The night wind swept through Marineford's harbor, carrying the briny tang of seawater. The enormous word "Justice" hung directly above the council hall, gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
Inside, the council hall was brightly lit.
Sengoku stood at the head of the table, a huge world map hanging behind him. On that map, regions of the New World were circled in red-the operating territories of Kaido's Beasts Pirates and Linlin's Big Mom Pirates occupied almost a third of those waters.
Seated around the round table were the greatest fighting powers of the era.
Garp sat with his legs crossed, holding a rice cracker and crunching away. Yet his eyes remained fixed on the map, his usually flippant gaze bearing a rare trace of gravity.
Akainu sat bolt upright, his hands folded on the table. The power of the Magma-Magma Fruit surrounded him with scorching heat, making even the air warp slightly. Long-suppressed fighting spirit burned in his eyes.
Aokiji leaned against his chair, one leg crossed over the other, his posture languid. But those who knew him understood that this very posture meant he was thinking seriously. His gaze shifted between Kaido's and Linlin's territories, his brow slightly furrowed.
Kizaru slouched sideways, propping his head on one hand, his eyes half closed as though he might fall asleep at any moment. Only the occasional twitch of his eyebrows betrayed that he was not truly dozing.
Chaton sat with his arms folded, a gentle smile on his face. That smile was as pleasant as a spring breeze, but this mild-mannered Admiral Candidate never showed mercy on the battlefield.
Momousagi sat beside him, Kompira resting quietly at her waist. The female Vice Admiral's long hair was tied high, giving her a strikingly gallant air, and she was studying the map intently.
Fujitora