Why is a government ship here?
Thinking about this, he turned his gaze to the man lying on the beach chair on the deck.
Marine Admiral — Aokiji.
"A government ship?" Aokiji raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Vergo grabbed his binoculars and took a look. On the distant ship, he spotted Caesar, and his expression shifted slightly.
He quickly masked his reaction, turned around, and said:
"Admiral Aokiji, that must be a government surveillance ship patrolling nearby waters. My mission is to escort you to Punk Hazard. Passing through this area in a rush might lead to an unpleasant encounter."
"You'd better go check it out. As for me… I'll go alone. It's not far."
Aokiji rose from the chair, mounted the bicycle beside him, and immediately left the warship.
Before the wheels touched the water, the sea froze beneath them.
"Ha… don't worry about me. I failed my mission—this is the only path left for me."
Waving to the people on the warship, Aokiji pedaled away.
Capturing Blackbeard and the escaped prisoners had been his previous mission.
But clearly, he had underestimated that group.
Not only had Blackbeard driven him off, he had also suffered a beating.
The powers of the Yami Yami no Mi were truly troublesome.
He had sustained light injuries during the fight with those people, and the mission ultimately ended in failure.
At that moment, he received a direct order from the World Government.
Sengoku had resigned as Fleet Admiral, and now he would compete with Akainu for the position — the winner would become the next Fleet Admiral.
To be honest, Aokiji had little interest in the job.
But since many Vice-Admirals, including Sengoku, had recommended him, he felt obliged to meet their expectations.
"Mr. Garp has left the Marines. If I lose, I'll leave too. Assuming… I survive."
Shortly after, he reached the island by bicycle. After using his Observation Haki, he let out a breath of relief.
"How strange… Who are these people? And their aura is strong." Aokiji flinched slightly.
He rushed toward the source immediately.
When he found those individuals, his expression turned much more serious.
"The Straw Hat crew… and Nico Robin."
Upon seeing a Marine Admiral, the entire Straw Hat fleet froze in shock.
"Aokiji!" Robin's expression stiffened.
"Why are you all on this island?" Aokiji scratched his head, observing the pirate group carefully. "It seems the Straw Hat Captain isn't here."
Zoro immediately stood up, moved in front of everyone, and said solemnly:
"I'll hold him off. Go find Luffy!"
Sanji stepped up beside Zoro, lighting a cigarette. "What are you talking about, moss-head? You plan on fighting him alone?"
Zoro glared at Aokiji.
"Hurry! That's an order from your vice-captain!"
"?!"
Sanji's face twisted in irritation.
"Then I'm counting on you, Zoro," Nami said calmly. "We'll go find Luffy first. Sanji, you can go after us."
Hearing this, Sanji shot Zoro a hard look, but had no choice — he turned around and followed the others.
For the first time, he felt powerless to fight.
Back in the East Blue, he and Zoro had been evenly matched.
But now, in the blink of an eye, the gap between them had grown so wide that he couldn't even fight alongside him against the same enemy…
He couldn't help recalling Zoro's daily routine.
Training, training, and more training.
And what had he been doing in comparison?
"A coincidence or not, since we met, I can't just leave empty-handed."
Aokiji exhaled a breath of cold air, and the ground beneath him froze rapidly, the ice spreading toward the fleeing Straw Hats.
If Luffy were here, Aokiji would leave without saying a word.
Since he wasn't, Aokiji intended to test his crew.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a slash tore through the ground.
Zoro activated his Conqueror's Haki, releasing it fully toward Aokiji.
"You'll have to go over my dead body before you chase them… Marine Admiral!"
Zoro drew his three swords.
"Conqueror's Haki…!?"
Aokiji blinked in surprise, staring directly at Zoro. "It's terrifying to see someone of your level serving under the Straw Hat Captain."
"If you leave now, I won't attack you!"
Zoro pointed his sword at Aokiji, expression firm, unwavering in front of the Admiral.
Aokiji scratched his head again and couldn't help laughing. "Bold words… But you don't actually think you can beat me, do you?"
"How would I know unless we fight?"
Zoro stopped talking and charged at Aokiji.
---
At the same time—
Off the coast of Punk Hazard, another Marine Admiral stepped onto shore.
"Admiral Akainu, we'll wait for the result at sea. Good luck!" a Vice-Admiral saluted.
But despite his support, many more people at Marineford favored Aokiji.
Otherwise, there would've been no need for a duel like this.
Akainu walked away without looking back, speaking in a cold tone:
"Stay as far away as possible — at least ten kilometers."
---
Research Facility — A lounge.
Luffy sat cross-legged on a sofa, spreading his Observation Haki throughout the island.
"What a coincidence… Akainu and Aokiji came here to compete for the Fleet Admiral position?"
What did that imply?
It meant the World Government had already chosen a new Admiral candidate.
Perhaps Fujitora?
There was also Momousagi…
Thinking about it, Luffy couldn't help but feel the Marines were overflowing with talent.
Garp and Zephyr had left the Marines; soon after, Sengoku retired.
And now the government was pushing a "fight to the death" between Akainu and Aokiji.
If that was the case, replenishing the Admirals' combat strength might happen very quickly.
In other words, the World Government didn't intend to wipe out the Yonko after all.
Otherwise, if they truly attacked with no regard for sacrifices…
Even a Yonko crew wouldn't be able to withstand their assault.
---
(End of Chapter)