One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

As the enormous, solid gangplank was laid down, Sakazuki stepped aside and made a welcoming gesture to the two giant leaders behind him.

"Here, on behalf of the World Government and the entire Navy, I welcome your arrival." Sengoku raised his head and formally spoke in his official tone.

The two leaders of the Giant Warrior Pirates exchanged glances. The more composed Dorry, the general with the peculiar hairstyle, nodded. "You are the current Admiral, correct? My brothers are grateful for your care!"

During the return journey, Sakazuki had taken the opportunity to brief these two old shut-ins, who had been disconnected from reality for far too long, on the key figures of the current Navy.

Now, it seemed that this move was indeed necessary. If the giants had come in and addressed Sengoku with the wrong rank, it would have been quite an awkward situation.

It was rare for Dorry to use honorifics. According to Sakazuki's introduction, ever since their kin joined Marine Headquarters, Sengoku had indeed been the one responsible for managing and settling them.

"John! John Jarl!" Not far away, a neatly dressed Jarl's voice trembled with emotion.

He was from the same homeland as these two, and though eighty years was not particularly long for a giant, so much had happened in between that the reunion left Jarl feeling deeply moved.

"Jarl! Jarl Jarl! My old friend!" Brogy strode excitedly toward him.

The Red Ogre lightly hammered a fist against Jarl's chest. "Look at you, so many medals! Hahaha, not bad at all!"

John Jarl returned the gesture with a punch of his own. "I thought I would never see you two again!"

Dorry also wore a broad smile. Beside Jarl, he saw Ronse and the others. He had never expected to reunite with his kin at Marineford under such circumstances.

The visual Den Den Mushi faithfully broadcasted this scene, projecting it onto screens across various locations.

Sengoku smiled. This was part of his carefully planned arrangement—allowing the giants who had already joined the Navy to personally share their experiences and recount the events that had transpired in Elbaf.

One had to admit that the Strategist had played his family card brilliantly. This move maximized the Navy's image as the embodiment of justice, a steadfast force against the evil pirate menace, and a power dedicated to uniting all factions.

Sengoku turned his gaze toward the Vice Admiral who had just stepped onto the solid ground of Marineford's harbor.

It was thanks to Sakazuki and his team that the two leaders of the Giant Warrior Pirates had been discovered and convinced to join the Navy and the World Government.

The Vice Admiral stood upright and saluted Sengoku. "Admiral Sengoku, sir! The recruitment operation has successfully reached Marineford. Awaiting your orders!"

The Admiral slowly raised his hand and returned the salute. "You have completed your mission flawlessly! Well done, Sakazuki!"

Meanwhile, the reporters in Sabaody Archipelago had erupted in excitement.

"That Vice Admiral… I think I've seen him somewhere before?"

"Idiot! He's been in the newspapers several times! The Buster Call on Ohara in the year 1500—it was Vice Admiral Sakazuki who led the operation to exterminate the Demon Scholars!"

"Yes! The World Government even published articles featuring the surviving civilians of Ohara expressing their gratitude to the Navy. That article specifically mentioned him and Vice Admiral Kuzan's heroic rescue efforts amid the bombardment," another reporter wearing a hat added.

"Not just the Buster Call! I mean more recently! I swear I saw him in a newspaper not long ago!" The reporter who had been called an idiot protested.

A pair of wings suddenly flapped, interrupting their debate.

"It was our World Economy News. He is the leader of the Navy's new-generation Hawk Faction." A young fledgling-headed eagle pushed through the crowd, proudly perching atop the broadcast stand. That article had been written by none other than himself.

"That's right! It's him." The reporters suddenly recalled the previous article—it had only been about two months ago.

The young eagle's words jogged their memory. One of them was struck by realization.

"Wait… wasn't he the one pushing the 'Inferno Operation'?"

"Ugh!" The fledgling eagle, still just a junior reporter, quickly rolled his eyes. Though his intel had come from some high-ranking World Government officials, that so-called "Inferno Operation" was actually something he had fabricated to grab readers' attention.

"Didn't you notice? He's been leading major operations for years!" The fledgling eagle knocked on the screen, skillfully covering up his lie. "To be in charge of two large-scale missions at the same time—his ability is clear as day. Mark my words: he is destined to be the next 'Buddha' Sengoku!"

"You mean—?"

"I predict he is a candidate for the next Admiral!" The fledgling eagle's sharp gaze locked onto Sakazuki, who was now standing shoulder to shoulder with Sengoku.

"Another breaking headline! A potential Admiral candidate leading this mission! Looks like the World Government truly values Elbaf!"

Sakazuki, unaware of the commotion unfolding in Sabaody, was standing beside Sengoku, watching the giants deliver their "Nordic-style" declaration of vengeance.

"A blood debt must be repaid in blood! Let those vile pirates know the wrath of the giants!" Brogy roared, his declaration echoed by the fervent giants behind him.

"So long as we draw breath, our crusade against pirates will never cease! From this day forth, the Giant Warrior Pirates are no more—only the Navy's Giant Unit remains!" Dorry unsheathed his sword and held it aloft.

"Justice and the giants shall stand together! Justice and the Navy shall stand together!"

Sakazuki glanced at Sengoku, who gave a slight nod. Stepping forward, Sakazuki took a deep breath and bellowed, "For justice!"

The giants responded with a thunderous shout. "Justice!"

Sakazuki surveyed the Marines and roared once more, "For justice!"

"Justice!" Every Marine present, including Sengoku himself, responded in unison, their voices drowning out even the giants.

Dorry and Sengoku, the leaders of both sides, locked eyes.

"For justice!"

Their combined voices echoed to the heavens.

The reporters recorded this historic moment through the visual Den Den Mushi.

———————————————————————

"With this, the other giants who were still neutral or hesitant now have a clear goal!" Before the Five Elders, a projection screen displayed the footage. The Elder with golden hair turned to the others.

"Indeed, this will make our next step even smoother. We can ride the momentum of this event." The Elder with a birthmark on his forehead seemed quite pleased.

Everything across the world was unfolding according to their design. It had been a long time since they last felt such absolute control—perhaps not since Roger's death.

The bald Elder, meticulously polishing his sword, was more cautious. "Once we launch 'that plan,' many in the Navy will oppose it. Especially Sakazuki—hmph, he's a hardliner."

"That's exactly why we need his opposition," the Elder with long white hair interjected. "Otherwise, how would we use him to advance the Fish-Man Island initiative?"

The golden-haired Elder, running a thumb over the scar on his chest, suddenly changed the subject.

"You all saw the CP department's rookie training reports from their voyage, yes?"

"Of course. I never expected him to have such power," the curly-haired Elder in a beret replied.

"To be capable of destroying an island in such a short time—was that brat Sakazuki trying to intimidate us?" The bald Elder still remembered the impudent Vice Admiral.

The long-haired Elder stood and tapped the back of his chair. "Rather than intimidation, I'd say he was proving himself. We might need to reconsider our initial plan to use him as a scapegoat for the Celestial Dragons' wrath."

"You want to keep him after the Fish-Man Island operation?" The bald Elder frowned.

The golden-haired Elder spoke bluntly. "He is a major combat asset under our banner. Moreover, his reputation in Marine Headquarters is significant."

"So what? Zephyr was an Admiral once—" The curly-haired Elder left his sentence unfinished.

Clearly, he and the bald Elder were on the same page. They weren't fond of this Marine who dared to defy their authority.

"No, we should keep him. He's useful. A hardline soldier like him speaks harshly at times, but we shouldn't let mere words dictate our decisions and cause unnecessary losses," the long-haired Elder countered.

"Sakazuki has strategic vision, substantial strength, and gets the job done." The golden-haired Elder nodded, concluding the matter.

He looked around at the others.

"So, when shall we initiate the 'Shichibukai Plan'?"