In the Golden City, Morgans was accompanying officials dispatched by the World Government when the den-den mushi in his breast pocket rang. He hurried aside to answer. After hanging up, the corner of his beak curled—just as he'd predicted.
It was an explosive scoop, one that could even overshadow Kaido's battle with Creed—though it carried a tightrope's risk. After all, Akainu being defeated by Creed concerned the Navy's face. Unlike the last time, when Impel Down was damaged and many convicts escaped and Kizaru was beaten—news so big it couldn't be buried—no one could expect Morgans to simply suppress something of this magnitude. At best, he'd delay it, blur the reporting, then roll out images and text bit by bit, squeezing every last drop of value from the story…
The plan formed quickly in his mind.
Navy Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's office.
Sengoku was in talks with Kizaru, Zephyr, and other senior officers about relocating Headquarters. With the World Government and CP-units repeatedly suffering setbacks in the New World, the decision from above was to move Navy Headquarters there and strengthen their influence. It meant the World Government had finally run out of patience with that lawless sea.
But Sengoku couldn't muster enthusiasm. He knew this "declaration of war on the Four Emperors" had been pushed by the Tenryuubito after the Great Elder's passing—rage at the heavens translating into policy. Move the Headquarters, and next the Tenryuubito would order a purge of the New World.
Thinking that far made his headache throb. War with the Four Emperors? Madness. It was sending sailors to die. If the Navy barged in too hard and forced the Four Emperors to unite… and with the Revolutionary Army already running wild… add a Four Emperors alliance on top?
Sengoku's skull pounded.
"Kizuna, you don't look well, Sengoku. Didn't sleep last night?" Kizaru said lightly. "Why don't we call it for today and let you rest?"
"Yeah, I've got work to do," Zephyr added, displeased. He'd resigned the admiralty to train recruits full-time; why drag him to a meeting? And this was only a consultation—real decisions would have to wait until the two admirals, Akainu and Aokiji, returned. It had little to do with him.
"Purururu—"
A den-den mushi on the table rang. Sengoku picked up, listened for two seconds, and shot to his feet. "What?! Akainu was defeated by Creed?! Are you sure there's no mistake?!"
The room fell silent. Everyone drew a sharp breath.
If memory served, Akainu hadn't lost a single fight since graduating the elite training camp. Others might not know, but Kizaru and Zephyr did: after returning from Mariejois, Akainu had dropped everything for brutal, perilous training. When he emerged recently, even Sengoku sighed that he'd finally stepped into their realm—"the Navy's future will burn the color of magma."
And yet, today brought word of his defeat at Creed's hands—hard to believe even for Kizaru and Zephyr.
The title "fifth Emperor of the Sea" was no longer a newspaper's star-making hype. Creed had the strength to back it.
"Who'd have thought," Zephyr said, a little rueful, "that the so-called monster of the 'Magma Hell' would have a day like this." Back in the elite camp, Sakazuki's talent had been dazzling. In a blink, the years had passed—and at last a junior had beaten him.
Remembering that this "junior" was also his own student gave Zephyr a pounding temple.
"To hell with regret. If Creed had stayed in the Navy, he'd definitely be the successor to Sengoku—'a reserve candidate for the next-next Fleet Admiral.' I'd be kicking myself to death—damn brat!" he swore inwardly. If not for the World Government coveting Creed's Ope Ope no Mi, would things have come to this?
The details of Creed's rampage in the Holy Land were already out. Some parts might be embellished, but every version pointed to the same core: the World Government wanted him to perform the Perennial Youth operation on a Tenryuubito.
No wonder Zephyr cursed them. If Sengoku hadn't begged him, the disheartened veteran would have retired with Garp already.
"What's so strange? Didn't I also lose to Creed?" Kizaru shrugged. "Don't make it sound like Sakazuki's stronger than me."
Everyone went speechless. Admiral Kizaru, that's not exactly a point of pride.
"He not only defeated Sakazuki—he also crossed blows with Kaido. It seems we've got another troublesome enemy on our hands," Sengoku exhaled, then set a visual den-den mushi on the table. The shell projected footage: Creed and Kaido trading titanic blows on a desolate island.
When it ended, silence again.
To clash head-on with Kaido—whether or not Creed had truly reached Kaido's level, he wasn't far off. And he was only… seventeen?
Most powerhouses hit their peak between thirty and fifty.
Where could Creed grow to from here? Just imagining it made their heads ache.
One thing was beyond doubt: Creed's future achievements might surpass the old hegemon Rocks and even the Pirate King, Roger. And once upon a time… he had been the Navy's future.
"My suggestion, Fleet Admiral: protest to the Commander-in-Chief and shelve the relocation. Otherwise that kid Creed might tear down our new base the moment we move in," Kizaru said. "I'm not joking."
"Borsalino, shut it," Sengoku growled, veins standing out on his forehead. After a beat, he continued, "We'll table Headquarters relocation until Admirals Kuzan and Sakazuki return. Next, we discuss candidates for admiral. Any strong names? World conscription is underway, but Headquarters has a slot as well."
"I nominate Brigadier—no, she's already Rear Admiral—Ain from the G-K Branch. A Thunder Fruit user," Kizaru said, hand up, then added breezily, "And we might as well make her the base commander of G-K while we're at it…"
"I object!" Vice Admiral Onigumo raised a hand. "Everyone knows Rear Admiral Ain has close ties with Creed. Appointing her as G-K's base commander would be inappropriate."
"Oi, you damn spider. Switch teams to Akainu and your legs get stiff, huh?" Kizaru muttered, nearly pointing in Onigumo's face.
In an instant, the office's atmosphere turned… awkward.
(End of Chapter)
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