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"Aizen, are you leaving now?"
Outside the door, Smoker and Hina came together to see Aizen Sōsuke off.
"Yes, the Science Unit seems to be rushing things along," Aizen Sōsuke replied, his signature gentle smile reappearing on his face.
"Damn it! What in the world are those bastards thinking! To send a hero who contributed so much to the Science Unit for 'research'!" Smoker angrily punched the wall.
"Hina thinks it's completely inappropriate too!" Hina's pretty face was also filled with indignation.
It wasn't just them; every elite Marine who participated in the War of the Best felt dissatisfied upon hearing the news. Aizen Sōsuke had significant battle merit and formidable strength. He was the perfect candidate to garrison the New World!
Especially with Sengoku retiring and Akainu succeeding him, the New World desperately needed a high-level presence. Transferring him now was akin to crippling the Navy's foundation!
However, the internal focus on Aizen Sōsuke had quickly diminished, as everyone's attention was now fixed on another matter: Aokiji (Aokiji) had officially challenged Akainu (Sakazuki) to a duel!
In front of a group of high-ranking officials, Aokiji stated directly, "I do not agree with your vision for the Marines. If the Navy is handed over to you, it will only fall into an abyss of no return, becoming a soulless machine of slaughter!"
"Let us duel! The victor takes the Fleet Admiral position, and the loser retires!"
Akainu, naturally, could not relinquish the Fleet Admiral position that was practically in his grasp and accepted the challenge. The location and time of their duel were kept secret, and only the highest echelons were allowed to observe, to prevent any further chaos.
"Once the new Fleet Admiral takes office, the Marines' operational policy will surely be adjusted. Both of you need to prepare early!" Aizen Sōsuke reminded them thoughtfully.
"Hmm?" Hina asked keenly.
"From the sound of it, do you already know who will win in the end?"
It was well known that both Aokiji and Akainu were top-tier powerhouses, and neither had guaranteed victory!
Aizen Sōsuke smiled.
"I don't know who will win. But I understand the World Government."
"Even if Akainu were to lose this duel, the World Government would still find a way to install him as Fleet Admiral!"
"What? Then what is this duel for?" Smoker's eyes widened, a look of disbelief on his face.
Aizen Sōsuke shrugged, saying meaningfully, "Perhaps that is a question the World Government would also like to ask."
"Holding this duel... what are they treating their appointment letter as?"
At this point, even the slow-witted Smoker realized the implications. That's right!
The World Government had explicitly appointed Akainu as the Fleet Admiral. If the Marines turned around and replaced him through a duel, wouldn't that be a direct slap in the World Government's face?
How dare you suggest that the mighty World Government cannot command the Marines!
Hina frowned.
"Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku couldn't possibly be unaware of this, could he? Why would he still agree to the duel?"
Aizen Sōsuke shook his head.
"It's not that he agreed; it's that he had to agree."
He gestured toward the outside of the room, where Dove and Hawk faction officers were still insulting and mocking each other in the plaza.
"The true purpose of this duel is to quell the internal strife within the Marines."
"The conflict between the Dove and Hawk factions has reached its peak. If it isn't given an outlet to vent, the day Akainu assumes the Fleet Admiral position will likely be the day the Marine Civil War begins!"
"Damn it!" Smoker furiously crushed the cigar in his hand.
"It's all because those bastards in the World Government insisted on replacing Sengoku! Otherwise, why would the Marines be in such chaos!"
"Heh heh! Perhaps the World Government is quite pleased with this outcome!" Aizen Sōsuke said, dropping another bombshell.
This was too good an opportunity not to sow discord against the World Government!
"What do you mean?" Smoker and Hina looked at Aizen Sōsuke simultaneously.
"Do you think the World Government can truly be at ease with a Marine force that can effortlessly assemble one hundred thousand elites and five Admiral-level powerhouses, all united?"
"What if this 'sword' suddenly decides it doesn't want to fight pirates one day and turns to attack them instead?"
Aizen Sōsuke's soft whisper was like a devil's tune, drawing their thoughts into an endless darkness.
"Impossible!" Smoker roared, his face flushed and his neck veins bulging.
"We Marines would never commit such an unjust act!"
Aizen Sōsuke merely shrugged.
"You say you wouldn't, but what if the World Government doesn't believe you?"
"After all, in the eyes of the wicked, the entire world is stained with filth."
Finally, Aizen Sōsuke decided to add a little more fuel to the fire.
"Why do you think the conflict between the Hawk and Dove factions suddenly became so intense?"
"Don't forget what the CP agencies under the World Government are specialized in!"
At those words, Smoker and Hina felt a chill run down their spines. If the World Government was behind this division as well, what exactly were they trying to accomplish?
As if guessing their thoughts, Aizen Sōsuke spoke coolly.
"The goal is simple: those who obey stay, those who don't are cast aside."
"To the World Government, the Marines are just a dog they've raised. Obedience is the most important thing."
Smoker and Hina left Aizen Sōsuke's room in a daze. They had talked about many things, but much of it was forgotten. Only the final part was etched clearly in their minds.
"If Akainu wins this duel, the negative impact can still be contained to a minimum."
"But if Aokiji wins! Then you just wait and see! It will be a grand spectacle!"
Although they didn't know what "grand spectacle" Aizen Sōsuke was referring to, they were certain it wouldn't be anything good!
After a moment of internal struggle, Smoker decided to find Sengoku and try to stop the farcical duel. They were Marines, not puppets in the hands of the World Government!
By rank, Colonel Smoker should have no access to the busy Fleet Admiral Sengoku. However, Sengoku still gave the rare Logia user of the new generation enough respect to meet him in his office.
No one knows what the two discussed in the office.
But the duel between Aokiji and Akainu was not canceled.
It still took place on Punk Hazard Island.
Akainu and Aokiji fought for ten days and ten nights, completely altering the island's climate.
But this time, Aokiji was the victor!
"Cough, cough!"
Akainu, covered in blood, leaned against a broken wall to support his body.
"I didn't expect to lose to you!"
Akainu's eyes were full of bitterness. In his mind, the incredibly lazy Aokiji should have at least regressed in strength. How could he possibly defeat him?
Aokiji shook his head.
"You were too hasty! You were wounded successively by Bullet and Whitebeard in the War of the Best."
"Although it looks like you've healed, injuries of that magnitude are not so easily recovered from!"
In a duel between masters, any slight flaw can be the key to victory. Akainu's hidden injuries flared up at the crucial moment, giving Aokiji the chance to turn the tables and secure the victory!