For example, now, because of the fire, not only the buildings have collapsed, but also the confidence of the member countries, and...
His respect for the World Government!
How can you manage the great sea well with these parasites!
Those ambitious people have started to emerge!
Akainu pondered all the way and, together with Kizaru, reached the center of power.
In the conference room, the Five Elders were already sitting solemnly at the long table. Upon seeing the two come in, Warcury nodded, indicating for them to sit down.
At the long table, aside from the Five Elders and the Navy, there was another person sitting, but Akainu and Kizaru's faces showed no change, even though he looked exactly like the deceased Four Emperors Red Hair.
A head of mid-length red hair, the same short stubble, except without scars on the face, completely resembling Red Hair.
Figarland Shamrock!
The current leader of the Divine Knight Order!
At this moment, the surroundings of the conference room are filled with numerous screens, with a large Radio Snail placed in front of each screen, seemingly waiting to be connected.
"Before this temporary 'World Conference' is convened, let's discuss first."
Warcury said in a deep voice: "The current world is already a mess. Sakazuki, the Revolutionary Army has been here for so long, and they are getting harder to deal with. Shouldn't you give us an explanation?"
Akainu lowered his head slightly, his expression unchanged, and after a brief silence, he said: "Can't give one."
"Sakazuki! What kind of attitude is this!" Nusjuro shouted.
"I also want to ask you all."
Akainu raised his head, his eyes resolute and stern under the brim of his cap as he stared at everyone present, "If it weren't for your agreement with Disaster, allowing him to grow this strong, we wouldn't be so passive now."
"Disaster's issue was never controllable. It wasn't our active agreement, but the circumstances of the time. Moreover, we benefited, it wasn't simply passive acceptance," Peter said.
"However, the power of the Revolutionary Army is strengthening. Member countries have started having the military force to refuse government orders, Pirates have increased their power relying on black market weapons. Half the world has sunk under Disaster's invasion, and you still benefit from this?"
Akainu couldn't help but shout: "Belly! Belly! Is Belly really that important to you! You clearly don't prioritize this, but just sit and watch, I said long ago you are becoming the puppets of the Celestial Dragon..."
Shing!
Before the last word was spoken, a two-finger wide Western Sword appeared in front of him, from a distance it looked like the blade was sealing his mouth.
"Watch your words, Sakazuki, no, Marshal Fleet Akainu."
Shamrock put away the sword and said calmly, "The Celestial Dragon is the nobility of the world, everything we do is justified, the world should serve us."
If it were someone else, they might have stopped talking under this warning.
If it were Kizaru, he might not even say this sentence, instead choose a roundabout way to caution everyone.
If it were Sengoku, perhaps he would say this sentence, and then, after being warned, change his approach to remind everyone.
But Akainu is different.
Especially after experiencing Mary Geoise getting burned, losing patience with the Celestial Dragon, worrying over the world's chaos to the point he lost his appetite and even greying a bit!
"Hmph! Serving you turned out this messed up?!"
Akainu's fist emitted a scorching red light, completely undaunted by Shamrock's warning, and instead, he shouted:
"The world is in chaos now! The Navy can't stop the seas! Your Divine Knight Order, specifically handling Celestial Dragon affairs, can't stop Mary Geoise either! Serve? Continue serving like this, and we can't even collect the Heavenly Tribute!"
"It's been a year, right? This year's Heavenly Tribute, half the world hasn't paid! And the other half on its way gets robbed by Pirates! Without Belly, how do you expect us to function as the Navy? Like branch 153, unable to pay, even logistics can't be secured, so they collectively turned Pirate and surrendered to Disaster, is that what you want?!"
"Answer me! How do you want the Navy to handle this?"
Akainu stood upright, glaring at Shamrock, "Is it to become like the Underworld, or like you Celestial Dragon, remotely controlling agents to buy Disaster's weapons on the black market, and sell them worldwide for a profit?"
"Or do you want me to stay in Mary Geoise, abandon the Navy, wait until they can't pay salaries and collectively resign, or start rebelling, replacing the white flag with a black flag, swapping the seagull for the starry skull, is that what you want?!"
"Our duty is to deal with Pirates! Not to deal with the Revolutionary Army! Nor is it to compete for power with you! Not even letting me deal with the biggest Pirates! Instead wasted here, now questioning me why the world is in this chaos!"
"Look into my eyes! Answer me! Why is everything this chaotic!!"
Akainu exploded.
Since becoming Navy Fleet Admiral, he bore even greater responsibility. What little he had of the iron blood and absolute justice from his Admiral days, had drastically diminished after becoming Fleet Admiral.
Because there were too many things to consider, and he knew quite a bit of the secrets.
Back then, he had already started to understand Sengoku.
At first, he retained his characteristics, but as time went by and more things happened, the world becoming messier made him consider even more.
For instance, recently, due to lack of funds, resulting in the remaining Navy branch in the New World, near the Red Earth Continent's domain, collectively defected and joined the Disaster Pirates.
During his Admiral days, if anyone in the Navy did this, he would surely severely punish them, eradicate all rebels, to prevent the Navy losing face.
But he can't do that now.
As an Admiral he could act freely, because above him had a superior, Mr. Sengoku handled things well, many times Akainu didn't have to consider the aftermath, just obey orders.
But since becoming Fleet Marshal, he really had no one above him, the Five Elders didn't handle the Navy's specific affairs.
Subordinates need to eat, need weapons, need logistics, need service...
Ensuring Navy morale, can simply 'Justice' encompass that?
He used to think this way, but now if he still thinks this way, wasn't he just being Fleet Admiral for nothing?
He was iron-blooded, was stern, revered his inner absolute justice, not an idiot, not an oblivious existence like the Celestial Dragon.
Without funds, unable to buy food... who will serve in the Navy?
When the Navy of a base resorts to robbing local village food for survival, their integrity starts faltering, then who would enlist in the Navy?
Justice?
The concept of Justice in the Navy is not uniform, how can one expect average people to have some common Justice?
His old friend Borsalino is still 'ambiguous justice', isn't he?
"I've reported countless times, to issue salaries promptly, and the result... you simply ignore it. Now that you gave it, but it's such a small amount, what's it for? Do you know the price of rice on the seas due to war is now at what level?"
Akainu shouted: "Five thousand! Five thousand Belly per pound! Averaged across the seas! It's even higher in some poor regions!"
"Continuing this, food becomes unaffordable, broken weapons go unrepaired, you expect them to fight Peacekeepers barehanded? Deals! Agreements! All this garbage, that's how the sea becomes corrupted! That's how the Order disappears!"
"Hold your tongue, Sakazuki!"
Nusjuro couldn't bear it anymore, shouting: "We called you over now, to find a solution. We'll find a way regarding the funds issue. The previous Heavenly Tribute, went to all departments, including yours. When the next batch of Heavenly Tribute arrives..."
"It arrives but gets taken by you! Now even Mary Geoise can't get supplies! I don't get it, why do you want money for! Not distributing funds, expecting me to handle the Revolutionary Army, Pirates, and those ambitious member countries alone?"
Akainu interrupted Nusjuro, "I don't care if the meeting starts, but I need funds. If this continues, the world won't belong to you, nor the Revolutionary Army! It'll belong to Disaster! It'll belong to that so-called Pirate Emperor!"