At the very same time Jaeger returned to Mary Geoise, Akainu sailed into Marine Headquarters aboard a warship.
For Sakazuki to return without a single scratch, the Marine higher-ups were already shocked.
But then—something even more outrageous happened.
"What? You're telling me Sakazuki is being promoted to Admiral directly? No trials, no observation period?!"
"This breaks every protocol in the book! By regulations, he shouldn't even be eligible for another seven or eight years—only after Sengoku takes my position as Fleet Admiral!"
"What in the world is happening here?"
"…Yes. I understand."
Inside the meeting room, Fleet Admiral Kong slowly lowered the Den-Den Mushi, face stormy.
Everything was slipping out of his hands.
According to his grand plan, he would ascend to Commander-in-Chief within the decade. Sengoku—his personal successor—would take over as Fleet Admiral.
Then, after a proper transition, the "Three Logia Prodigies"—Akainu (Sakazuki), Kizaru (Borsalino), and Aokiji (Kuzan)—would eventually step into the Admiral seats.
But Jaeger's interference shattered the timeline.
Akainu had leapfrogged nearly a decade ahead of schedule—landing side-by-side with Sengoku on the power chart.
What did that mean?
It meant that once Kong vacated his seat…
…Saint Jaeger was positioning Akainu to become the next Fleet Admiral.
What did they think Marine Headquarters was?
A toy for Celestial Dragons to rearrange?
As Kong's expression twisted, the veterans at the table exchanged silent glances.
The political implications were obvious, brutal, and irreversible.
The youngest of the Logia trio had just become Sengoku's direct rival.
"Bang!"
The meeting room doors slammed open, and a wave of blazing heat rolled in.
Akainu stepped through, expression cold, aura scorching.
"Sakazuki… what a frightening presence," Kizaru muttered lazily. His voice was playful, but his eyes were sharp—he could sense Akainu's power had increased drastically.
Across the table, Aokiji, Garp, and Tsuru showed no warmth.
They supported Sengoku's measured justice—not Akainu's ruthless absolutism.
And they definitely weren't greeting him with open arms.
Only Zephyr (Z), Akainu's mentor, rose with a proud smile.
"Congratulations, Sakazuki. Becoming an Admiral at your age… you've surpassed your teacher."
"Thank you, Zephyr Sensei."
Akainu bowed respectfully, expression unreadable.
He approached the table and made his announcement:
"Saint Jaeger has ordered that my inauguration ceremony begin soon. Until then, I already possess full Admiral authority."
He recalled Jaeger's command aboard the warship, then declared:
"As my first order—I hereby requisition five Vice Admirals, ten warships, and 10,000 Marines to search the South Blue for the wife of Gol D. Roger."
"WHAT?!"
Garp's jaw dropped. His senbei fell, forgotten.
Aokiji's face darkened.
"That's buster call level force… and you want to deploy it to hunt a pregnant woman? Sakazuki, this is overkill."
Tsuru and several others nodded silently.
The Buster Call—was a scorched-earth protocol reserved for catastrophic pirate threats.
Using that level of force on one powerless woman?
But Akainu's expression didn't budge.
Jaeger had already pinpointed Portgas D. Rouge on Baterilla.
Akainu intended to turn the Marine operation into a warning.
He even had a strategy to force Rouge into surrender.
"This is the will of Saint Jaeger… and my first command as Admiral!"
His voice rose, eyes blazing:
"If anyone objects, you are free to contact Saint Jaeger directly—or challenge me right here!"
"Sakazuki! How dare you call yourself a Marine when you lick the boots of the Celestial Dragons like some trained dog?!"
Garp erupted.
Roger had entrusted his wife and unborn child to him.
He would not allow this betrayal—not even from another Marine.
Years of pressure.
Political manipulation.
Sengoku's promotion being threatened.
Jaeger reshaping the power structure overnight.
It was enough.
Garp finally snapped.
This reminded him of that day in God Valley—when he faced Rocks D. Xebec.
That pure, brutal way of deciding someone's entire future over just a few words… it was exactly the same.
He launched himself from his chair.
"GARP!!"
Akainu turned—but Garp was already airborne, right arm pulled back.
"Galaxy—Divide!"
His muscles tore through his uniform, haki pulsing violently as he unleashed a punch that could split mountains.
"Garp?!"
"Sakazuki, move!"
No one had expected the first attack to come from Garp of all people.
Had he lost his mind?
Even Fleet Admiral Kong tensed in alarm.
Could Akainu possibly withstand the man who helped defeat Rocks alongside Gol D. Roger?
Kong prepared to intervene.
Akainu may have been Jaeger's chosen piece, but Kong would not tolerate the Marines descending into civil war.
Garp didn't intend to kill Sakazuki—
But this punch?
This punch wasn't aimed at Akainu at all.
It was aimed straight at Saint Jaeger.
A message sent through the strongest fist in the world.
•••
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