Even though she had been completely overpowered by Charlotte Linlin in their previous battle, Esdeath's confidence in their next confrontation remained unshaken.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Kizaru said with his usual lazy grin.
However, the moment he finished speaking, he realized that Esdeath, who had been leaning against his chest, had already fallen sound asleep.
Seeing this, Kizaru couldn't help but scratch his head helplessly. He had originally intended to enjoy some intimate time with her, but given her current exhausted state, even he wasn't shameless enough to push things further.
While Kizaru busied himself with looking after the sleeping Esdeath, the three CP0 agents finally arrived at Marineford.
In their minds, Marineford at this time should have been on the highest alert—guards stationed every few meters, thousands if not tens of thousands of armed marines patrolling the plaza, and an overwhelming naval fleet ready to strike at any moment.
That was how CP0 imagined the stronghold of a rebel force would look. They even suspected that the new Fleet Admiral—whose two hundred kilograms of body weight seemed to consist mostly of rebellious ambition—had already prepared countless traps to kill them on the spot.
But what greeted them in reality was the complete opposite.
The supposedly impregnable naval fortress looked more relaxed than it ever had before. Marines on leave were sitting on reefs having fishing contests, uniforms were hung out to dry on the decks of warships, and the central plaza of Marineford was filled with makeshift stages. Singers, bands, and even theatre troupes were performing lively shows for the marines—a picture of peace and cheer.
If it weren't for the sentries at the port and watchtowers, the three CP0 agents would have thought they'd gone to the wrong place.
Maybe this wasn't Marineford at all, but rather the Navy's vacation island.
"Captain… weren't we told the Navy had started a rebellion?"
Ameso asked in disbelief, beginning to suspect there had been some kind of misunderstanding.
"…Let's go ashore first. We'll meet the Fleet Admiral and see for ourselves."
After a moment of silence, Reva finally made his decision.
Reva, who knew more about the situation, wasn't as naive as Ameso—but they didn't have any other choice.
"Then I'll handle extraction?"
The third CP0 agent spoke cautiously, studying the direction of Marineford. No matter how long he observed, he couldn't find a single flaw in the Navy's apparent tranquility.
"You know the rules," Reva muttered, curling his lip but not rejecting the idea.
Leaving one agent behind for backup was standard CP0 procedure. Of course, if none of the infiltrating agents made it back alive, the one waiting outside would be executed as well.
In that sense, the risk was shared equally—but Reva preferred to keep control in his own hands.
"Don't worry," said the third agent without hesitation. It wasn't that he trusted his teammates with his life—he simply had other orders that required him to stay outside.
As Reva and Ameso piloted their Vega craft toward Marineford, the third CP0 agent circled the island, dropping several small tracking devices into the sea.
He didn't know what those devices were for, only that when the Five Elders gave the order, their expressions were unusually grave. They had even avoided Reva and Ameso, giving him the instructions privately.
Not long after Reva and Ameso landed, they were discovered and stopped by the sentries on duty.
"We are CP0," Reva announced firmly. "We're here to deliver a direct order from the Five Elders to Fleet Admiral Kizaru!"
The captain's tone was authoritative—perhaps too much so, almost as if he didn't believe the Navy had any intention of rebelling.
"This is our identification. Take us to Fleet Admiral Kizaru immediately. If you delay the mission, you'll be held responsible!"
Ameso took out the official document and barked his order at the marine guards.
Normally, CP0 agents like Reva and Ameso would never bother talking to low-ranking marines. When they needed to find someone, they would simply walk in unannounced.
But this time was different. Whether or not the Navy had truly rebelled was still uncertain—but that they had divided loyalties was beyond question.
Without verifying their identity first, the two CP0 agents feared they might be ambushed by marines trying to cover something up.
The sentries couldn't actually read or verify something as high-level as CP0 credentials, but they did recall the standing orders from Fleet Admiral Kizaru: "Anyone suspicious—send them straight to Inspector Sengoku's office."
"I understand. Please, follow me."
The marine, thinking this through, first called over a few comrades to take over his post, then led the two CP0 agents toward the office of the Grand Inspector Sengoku.
The two CP0 agents, seeing that their path led toward the Navy Headquarters building and that there were signs pointing toward the Fleet Admiral's office, didn't suspect anything.
Just like that, they were brought straight to the office of the former Fleet Admiral—now Grand Inspector—Sengoku.
Seeing the two CP0 agents appear so suddenly, Sengoku was momentarily stunned. He had prepared himself to stir up trouble alongside Kizaru, yes—but being suddenly confronted by two CP0 agents directly was something he hadn't expected.
"I understand. Thank you for bringing them."
Since the marines had already escorted the two CP0 agents here, Sengoku couldn't very well send them back. He could only dismiss the marine, then turn his gaze toward the two visitors.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, we were sent by the Five Elders. They wish to have a serious discussion with you."
Reva and Amiso, upon seeing Sengoku, quickly realized something wasn't quite right. Still, for the task they were sent to complete, the situation wasn't necessarily bad—it might even be an opportunity.
"Say what you came to say. And I'm no longer Fleet Admiral—address me as Grand Inspector."
Sengoku's eyes saw straight through Reva's little calculations, and his tone carried a cool edge.
Unlike Kizaru, who was practically ready to declare open rebellion against the World Government, Sengoku preferred not to take sides hastily. He intended to wait until either the World Government or the Cosmic Dark Matter Pirates emerged victorious before making a final decision.
At the very least, he wanted the Five Elders to believe the Navy hadn't chosen a side. That way, regardless of the outcome, the Navy could still maneuver and survive.
After all, given the Navy's power and influence, even if the Five Elders doubted them, they couldn't afford to impose overly harsh measures.
Unfortunately, Kizaru—the current Fleet Admiral—had already gone all in, leaving Sengoku, the former Fleet Admiral and current Grand Inspector, to maintain the illusion and buy time.
"Yes, Grand Inspector Sengoku. Saint Warcury wants to know—what exactly does Marineford want?"
Reva took a deep breath, staring intently at Sengoku as he spoke each word with care.
Hearing that, Sengoku couldn't help rubbing his temples. Of course someone who'd climbed that high wouldn't be a fool—Kizaru's scheming had clearly not escaped the Five Elders' notice.
"The Navy only seeks to uphold justice."
Sengoku's reply was crisp and unflinching.
Amiso, who had been harboring unrealistic hopes just moments ago, was now completely dumbfounded.
If the Navy wasn't planning to rebel, then didn't that mean they—two CP0 agents—had just walked right into the lion's den?
Almost instinctively, a thought flashed through Amiso's mind: Take Sengoku hostage and escape.
But he immediately wanted to slap himself. Forget him and Reva—even if all CP0 agents were present, they couldn't hope to subdue the former Fleet Admiral of the Navy in such a short time.
Let alone capture him and escape Marineford, while being chased across the open sea by the Navy fleet—it would be a nightmare scenario.
"The World Government is justice! To protect justice is to protect the World Government!"
Reva's tone grew stern. After all, the World Government had ruled the world for eight hundred years—no matter how corrupt or hated it had become, such a span of time naturally produced countless fanatics and loyal believers.
"Justice is justice. The World Government is the World Government."
Sengoku shook his head. If this had happened when he was younger, he might've doubted what he was seeing. But at his age, there was no longer room for hesitation or confusion.
A few words from Kizaru weren't enough to shake the Grand Inspector's resolve.
"How dare you!"
Reva suddenly glared at Sengoku with wild defiance, as though ready to leap forward and fight to the death.
"C-Captain?!"
Amiso stared in horror at his suddenly unfamiliar superior, looking from Sengoku to Reva, unable to make sense of what was happening.
Sitting calmly behind his desk, Sengoku's eyes narrowed. He'd already guessed the truth.
"Which one of the Five Elders am I speaking to?"
His voice was low, heavy.
"Hmph. As expected of Sengoku the Buddha — the great strategist. A shame your wisdom failed to guide you to the right decision this time."
Reva's demeanor changed in an instant. Gone was the weary CP0 agent — in his place stood the cold, imperious bearing of a ruler.
Sengoku knew immediately what this meant. Reva was still himself physically — but his personality had been erased, his body hijacked by a member of the Five Elders.
°°°
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