Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office.
As Sengoku spoke, the atmosphere grew solemn and heavy.
The three Marine Admirals, Headquarters' greatest fighting force, wore different expressions. In the end, Kizaru was the first to speak with a chuckle.
"Oh my, Fleet Admiral, that expression of yours is truly frightening!"
"Rest assured, I won't make another move."
Kuzan did not respond. At some point, he had pulled the sleep mask on his forehead down over his eyes and begun snoring softly.
"As Fleet Admiral, you should understand the threat and risk River poses better than any of us."
Sakazuki stood up and spoke in a low voice.
With that, he turned and left the office, disappearing a moment later.
"Well then, Fleet Admiral, I'll be leaving too. I still have piles of work to deal with!"
"What a busy life!"
Borsalino said with a smile, his face scrunching up.
Then he sauntered away.
Sengoku frowned, glanced at Aokiji, who had fallen asleep right there in the office, and sighed softly.
River and these three were all troublesome men.
He had summoned the Three Admirals back to Headquarters partly to prepare for Whitebeard, but also to keep River in check. After all, those three thousand elite soldiers would soon return.
Once they did, the strength of River's faction within Headquarters would soar. Each of the three Admirals, meanwhile, commanded a force of his own.
That would create a relative balance and reduce the risks River posed.
As the supreme commander of Marine Headquarters, the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku also had to consider the balance of the entire organization.
"Before the decisive battle..."
"We absolutely cannot afford any surprises!"
Sengoku sighed softly, his gaze grave.
As time passed, the atmosphere at Marine Headquarters grew increasingly tense.
Troops from all over the world rapidly converged there,