On a Navy warship cutting through the waves at sea, Admiral Akainu, holding the Den Den Mushi, looked visibly displeased.
"So we dispatched a fleet capable of executing the Demon-Slaying Order, just because the target entered a pirate's territory, we have to abandon the operation?!"
What a joke! Doing so would completely tarnish the Navy's and justice's reputation!"
The Den Den Mushi was communicating with Marshal Sengoku, the former Fleet Admiral, who still hadn't stepped down. Even with this tone, he still spoke calmly. True to his personality, Akainu's attitude was as unwavering as ever.
Sengoku probably had long since grown accustomed to it, replying calmly: "It's not abandoning the operation. Fairy Tail's group has already left Gran Tesoro.
There's no need to clash with the Four Emperors over destroying an insignificant place.
CP0 reports that they've already tracked Fairy Tail's movements. They will contact you. The plan to use the Demon-Slaying Order to eliminate those unstable elements remains unchanged!"
Akainu snorted coldly: "Has our intelligence department become so useless that we have to rely on CP0, that group of secretive guys?"
His tone betrayed his emotions—though both the Navy and CP0 are violent organs under the World Government, they've always looked down on each other.
The Navy thinks CP0 is incompetent; CP0 believes the Navy can't do anything except ask for military funds.
Their missions rarely overlap, but Akainu's disdain for working with CP0 is undeniable.
Sengoku cut in: "Stop complaining. To uphold justice, there's nothing we can't endure!"
Akainu's veins bulged on the back of his hand. After a heavy nod, he slammed the receiver back onto the Den Den Mushi. He then touched the scar on his face, his expression firm.
That scar was left from his fight with Drake during the Marineford War.
Akainu isn't narrow-minded enough to hold a grudge over injuries sustained in battle; what he's haunted by is the disgrace of justice's defeat.
That scar on his body symbolizes the shame of justice, and only the blood of those responsible can wash it away.
When news of Fairy Tail's activities appeared again, Akainu was among the first to call for action.
He could tolerate some dissatisfaction in cooperation with CP0 to realize absolute justice.
"Buru Buru Buru!"
The Den Den Mushi rang again, and Akainu knew the message he'd been waiting for had arrived.
On the Moby Dick, Naruto looked at the soaring, majestic Whitebeard and said, "Dad, Sasuke and the others are probably going to fight some really strong people. Can we go help them?"
Whitebeard, leaning on his great sword, replied, "Foolish son, Naruto. Neither Naruto nor I have asked for your help.
Drake isn't the kind of man who would let his companions and family face danger just for face.
So there's no need to interfere. Here's a rule of the sea: everyone is responsible for their own decisions. No matter how good a friend is, you can't just step in."
Whitebeard was teaching Naruto the rules of the sea. When Kozuki Oden left Whitebeard's crew, Whitebeard didn't go after him for revenge.
Kozuki Oden also never sought help from Whitebeard's crew in the end.
So, without Drake speaking up, Whitebeard naturally wouldn't act recklessly.
And Drake's reason for not seeking outside help wasn't just about pride, but because he believed that with twelve warships, a fleet of vice admirals, and even a fleet admiral, Fairy Tail could handle it.
The real pressure of the Whitebeard Pirates' training wasn't the life-or-death intensity of actual combat, but using it as a test stone to evaluate Fairy Tail's progress and further sharpen their skills.
Gura Gura had descended onto Marine G5 Branch, which was the battlefield Drake had chosen.
This Navy operation reminded Drake of a long-forgotten loose end—the Vergo, a traitor within the Navy.
At that time, Drake was focused on dealing with Doflamingo's behind-the-scenes manipulations, but he had forgotten the true trigger—Vergo, the real instigator.
And what Drake gave to the CP0 agents wasn't his Life Paper. It was found in Doflamingo's safe, alongside a listening-proof Den Den Mushi.
The Life Paper bore no name, only a red heart mark.
The highest-ranking officials of the Doflamingo family used playing card suits as code names, and the code "Hearts" had been given to Doflamingo's younger brothers, Rosinante and Roc.
However, one was murdered by Doflamingo himself, and the other had left the family. Now, the code "Hearts" belonged to Vergo.
So, Drake had a sudden idea—he decided to ignite the flames of conflict somewhere.
Vergo walked out of his office, holding a bamboo staff, with a piece of barbecued pork still sticking to his face.
He looked up, and his resentful gaze couldn't be hidden behind his sunglasses.
Drake said, "Then let's clean up the battlefield first! Demon Bamboo Vergo, a master who can harden his entire body with Armament Haki—who wants to try?"
Gajeel suddenly grabbed Natsu, and he jumped down from Gura Gura's back.
The reputation of Marine G5 had always been poor. The soldiers here were mostly former pirates and thugs—lawless even among the Navy.
But Vergo, acting as a qualified Navy officer, held a high prestige among these people. When they saw someone attacking Vergo, they immediately closed in.
But before they could get close, black and red lightning flashed across the sky. After a circle of shockwaves spread out, all those Navy soldiers rolled their eyes and collapsed.
Haoshoku Haki… the god of clearing the field, perfectly combined with Drake's Dragon intimidation power, was especially effective.
"Iron Dragon's Slash!"
Gajeel's arm turned into an iron dragon sword, wrapped in Armament Haki, forming a black sword that heavily struck Vergo's similarly black bamboo staff.
"Huh huh!"
Gajeel's expression revealed a distinctive smile, and the Iron Dragon sword cut a gap into Vergo's staff.
Vergo's expression changed. Unlike other officers in his family, he was not a Devil Fruit user—he focused solely on honing his Haki.
Although covering his entire body with Armament Haki was of little use in dispersing his strength, being able to do this already proved his strength.
But Gajeel's strength was above his. As a fellow Dragon Slayer, with enough stamina and mental strength, his Haki level was rapidly improving and wasn't inferior to Vergo.
Drake, of course, was not worried about Vergo. After Gura Gura descended, he looked toward the horizon, where ships were approaching.
The ships grew larger and larger, and as everyone could see the ships clearly, their cannons turned and aimed directly at G5.
Without any warning, all the cannons fired simultaneously, countless shells flying toward G5.
Normally, before a Demon-Slaying Order begins, there would be a preparation period to evacuate civilians and Navy personnel from the target island.
But this time, without even a warning, they launched the attack directly, showing no regard for the fact that this was a Navy branch with many soldiers present.
However, seeing Akainu standing at the bow of the leading ship, Drake didn't find it strange.
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