One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

"Are you kidding me?! What does this make of our Navy? Those pirates we once crushed and sent fleeing are now to be seated as our honored guests?"

Zephyr's roar echoed through the Fleet Admiral's office.

At the doorway, Sakazuki and Kuzan exchanged glances. Kuzan looked at his senior with some surprise—while he never considered Zephyr to be a gentle man, he was far from someone who would explode at the slightest provocation.

Whatever had happened must have truly enraged their strict mentor.

Even though Sakazuki maintained his usual stoic expression, the turmoil in his heart was no less than Kuzan's. Given the World Government's recent large-scale maneuvers that the Fleet Admiral had alluded to, the unusual tone of Sengoku's phone call, and now Zephyr's furious outburst, even a fool could guess what the Five Elders had done.

The Warlord System.

The two of them swiftly stepped into the room, and Sakazuki immediately noticed that nearly all of the Marine Headquarters' top brass were present.

The current Fleet Admiral and highest commander of Marine Headquarters – Kong

One of the World Government's and Marine Headquarters' strongest forces, known as the "Strategist" – Admiral Sengoku, the Buddha

The Marine hero, the legendary figure who had repeatedly pushed the Pirate King to the brink – Monkey D. Garp, the Iron Fist

Former Admiral (still holds the title but has stepped away from active duty), current chief instructor of the Marine Elite Training – Zephyr, the Black Arm

Chief Staff Officer of Marine Headquarters, a veteran Vice Admiral – Tsuru

And the three candidates for the next generation of Admirals – Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan

"Yo~ Zephyr-sensei, ever since I left the training camp, I've rarely had the pleasure of hearing your roars."

Kuzan walked forward and patted his mentor's back, helping him steady his breath. "Did you bring your medicine? What could possibly have you all looking so grim? Don't tell me Whitebeard has found the One Piece?"

Zephyr coughed violently before yanking the document from Kong's hand and shoving it toward Kuzan.

The title immediately caught Kuzan's attention:

"Proposed Establishment of the Warlord System and Candidate Selection"

"What is this?"

Sengoku, who had been silent, handed another copy to Sakazuki.

Sakazuki had long known this day would come, but he couldn't remember if, in this timeline—1501 of the Void Century—the Warlord System had already been in motion.

Had his interference and his strategic approach to pirate suppression accelerated its inception?

He wasn't interested in debating the pros and cons of the Warlord System just yet.

But at this moment, from his position and standpoint, he was utterly opposed to this system.

Glancing at the grim faces of the Marine veterans around him, he spoke in a deep voice:

"The Marines, who have always pursued pirates and maintained order at sea, are now bowing to criminals?"

"As Zephyr-sensei said, if we allow pirates to become the honored guests of the World Government while we Marines turn a blind eye, then the justice we uphold will become the greatest joke of all."

Sakazuki turned toward Zephyr. "We are soldiers. We are Marines. We do not accept compromise!"

Borsalino, leaning against the wall, retained his usual playful tone, but his words struck true:

"This isn't just a matter of compromise. If we permit certain pirates to continue their plundering—no, even shield them with official protection—then our credibility as the Marines will be utterly destroyed."

Sengoku remained uncharacteristically silent. As the conversation heated, he remained in deep thought, fingers pressed to his chin.

Finally, for the first time since the discussion began, he gave his own view:

"The Five Elders make it seem like we have a choice, but in reality, we don't. This is a direct order from above. The question we should be discussing is not whether we oppose this, but rather, how we can maximize the effectiveness of this ridiculous Warlord System within the limited control we have."

"Sengoku! Are you asking me to stand by and watch as the people under our protection suffer plundering and persecution?!"

Garp's forehead bulged with veins as he bellowed at his old friend.

Sengoku was just as furious. The Warlord System left the Marines with no say, yet their duty demanded that they uphold the interests of the World Government.

"Calm down, Garp," Tsuru, who had been frowning on the sofa, finally spoke. "One of the conditions for the Warlords is that they are not allowed to plunder nations allied with the World Government. Any actions harming its interests are strictly prohibited."

"Oh? And you want me to believe pirates will abide by that agreement? Tsuru, you know better than anyone what pirates are like!"

Garp refused to back down, jabbing a finger at Borsalino, who remained leaning against the wall.

"Borsalino might be ambiguous in his actions, but today, he hit the nail on the head!"

He slammed his fist on the table. "No matter what fancy title the World Government slaps on them, if these so-called Warlords continue their pirate ways, then we Marines are nothing more than their damn bodyguards!"

Sakazuki glanced at the silent Fleet Admiral before shifting his gaze to the tension between Sengoku and Garp.

With a quiet sigh, he spoke:

"I wonder if anyone else has noticed this. This decree explicitly states that only pirates of 'sufficient strength and renown' may be selected as Warlords."

His gaze swept across the room, his voice unwavering.

"Tell me, how were these high-bounty pirates recognized for their so-called 'strength'? Every single one of them built their notoriety on the lives of our fallen Marine comrades! With what face do we now stand before the families of those who sacrificed their lives for justice?"

Zephyr's expression wavered.

His friends, his family—they had all been slaughtered by pirates.

Yet, he had told himself time and again that as a Marine, his duty was to protect the weak from the strong. That this was the burden he had chosen to bear.

Kuzan, helping Zephyr sit down, suddenly found himself wide awake. He looked at Sakazuki and exhaled slowly.

"Ala la, I usually disagree with Sakazuki on most things, but this time, I have to admit he's right. Throughout the entire Marine force, how many of our comrades have died fighting pirates?"

His gaze turned to Sengoku.

"Their blood has not yet dried, and we are already aiding their murderers?"

The Fleet Admiral, who had been listening quietly all this time, finally spoke.

His voice was hoarse and heavy.

"I asked the Five Elders the same question, Kuzan, Sakazuki."

Everyone fell silent, waiting for his answer.

Kong let out a bitter laugh.

"They told me… that soldiers must be ready to make sacrifices when necessary."

Sakazuki clenched his fists, his voice trembling with suppressed fury.

"That is on the battlefield! A soldier who dies in war dies with honor! But to be sacrificed for politics?"

The Fleet Admiral lifted his head, and only then did everyone notice his reddened eyes.

Looking at his subordinates, he spoke, his voice almost trembling:

"They told me… this world is one vast battlefield. And as soldiers, we must obey orders."

A suffocating silence filled the room.

Garp lowered his head, his clenched fists trembling.