Chapter 83 - The New Marine Hero
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
A warship slowly sailed into the harbor, where countless marines had gathered in anticipation.
The mont Shiki's fleet was destroyed, photos of the battle had been sent back. Within a day, they had spread across the seas, igniting waves of excitent and pride. That was why the port was now packed with eager soldiers.
High atop the fortress, Fleet Admiral Kong stood watching the scene unfold with a smile on his face.
'There's soone to carry the torch after all.'
Beside him were Garp and Sengoku.
The forr laughed heartily as he munched on a doughnut. "Bwahahaha! That brat Sakazuki sure is popular."
Sengoku narrowed his eyes slightly and gave a quiet nod.
He had been involved in the entire operation. Everything that happened was, in essence, a string of coincidences.
The Fleet Admiral gave the order, he and Garp put on the fight, Sakazuki reaped the reward, and the governnt handled the propaganda. Aside from commanding a few warships, everything else was beyond Sakazuki's control. He hadn't planned it. He couldn't have.
And yet, things lined up so perfectly that he ended up gaining enormous fa.
That stung a little.
Sengoku had thought about this a lot during this ti—conspiracy theories, coups, all sorts of possibilities. But when he really looked into it, he realized the man hadn't done a thing.
Watching from above as Sakazuki was sward by an adoring crowd, Sengoku sighed inwardly. 'Maybe... I've been overthinking it.'
He let his suspicions rest for now and even allowed himself a faint smile. After all, they had just crushed both Whitebeard's and Shiki's pirate forces in rapid succession. Even though the Golden Lion had escaped, the blow to the pirate world was undeniable.
The world would be a lot more peaceful for a while.
...
To commorate the victory, Fleet Admiral Kong granted all Marine HQ personnel a full day off.
But it wasn't just a celebration. It was also part of a greater effort to build montum around Sakazuki.
There were speeches, interviews, and all kinds of coverage. These events would dominate the headlines across the seas for a long ti to co.
By the ti Sakazuki finished all the socializing and made it ho, it was already evening.
He stepped through the front door and casually tossed his "Justice" cape onto the sofa. Then he collapsed beside it, sinking deep into the cushions.
"Phew..." he let out a long breath.
'This is more exhausting than the actual battle...'
After a whole day of speeches and crowds, the buzz of people talking still echoed in his ears. He was even starting to hear things that weren't there.
Click. click.
The sound of the doorknob turning broke the silence.
A bolt of lightning zipped through the doorway and flashed into the room. In an instant, it reford midair into a lean figure who landed lightly on the smaller sofa across from Sakazuki.
He also sank into the cushions and looked over excitedly.
"That was aweso, Uncle! There were so many people today!"
He flailed his arms, trying to show just how massive the crowd had been.
"Everyone at the academy spent the whole day talking about you."
His pride was evident. His connection with Sakazuki was no secret. Naturally, he'd been on the receiving end of envious stares from his classmates all day.
He was still riding the high.
Sakazuki shook his head and let out a helpless chuckle. Then he pushed himself up and started to stand. But his eyes caught the figure walking in behind Enel.
"Vice Admiral Morris."
Morris stepped forward with a warm smile and gently pressed a hand to Sakazuki's shoulder, pushing him back onto the sofa.
"You've had a long day. Get so rest. And, how does it feel to be a hero?"
Sakazuki covered his face and sighed. "Too loud... my ears are still buzzing."
Morris laughed. "Hahaha, that's normal. The Marines need a new hero, soone to inspire soldiers and civilians around the world.
"The last person they called a hero was that guy Garp, but he's too carefree. Irresponsible, even. The higher-ups in Mariejois haven't been happy with him in recent years. This is the perfect chance to turn you into the Marines' new symbol.
"I believe you'll do even better. This is also an opportunity to make you the standard of what a Marine should be. To spread stories of your achievents, and carry your spirit forward. The influence that'll have on the next generation of Marines over the coming years... it's imasurable. Hahahahahaha."
He couldn't help but laugh hard. This was what they called fate.
They needed an enemy, and Shiki delivered himself. They needed credit, and the teammates stepped aside.
It felt like the heavens were on their side.
Sakazuki smiled as well. "Yeah. The future of the Marines."
They shared a quiet laugh before Morris rembered his purpose for visiting. He turned toward the door and called out.
A group of marines entered, carrying trays piled high with steaming food. They placed the dishes on the dining table and gave a crisp salute before departing.
Morris waved his hand toward the al.
"Co eat. There's still a banquet later tonight."
Sakazuki groaned and covered his face again. "A banquet?"
Morris replied, "Of course. We've got to build montum. Kong even invited so bigwigs from Mariejois, just to show them how bright the Navy's future really is. So eat up, get your strength back. Half the room will be filled with high-ranking officers from other branches. Make sure they rember your na."
The last part ca with a aningful look.
Sakazuki sighed. Figures.
He got up and walked to the dining table.
"Speaking of which... Vice Admiral," he said as he sat down, "why invite so many officers from the other branches?"
Morris smirked. "To flex a little. It's not just the Marines with a new generation coming up. The other two branches have their own, but none as famous as ours. And also, it's to start preparing for the fight over the position of Commander-in-Chief."
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow. "Commander-in-Chief, huh..."
Morris nodded. "Yeah. Not long ago, the current one had a major flare-up from an old internal injury. Almost died. They managed to save him in ti, but while he was still recovering in the hospital, he apparently told the Five Elders he was thinking of retiring.
"Once the word got out, the other two branches imdiately started making moves, showing off their strength. We got caught off guard. But showing off muscles isn't our main goal this ti."
He finished with a smug grin.
Seeing his clearly scheming smile, Sakazuki thought about how Kong had only taken over a decade later.
He caught the turn in Morris's earlier words and asked, "'Almost died'... So he's fine now?"
Morris chuckled. "Yeah. Those idiots heard his organs were failing and thought he was as good as dead. They jumped ahead, hoping to grab the spotlight. But rember those scientists we captured recently?"
Sakazuki instantly understood. 'Oh, I see now... artificial organs. Talk about bad luck.'
If the man had died, it would've been fine. But the problem was... he didn't.
Sakazuki couldn't help but laugh. "Hahahaha."
Even after finishing their food, the corners of their mouths were still curved up.
It was just too funny.
Still in high spirits, the two n headed for the banquet hall as night fell.
...
The next day. Grand Line, Minaishi Island.
Sakazuki's battleship slowly pulled into port.
The vessel, now temporarily under Carlo's command, had stopped for resupply before returning to Marineford.
Carlo clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, a few hours off. Everyone disembark and resupply."
Cheers erupted across the deck. "Yeah!!!"
The soldiers rushed off the ship in excitent.
Carlo turned toward Bullet, who remained standing with a faint smile on his face.
"Not going to buy anything?" he asked.
The boy shook his head. "I'm going to train."
Carlo gave a helpless smile. "Suit yourself. I'm heading off."
He turned and started walking away but paused and glanced over his shoulder.
"Oh, by the way... I heard the desserts on Minaishi Island are amazing."
Bullet, who was heading to the training room, stopped in his tracks.
"Strawberry mousse..."
His throat twitched.
"Chocolate sundae..."
He held his breath.
"Rainbow cotton candy..."
Carlo's voice faded into the distance.
Bullet stood still for a mont, conflicted. Then he turned and sprinted in the opposite direction.
...
Minaishi Island. A hidden alleyway.
In the shadows of a narrow backstreet, Carlo now wore a long cloak pulled low over his face. He carried a box in his hands.
He glanced at the markings left on the wall, then approached the door of a house deeper inside. As instructed, he knocked in a specific rhythm.
A small slit opened. Soone inside peeked out. Upon seeing the box, a greedy smile crept across the man's face.
"Get in, quick," he whispered, opening the door.
Carlo stepped inside swiftly.
The room was dim and musty. He placed the box on a table.
The man's eyes followed it closely.
"The news spread well. Shiki already knows about the Marines' weakened state. He gathered his fleet just yesterday. This is a gift from a certain soone," Carlo said as he smiled aningfully.
The man replied, "Win-win. That's what it is."
Having stayed indoors all day, he still didn't know Shiki's fleet had been wiped out.
His hands reached eagerly toward the box. But he noticed sothing—it wasn't that heavy. A bad feeling crept in, but his greed pushed aside his caution.
He yanked the lid open, only to find a single newspaper inside. The bold headline read
"Golden Lion Pirates Fleet Annihilated. A New Marine Hero Rises!"
He looked at Carlo in rage.
"You—!"
Shhk!
The sound of a blade slicing through flesh echoed sharply. A mont later, a severed head thudded onto the floor.
Calmly, Carlo wiped the blood off his sword. He picked up the blood-soaked newspaper and casually placed it over the head.
Purururu~ Purururu~ Purururu~
A Den Den Mushi rang in the dark room.
Carlo pulled out the small snail and answered, "Hello."
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