One Piece: Surrounded at Marineford? Just kidding!

Chapter 514: Only Heeding the Marshal's Orders

A moment later, footsteps could be heard at the end of the corridor.

Kizaru pushed open the door and entered the room. He spoke in a slow, leisurely tone.

"Sakazuki, what's with your temper in the middle of the night?"

Half a sentence had just slipped out of his throat when it abruptly stopped mid-air.

The scene inside was jarring. A corner of the heavy solid wood desk had been burned. Dark red lava veins flickered within the wood fibers. The corner communication station was reduced to a charred shell. The white Den Den Mushi, representing the highest authority, was burned to ashes. The air was thick with the acrid smell of sulfur, and the stench of burnt protein.

Kizaru shut his mouth and slammed the door shut behind him.

Fujitora, leaning on his cane and sword, stepped over the threshold. The blind general had just entered the room when his steps abruptly halted. A lingering wave of heat washed over him, burning his skin.

Fujitora turned around. The heavy metal door was locked.

Click.

This highest-ranking marshal's office has been transformed into an iron cage, isolating him from the world.

The main lights weren't on in the room. The dim, yellowish light from the ceiling lamp cast a cold, harsh glow. Akainu sat behind the table, half his face hidden in shadow.

"Mary Geoise just gave a death order."

Akainu's voice was like sandpaper, each word dripping with blood.

"The navy is required to immediately assemble its main fleet."

"Deployment completed before dawn."

"Cooperate with the World Government to take military action against Elbaf."

Kizaru walked to the sofa. He didn't sit down.

Fujitora stood by the door, his hands resting on the hilt of his cane and sword.

Akainu raised his eyelids. His gaze swept over the two of them. The Five Elders' original words fell to the ground.

"They specifically requested the two of you, along with Green Bull, to be included in the advance team."

Akainu's chest heaved.

"The Five Elders also said..."

"If I don't approve this transfer order."

"They can replace any obedient marshal at any time."

The room pressure dropped below freezing.

Kizaru raised his hand. He took off his brown sunglasses. He didn't smile. His half-closed eyes opened fully. His pupils shrank to pinpoints. He glanced at Akainu. He said nothing. His bottom line had been crossed.

Fujitora, standing by the door, pressed his palm down. The tsuba (handguard) rubbed against the scabbard.

Zheng.

The blind general's brow was furrowed. His scars distorted in the dim light.

"Change the marshal"

Fujitora repeated in a low voice. The veins on the back of his hand, which was gripping the sword, bulged.

Akainu's eyes were bloodshot. He stared intently at Fujitora.

"Yixiao, you've been overseeing logistics these past few days."

Akainu leaned forward. His bones cracked and popped.

"Tell me to send troops at the time they want."

"How many navy personnel will die?"

Fujitora's chest swelled. The data spilled out.

"Of the warships withdrawn from Future Island, 30% are still under repair."

"A broken keel prevents long voyages."

"More than 2,400 marines were seriously wounded and on the verge of death."

"The headquarters' plasma reserves are running low."

Fujitora's voice was hoarse.

"The supply line has been cut off."

"Artillery ammunition is less than 30% complete."

"The shortage of medical supplies cannot be filled."

He turned to Akainu.

"If we force an expedition within two days, our logistics will be completely disrupted."

"Elbaf has an extreme climate and treacherous terrain."

"We're dragging this into a protracted war, with no ammunition or medicine left."

"Large numbers of dead and injured."

"This is a suicide mission."

The room was deathly silent.

The bloody numbers crashed to the ground. They represented human lives.

Kizaru fiddled with his sunglasses. The temples twirled between his fingertips.

"Sakazuki, haven't you seen through it yet?"

Kizaru twitched the corner of his mouth. It was a forced smile.

"They don't want the navy to win."

"They want the navy to step on the landmines."

The fig leaf has been torn to shreds.

The Knights of God are mobilized. Garin Saint personally leads the team. Elbaf is a forbidden zone. In the eyes of the Celestial Dragons, the Navy is merely meat to fill a trap. The advance party draws fire, while the Knights of God reap the benefits. Mary Geoise's calculations are incredibly sophisticated.

Akainu did not refute.

Fujitora did not refute.

The three men reached a consensus.

Akainu stood up. His massive frame cast a huge shadow, enveloping half the room. He slammed his black leather glove heavily onto the table.

boom.

Wood chips flew everywhere.

"The world government treats the navy like dogs."

Akainu clenched his teeth.

"This time, the navy will prioritize protecting its own personnel."

Sakazuki completely flipped the table.

Future Island is a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood. The Five Elders' cold-blooded elimination. The threat of replacing the Fleet Admiral at any time. The scales of justice are shattered. The Navy is a knife. We will never be stepping stones.

Kizaru stared at Akainu. His pupils contracted.

Fujitora closed his eyes. He exhaled a breath of stale air. The heavy shackles crashed to the ground.

Akainu turned his head, his gaze piercing Fujitora.

"Yixiao, how far have you progressed with the contacts I asked you to arrange?"

Akainu's voice was muffled by his throat.

Fujitora held his staff sword horizontally. His left hand pressed down on the hidden compartment of the scabbard.

Click.

The metal plate bounced off. He pulled out a roll of waterproof sealing paper. He didn't hand it to Akainu. He simply announced the numbers.

"The Mole, Smoker, twelve major generals, and twenty-three branch leaders have already expressed their support."

Fujitora gripped the list tightly.

"They asked me to pass on their message."

"The Justice Coat is for civilian marines."

"From today onwards, we will obey only the Marshal's orders."

"They will never allow anyone to use marines' lives to fill the hole."

We obey the marshal's orders.

Within the state apparatus, unchecked power struggles are taking shape. The pragmatists are taking control of the core leadership.

Kizaru tapped his fingers on the sofa. He looked at Fujitora.

"The lieutenant general and major general have made their statements."

"You have to look up before you can flip the table."

"Leaving aside Aramaki, what are Chaton and Sento's attitudes?"

Fujitora's facial muscles tensed. He stuffed the list back into the hidden compartment.

"Green Bull and Chaton are getting closer."

The rift between the top brass of the navy has been torn open.

"Aramaki is a die-hard fan."

"He bypassed the Marshal's office and contacted Mary Geoise twice via a private line."

"Tea-ton is a smart man, and he leans towards the Five Elders."

"As for Zhan Tu, he didn't die from standing."

"The impact of Future Island was too great; Vegapunk's death shook him."

He then observed the wind direction.

The navy is completely divided. The high command is no longer a united front. If the situation changes on the Elbaf front, these two forces could easily turn against each other.

Akainu wasn't surprised. He knew these guys too well.

He opened the drawer.

"Continue to expand this line."

Akainu's gaze was fierce.

"Single-line communication is required, with code reporting in segments."

"No one may have access to the complete list."

"If a link is exposed, cut it off immediately; chop off the tail completely."

His fist clenched. His knuckles cracked.

"I will absolutely not allow those who protect the Marines to go to their deaths."

"Did you understand?"

"clear."

Fujitora nodded emphatically. He slammed his cane and sword into the ground.

Akainu turned around. The dim light shone on his face, creating a half-light, half-shadow. He looked at Kizaru.

The most crucial link.

Fujitora is beyond doubt. Kizaru is different. Borsalino has been in the system for years. He's smooth and worldly-wise. Ambiguous. Always in the safest position. He doesn't bet easily.

I can't skate today.

Borsalino.

Akainu calls out Akainu's full name. This is a term used only during his recruit days.

Akainu stared intently at Kizaru.

"Are you going to play along with me to the very end?"

There's no turning back. All cards have been played. There are no middlemen in this locked room. It's either the Navy or the World Government.

Kizaru remained silent, clutching his sunglasses. The smile on his face had completely vanished.

His hunched back was straightened. A terrifying aura lurked beneath his languid exterior, churning within the confined space.

Kizaru raised his hand. He wasn't wearing sunglasses. He bent his knuckles and tapped the wooden coffee table.

knock.

knock.

The room was deathly silent. A wooden table clattered against the eardrums. Akainu didn't urge them on. Fujitora remained silent. The answer hung in the air.