Elsewhere, in the General Staff.
Cyrik handled his duties as usual, seemingly unaffected.
His control over the North Blue and the Navy's internal workings was not to be underestimated.
Of course he knew what Sengoku and Tsuru were doing.
Cyrik even knew they might have guessed his hidden identity, but he did not care.
Sengoku and Tsuru were both intelligent people. They would make intelligent choices.
He did not need to do anything.
Besides, Sakazuki already knew that he had founded the Dark Sun Order.
Cyrik did whatever he pleased. Founding the Dark Sun Order had been a passing whim; it sounded interesting, so he had done it.
He had chosen Sakazuki the same way. He wanted to help Sakazuki become Fleet Admiral.
Because Sakazuki's resolve had earned his approval.
Even if only for the sake of the Kronos Kingdom, Sakazuki would stab the World Government in the back at a critical moment.
These days, Cyrik rarely paid attention to the Dark Sun Order.
He left its members to develop on their own.
Most of his energy still went into the Navy.
To this day, Cyrik had not forgotten the look of astonishment on Sakazuki's face when he first learned the news.
Even if it truly affected Cyrik, Sakazuki would protect him.
Cyrik understood Sakazuki better than the other Marines did.
Together, Sakazuki and Cyrik formed the largest faction in Marine Headquarters apart from Sengoku's.
At a single command, the North Blue Navy would establish its own independent rule, breaking free of Marine Headquarters' control.
The Navy itself would split as well.
Some Marines would choose to join Sakazuki and Cyrik, forming a new Navy.
They already had both a base of operations and the forces they needed.
Their fallback plan had long since been prepared.
Even if Marine Headquarters