"Vice Admiral Smoker!"

On the warship, Tashigi gasped, unable to believe her eyes.

The G-5 soldiers on deck gaped in shock.

Their idolized "White Hunter" had been toying with the monstrous figure for so long, yet the creature remained unfazed, still holding a Den Den Mushi.

And with a single dismissive swat—like swatting a fly—he'd buried their leader, elite Vice Admiral Smoker, into the earth.

"Fufufufu! What did I tell you? Overestimating your abilities. Call your Admirals—or Fleet Admiral Akainu himself! Fufufufu!"

Doflamingo cackled, leaping down from the mast.

With a flick of his finger, Tashigi's body jerked unnaturally, forced into a stiff, awkward dance around him.

"Such a dull woman. Can't even dance properly—how disappointing! Fufufufu!"

Ignoring Tashigi's furious glare, Doflamingo continued manipulating her into increasingly humiliating poses.

On the island, Caesar delivered his final words into the Den Den Mushi.

"Within three days, deliver the Germa army intact to Totto Land. Or... you know the consequences."

Without waiting for Akainu's response, Caesar hung up.

Glancing at Smoker in the pit, Caesar paid him no mind and leaped directly into the air, transforming into a golden bird that soared into the sky with a mighty flap of its wings.

"Doflamingo, let's go back."

Caesar's golden bird form grew larger and larger, expanding countless times in an instant.

A claw the size of a mountain reached out and seized the massive G-5 warship, lifting it straight out of the sea!

Doflamingo trembled with excitement, the swirling Tashigi around him moving even faster.

*****

Marine Headquarters G-1.

Akainu's face was dark with anger as he clenched his fist and slammed it heavily onto the table with a loud bang.

"Fleet Admiral, this Caesar is getting out of control. We must curb his arrogance—we can't let this continue any longer."

Gion stood straight, hands on her hips, her breast nearly bursting through her uniform, the buttons straining to contain them.

Akainu sat in his chair, brows furrowed in deep thought.

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a grave tone.

"We can't move against them for now. The waters in the New World are too chaotic. More importantly, the Revolutionary Army has been too active lately. Their massive forces are our greatest threat. The World Government wants to prioritize dealing with them first."

Gion fell silent.

After a moment, she left.

The office remained shrouded in Akainu's lingering gloom.

He lit a thick cigar, took a deep drag and exhaled slowly.

In the past, he never smoked.

Back then, his days were spent either hunting pirates or honing his strength and mastery over the Magu Magu no Mi.

But ever since becoming Fleet Admiral, not only did he lose time for training, he was now buried under piles of paperwork, forced to deal with endless trivial matters.

"Our top-tier combat strength is critically lacking. The New World bases are no longer sufficient as they are. At the very least, each base should have at least one Admiral stationed there to handle the current situation..."

Akainu was deeply troubled, his thoughts drifting to Aokiji, Ryokugyu, and Sengoku.

If those three hadn't run into problems, the Marine's high-tier combatants would still be formidable.

But now?

Only two or three Marines remained truly capable.

As Fleet Admiral, he had to remain stationed at Headquarters, coordinating with the Holy Land Mariejois—he could hardly take on missions himself anymore.

"Perhaps we could reassign Magellan from Impel Down, swap in two Vice Admirals, and have Magellan report to Headquarters. Also, those agents from CP—their former identities were extraordinary, and their combat prowess rivals that of Admirals. If we could bring them into the fold, they'd be a tremendous asset."

Just as Akainu was lost in thought—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The office door was knocked on urgently.

With a clatter, Akainu reflexively shot to his feet, knocking over his chair in the process.

"Enter!"

His expression was grim, already bracing for more bad news.

The door swung open with a clang and Rear Admiral Brannew, wearing glasses, rushed in with a delighted expression.

"Fleet Admiral! Admiral Ryokugyu has returned! Admiral Fujitora completed the deal with the Revolutionary Army and brought him back!"

"Oh? Finally, some good news today! Let's go—we must welcome Aramaki at once!"

Akainu was overjoyed, his previously foul mood caused by Caesar instantly brightening as he hurriedly followed Brannew towards the port.

*****

At the G1 base's harbor, a massive warship slowly docked.

Marine officers from headquarters who had heard the news crowded the shore, their gazes fixed on the vessel.

Ryokugyu had been missing for over half a month—a heavy blow to the Marines.

Especially after the death of former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the officers at headquarters had been tormented with anxiety, deeply concerned about the future of the Marines.

Now, Ryokugyu had miraculously returned—an incredible piece of good news!

Though what the Revolutionary Army had demanded in exchange was also extremely valuable, in the hearts of these Marine officers, it was all worth it.

"Admiral Ryokugyu!"

"Welcome back, Admiral!"

Some emotionally charged soldiers had already begun shouting at the top of their lungs.

The harbor was soon filled with a lively, jubilant atmosphere.

As the blind Marine Admiral Fujitora stepped off the warship, leaning on his cane-sword, a woman in a long, open-front coat with a large cape followed behind him.

"Huh? Where's Admiral Ryokugyu? Why hasn't he come down yet? Is he injured? Should we go up and check?"

The officers exchanged puzzled glances, standing on their tiptoes to peer at the ship.

Akainu strode forward with a smile, looking at Fujitora before glancing behind him in confusion.

"Issho, where's Aramaki?"

Fujitora blinked his sightless eyes, his expression odd as he slightly turned to reveal the tall woman behind him.

The woman had a wild mane of green hair, like a tangled mess of seaweed.

Her bold fashion sense was on full display—her upper body clad only in a loose, open-front coat, leaving a generous expanse of ample curves exposed to the air.

The Marines on the dock couldn't help but gawk, swallowing hard.

On her smooth, delicate abdomen, the faint outline of a tattoo reading "Shinjuu" (devotion) could be seen.

Spotting Akainu, the woman let out a coquettish cry of delight.

"Sakazuki-san! It's so good to see you again! I'm sorry... I was too reckless this time. I wanted to bring you Monkey D. Luffy's head as a surprise, but I ended up failing miserably."

Her strides were long and with each step, her breast bounced wildly, making everyone's throats tighten.

Plop.

Akainu's jaw dropped like a gaping hippo, his cigar slipping from his mouth and scattering sparks as it hit the ground.

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