Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked uneasy, his brows tightly drawn together, and said, "I'm afraid he might retaliate against the World Government because of this. For example, another battle where he single‑handedly takes on the entire Marineford."
Tsuru shook her head with confidence, replying, "No need to worry. I've already said it. I conducted deeper analysis based on his past behavior. I am certain that he only responds fiercely when his companions are threatened or attacked."
A cunning smile spread across Tsuru's aged face as she added, "What we are doing now does not target his friends; we are simply altering his status to that of a Marine — that poses no danger to his companions. Since he firmly adheres to his own bottom line, he will never strike at the Marines."
Sengoku rose from his seat, pacing a few steps before speaking in a steady tone, "Announcing his change of stance to the Marines externally… this concerns the hostility of the Gorosei toward him. I need to report to the World Government. Kong should be able to approve this."
Tsuru nodded, arms crossed, calm as ever. "They will naturally welcome a powerful adversary brought under the banner of Marine justice."
Sengoku nodded decisively and said, "Very well, it's decided."
Tsuru looked at him thoughtfully. "Now you must choose a title suitable for this 'Naval Hero.' It should intimidate pirates, yet not give him excessive formal authority."
"It is indeed unprecedented — bestowing a Naval Hero title upon a pirate," Sengoku muttered with a hint of disbelief, then considered aloud, "How about making him a Vice Admiral?"
"Titles mean little; he will not be appearing to collect a monthly salary from the Marines. What matters is the reputation it carries," Tsuru replied firmly.
Sengoku stroked his chin, his eyes distant. "The battle he fought against the Four Emperors was suppressed by the World Government. For now, it remains confined to underground newspapers. Let us use that as the justification — we will declare his confrontation with the Emperors as the Marine's righteous subjugation."
He paused for a moment, then his expression softened slightly as he grinned. "The Whip of Justice that Scourges the Four Emperors, the Navy Chief Instructor who once lived the life of a pirate… Shirogai Yamikuro."
Tsuru nodded after a moment's hesitation, "The Whip of Justice that Scourges the Four Emperors, Navy Chief Instructor who experienced pirate life. A good title — the pirates may be suspicious, but in time, they will believe."
Then Sengoku suddenly frowned, remembering something. "Since we do not wish to offend him, shouldn't we cancel the Buster Call?"
"Of course," Tsuru said, albeit with some concern in her voice. "But with Sakazuki leading the mission… will he follow our orders to halt the Buster Call?"
"That kid always has his own strong convictions; I hope it is not too late…" Sengoku muttered. He picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed.
…
A Marine soldier entered the smoke-filled command room, saluted and spoke, "Report! The Fleet Admiral ordered to stop the Buster Call!"
Admiral Akainu Sakazuki looked up slowly, his gaze cold and unyielding. "Tell him I refuse."
The Marine hesitated for a moment, then under Sakazuki's stern stare, fearfully nodded and turned to flee.
Sakazuki let the Den Den Mushi drop, his cigar flaring fiercely as magma crackled around him. He muttered under his breath, voice low and harsh, "That kind of weak justice should not govern the Marines. Only absolute justice can elevate the Marines to their true stature!"
He stood up abruptly and glared toward Enies Lobby. "Shirogai, you are powerful, but not strong enough to become the enemy of the entire Marine. Perhaps sacrificing a few of your companions this time will serve as a warning to you!"
He strode from the room and gave the command in a deep voice, "Order! Full speed ahead!"
His subordinate replied, "Yes!"
…
At Enies Lobby, Aokiji watched with surprise as the distant warships failed to fire. "They were struck down by Haki. Even those Vice Admiral‑class ships likely can't launch the Buster Call."
A light, amused voice echoed from above. "Shirogai, that Haki just now…"
Aokiji turned his gaze upward warily as Shirogai descended, remarking, "What happened exactly? How did you store Conqueror's Haki within Nico Robin's body?"
Shirogai casually surveyed the unconscious Marines scattered around him, then smiled. "Of course I wouldn't allow my comrades to be captured without protection. How about it — isn't this Haki's power pretty impressive?"
Aokiji nodded, unable to deny it. "Indeed it is powerful."
Shirogai chuckled softly, "Want to learn? I would teach you."
"But Conqueror's Haki — that innate talent — can it really be learned by mere study?" Aokiji asked, shaking his head helplessly.
Just then both of them noticed the massive Gates of Justice opening in the distance.
"The CP‑0 agents on the Bridge of Hesitation, Spandam from CP‑9, and the Marines there — they must have been knocked out cold," Shirogai said, gazing at the gates with a strange smile. "Now, guess who is leading the team into Enies Lobby, and what they intend to do?"
Aokiji frowned as he sensed the intense aura flowing from the gates. "So many warships… Sakazuki himself leads them — this Buster Call is far larger than usual."
Shirogai smiled, then vanished from Aokiji's sight in an instant.
Aokiji sighed as he looked at the spot where Shirogai had stood and muttered, "That was reckless."
He turned to the frozen Marines lying nearby and exhaled a chill of cold air, causing them to stir awake. "Ah! Achhoo, achhoo… I'm freezing," they mumbled, trembling as they staggered to their feet.
…
From atop the Judicial Tower, Usopp shouted in panic, gazing at the warships emerging from the Gates of Justice, their cannons all trained on Enies Lobby. "Hey! Zoro! Sanji! We're surrounded by dozens of warships — their cannons are locked on us, about to fire any moment! How will we escape?!" His voice carried faintly over the waterfall's roar and distorted by the Tower's height.
Zoro and Sanji on the ground exchanged puzzled looks. Sanji sighed, straightening his rumpled shirt and lighting a cigarette. "That guy wants dumplings — now he chooses this moment to scream?"
Zoro sat cross‑legged, leaning back against the ground. "Without Usopp we couldn't have passed the key. Maybe Usopp awakened Observation Haki?" he wondered aloud.
Sanji glanced up at Usopp on the Tower, exasperated. "Why isn't he coming down? What's he playing at up there?" he muttered, before suddenly looking up with alarm. "This is bad!"
Zoro's eyes narrowed as he noticed dark shapes forming in the sky. "The Marines fired cannonballs!"
As hundreds of cannonballs arced through the air, trailing white smoke, Zoro gripped the hilts of his swords, Sanji's cigarette fell from his lips, and Usopp froze mid‑scream with mouth agape. "Is this the end of the world?" Sanji whispered.
But then something impossible occurred. A familiar figure appeared — Shirogai — hovering above Enies Lobby. The cannonballs slowed, then halted as the sky seemed to crystallize. Ice‑blue light fractured the air, freezing cannonballs mid‑flight, turning them into ornaments suspended in a translucent dome. From the ground rose a collective gasp among Marines and pirates alike.
Aokiji stared upward, face grave. "He recently copied the Ice‑Ice Fruit power, and it has mutated to reach this level," he said in awe. On the Bridge of Hesitation, Franky dropped his sunglasses, stunned. "Is this something a human can do? Miss Robin, is your comrade even human?" he asked, disbelief clear in his voice.
Below the Gates of Justice, a Marine soldier pointed at the sky, trembling. "Admiral Sakazuki, all the cannonballs fired… they were frozen in mid‑air!" he stammered.
Sakazuki threw back his head, lips curled in cold contempt. "I truly underestimated you, Shirogai." His eyes glittered with fury as he glared skyward. The ice dome remained untouched by even a single cannonball.
His body erupted in searing magma fire as he shouted, "You think this is enough? Impossible!" Then with a roar he unleashed a massive magma fist, surging upward toward the shimmering ice dome above Enies Lobby. "Great Eruption!!!"