Sengoku was sent to the headquarters hospital.
"..."
Akainu stood still, silently watching the direction where Sengoku was carried away on a stretcher, then glanced at the chaotic port outside the window.
For the first time, his scarred face showed a hint of confusion and weariness.
"Sakazuki, oh..."
Borsalino, not noticing his expression, rubbed his temples to the side, speaking with a worried expression: "Things have come to this point, the Navy... I'm afraid it will face an unprecedented crisis."
It's more than just a crisis...
Akainu exhaled deeply, closing his eyes with exhaustion.
But soon.
With a deep breath for adjustment, when he opened his eyes again.
There was no trace of confusion left on Akainu's face!
Not only had his usual determination returned, but there was also a touch of decisiveness and ruthlessness!
"Of course, I know."
He spoke coldly:
"But during times like these, there must not be the slightest hesitation! The military's morale is already in chaos, and if you and I also panic, then the Navy is truly finished!"
"Someone, deliver my orders!"
Akainu turned around and shouted sharply.
"Here, Grand Admiral Sakazuki!"
Immediately, two young officers who idolized Akainu stood at attention and saluted solemnly.
"First!"
"All officers stationed at the headquarters, immediately deploy half of the personnel to the branches to quell chaos, starting with the G-branched branches of the Grand Line, and be sure to maintain basic order!"
"Second!"
"Borsalino, you depart immediately, proceed to the G-1 Branch to oversee! The New World is the territory of the Four Emperors, no matter what, the surveillance there cannot be interrupted!"
"Third!"
"Contact the CP Department, with maximum force apprehend Morgans, simultaneously forcibly take over the branches of news agencies around the world, and quickly regain control of public opinion!"
"Fourth!"
"And most crucially! Send a message to the World Government! Ask them how they intend to address this unprecedented crisis of trust, and clean up that mess of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons!"
Akainu snorted coldly:
"At a time like this, they can no longer stay high and mighty! They must produce a feasible plan and make an explanation to the world!"
No wonder, Mr. Sakazuki!
The two young officers recorded intensely while feeling infinite admiration.
Even at this moment when the Navy's order is on the brink of collapse, Mr. Sakazuki still maintains astounding calm and decisiveness, and the orders he issues are clear and methodical, without a hint of chaos!
Stabilizing the internal situation, watching the Four Emperors, controlling public opinion, advancing step by step, then directly addressing the core contradiction, even daring to pressure the World Government...
A true pillar, a true leader!
"Yes!"
The two young officers closed their notebooks, stood at attention, and responded firmly and loudly, "We will get right on it!"
"No rush, there's one last point."
Akainu paced to the window.
Gazing at the boundless sea, after a long silence, he finally spoke in a deep voice:
"Submit another proposal to the World Government, urging them, no matter what, to convene an immediate high-level Navy restructuring meeting."
Borsalino was taken aback: "Sakazuki, do you mean to say..."
"Exactly!"
Akainu said coldly: "Sengoku is no longer suitable to continue leading the Navy as Marshal!"
"He is one of the cores of this public opinion turmoil, the public's denunciation, the discontent of the Marines, and the burden on his shoulders cannot be washed away no matter what!"
"Keeping him at the forefront would only further tarnish the Navy's image in the eyes of the world!"
"And in such perilous times, the World Government must act with the utmost speed to appoint a new Navy Admiral immediately!"
Borsalino detected a hint of unease, scratching his head and saying: "What a frightening resolve, but Sakazuki, since you're saying this... perhaps you intend to nominate yourself?"
"I am indeed the most suitable candidate."
Akainu replied solemnly, without evasion.
The meeting room erupted into an uproar immediately!
No one expected that just minutes after Marshal Sengoku fainted and was carried away on a stretcher, Akainu would immediately propose such a request.
"Mr. Sakazuki!"
A vice admiral frowned, unable to resist speaking out, "Now is not the time for power struggles, Marshal Sengoku hasn't..."
"Shut up, fool!"
Akainu shouted fiercely, grabbing the vice admiral by the collar with a cold laugh:
"You think I'm acting out of personal ambition? You think I'm eyeing the position beneath Sengoku's rear? Open your damn eyes and look! The Navy is already on the verge of life and death!"
"Only by completely severing ties with the filth of the past can justice return to the right track!"
"Only a harder, more iron-blooded leader can rebuild the military's morale!"
Akainu released his hand, and the vice admiral staggered back a few steps, casting his eyes down pale and speechless.
The meeting room was silent, and those two young officers exchanged a look, unable to resist taking the lead in raising their arms and shouting:
"Mr. Sakazuki is right! The Navy needs a new leader!"
"We support you, Grand Admiral, in succeeding to the position of Marshal!"
Several other staunch supporters of Akainu also responded passionately, but most remained silent.
However, at least there were no voices of opposition anymore.
That was already enough.
Akainu swept his gaze around, withdrew his eyes, expressionless, as he strode toward the door, leaving the meeting room without looking back.
The tide of a new era had indeed arrived.
No one could deny this fact.
However, he, Sakazuki, would never be overwhelmed by this tide!
On the contrary.
He intended to helm the largest ship of the Navy Headquarters and use the most iron-blooded methods to reverse this trend!