Indeed, Garp's plan—though reckless at first glance—had the lowest projected loss rate.
"For once, I have to agree with Garp," Sengoku said, arms crossed.
He glanced sideways, tone dry. "Did you forget… this guy used to be the most cunning of the three of us?"
Garp smirked, still slurping his soba.
It had been a long ti since the old guard had operated together on a mission. If not for the Dragon Hunter Pirates declaring all-out war on the World Governnt, the three might've never co out of retirent.
"Exactly my point…" Sengoku muttered, eyebrows furrowed. "If he had taken more responsibility back then, maybe we wouldn't be in this ss now."
"Oi, oi…" Garp snapped, jabbing a senbei into the air. "We were just talking about your stupidity. Why shift the bla back to again?"
"If I'd actually taken command of the Navy back then, I'd have gone to war with the World Governnt in a week. Would you really have let run the show?"
Unapologetic as ever.
On the side, Fujitora chuckled quietly, enjoying the show.
He had once thought the Navy's upper echelon was made up of stiff, solemn officials.
But after working alongside them, he realized—they were just people.
People with bickering, banter, and brutal history.
Kuzan chid in occasionally, inserting himself like a loyal fan crashing a reunion episode.
---
anwhile, on another warship—
"Borsalino... you think I was wrong too, don't you?"
Sakazuki's tone was low, barely audible over the sea breeze.
The world knew him as Akainu—champion of Absolute Justice. A man who never hesitated, never faltered, and would destroy evil at any cost.
But what the world didn't see… was his solitude.
Outside the Navy—and even within—his reputation was as heavy as his convictions. No warmth, no camaraderie.
Even his fellow admirals didn't support him. The starkest example: Aokiji Kuzan, who resigned after losing the Fleet Admiral title to him.
And now?
Now, Sakazuki had no one he could talk to—except maybe Kizaru, Borsalino.
"…But you don't regret it, right?" Borsalino asked in that lazy, drawling tone—but with rare depth in his voice.
Sakazuki didn't respond right away. He stared silently ahead, then exhaled.
Sotis, he did envy the casual connection between his colleagues. But regret?
No.
Never.
His sense of justice was unwavering. O'Hara, Marineford, any other incident—he didn't waver in his belief that eradicating evil was right.
Even if it made him the villain.
"…No. I don't regret it."
His voice was firm now. Conviction unshaken.
Just then—
"Fleet Admiral! A large ship has been spotted ahead!"
The lookout rushed up. "Judging by the flag—it's from Kaido's crew. Most likely… Jack the Drought!"
"Jack?" Sakazuki frowned. "What's that brute doing here?"
"They're on a collision course with the Advisor Sengoku's ship. No sign of stopping."
Despite being led by so of the Navy's top combatants, Sengoku's group was sailing aboard a standard warship—intentionally avoiding the use of a more conspicuous Buster Call-class ship to minimize risk.
"Let them be," Sakazuki said coldly. "Our mission is to deal with the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
"As for Kaido—if he's not actively interfering, we ignore him. If he is... then we sink him."
He turned back toward the sea, the weight of impending war settling on his shoulders.
---
Onboard Jack's ship—
"Master Jack! Navy ships spotted dead ahead!"
Jack stood tall, tusks gleaming, his massive form looming over the deck.
"What kind of ships? Who's onboard?"
"The leading vessel has several elderly officers. We can't identify them clearly… but they don't look particularly strong."
"It seems most of the Navy's elite are focused on the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
Jack grinned.
"Old Navy veterans?"
"Hahahaha… close the distance. Sink their ship."
The crew hesitated for only a mont.
Jack continued, "We're not gonna run from a bunch of old n! I'm Jack the Drought, damn it!"
"To retreat now would be a disgrace!"
The Beasts Pirates adjusted course, heading directly for the so-called weaklings.
---
Back on Sengoku's ship—
"Drought Jack?" Kuzan blinked. "What's he doing here?"
They were already en route to face the Dragon Hunter Pirates—there hadn't been any reports of an alliance between Ryuunosuke's crew and Kaido's.
"Maybe…" Sengoku muttered, "they saw our standard ship and thought we were just a bunch of washed-up vets."
Karp laughed, smacking his knee. "Oh, he thinks we're weaklings, huh?"
"Perfect! Saves us the trouble of chasing him down."
He cracked his knuckles, almost too eager.
Fujitora stood, hand on his sheathed blade. "As Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, allow to greet him properly."
"You think we'll let you hog all the fun?" Sengoku smiled as he stood.
Kuzan sighed from the bench.
"Poor guy," he muttered. "He really had no idea what kind of hell he just signed up for…"
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