Sakazuki had just left the courtyard with two young officers and was heading toward the headquarters prison. In front of many of the houses in this residential area, where rear admirals and vice admirals resided, there were at least two young officers standing guard. Some of them even blatantly ignored the presence of this admiral, walking away hurriedly as if a major incident had occurred.
"Elio, what are you planning?"
Seeing this scene, Sakazuki's expression immediately darkened. "The trial against him hasn't even officially concluded yet. If he causes a serious incident now, not even Fleet Admiral Sengoku will be able to save him, and I definitely won't go easy on him!"
The two young officers walking ahead said nothing and quickened their pace as if they hadn't heard a thing.
Seeing this, displeasure flashed in Sakazuki's eyes, but he still held back.
After all, Elio was not only a vice admiral under his command, but also his junior apprentice under the same mentor. When Elio was undergoing officer training, the one responsible for that session was none other than his teacher, the Marine Headquarters Admiral known as Black Arm Zephyr.
Back when Elio was promoted to vice admiral and assigned under his command, Sakazuki did not initially approve of this subordinate.
Elio's way of handling things, especially how he skillfully navigated internal Marine politics, was something Sakazuki found difficult to accept. As a Marine commander standing for justice, it was bad enough that Elio didn't focus solely on capturing pirates and eliminating evil, but to instead engage in networking and favoritism at headquarters?
Though he had difficulty understanding it and even looked down on it a bit, he soon discovered that once Elio was out on a mission facing those vicious pirates at sea, his ruthlessness closely resembled Sakazuki's own, and in some cases, even surpassed it.
This was because Elio never aimed to capture pirates alive. Almost every time, he chose to execute them on the spot.
Elio's justification was that the World Government's funding shouldn't be wasted on imprisoning criminals, but rather used to improve salaries and benefits for the Marines who risked their lives to catch them.
It was precisely this approach that led Sakazuki to overlook some of Elio's minor offenses. He even went so far as to refuse to see the investigation team when they came for evidence.
Soon, Sakazuki exited the residential district and arrived at Marineford Plaza.
"Hm?"
Just as he entered the plaza, Sakazuki came to a sudden halt, then stared in disbelief at the densely packed shadows gathered under the night sky.
When he realized that the majority of those gathered were officers and soldiers who had once followed Elio, a deep sense of foreboding rose in his heart.
Back when Elio was detained by the investigation team, Sakazuki had already sensed trouble. In recent years, Elio's influence within headquarters had grown immensely. Many officers even viewed him as a symbol of belief. In several major events, if Elio didn't approve, even Sengoku's orders could be selectively ignored.
Why were these officers and soldiers so loyal to Elio? Sakazuki didn't fully understand. All he knew was that whenever Elio led a fleet out on a mission and encountered criminals, he, as a vice admiral, was always the one standing at the front.
"This is bad."
Looking at the sea of people on the plaza, even Sakazuki couldn't help but feel tense. If an internal uprising broke out now, it would deal a severe blow to both the Navy and the World Government.
Elio's influence at headquarters was simply too great. If this wasn't stopped immediately, Sakazuki believed those gathered here under the cover of night had more on their minds than just rescuing Elio from prison.
With that thought, Sakazuki didn't hesitate. He quickened his pace, overtook the two young officers ahead of him, and reached the prison as fast as possible.
Upon entering the prison, Sakazuki's nerves tightened once again.
At this moment, dozens of officers from various levels of Marine headquarters were already gathered there, including one vice admiral.
Most alarmingly, even the prison guards had changed into Marine officer uniforms and were standing neatly outside the cell bars.
"Admiral Sakazuki!"
Before Sakazuki could react, the dozens of officers inside the prison turned to face him and saluted in unison.
"What are you all trying to do?"
With sharp eyes sweeping over everyone present, Sakazuki strode to the cell where Elio was being held and said in a low voice, "All of you, get out!"
At his words, the prison instantly fell into a dead silence. Every officer remained in their original position without moving an inch.
"Are you trying to rebel?"
Sakazuki clenched his fists and said coldly, "I'll give you one more chance. Leave the prison now, or you will be treated as traitors!"
Just as Sakazuki finished speaking, the cell door suddenly opened with a loud clang. Then, Elio, who should have been wearing handcuffs and shackles, walked out freely, standing before Sakazuki.
"Elio, you…"
Sakazuki's pupils shrank in shock. He hadn't expected Elio to come swaggering out of the cell without cuffs or restraints. "You're really going to start a rebellion?"
If it were just Elio alone, Sakazuki, as one of the top fighting forces in headquarters, wouldn't be too worried about what Elio could stir up.
But the situation now was entirely different. Not only had the prison already been taken over by Elio's loyal officers, but outside, tens of thousands had gathered in Marineford Plaza!
Such a large-scale mutiny would be hard to stop, even for someone of his strength.
What worried him most was not knowing how many more might join this movement, especially considering that earlier in the day, Admiral Borsalino's reaction during the trial had been particularly ambiguous.
And then there was Gion, a candidate for admiral, who had clearly stated her opposition to allowing the presiding judge to take Elio to Enies Lobby.
"Admiral Sakazuki, this isn't a rebellion… not yet,"
Elio, walking out of the cell, looked slightly up at Sakazuki, who stood over three meters tall and exuded a pressure that was hard to describe. Calmly, he said, "If it fails, then it's called a rebellion, but if it succeeds, it's called a revolution."
Before Sakazuki could respond, Elio continued with chilling determination, "Tonight, I will replace Sengoku and become the new Fleet Admiral of Marine headquarters. I will root out the real cancer hiding within the Navy and let the light of justice shine across all the darkness in this world!"
"If the uprising fails, I will take full responsibility."
"If it succeeds, this glory will not be mine alone."
"Admiral Sakazuki, will you… stand with me?"