just joined CP9, immediately asked for leave and rushed toward Marineford's harbor.

Zephyr, who had mostly recovered, had a Sea-Prism Stone mechanical arm fitted onto his right arm and followed Sengoku to the harbor.

The Marine trainees whom Roya had saved came along as well.

To them, Roya was the hero in their hearts.

Roya piloted the ship he had bought and looked at the soldiers of Marineford standing tall as they waited for his arrival.

A gentle smile appeared on his lips.

Then, he disembarked from the ship alongside Akainu.

The instant Akainu stepped ashore, the medical team took him away.

Only Roya remained, enjoying the attention of the masses.

The difference in treatment was truly a little too great.

Sengoku stepped forward, looking spirited and energetic, with no trace of his earlier dejection.

Sengoku looked Roya over from head to toe and asked, "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I just forgot to bring my Den Den Mushi, then the island was destroyed, and on the way back, I happened to pick up Akainu. It was only a little troublesome."

After hearing Roya's words, Sengoku said "Good" three times in a row!

Then he heavily patted Roya on the shoulder before calling out loudly, "Soldiers, let us welcome Admiral White Dove back to Marineford with our most enthusiastic voices!"

"Welcome Admiral White Dove back to Marineford!"

"Welcome Admiral White Dove back to Marineford!"

"Welcome Admiral White Dove back to Marineford!"

With every shout of Roya's title, the soldiers' voices grew louder.

Before long, Roya's name echoed through the skies over all of Marineford.

At that moment, a graceful figure flashed forward.

She rushed into Roya's arms at incredible speed.

Looking at Roya's face, Kalifa felt as though her tears were beyond her control.

"Roya, that's wonderful! You're all right! You really are all right!"

Kalifa tightly wrapped her arms around Roya, as though she wanted to meld herself into his body.

Just then, another graceful figure came to Roya's side.

That figure was Hina.

Seeing the man she loved standing before her, no matter how calm she usually was, she was still extremely excited.

Seeing this, Sengoku's mouth twitched faintly.

How should he put it?

Although Sengoku was very happy that Roya had returned unscathed,

seeing the scene before him, Sengoku could only complain inwardly: So being handsome really does attract people!

It was not just Sengoku.

Even the soldiers beside him could only feel envy, jealousy, and resentment at the sight.

Kalifa and Hina were both peerless beauties in the eyes of the Marine soldiers!

Yet these two beauties were gathered around Roya now, dealing a heavy blow to their hearts.

But it was not over yet.

Zephyr, standing behind Sengoku, brought Ain over to Roya.

After pretending to cough, Zephyr looked at Roya and said, "Admiral White Dove, I can never repay the debt of saving my life. If there is ever anything you need from me, just say the word. I will not hesitate to climb mountains of blades or plunge into seas of fire!"

As soon as Zephyr finished speaking, all the Marine soldiers erupted into an uproar.

They had never expected Zephyr to say such things to Roya.

After all, Zephyr had once been one of the Admirals.

He was also now the strongest instructor at Marine Headquarters, with vast Marine resources under his command. The implications of those words were simply enormous.

"Instructor Zephyr, you flatter me. Whitebeard Jr. was already an extremely vicious pirate. Upholding justice is our duty!"

Hearing Roya's words, Sengoku sighed beside him.

Because he thought of Akainu. Akainu had always upheld absolute justice.

But he did not possess Roya's overwhelming strength.

So he could only end up like this.

"Roya, shall we go back and talk, or would you like to rest first?"

"Let's go to your office first, Fleet Admiral. I'll report on the mission. Oh, right, if possible, could you reimburse me for the money I spent buying this ship?"