Moments later, Sengoku's expression darkened.
"I understand," he said quietly. "We'll discuss the details more when you return. Mm, fine."
Click.
The Den Den Mushi line went dead.
Bang!
"Dead on the streets?" His voice rose sharply. "How audacious!"
Holding back his anger, he picked up another Den Den Mushi and called the Five Elders.
* * *
At the same time, in the marine branch on the Sabaody Archipelago.
Inside the infirmary, Demora lay on the bed, his entire body wrapped in bandages. Though he couldn't move, he still issued commands with a voice filled with hatred.
"Everyone knows who they're supposed to investigate, right?"
His subordinates stiffened. "Yes, sir!"
Demora's tone grew colder. "Don't let a single one of their families go. Even their illegitimate children must be dealt with. If I die one day, they'll all be buried with me! Now get moving! Go!"
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers scrambled out of the room in a rush.
Demora's bloodshot eyes glared at the ceiling as he panted heavily. "Huff... huff..."
He had every reason to be furious; he'd just come back from the edge of death. If Sakazuki had been any harsher, he would already be dead. Now, with his injuries, he'd need at least three months to recover.
And for what? He hadn't gained anything from this disaster. In fact, he'd lost plenty to others.
Many of the merchants who used to pay him protection money had their shops taken by government officials, leaving him powerless to collect. His profits had plummeted, and there was nothing he could do.
Those above him abused their power, and since he wasn't clean himself, he had no choice but to endure it.
But things were different now. He had nearly died. Why should he care anymore? Besides, headquarters already had records of his dirty work. What was there to fear?
'If I die, I'll drag all of you down with me.'
Purururu... Purururu...
The Den Den Mushi beside his bed began to ring.
Seeing it, his barely suppressed rage surged again. He snatched it up and roared, "Get lost! From now on, this island follows my word! All those businesses now belong to the Marines! If you're not convinced, come and try me! If I die, your whole family dies with me! Think you've hidden yourself well? Koya Island, Lis Island, hmm? You want me to keep talking? I die, you, and your family dies with me!"
Click.
He slammed the receiver down.
Crash!
The table and Den Den Mushi toppled to the floor, scattering papers and supplies.
The movement tore at his wounds, and he leaned back on the bed, gasping for air. "Huff... huff... huff..."
The loss this time was enormous. Those reckless fools had dragged him into ruin.
He gained nothing, almost died at Sakazuki's hands, and spent most of his life's savings just to survive.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
Boom!
His fist punched a hole in the wall, cracks spreading wide.
* * *
In the Holy Land of Mariejois.
A high-ranking official hurled a Den Den Mushi to the floor.
"That bastard! Who gave him the nerve?!" he shouted, trembling with rage.
But beneath the anger was fear. He had hidden everything so carefully. How could they have found out?
"Damn it..." He stood up and started pacing back and forth. "No, no, I need to move... I need to relocate."
It was ridiculous. At his level, he shouldn't have had to worry about such things. But his wife's family was powerful, far more than his own, and she didn't tolerate betrayal.
He took a deep breath, straightened himself, and picked up a set of photographs from his desk. Then he walked toward the hall where the Five Elders met.
The massacre at Sabaody was already spreading. Countless photos taken by surviving reporters and civilians had begun to circulate. The ones he held showed the most brutal scenes of all.
* * *
At Sabaody Archipelago's Marine port, Bullet stood on the upper deck of a warship. Below, soldiers were loading crates of treasure onto the ship.
He glanced down and asked, "With this many people involved, won't word get out?"
Sakazuki shook his head. "Demora knows how to handle his men. He's fed them well over the years. They're loyal. They won't talk."
Bullet grinned. "Loyal, huh... that means they don't listen to us."
To him, Demora's 'loyalists' were just men who wouldn't obey orders.
Sakazuki exhaled. "They'll do for now. There's no better choice."
Under Demora's rule, the Sabaody soldiers had already decayed beyond saving. A new commander wouldn't change much. If anything, they might end up corrupted too.
Unless they purged the entire branch, replacing every soldier and officer and sending them elsewhere. But that wasn't worth it. Those same men would just poison other branches.
Sakazuki wasn't in charge of the Marines now, and as long as these people could get things done, that was enough.
After this lesson, Demora would make a good dog.
* * *
New World, on Punk Hazard.
In Enel's private lab, he and Vegapunk were busy studying a new missile design displayed on the large screen.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi buzzed.
Enel answered Sakazuki's call.
"Ah. Understood. Alright."
Click.
He turned to Vegapunk. "Teacher, the research funds have arrived. Should I send them to the usual place?"
Vegapunk looked up from the monitor. "Already? Send them to Egghead Island. Drop them at the old location. The robots will collect them. That research base is starting to take shape. I might shift focus there soon."
Enel raised a brow. "Oh?"
Vegapunk smiled faintly. "Just considering it. It's still new. This place has served us for years, so unless something major happens, we won't move yet."
Enel nodded. "Got it. I'll head out, then, Teacher."
"Go ahead," Vegapunk said. "The sooner you go, the sooner you're back."
Enel gave him an OK sign and walked out. Seconds later, a bolt of lightning split the sky.
* * *
In Mariejois, the high-ranking official entered the hall of the Five Elders, and froze.
Kong was there already, staring coldly at him.
Swallowing hard, dread filled his chest. He hid the photographs behind him and forced a respectful bow.
"Honored Elders, I—"
Nusjuro cut him off. "That won't be necessary. We already know what happened. You came to complain."
He was done for.
Cold sweat rolled down his back. "Uh..."
Warcury snorted. "Quite bold, aren't you? Threatening a marine Vice Admiral, killing as you please. Seems your power outweighs ours, doesn't it?"
Their eyes bore into him.
Thud.
He collapsed to the floor.
Mars waved a hand. "Go home and reflect on your actions."
Although calm, his words hit harder than thunder. The official's future was finished.
Two CP agents appeared, seizing him by the arms.
He panicked and began to plead. "No, please! Five Elders! I was wrong!"
Bang.
The great doors closed behind him.
Peter spoke up. "We can't just deal with outsiders. It's time to clean our own house."
Mars agreed. "Indeed. Some have grown far too arrogant."
The impact of this event was enormous. The massacre itself was minor compared to what it revealed.
The Marines was supposed to be the World Government's greatest force, yet some high-ranking officials had been treating marine officers like dirt, acting even more domineering than them.
They had provoked an Admiral, the Fleet Admiral and the Commander-in-Chief.
No one could save him now.
* * *
Grand Line, unknown sea.
A marine training fleet sailed forward.
Boom!
An explosion ripped through the waves, and the blaring alarm followed.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
**
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