Marineford, Justice Plaza.
The sea wind whipped the massive banner of Justice, making it snap loudly in the air.
What should have been a solemn, tense, iron-blooded inauguration ceremony for the Fleet Admiral had instead become… surreal,
All because of the bizarre "sofa zone" on the high platform.
Through dozens of giant Den Den Mushi broadcasts, the entire world stared fixedly at that scene.
At the center of the frame,
The newly appointed Fleet Admiral Kizaru stood before the microphone, his brand-newcoat draped behind him, slightly trailing on the ground.
He tilted his head, pursed his lips, wearing an expression that clearly said: "I really don't want to do this, but I have no choice."
To his left, where an Admiral's seat should have been, sat a massive, crystal-clear ice sofa.
Admiral Haiiroyo was sprawled inside it without any regard for decorum, covered with an expensive sea-beast fur blanket.
Ten stunning mermaids surrounded him, some peeling grapes, some fanning him, others massaging him.
He hadn't even opened his eyes.
It was as if this wasn't a world-watched ceremony, but his own backyard.
To his right, Sakazuki's face was dark as storm clouds, magma dripping from his clenched fists, sizzling against the armrest.
Kuzan leaned back with his eye mask pulled down, seemingly dozing off, though he occasionally peeked at Renzo's… fruit platter.
This scene, if it had happened years ago, would have been considered a disgrace to the Marine.
But now…
Gulp.
At Sabaody Archipelago, an old pirate watching the broadcast swallowed hard.
"Th-This… is the Marine of the new era?"
"Why does it feel… ten thousand times more terrifying than when Sengoku was Fleet Admiral?!"
Yes, terrifying.
A kind of terror born from absolute ease.
Only those with overwhelming power, only monsters with supreme confidence, would dare display such relaxation before the entire world!
"Cough, cough…"
On the platform, Kizaru finally cleared his throat and began his famous inaugural speech.
He leaned toward the microphone, adjusted his sunglasses, and spoke in his slow, sleazy tone.
"Maa everyone good afternoon~."
"As for me becoming Fleet Admiral~…"
"Well, I was more or less forced into it~."
Global audience: "..."
Sengoku (covering his face below): "..."
"But since I've taken the role, I should say a few words~."
Kizaru pulled out a wrinkled little note from his pocket and read from it:
"From now on, the Marine will focus on~…"
"Improving work efficiency and rejecting pointless overwork~."
"Clocking out on time and ensuring employee welfare~."
"Of course~…"
He paused.
Behind his sunglasses, his gaze sharpened for just a brief instant, though his tone remained the same: "For those… naughty pirates… who disturb our rest…"
"We will use the fastest methods~…"
"To send you… into eternal rest~."
"That's all finished~."
He put away the note, turned around, sat back in his central seat,
And yawned.
'That's it…?'
The entire world froze.
'Every previous Fleet Admiral gave passionate speeches about eradicating evil, and this was it?!'
'We're supposed to… clock out on time?!'
Just as the world was starting to think this ceremony was a complete joke.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
A sparse but crystal-clear applause rang out.
It came from the ice sofa.
Renzo, eyes still closed, lazily clapped his hands.
"Not bad."
His voice wasn't loud, but in the dead-silent plaza, it carried clearly.
"Especially the last line, I like it."
"Eternal rest…"
The corner of Renzo's mouth lifted slightly,
A smile devoid of warmth.
"Sounds… quiet."
The moment his words fell, Rehn, standing behind him, suddenly stepped forward!
BOOM!!
A violent burst of visible golden lightning erupted from the round-bodied man!
At the same time, a domineering black-and-red Conqueror's Haki swept across the plaza like a storm!
"Did you hear that?! Trash of the world!!"
Rehn roared toward the Den Den Mushi, his voice thunderous:
"This is the will of the new Marine!!"
"This is the mercy of Lord Renzo!!"
"As long as you behave! Stay quiet! Don't cause trouble!!"
"We won't bother with you!"
"But!!"
His expression twisted into fanatic ferocity:
"If anyone dares to make noise! Cause trouble! Or make us work overtime!!"
"Even if you're a Yonko! Even if you're the Revolutionary Army! Even if you're a god!!"
"We will hunt you to the ends of hell and wipe you out completely!!"
CRACKLE!!!
Terrifying lightning shot into the sky, dyeing Marineford's heavens gold!
At that moment, the world fell silent.
This wasn't a joke.
This was a naked, undisguised declaration of dominance.
…
New World, Moby Dick, remnants gathering point.
Marco watched the screen and shook his head bitterly.
"That kind of pressure… even that fat guy has Conqueror's Haki at this level now? And the power of lightning…"
"This sea… is really about to change."
....
Wano, Onigashima.
CRACK!
Kaido crushed his sake gourd.
He stared at Renzo on the screen, surrounded like the center of a constellation, and at the terrifying subordinates behind him.
"That fat one again… that lightning… and that lazy Admiral…"
His drunkenness vanished completely.
He didn't just see power, he saw influence.
Renzo wasn't just individually strong, he had built a massive, terrifying force.
"Damn it… what exactly are these Marines trying to do?!"
.....
Whole Cake Island.
"MAMAMA MA…"
Big Mom stared at the ten beautiful mermaids, greed flashing in her eyes, then turning into deep wariness.
"He even dared kill CP0… and now flaunts his strength like this…"
"Renzo… you brat… do you really think no one can deal with you?!"
Despite her words, her grip tightened on the armrest.
She remembered the 10.8 billion Beli compensation, and that paralyzing fear.
...
Revolutionary Army Headquarters.
Dragon lowered his telescope and took a deep breath.
"The worst-case scenario has happened."
"The Marine hasn't split, if anything, it's become an even stranger… but more solid monolith."
Sabo clenched his fists.
"That laziness… is actually absolute confidence. They don't take anyone in this sea seriously."
…
Back to Marineford Plaza.
After finishing his display, Rehn immediately restRehnd his aura, reverting to his flattering demeanor.
He turned and handed Renzo a warm towel.
"Lord Renzo, I got a bit loud just now. Didn't disturb you, did I?"
"It's fine."
Renzo wiped his hands and finally,
Sat up.
That single movement made the breathing of a hundred thousand elite Marines pause at once.
Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru all focused their gaze on him.
Renzo slowly opened his eyes.
Those gray pupils seemed to pierce through the screen, looking directly at every viewer.
"I don't really have much to say."
He spoke calmly.
"I'm not ambitious, and I don't care about being some partner of justice."
"I just want to stay at G-5, enjoy the sun, drink afternoon tea, and get a good night's sleep."
"So…"
He raised a finger and lightly tapped the air.
Buzz
An invisible, strange wave spread across all of Marineford and through the broadcast signal itself.
At that instant, everyone watching, civilian or pirate, felt a deep…
fatigue.
A soul-deep unwillingness to move.
Weapons felt heavy. Killing intent faded. Even thoughts slowed.
"This is my rule."
Renzo's voice, like a lullaby, seeped into everyone's mind.
"As long as you don't cause me trouble…"
"This sea… will be peaceful."
"But if anyone insists on making me 'move'…"
A faint smile appeared on his lips,
One that sent chills down the spine.
"Then be prepared… to sleep forever."
With that, he lay back down, pulling his eye mask over his face.
"Monet, I want that Sea King pudding."
"Yes, my lord."
The broadcast, cut off instantly.
The screen went black.
But the world exploded.
No passionate vows. No heroic slogans.
Only the most direct threat, and the most terrifying display of power.
People finally realized: The Marine of the new era was no longer an organization exhausting itself for justice.
It had become a sleeping dragon.
As long as you didn't foolishly wake it, it might ignore you.
But if you dared to touch its reverse scale, what awaited you would be far more terrifying than a Buster Call, its rage upon waking.
That day was called the first year of "Lazy Justice."
Under a slacking Fleet Admiral and a sleeping god Admiral.
The Marine did not weaken; instead, in a bizarre yet overwhelming way, it suppressed the entire sea.