The next day, Akainu returned to Marineford and immediately causing quite a stir.
Rumors spread that if Admiral Akainu had been present during that battle, Whitebeard would never have been allowed to leave so easily!
At this moment, Akainu stood in the Marine headquarters office, holding a freshly delivered intelligence report in his hand with a contemptuous sneer on his face.
His eyes scanned the contents of the report, the corners of his mouth curling slightly into a mocking smile.
"Eternal Kingdom? Hah, only dead things are eternal!" Akainu murmured softly, his voice filled with disdain and scorn.
He casually tossed the report onto the desk, turned and walked to the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, cold light flashing in his eyes.
Akainu's heart was filled with disgust for Ron and Shiki.
In his view, these Pirates were nothing but cancers on the world, utterly unworthy of possessing so-called "eternity."
His fists clenched tightly, knuckles cracking as if he couldn't wait to completely eliminate Ron and Shiki.
Then he went directly to Sengoku's office without even greeting him and getting straight to the point.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, we absolutely cannot stand by and do nothing!" Akainu's voice was low and forceful, leaving no room for doubt.
"Ron and Shiki's ambitions are now clear for all to see. We must strike immediately and eradicate them completely!"
Sengoku stood in his office at Marine Headquarters, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the sea horizon beyond the window.
"Sakazuki, I understand how you feel," Sengoku spoke slowly, his voice calm. "But now is not the time for rash action. Ron and Shiki's strength should not be underestimated. We must proceed with caution."
Akainu stood opposite Sengoku, arms crossed, a trace of disdainful sneer on his face.
He stared directly at Sengoku, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
"Caution? Fleet Admiral Sengoku, are we going to wait until Ron's Eternal Kingdom is completely built, until they've gained momentum, before we take action?"
Instead of answering directly, Sengoku sighed faintly, his voice tinged with helplessness.
"Sakazuki, I know you're eager to eliminate these pirates, but the combination of Ron and Shiki won't be easy to deal with. Vice Admiral Garp will handle this matter."
"Garp?" Akainu's eyebrow twitched slightly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I heard Garp has already gone, is that right?"
Sengoku nodded, his expression still composed.
"Indeed, Garp has already departed. His strength and experience are more than sufficient to deal with the threat posed by Ron and Shiki."
Akainu sneered coldly, a glint of icy light flashing in his eyes.
"Ron and the others have the Whitebeard Pirates backing them! Under such circumstances, why can't I go? Is Vice Admiral Garp more qualified than me to handle this matter?"
Sengoku fell silent for a moment, feeling a vague unease in his heart.
He knew Akainu's character - once he made up his mind, no one could change it.
Nevertheless, Sengoku still tried to persuade him.
"Sakazuki, your mission is to hold the fort at Marine Headquarters and ensure overall stability. Leave the matter of Ron and Shiki to Garp."
Ignoring Sengoku's persuasion, Akainu said coldly.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I heard that the new Warlord Teach captured some brat, seems to be called Monkey D. Luffy..."
Sengoku's heart immediately skipped a beat, his face slightly changing color.
He hadn't expected Akainu to suddenly mention Luffy.
Seeing the change in Sengoku's expression, Akainu became even more certain in his heart.
Without giving Sengoku time to think, he continued coldly.
"And Vice Admiral Garp, I believe he's full name is Monkey D. Garp. What's... the relationship between them?"
"Sakazuki!"
Hearing Sengoku's roar, Akainu said nothing more, instead speaking coldly.
"No matter who they are, whether they're someone's grandson or someone's son... if they're pirates... they must die!!!"
"Sakazuki, you..." Sengoku attempted to persuade him again, but Akainu had already turned and walked toward the door, mercilessly cutting him off.
"I will personally escort Straw Hat to Impel Down!" Akainu's voice was icy and resolute, brooking no argument.
He pushed open the door and left the office without looking back, leaving only the "bang" of the closing door echoing in the empty room.
Sengoku remained standing where he was, gazing at the closed door, his heart filled with complex emotions.
His expression was calm; the previous anger had all been an act.
As the Fleet Admiral, he had to be responsible for everyone!
But with decades of friendship with Garp, he couldn't stand by and watch his old friend's grandson be executed under his command.
So he put on this performance.
Luffy's fate, up to this point, had nothing to do with him.
"I'm really not good at acting," Sengoku murmured softly. "Garp... I hope you make the right choice."
After a moment of thought, he... still turned and walked to his desk, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and dialed a number.
A deep and powerful voice came from the other end.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, what are your orders?"
Sengoku remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Issue the order to strengthen the guards at Impel Down. Ensure nothing goes wrong."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" the voice on the other end replied without hesitation.
After hanging up, Sengoku walked back to the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
His heart was filled with complex emotions—both worry for Garp and thoughts about the future of the Marines.
"Akainu... I understand your resolve. But Garp's rage is probably something you can't handle," Sengoku murmured softly, a profound glint flashing in his eyes.
...
Meanwhile, Akainu had already left Marine Headquarters, his gaze cold and resolute, with only one thought in his mind: eradicate the Pirates and uphold his own brand of justice!
"Ron, Shiki, Straw Hat... your fates are sealed!" Akainu muttered under his breath, a cold light shimmering in his eyes.
He headed straight for the docks, preparing to personally escort Luffy to Impel Down.
...
Elsewhere,
The Supernovas had also received news of the establishment of the Eternal Kingdom.
Their reactions were completely different from the Marines', each of their faces showing shock and excitement.
"Eternal Kingdom? That guy Ron actually dares to establish a kingdom right under the World Government's nose!" Kid sat on his pirate ship, holding a newspaper, a wild grin on his face.
"This guy has some serious guts!"
Beside him, Killer said quietly, "Kid, we're almost done saving up. One hundred billion Belly, and you'll become a dual Devil Fruit ability user!"
Kid laughed heartily and patted Killer's shoulder.
"That's right! We'll have the money soon, and we must pay a visit to the Eternal Kingdom! That guy Ron might just bring us some unexpected surprises!"
"Wait, Kid, it seems we haven't prepared the blood of ability users yet..."
Kid's face fell.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
...