"Thank you."
Kizaru thanked him, hoisted the ice coffin onto his shoulder, and left.
A short while later, the warship heading back made contact with the Holy Land.
The Holy Land, the Room of Authority.
"Sakazuki is dead?"
The Five Elders' faces instantly drained of color.
They understood better than anyone what Akainu's defeat meant!
"How could this happen!"
"Could it be..."
"Did Sakazuki hold back?!"
Shodai Kitetsu plunged into the floor!
Veins bulged across Saint Nusjuro's face.
They had clearly made foolproof preparations. With Sakazuki's strength, as long as he drew on the power of his undying body, he could not possibly have lost to Kuzan.
There was only one possibility: Sakazuki had shown mercy!
The five looked at the Den Den Mushi.
Sakazuki was dead, and no one could turn back time. The most important thing now was to keep the Marines' emotions stable, or Marines around the world might well mutiny.
"Borsalino, you will take over as Fleet Admiral!"
"Sorry, I'm tired."
Kizaru's utterly exhausted voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "Once I return to Marine Headquarters, I'll hand in my resignation."
"No!"
The Five Elders immediately rejected it.
The Marines had just lost Sakazuki. If they lost Borsalino as well, along with Aokiji, who had left long ago, it would mean that all Three Admirals of the strongest generation had stepped down.
The blow to the Marines would be devastating.
"Borsalino, we will not allow you to resign as Admiral. The Marines still need you to lead them."
"..."
Several seconds of silence followed.
The Den Den Mushi glared and roared.
"I'm not asking you! I'm informing you!"
"Listen up, you bastards!"
"I quit!!!"
The man who was usually the most laid-back now spoke with extreme harshness, making no attempt to hide his feelings even