After receiving Michael's order for full mobilization, Sakazuki had been waiting at G-1 for Michael's arrival.
He had waited too long for this day.
So long that he'd begun to feel old.
"Sakazuki, you're still the Fleet Admiral of the Angel Alliance. Is it really appropriate for you to sneak out of the office every day at this ti and dump all the work on ?"
As Sakazuki stood on the seaside cliff gazing into the distance, an all-too-familiar voice ca from behind.
Sakazuki didn't need to turn around to know it was the Angel Alliance's Co-Commander, Garp's eldest son, Monkey D. Dragon.
This position had been jointly decided by him, Sengoku, and the other old-tirs.
Though their titles seed similar, in reality, Monkey D. Dragon functioned more like a political commissar.
"Dragon, I just can't wait any longer... I can't wait to see that bastard Michael!"
A glint of eager anticipation flashed in Sakazuki's eyes.
"Seven years—a full seven years! He promised to make Fleet Admiral, to overthrow this world crushed beneath the Celestial Dragons together... Now that he's finally returned, of course I'm more excited than anyone!"
"Do you think I don't want to? Back then, he transford my Self-Defense Army into the Revolutionary Army, then swept through the Four Seas and Paradise—all to make the world a better place... And when the world actually started improving, he vanished... Ti travel? I believe it, but it still sounds like sothing out of a fairy tale."
Two grown n stood there, grumbling about the sa person.
But after just a few words, a long silence followed.
They had both held on for too long...
Just like Michael, who had barely returned before launching an all-out attack...
The ti had co.
Years of groundwork were enough to deliver a fatal blow.
Even the deadliest weapon, Uranus, had revealed its true form seven years ago.
"Fleet Admiral! Supre Commander!"
"The fleet from Elbaf has arrived!"
A ssenger struggled up the hill, panting as he delivered the news to the two highest-ranking commanders who had sneaked out for so leisure.
"Elbaf's army is here too?"
"Correct! And there are two pirate crews mixed in with their ships!"
"Pirate crews?"
"Yes! One of them is the Red Hair Pirates!"
"Red Hair... That's no surprise." Sakazuki nodded.
Though he still disliked pirates, he had to admit the Red Hair Pirates were indeed their allies, and the man's character was trustworthy.
"What about the other pirate crew?"
"It's... the Old Geezers Pirates."
The Old Geezers Pirates!
The na instantly struck a nerve in Sakazuki.
The firefighting team left in Paradise to deal with the Blackbeard Pirates had inexplicably beco combatants for this very crew!
Later, they even killed Shu and T-Bone!
And now, this pirate crew had the audacity to follow Elbaf's fleet to G-1!?
Trying to take advantage of the chaos to ally with the Angel Alliance and absolve themselves of their cris!?
Delusional!
In an instant, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki of the Angel Alliance reverted to his old self—the hot-tempered, bloodthirsty Akainu Sakazuki.
Before the ssenger could finish, he erupted like a volcano, transforming into molten lava and streaking toward the cliff below like a teor.
"F-Fleet Admiral!" The ssenger reached out, his face contorted in panic, nostrils flaring. "I wasn't done yet!"
"Hahaha, Sakazuki will always be Sakazuki." Dragon cracked a smile, though his fearso, tattooed face made it look nacing.
"What else did you have to say?"
"I wanted to report to both of you that, aside from the original mbers of the youth division, the Old Geezers Pirates' ship also carries Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, Rocks, and Kuzan!"
"What the hell!?" Dragon wiped his face, suddenly recalling the bounty posters for the Old Geezers Pirates...
"Tch!" After sucking in a sharp breath, Dragon imdiately pressed, "Anything else? Spit it out!"
"Sir!" The ssenger snapped a salute. "Also on board were Vice Admirals Shu and T-Bone... and they were following soone wrapped in a fox fur scarf, addressing him as—"
"Addressing him as?"
"Michael."
Dragon, who had already guessed as much, let out a long exhale upon hearing the confirmation.
He shook his head in disbelief.
Of course.
That explains everything.
Who else but Michael could get these retired veterans from the frontlines and the prodigies from the youth squad to follow him in such mischief!
Shu and T-Bone probably recognized Michael's identity too, which is why they joined in the chaos!
But no matter what, he's back...
And that's what matters.
Monkey D. Dragon sighed inwardly.
Yet three seconds later, he suddenly slapped his thigh and barked at the ssenger:
"Dispatch the dical team to the harbor imdiately!"
"Our Fleet Admiral is probably going to get his ass kicked today!"
With that, Dragon strode down toward the cliffside.
Though his orders were laced with concern, his face betrayed an irrepressible grin.
...
"Whoa! You guys turned G-1 into sothing this terrifying? Is this still a Marine Branch? This is practically a full-blown mariti fortress!" Michael marveled as he disembarked from the Maria, clicking his tongue at G-1 Branch's impregnable coastal defenses.
"Seems the Celestial Dragons have been putting quite the pressure on you all these years."
"Still, we held the line," said Boa Hancock, now an Admiral, walking beside Michael with a smile.
"We've been maintaining stability because we knew that engaging the Celestial Dragons before your return would only lead to mutual destruction... Their immortality, derived from Imu's Devil Fruit, becos exponentially more oppressive on the battlefield. Not everyone possesses Armant Haki on the sa level as Gaban."
"Haven't I explained this countless tis on the ship? The one ruling the so-called 'Celestial Dragons' is Lily—Nefertari Lily! Not , Imu!" Imu grumbled, crossing her arms in frustration.
"That girl... really pulled off sothing that gave everyone a massive headache."
"Don't forget, Lily was also Imu II of the Nerona Family before reclaiming her na," Michael raised an eyebrow.
"Calling her Imu isn't entirely wrong."
Just as Michael spoke, a flaming teor streaked across the sky, hurtling straight toward them.
"Golden Thief! Die, pirate!"
"Great Eruption: teor!"
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