Akainu's roar hadn't ended when suddenly his voice stopped, and his body turned into an ice sculpture.
Aokiji, looking at the now-ice-sculpted Akainu, swayed slightly. He used the last of his strength to freeze Akainu. Normally, Akainu wouldn't have been so easily frozen by Aokiji, but his attention was on Akira, and he hadn't expected Aokiji to suddenly attack him. So, caught completely off guard, he was caught in Aokiji's sneak attack.
"Sakazuki, my departure has become a reality. I hope that under your leadership, the Navy can have a better future."
... ... ...
Saying this, Aokiji looked at Akira and said, "From today onwards, I'm your crew member, Captain."
With that single call of "Captain," Aokiji became a member of the Whitebeard Pirates from that moment on.
Akira looked at Aokiji in surprise. He hadn't expected Aokiji to be so decisive, even resorting to a sneak attack. However, he immediately understood Aokiji's intention. If Akainu continued to pester them, they might really have to fight. By saying this, Aokiji not only saved Akainu's life but also saved a lot of trouble.
"I only have word for you: admiration!"
Akira sincerely praised Aokiji, and then said, "Since you called me Captain, alright. From now on, you're my crew member. Our Whitebeard Pirates has sixteen division commanders in total, and with your ability, you naturally can't be below them. I now appoint you as the Whitebeard Pirates, Zero Division Commander."
A light flashed in Aokiji's eyes. He hadn't expected Akira to give him such a high position. As everyone knew, in the Whitebeard Pirates, the highest in status besides the captain were the division commanders. For a former Navy admiral who had defected from the Navy to join, to be given a division commander position as soon as he joined, and moreover, judging from the name, the Zero Division was even before Marco's First Division Commander, this left Aokiji feeling rather caught off guard.
"You're so trusting of me? Aren't you afraid I'm a spy sent by the Navy?"
Akira and Aokiji left the center of the battle and walked towards the island's edge by the shore. Although Aokiji's appearance was very wretched, with half of his body burned bright red and his left leg severed, it didn't affect his walking.
"Worried? Of course I'm worried."
Akira responded, and then said with a smile, "But worried as I may be, I've already agreed to let you join our Whitebeard Pirates. Since you've already joined the pirate crew, then we're comrades on the same ship. I'll suppress my suspicions."
"You're really interesting, although that's a fact I saw as soon as I met you for the first time," Aokiji said.
Akira laughed and said, "If I wasn't interesting, how would I dare to take in you, a former Navy admiral? A Navy admiral changing his profession to become a pirate, just thinking about it is laughable. I believe that after you return to the pirate crew with me, it will definitely make everyone very surprised, I just don't know if you can withstand the ridicule of those people."
In any case, Aokiji was, after all, an indirect helper in Whitebeard's death in battle. So, it would definitely make many pirates of the Whitebeard Pirates uncomfortable, and even hostile. This was different from how Aokiji had been revered by countless people in the Navy before. However, Akira believed that with Aokiji's current state of mind and level, he should be able to withstand all of this. That's why he had taken in Aokiji.
Aokiji said calmly, "No matter what, I've chosen this path myself. As for what the result will be, it's up to fate."
After Akira and Aokiji left, Akainu finally broke out of Aokiji's ice. He roared angrily, but didn't chase after them, because with his current state, chasing after them would only be courting death.
Although he had saved his life this time because of Aokiji, this was a great humiliation for Akainu. He was also unwilling to accept Aokiji's favor. Instead, he was full of anger towards the traitor Aokiji. For a Navy admiral to actually become a pirate was definitely a very heavy blow to Navy Headquarters. This kind of thing had happened before he had even ascended to the position of Fleet Admiral, which made him extremely furious.
"Death God, Kuzan, I will never forgive you."
When Akira brought Aokiji to join up with Jozu, it startled Jozu. He saw Aokiji, who was in a miserable state, and immediately became very vigilant. However, seeing Aokiji walking together with Akira, he also felt very confused.
Jozu looked at Aokiji warily, directly asking Akira, "Akira, what's going on? This guy Aokiji?"
Akira waved his hand, and said, "Don't be so nervous. From today onwards, Kuzan will officially join our pirate crew, and also serve as our pirate crew's Zero Division Commander."
"He's joining our pirate crew?"
Jozu shouted in disbelief, pointing at Aokiji incredulously, and questioned, "Akira, have you gone crazy? He's a Navy admiral. Joining our pirate crew? What are you joking about? Don't be fooled by him. For a Navy admiral to become a pirate is simply absurd."
Jozu was constantly muttering in his mouth. He completely didn't believe his ears and eyes. The Navy and pirates were natural enemies. More importantly, Aokiji was a Navy admiral, one of the few people standing at the very top of the Navy. For this kind of person to actually abandon his past and become a pirate, he didn't believe it anyway.
Akira smiled. He had already known that Jozu would have this kind of reaction. So, he didn't reveal a disappointed expression. Instead, he glanced at Aokiji. He discovered that Aokiji's expression was calm, as if he didn't care at all about Jozu's questioning.
"Alright, Jozu. Kuzan really wants to join our pirate crew. He has already made an agreement with me. So, you don't need to doubt him. Moreover, with Kuzan, our pirate crew's strength will definitely increase greatly."
Although Akira said this, Jozu still couldn't believe it. However, he still had absolute trust in Akira. He didn't believe Aokiji, but he believed Akira. Since Akira had done this, there must be a reason for it.
Jozu said, "Akira, I believe you, but to let him join the pirate crew, I'm afraid the others won't be so willing..."
Akira said, "Then I'll have them beat him. No matter what, I'm the captain, right? I have to have some prestige, right?"
Jozu suddenly asked Akira, "Akainu and Aokiji were fighting. Since he's already here, then where's Akainu?"
Akira's expression changed somewhat, but he still said, "I let him escape. Forget it. There's no need to worry about it. You can also consider him lucky. He'll probably become the Navy Headquarters Fleet Admiral before long."
Jozu didn't doubt Akira's words, just snorting coldly in dissatisfaction, "That guy is really lucky enough. It's a pity. Otherwise, if we had killed him, it would definitely make Navy Headquarters shed a layer of skin."
Akira smiled, "Even if we let him escape, we didn't suffer a loss. At the very least, we still took in Kuzan."
"You could say that."
Jozu was still not very friendly towards Aokiji, answering casually. You had to know that during the Summit War, he had suffered quite a bit at Aokiji's hands. He still found it hard to let go now.
"Let's go. Curiel is still waiting for us."
Akira took Jozu and Aokiji towards the Moby Dick. When they boarded the Moby Dick, it startled Curiel and the others again.
"Navy Admiral Aokiji!"
All the pirates were looking at Aokiji in shock. If it hadn't been for Akira and Jozu being by his side, they probably would have directly launched an attack. In the end, Akira could only explain it again.
Everyone who heard Akira's explanation was looking at each other in dismay. This news was really too shocking, making it impossible for them to accept for a while. But the facts were placed in front of them, not allowing them not to accept it.
"Alright, Kuzan. Go rest first. I'll have the doctor treat you."
Aokiji was still seriously injured now. So, Akira had people take him to a room, and then arranged for a doctor to treat him.
Aokiji nodded, responding, not saying much, and left with the pirate who was leading the way.
"Akira, is this really good? To let Aokiji join our pirate crew?" Curiel asked with some worry.
Akira said, "Don't worry. Although he was a Navy soldier before, the Navy no longer has a place for him now. Akainu is about to become Navy Fleet Admiral. Actually, it's the best result for us. Akainu's ability is very strong, but he's more extreme when doing things. And Aokiji is more stable. So, I'd rather have Akainu become Navy Fleet Admiral than have Aokiji become Navy Fleet Admiral. What's more, Akainu becoming Navy Fleet Admiral has also allowed us to obtain an admiral."
__________________
For more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.
"Schedule"
Monday - Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day
Saturday - Sunday - Off