Sakazuki was neither surprised by the outcome nor particularly concerned.
He simply nodded to show that he understood.
Then he wrote his approval on the leave request Onigumo had submitted and handed it to Carol.
The New World, the waters of Totto Land.
Two warships slowly drew alongside each other on the sea beneath the faint moonlight.
This had once been the territory of Charlotte Linlin, one of the Four Emperors of the pirates, and the place where countless Navy soldiers and commanders had fought until their final breath.
They had traded their lives for this peace and tranquility...
Onigumo stood at the bow, a gentle breeze brushing his face.
As the warships sailed side by side, Momonga leaped onto Onigumo's ship.
A faint smile appeared on Onigumo's fierce, terrifying face.
"How have you been lately?"
Momonga sighed and shook his head, exhaustion written all over his face.
"Not well."
"The suicide rate among soldiers returning home is shooting up. I don't dare sleep, day or night."
"I saw that your turn on the rotation is coming up."
"Be careful."
Onigumo took two deep drags on his cigar and nodded.
"I know."
He knew something of the soldiers' psychological problems, but there was no good solution to something like this.
Momonga murmured an acknowledgment, then turned to look at the enormous stone monument on the deck, its weight making the warship sit much lower in the water. He smiled.
"Now that's impressive."
"That'll give Doberman something to brag about down below."
Onigumo managed a faint smile, slowly exhaled smoke, and turned to look at the enormous monument.
"Of course."
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki wrote the inscription himself."
At the top of the solemn, imposing monument, Doberman's name was carved in large letters. Below it were countless tiny names, all belonging