Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Seated at the head of the grand conference table, Akainu presided over a high-level Marine meeting.
He hadn't officially assumed the position of fleet admiral yet, but he was already wielding its authority.
The intelligence officers stood at attention, delivering reports on the most significant events in the world over the past few months.
Most of them revolved around the Sun and Moon Pirates.
"On April 8th, the Sun and Moon Pirates appeared in Alabasta, took Princess Vivi from the royal family, and completely annihilated Crocodile's pirate crew. Reports also indicate that they clashed with former Admiral Aokiji, with the outcome being declared a draw."
"On April 16th, they were sighted on Long Ring Long Land, where Silver Fox Foxy, captain of the Foxy Pirates, was killed."
"On April 25th, they appeared in Water Seven. Several CP9 agents who were operating undercover in the city mysteriously disappeared."
"On May 4th, rumors spread that the Sun and Moon Pirates were spotted in the Florian Triangle and that they engaged in battle with Gecko Moria, but the results remain unknown."
"On May 20th, reports surfaced from the New World indicating that the Sun and Moon Pirates had been seen, but they soon disappeared without a trace."
The intelligence officer concluded his report, detailing the crew's recent movements.
A wave of relief washed over the assembled Marines.
"That scared the hell out of me. When they suddenly showed up in the first half of the Grand Line, I thought they were going to start stirring up trouble again," Kizaru muttered, wiping the cold sweat from his brow.
These past two months had been nerve-wracking.
Ever since the Sun and Moon Pirates reemerged, those who had experienced the war of ten years ago lived in constant tension.
Now that the crew had returned to the New World, there was a collective sigh of relief.
"Strange… The mighty Sun and Moon Pirates came all this way just to deal with such small fry? Foxy? I've never even heard of that guy," one of the Marines remarked, confused.
"Exactly! What kind of pirate is worth their time?"
It made no sense.
To them, it felt like a king personally executing beggars—there was simply too great a disparity in status and power.
They couldn't understand it.
And they certainly didn't dare investigate.
"What an interesting man," came a hearty laugh from one of the newcomers—Admiral Ryokugyu, who had recently joined the ranks of the Marines.
"Are you all that afraid?"
A blind swordsman spoke next.
Admiral Fujitora, another new admiral who had been promoted directly to the position, tilted his head.
Though he could not see, he could sense the tension among the gathered Marines.
He found it puzzling.
Ten years ago, he had still been wandering the Four Seas. Five years ago, he had finally entered the Grand Line, but he had remained unknown until recently.
To him, the Sun and Moon Pirates' reputation had already faded significantly over the past decade.
"Incredible as the Four Emperors may be," Fujitora murmured, "I've never encountered one myself."
"This isn't just about them being an emperor-level crew," Kizaru sighed.
He rubbed his temples as if recalling something deeply unpleasant.
"Their crew is… well, let's just say they're downright eerie. Not just eerie—terrifyingly abnormal."
"They sound like quite the crew," Fujitora mused.
Boom!
A heavy fist slammed against the conference table.
The thick wood groaned under the impact.
Akainu's eyes blazed as he swept his gaze across the room.
"Enough of your cowardice! Never forget who we are. We are the Marines! We are the sword of justice! If even we shrink back in fear, who else will uphold order? Who will eradicate the criminals?"
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines snapped to attention.
Many looked at Akainu with admiration, acknowledging him as the true leader of the Marines.
His words embodied the iron-fisted justice they had long respected.
"Forget the Sun and Moon Pirates for now," Akainu continued. "The time isn't right yet."
Kizaru's expression twisted.
"Wait, you're not seriously planning to go after them when the time comes, are you?"
If that were the case, maybe it was time for him to consider retirement.
Things were peaceful now.
For the past decade, the presence of the Sun and Moon Pirates had kept the other sea emperors in check, forcing them to maintain order.
To Kizaru, these had been the best ten years imaginable.
No need to slack off—there was nothing to do anyway.
He still got paid.
Life was perfect.
The world government had decreed that, even when the ten-year mark arrived, Akainu was not allowed to act against the Sun and Moon Pirates without orders.
This was the decision of the Five Elders, and more importantly, the will of Im.
Im was confident that when the time came, they would crush Kuke.
But the longer they waited, the stronger that confidence grew.
Im believed that Kuke would not dare make the first move.
And if both sides remained cautious, they would maintain an uneasy peace—until the day one of them was absolutely certain of victory.
Im was convinced that day would come sooner for them.
And when it did—
Akainu would be given full authority to execute his plans.
Fujitora's blank eyes opened slightly.
He had noticed something.
Every time the Sun and Moon Pirates were mentioned, the room's atmosphere changed drastically.
"So long as they're in the New World, there's no need to concern ourselves with them," Kong, the World Government's military supreme commander, interjected.
"Our focus should be on something else—your promotion, Sakazuki."
A hush fell over the room.
It was time.
The search for new admirals had been completed, filling the vacancies left by Aokiji's departure.
All preparations for the transition were in place.
"Three days from now, the entire world will witness your ascension as fleet admiral," Kong suggested.
All eyes turned to Akainu.
The moment he nodded, he would become the supreme commander of the Marines, leading millions of soldiers under his banner.
Akainu fell silent.
The position of fleet admiral was within his grasp.
It was his.
Yet something was missing.
The moment he thought of the Sun and Moon Pirates, the rage and humiliation he had bottled up for the past ten years surged forward.
There was an ache in his chest.
He finally understood what was missing.
Blood.
To become fleet admiral—
He needed a baptism of pirate blood.
Akainu turned to the intelligence officer.
"We're nearing June.
"How many of those rookie trash have reached Sabaody?"
Every year, he personally took it upon himself to purge the so-called Supernova pirates.
But this year, he had been too preoccupied—first fighting Aokiji, then handling the transition of power, then overseeing the global draft.
For the past several months, pirates had enjoyed more freedom than ever before.
It was time to remind them of the consequences.
The intelligence officer hesitated before answering.
"This year's count… stands at ten."
Akainu's expression hardened.
"Good."
He clenched his fists.
"If I am to take the title of fleet admiral—
"Then I will claim it over the corpses of pirates."
------
DONT FORGET POWER STONE
________________________________
P/S: If you are interested, you can read up 50+ chapters at patreon.com/Emik01.