Chapter 31 — His Fame Echoes Across the Seas! The Navy's Countermeasure!
Marineford — Headquarters of the Marines.
The atmosphere inside Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office was suffocating, heavy like the air before a devastating storm.
Bang!
A thick stack of photographs slammed onto the table, scattering across the polished wood.
Just one glance at them would be enough to make any high-ranking officer choke.
Dressrosa—
The once-beautiful island known for its vibrant culture and prosperity—
Had been split cleanly in half.
A massive fissure, so deep the bottom could not be seen, carved the island apart.
Boiling seawater poured into it violently, hissing like a wound tearing open.
King's Plateau—
The symbolic heart of Doflamingo's rule—
Had vanished entirely.
"This is Dressrosa."
Sengoku pressed his fingers against his aching temples, his hoarse voice filled with exhaustion.
"These photos were delivered by our surveillance troops… at the cost of many lives."
Silence fell over the room.
Vice Admiral Tsuru quietly lifted the top report, opening the first page with deliberate calm.
"According to intel from our undercover agents stationed near G-5," she began.
"Two days ago, Kaido of the Beasts Pirates clashed with Red-Haired Shanks in Dressrosa."
"The battle nearly sank the entire island."
A Vice Admiral slammed his hand against the desk.
"Again?! Those two bastards again?!"
"No."
Tsuru's voice was heavier than before.
"Their fight… was not the main focus this time."
She pulled out another sheet—
A sketch.
A towering figure, thirty meters tall.
Black wings spread wide.
Oni horns twisted at the crown of his head.
A demonic silhouette standing like a tyrant among ruins.
"Codename: Unknown."
"Real name: Akira."
"Former Fourth Commander of the Beasts Pirates—Kaido's son-in-law."
"Based on gathered intel, he fought Kaido head-on in Dragon-Human form."
"And he fought evenly against Shanks and his first mate, Benn Beckman."
"In the end, he forced Kaido to abandon his weapon and flee in disgrace."
"WHAT?!"
"He fought Kaido directly?!"
"And suppressed both Shanks and Benn Beckman?!"
The entire office erupted in chaos.
Just what kind of monster was this?!
"Fourth Commander?! Since when did Kaido have a son-in-law?!"
"With this level of strength, he's basically the Fifth Yonko!"
"QUIET."
Sengoku's palm struck the desk sharply, and the room froze.
His hardened features were lined with stress and fatigue.
At that moment—
Buru buru buru—!!
The golden Den Den Mushi on his desk rang loudly.
Everyone stiffened.
Even Tsuru's stern face tensed.
This was a direct line to Mary Geoise, the domain of the world's supreme rulers.
Sengoku inhaled once—
And picked up the receiver.
"This is Sengoku."
"SENGOKU!!!"
A thunderous roar exploded from the Den Den Mushi—
A voice that hardly sounded human.
The sheer pressure behind it made Sengoku—
A Fleet Admiral—
Reflexively straighten his back.
"You had better explain this IMMEDIATELY!"
The Den Den Mushi shifted shape—
Its face morphing into the bald Gorosei elder with the katana.
"Dressrosa is a World Government member nation!"
"A central trading point in the New World!"
"And right under your noses—
It was split in half!!"
"Is this what you Marines call 'Justice'?!!"
"This is gross negligence!"
"Where is the dignity of the World Government?!"
"Saint Saturnus…"
Sengoku tried to speak—
"Silence!"
Another elder's voice cut him off sharply.
"Sengoku! Has Marine influence in the New World deteriorated this badly?!"
"Yonko! Yonko! Yonko!"
"All you ever do is 'monitor' them! What else have you accomplished?!"
"And now another one appears—this 'Akira'!"
"A monster! Where did he come from?!"
"Has Marine Intelligence turned into garbage?!"
Sengoku clenched his jaw but remained silent.
The five elders rained fury upon him for several minutes.
Eventually—
Their anger subsided enough for Sengoku to speak.
He exhaled deeply.
"Honored Gorosei… listen well."
"The New World has long been dominated by the Yonko."
"The power balance there is far more fragile than we anticipated."
"The Marines stationed near Dressrosa—forget intervening."
"They couldn't even approach the battlefield."
"You're shifting responsibility, Sengoku!"
"No."
Sengoku's eyes sharpened.
"I am analyzing the situation."
"Akira may be Kaido's son-in-law, but forcing Kaido to abandon his weapon shows that they are not aligned."
"He fought Shanks, yet partied with him later."
"That means he is not a madman acting without reasoning."
"He has his own principles."
"Get to the point!"
"Understood."
Sengoku inhaled once again.
"Akira is an unpredictable force. His threat level is at least equivalent to a Yonko."
"If we attempt to eliminate him now, the cost to both the Marines and the World Government would be catastrophic."
"So…"
"What do you propose?"
"We use him."
Sengoku spoke the plan he and Tsuru had prepared.
"If we cannot destroy him, then we'll utilize him."
"Dressrosa must not fall."
"Joker—Doflamingo—can no longer maintain control."
"So let Akira become its new ruler."
"WHAT?!"
The Gorosei paused in shock.
"You intend to…"
"Create a new Shichibukai."
Sengoku bowed slightly.
"We invite Akira to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"He and Doflamingo together will stabilize Dressrosa."
"We use this 'new monster' to counterbalance the old ones."
"And place a ticking bomb inside our own system—
Where we can watch it."
Silence.
Long silence.
"This plan… is bold."
"But…"
"It is acceptable."
"Do not fail us."
Click.
The call ended.
Tsuru finally turned to Sengoku.
"Fleet Admiral, who should we send to contact him?"
"Someone who represents the dignity of the World Government…"
"…but won't die from one slap."
Sengoku looked at her meaningfully.
She nodded.
"An Admiral would be too much."
"And a Vice Admiral too weak."
"That's why…"
"We will send an Admiral-candidate."
"Peach Rabbit—Gion."
"Her combat ability is high enough to survive."
"Her rank high enough to represent us."
"And more importantly…"
Sengoku coughed softly.
"She is a beautiful woman."
"According to intel, Akira particularly enjoyed Wano's entertainment districts."
"Peach Rabbit's appearance may give us diplomatic advantage."
Tsuru nodded.
"That is a reasonable assessment."
Sengoku stood.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, proceed with the plan."
"No matter what—"
"Recruit him or monitor him."
"Akira must be placed under Marine influence!"
"If we secure Dressrosa as a foothold, we can finally push back into the New World!"
Tsuru saluted.
"Understood, Fleet Admiral."
"I will ensure the mission succeeds."
Sengoku then looked at Peach Rabbit.
"Peach Rabbit, I entrust this mission to you."
"If you must sacrifice small things that do not violate Marine principles—do so."
"This is for Justice."
"If you succeed…
You may become the first female Admiral in Marine history."
Peach Rabbit bowed respectfully.
"Fleet Admiral, do not worry. I will conduct myself wisely."
But inside—
She was already on guard.
A man…
Who humiliated Kaido and Shanks simultaneously…
"This mission… will be extremely difficult."
"But if I wish to become an Admiral—
I must complete it."
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