Fujitora's Decision

Five days after the Fish-Man Island incident, at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office, the atmosphere was heavy as iron.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku studied the report on his desk, tapping his fingers lightly against the surface. The report detailed everything that had happened on Fish-Man Island: Hody's coup had been suppressed, Blackbeard had been captured, the CP0 agent Purple Lightning had been severely wounded and captured, and... most importantly-the successor to the Sun God Nika had appeared, Poseidon had awakened, and the Dawn Ark had been born.

"The Sun God... Poseidon..." Sengoku murmured. "Two great legends of the Void Century, appearing at the same time. The World Government must be losing its mind."

Three others sat in the office: Admiral Akainu, Admiral Aokiji, and... the newly appointed Admiral "Fujitora" Issho.

Akainu's face was livid. "That Flame Emperor first defeated Crocodile in Alabasta, then Enel on Sky Island, and now even Blackbeard has fallen to him. Someone this dangerous must be eliminated as soon as possible!"

Aokiji leaned back in his chair and said lazily, "Eliminated? How? He's on Fish-Man Island now, ten thousand meters under the sea. Our fleet can't reach him. Besides, he has Poseidon at his side, capable of controlling the Sea Kings. A forced assault would only bring devastating losses."

"Then use 'that'!" Akainu slammed the desk. "The Science Unit has already reconstructed seventy percent of the blueprints for the Ancient Weapon Pluton. Once it's complete, a single shot will blast all of Fish-Man Island to pieces!"

"Enough," Sengoku interrupted. "Using a nation-destroying weapon against an Affiliated Nation would make the Marines the enemy of the entire world. Besides... the Five Elders just ordered us not to move against the Flame Emperor for now."

"What?!" Akainu's eyes widened. "Why?!"

"Because 'Lord Imu' has awakened." Sengoku's voice was low. "That lord has issued a decree: the Holy Knights will handle the Sun God's successor. The Marines' top priority now is stabilizing the New World-the friction between Whitebeard and Kaido has escalated recently. It could erupt into all-out war."

Imu.

That name silenced everyone.

That was the World Government's true ruler, a monster who had lived for eight hundred years.

Fujitora had kept his eyes closed all this time. Now, he suddenly spoke. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, there is something I do not understand."

"Speak."

"Does the World Government... truly represent 'justice'?" Fujitora's voice was calm, yet it sent the temperature in the office plunging. "Queen Otohime of Fish-Man Island advocated peace throughout her life, yet the World Government secretly suppressed her. Cipher Pol's involvement lurked behind Hody's coup. And now, the Sun God's successor has saved a nation, yet we intend to eliminate him-"

He opened his eyes, those blind eyes seeming to see into people's hearts:

"I joined the Marines for the 'justice in my heart.' But if the Marines are merely a tool for the World Government to slaughter dissenters... then I would rather have no part in that justice."

The office fell deathly silent.

Akainu glared at Fujitora. "Are you questioning the World Government?!"

"I am merely asking a question." Fujitora rose. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please allow me to travel to Fish-Man Island and see this 'successor to the Sun God' and the nation he saved for myself."

Sengoku remained silent for a long time before finally nodding. "Very well. But remember, you represent only yourself, not Marine Headquarters. If a conflict occurs... you will bear the consequences."

"I understand."

Fujitora turned and left.

Akainu gritted his teeth. "Fleet Admiral, you're just letting him leave? He might-"

"Fujitora isn't a man who would betray us," Sengoku interrupted. "But he needs to confirm certain things with his own eyes. Let him go. Perhaps... he can bring back the 'answer' we need."

Watching Fujitora's retreating figure, Aokiji murmured to himself:

"An answer... This world really does need a new answer."

Three days later, at Fish-Man Island's harbor.

Fujitora stepped onto Fish-Man Island alone.

He wore no admiral's uniform, only a plain purple kimono, and held his Cane Sword. His blind face was gentle, but the aura emanating from him made the surrounding Fish-Man soldiers' hearts tremble.

"Marine Admiral... Fujitora Issho?" King Neptune greeted him personally, his tone cautious. "May I ask what brings you here?"

Fujitora bowed slightly. "There is no need to be nervous, Your Majesty. I do not represent the Marines on this journey. I have come only as 'a man seeking justice' to visit the hero who saved this nation-Lord Flame Emperor."

His voice was sincere. Neptune could sense that this man bore no ill will.

"Lord Lin Yan is in the Sea Forest, discussing important matters with Princess Shirahoshi. Please follow me."

In the Sea Forest, beside the Dawn Ark.

Lin Yan and Shirahoshi stood at the bow, testing how Poseidon's power worked in tandem with the Sun God's. Shirahoshi's singing could guide the Sea Kings, while Lin Yan's Genesis Flame could grant them "temporary evolution"-for instance, giving their skin a coating of flame resistance or adding intense heat to their attacks.

When Fujitora arrived, this was the scene he saw:

Dozens of giant Sea Kings circled docilely around the ark. Shirahoshi's song was like a lullaby, while Lin Yan held a ball of tricolored flame in his hand. Motes of firelight drifted onto the Sea Kings, drawing soft cries of comfort from them.

The scene was sacred and harmonious.

"So this is... the Sun God and Poseidon," Fujitora murmured. "Not destruction, but protection."

Sensing someone's arrival, Lin Yan turned toward Fujitora.

Their gazes met.

Though Fujitora was blind, his Observation Haki let him "see" more clearly than ordinary people. In his perception, Lin Yan was like a burning sun, his light warm without being dazzling, his presence powerful without being overbearing. Shirahoshi, meanwhile, was like the deep ocean, embracing everything.

"Marine Admiral Fujitora Issho." Lin Yan jumped down from the ark and landed before Fujitora. "I've long heard of you."

"You are too kind." Fujitora bowed. "Though I was far away, I could still sense your great feat in saving Fish-Man Island, Lord Flame Emperor. I have taken the liberty of visiting today to ask you a few questions."

"Go ahead."

"First, what is your goal? To become the Pirate King? Or to overthrow the World Government?"

"Neither," Lin Yan said candidly. "My goal is to end the 'cycle' that has lasted eight hundred years-to stop Devil Fruits from cursing their users, to stop the hunting of the D Clan, and to let every race live freely under the sun."

"Second, if you become an enemy of the World Government, will civilians be caught in the fighting?"

"Yes." Lin Yan did not evade the question. "War will inevitably affect the innocent. That is why I will do my best to avoid all-out war and instead use 'decapitation tactics' to destroy the World Government's core directly. At the same time, I will establish shelters to protect ordinary people who want peace."

"Third..." Fujitora tightened his grip on his Cane Sword. "What is your 'justice'?"

Lin Yan smiled.

He pointed at the Sea Kings around them, at the Fish-Man children laughing and playing in the distance, and at the streets being rebuilt:

"My justice is simple-to keep smiles from being replaced by fear, to keep lives from being ravaged by oppression, and to let every kindhearted person live with dignity."

He looked at Fujitora. "Admiral Fujitora, what about your justice? Is it blindly following the World Government's orders, or... protecting the true 'good' in your heart?"

Fujitora fell silent.

His Observation Haki could detect lies. And every word Lin Yan had spoken was sincere.

After a long while, Fujitora released his grip on his sword and bowed deeply:

"I... understand."

"From this day forward, I will not be your enemy. But I am still a Marine Admiral. If you slaughter innocents, my blade will still turn against you."

"That's enough." Lin Yan held out his hand. "At least when it comes to 'protecting civilians,' we can be allies."

Fujitora clasped his hand.

At that moment, the Marine Admiral and the Sun God's successor reached an unspoken agreement.

After Fujitora left, Shirahoshi asked softly, "Lord Lin Yan, will he really help us?"

"He won't actively help, but at least he won't become an enemy," Lin Yan said. "Besides, within the Marines, he will become a 'seed of change.'"

He looked in the direction Fujitora had left:

"The rotten edifice that is the World Government has already begun to crumble from within."