The urgent ringing of the Den Den Mushi echoed across the rigid warship, cutting through the suffocating tension like a sudden breath of air.
The Marines finally exhaled, their bodies loosening slightly under the immense pressure Aramaki had been exerting.
Aramaki reached into his pocket and pulled out a small Den Den Mushi. The moment he answered, a voice came through, sharp and direct.
"Aramaki, have you reached Peach Garden?"
Aramaki let out a loud laugh. "Yeah, I'm already in the waters outside Peach Garden. I'll be there soon. When I return, I'll bring back Rolan's head."
The voice on the other end immediately responded, "Don't act recklessly, Aramaki."
The warning did nothing to wipe the grin off his face.
"Hahaha, just wait, Fleet Admiral."
He hung up without hesitation, then waved his hand forward.
"Speed up. The Fleet Admiral is urging us."
The Marines exchanged silent looks. It did not sound like Kuzan was urging anything, but no one dared to question it.
Aramaki stood at the top of the chain of command.
And under a man who embodied absolute justice like the late Fleet Admiral Renn, hesitation was treated as weakness.
…
At Marineford, inside the Fleet Admiral's office in the New World, Kuzan pressed his fingers against his temples, clearly troubled.
"This Aramaki really knows how to cause problems."
He recalled Aramaki's early days after becoming an Admiral. The man had been effective, wiping out scattered pirate forces near Marineford with ruthless efficiency.
But that efficiency came at a cost.
Aramaki operated with an extreme mindset, one that mirrored Renn. To eliminate pirates, he would use any method, no matter how ruthless.
Collateral damage, civilian lives, even his own subordinates, none of it mattered to him.
And now, without any authorization, he had taken a fleet straight toward Peach Garden.
Kuzan exhaled slowly.
The higher ranking Marines who had been part of the original structure were aware of the truth. But the newly promoted Admirals, Aramaki and the one known as Brown Mole, had not been informed.
That secrecy was intentional.
It had been decided together with Rolan that during the final war against the World Government, the Marines would turn against them at a critical moment.
That betrayal would create chaos within the World Government's ranks and increase their chances of victory while reducing unnecessary losses.
But the fewer people who knew, the better.
If word leaked, the entire plan would collapse.
Kuzan never expected someone like Aramaki to act independently and charge directly toward Peach Garden.
Without wasting more time, he picked up another Den Den Mushi on his desk and dialed.
…
Back in Peach Garden, the Den Den Mushi on Rolan's person began to ring.
Rolan picked it up without hesitation.
"Moshi Moshi."
"Rolan."
Rolan leaned slightly against the railing, his tone casual. "Fleet Admiral Kuzan, you sound busy. What made you call me?"
Kuzan let out a small sigh. "Don't joke around. I actually need to talk to you."
Hearing the unusual seriousness in his voice, Rolan's expression sharpened slightly.
Kuzan rarely made calls like this, especially now when the Marines were undergoing internal changes.
But after speaking, Kuzan fell silent.
Rolan frowned faintly. "What is it?"
There was a pause before Kuzan spoke again.
"I… forgot what I was going to say. Give me a moment."
Silence followed once more.
Rolan's expression turned flat, annoyance flickering across his face. Even after becoming Fleet Admiral, Kuzan's absent minded nature had not changed at all.
A sudden sound came from the other end, like a hand hitting a forehead.
"Right, I remember now. Aramaki has taken a fleet to Peach Garden."
"Aramaki?"
The name felt familiar, but it took a moment before it clicked.
"He's one of our newly appointed Admirals."
Rolan's eyes narrowed slightly.
So it was the result of the World Draft, just like before.
And if an Admiral was heading toward Peach Garden with a fleet, it was definitely not a casual visit.
Kuzan would not have called otherwise.
Rolan quickly understood the situation. Aramaki likely had no idea about the alliance between the Marines and Peach Garden. To him, this was just an opportunity to earn merit.
But Rolan also knew something else.
Aramaki admired Renn.
This was not just about subjugating pirates.
It was personal.
"So what do you want me to do?" Rolan asked.
Kuzan coughed lightly, sounding a bit awkward. "Send him back. I'll handle the rest."
Rolan let out a faint chuckle. "Alright, no problem."
"Thanks."
The call ended.
Rolan lowered the Den Den Mushi, his expression thoughtful.
Now that the Marines had effectively become part of Peach Garden's forces, losing someone like an Admiral would be a waste.
Especially someone with that level of power.
If anyone else stepped in, they might accidentally kill him.
That would be troublesome.
With that in mind, Rolan's figure vanished from where he stood.
…
At the harbor of Peach Garden, Rolan reappeared silently.
The guards nearby immediately noticed him and bowed deeply.
"King!"
Excitement lit up their faces.
To them, Rolan was more than a ruler. He was their symbol of strength and faith.
Rolan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
Then, he activated his Observation Haki, extending his perception outward.
Far in the distance, multiple warships approached.
Among them, one presence stood out, powerful and unrestrained.
Aramaki.
Rolan exhaled lightly. "Driving him off is the simplest way."
The next moment, his eyes gleamed with a sharp red light.
A terrifying aura erupted from his body.
Crimson lightning burst outward, crackling violently as it tore through the air.
The sky dimmed, as if all color had been stripped away, leaving only his presence dominating the world.
Bolts of Conqueror's Haki surged across the sea, striking directly toward the approaching fleet.
The moment it hit the warships, Marines collapsed instantly, their bodies giving out as foam gathered at their mouths.
Even the sea seemed to tremble.
The crimson force struck Aramaki head on.
An overwhelming pressure descended upon him, pinning him in place.
His body refused to move.
His pupils shrank as shock spread across his face.
"Hao… Haoshoku Haki… Who are you?"
===
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