Tsk~
The temperature in the entire conference room instantly polarized.
The two tall figures in confrontation served as the dividing line.
The officers on the left side turned pale, shivering with cold;
While the people on the right were drenched in sweat from the searing heat wave.
"Are you sure you want to start a fight here, Sakazuki?"
Aokiji still didn't turn his head, his hands in his pockets as he said lightly:
"You should know very well, you can't stop me. Aside from turning Navy Headquarters into a wasteland, the outcome won't change at all."
Even at his best, Akainu wouldn't lose to him, not to mention now when he's still recovering from a severe injury?
"I'm not sure!"
Akainu's face was cold, his magma fists emitting a blinding red light:
"I only know one thing, there's never been a precedent of a Navy Grand Admiral leading a betrayal! For a traitor like you, there's no need to bother with sending you to Impel Down, you should just be burned to ashes with magma!"
He stepped forward, and the air between the two instantly began to distort violently.
Crack, the walls also developed countless cracks, spreading wildly!
This extremely terrifying energy collision made the entire fortress that resembled a Heavenly Guard Tower begin to shake and tremble!
The officers who remained in place were scared out of their wits.
Are these two Grand Admirals really going to fight to the death here?
The last time Marinfanto was nearly destroyed was when the Golden Lion came, and today, it's going to repeat because of internal strife?
"Borsalino! What are you doing, hurry up and help me take down this guy!"
Akainu glanced sideways and sternly shouted.
"Ah... uh, well..."
Kizaru scratched his head, looked at the bandages wrapped around his body, and showed an embarrassed expression:
"I'm a severely injured person right now, the doctors repeatedly warned me not to engage in strenuous activity for a week, cough cough..."
He said and even covered his mouth with his fist, exaggeratingly coughing a couple of times, shrinking back into his chair like a withered old monkey.
"Bastard!"
Akainu's forehead veins throbbed, about to explode, but seeing that Sengoku was still there, dazed and not intending to stop him,
He sighed deeply, closed his eyes, and although his left arm of magma surged violently, he ultimately did not continue to act.
Just as Aokiji said.
By himself, he indeed had no power to stop the other from leaving.
Aokiji saw this and stopped speaking as well, hands in pockets, walking slowly towards the door, his leather shoes making crisp clicking sounds on the icy floor.
Until Aokiji's figure was about to disappear outside the door.
Akainu's voice sounded low again:
"Kuzan!"
Aokiji stopped in his tracks, slightly turning his head: "Hmm?"
Akainu opened his eyes, masking his complicated emotions, expressionless, he said:
"You better just leave the Navy, whether you go travel the world or hide in some countryside, it's up to you."
"But if I find out that you dare to join any pirate force, especially siding with that Shano..."
"You better think it over, because then you'll become the Navy's greatest enemy! Even the biggest enemy of the World Government!"
Akainu snorted coldly, filled with murderous intent:
"If it really comes to that, then the next time we meet, even at the cost of my life, I will ensure to cut you down myself, with no mercy!"
"Is that so?"
Aokiji chuckled lightly at this, waving his hand without turning back:
"Don't worry, Sakazuki, I have no interest in becoming a pirate, but your suggestion did remind me, going on a world tour isn't a bad idea."
After years of hard work and endless fatigue, even his heart felt colder and more tired than his own body.
Perhaps he really needed some time, in a quiet, undisturbed environment, to relax by himself for a while.
As for the choices after that, for the future...
Let's leave it to the future self.
Aokiji's figure vanished completely outside the door.
The vast conference room, except for Akainu still staring intently at the now-empty door, breathing somewhat heavily, fell into a deathly silence.
For a long time.
"..."
Sengoku wiped his glasses, slowly raised his head, and looked around at the remaining senior members of the Navy, hoarsely speaking:
"Is there anyone else... who wants to leave?"
No response.
There were not many left, but only a few cast supportive and understanding glances, while the majority lowered their heads, saying nothing.
"Very well."
Sengoku took a deep breath, forcing himself to stand, his face seemingly aging another ten years:
"So, let's end today's meeting here."
"Marshal! Marshal Sengoku!"
At this moment, another adjutant rushed in, looking alarmed:
"Just received news, over at the Headquarters hospital, more than half of the medical staff have submitted resignation letters!"
"Moreover... at Marinfanto port, a large number of soldiers on the warships have collectively mutinied, and more than 5,500 Marines have already left with their families..."
"Additionally, additionally..."
The young adjutant sneaked a glance at Sengoku's expression, swallowed hard, and said nervously:
"There seems to be a dispute at the Headquarters training ground too. Someone saw a warship leaving the port without registering, almost all the elite recruits from the Headquarters boarded that ship, and leading them, leading them..."
"It's the Headquarters chief instructor, Mr. Zephyr!"
"What?!"
Sengoku suddenly looked up, the last trace of color drained from his face at that moment, he almost lunged forward, grabbing the adjutant by the collar, roaring:
"What did you say! Say it again, who? Who else left?!!"
The adjutant was frightened with a pale face.
Before he could stammer out a reply, Sengoku had already loosened his grip, his body swayed, and staggered back several steps.
If it weren't for Kizaru being quick-eyed and moving behind him in a flash to support him, he would have nearly fallen to the ground.
"Even you want to leave, Zephyr..."
Sengoku held onto the edge of the table, sat down, staring blankly out the floor-to-ceiling window, his lips trembling in muttered whispers.
Yes.
Wasn't this inevitable, it was long anticipated, only I kept avoiding it and self-hypnotizing.
What lucky hope was I harboring?
Even Kuzan left.
That old comrade who went through blow after blow, increasingly temperamental and aggressive, how could he not leave?
"Zephyr."
Sengoku once again murmured this name, as if through the glass, he saw decades ago, that spirited young man with purple hair—
At that time.
Among their peer group of four, Zephyr was the first to make a name for himself on the seas, the one who was quickly promoted to Grand Admiral.
To this day, Sengoku still remembers Zephyr showing him and Tsuru the brand-new Cloak of Justice he just received, with a toothpick in his mouth, hands on his hips, smiling brightly.
"Hey! It's so unfair, why did you get promoted earlier than Sengoku!"
"Idiot Garp, is that jealousy! Haha, because I am the hero of justice, Z!"
"Don't worry, as your role model, I will strive even harder, to let the name Black Arm awe the seas, and let this turbulent era settle down completely!"
"Haha!!!"
In a trance, he seemed to hear Zephyr's hearty laughter again.
But when he focused his eyes, outside the window were only chaotic figures at Marinfanto port, and the warships gradually disappearing on the horizon.
"Marshal Sengoku! Marshal Sengoku!"
The adjutant's urgent call brought Sengoku back to reality, "Should we immediately dispatch a fleet for interception? It's not too late to chase now..."
Chase?
Sengoku didn't respond; if he were to chase, would he need a fleet?
He himself could now break out the window, stepping on Moonwalk, it wouldn't take long to catch up to that warship.
But, what face does he have to confront Zephyr?
From now on...
Ultimately, they are destined to end as strangers.
"Report, emergency situation!"
Another communications officer rushed in, pale with fear:
"Marshal! Just got news, massive mutinies have occurred in East Sea, West Sea, South Sea, North Sea... and all branches along the Grand Line!"
"In some branches, even the base commanders are leading defections, and the branches are unable to stop it! They are urgently requesting reinforcements from Headquarters!"
"Additionally, initial statistics show, more than thirty thousand Marines have announced quitting the Navy from various branches! And this number is increasing!"
How many?
How long has this news been public, and already over thirty thousand mutinied?
Kizaru and Akainu's faces both changed, while Kizaru's gaze shifted to notice Sengoku looking very unwell, as if his soul had been drained, barely retaining any sign of life.
Next moment.
"Marshal!"
Kizaru exclaimed, only to see Sengoku's body sway twice, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and directly collapsing backward, fainting.
This Navy Commander who was still stern and dignified in the meeting just minutes ago, finally couldn't bear the successive blow, collapsing like an old, decayed tree.
"Marshal! What's wrong, Marshal!"
"Quick! Someone, stretcher!"
"Notify the military doctor immediately!"
The entire conference room, amidst frantic and panicked shouts, descended into complete chaos.