Blackbeard's defeat had naturally become the source of immense upheaval in the New World's balance of power. The Marines wanted to maintain control of the situation and prevent the New World from completely slipping beyond their reach, which was why they had convened this emergency meeting.
And the source of this turmoil was once again that exceptionally dazzling newcomer, Uchiha Hikaru. No one had expected that the young man Garp had once favored would cause such a tremendous stir in the New World.
Fleet Admiral Sakazuki held a cigar between his lips, letting smoke curl around him as regret filled his heart. If Uchiha Hikaru had truly joined the Marines back then, his current achievements would probably have been more than enough to make him an Admiral candidate.
What irritated Sakazuki even more was that after more than a dozen Charlotte Family members captured by Uchiha Hikaru had been handed over to the Marines, one of the Four Emperors, Charlotte Linlin, had revealed her intention to attack the Marines. As a result, Sakazuki's tactical adjustments had strayed from supporting Uchiha Hikaru in containing the pirate forces of the New World.
Before this, the Marines' relationship with Uchiha Hikaru had been quite good, and both sides had worked together pleasantly. Akainu, the former iron-blooded Admiral, had been quite satisfied with a force in the New World that could so effectively eliminate pirates. Unfortunately, flawed tactical arrangements in this war had created a rift between them.
When facing a major force on the level of a Four Emperor, Uchiha Hikaru had shown no intention of compromising. He had even launched a remarkably forceful counterattack. As someone who had always cooperated well with them, he should have received vigorous support and aid from the Marines. Yet in the end, the Marines had merely