Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the bay, warships stood tall like a forest of steel.
This was the supreme hall of Justice.
At this moment, it was preparing to face a war that could overturn an entire era.
"Shoo—"
Outside the Fleet Admiral's office, a golden light flashed, and Kizaru's figure appeared out of thin air.
With both hands in his pockets, his gaze swept over the terrifying formation at the harbor.
"Yo~ what a grand scene~"
"Tap—"
A scorching heat wave rolled from behind him, raising the corridor's temperature in an instant.
The tall figure of Akainu walked in from the other end. When he saw Kizaru, his brows furrowed.
"Borsalino… has Hawke not arrived yet?"
"Sakazuki, it's been so long since you've seen an old friend, and you don't even greet me first~"
Kizaru elongated his tone with a wounded expression.
"Hmph—"
Akainu snorted coldly.
"Split half your private stash with me, and I'll greet you every day!"
"Haha!"
Kizaru waved his hand, signaling that there was no need. Then he said,
"Hawke-kun is still on his way..."
"I heard Impel Down made quite a mess this time!"
"So many vicious criminals, and quite a few rare Devil Fruit users too, all slaughtered just like that..."
"What a pain, ne~"
"Heh—"
Akainu chuckled lightly at those words.
He extended his finger and tapped Kizaru's suit pocket.
That pocket bulged full—it contained mission slips.
As far as he knew, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had given Borsalino quite a few long-term missions with no deadlines.
For example… retrieving powerful Devil Fruits scattered outside!
Every single one came with a hefty bounty.
The Marines would use this to strengthen their overall power.
And in the future, all Devil Fruits seized by the Marines would only be digested internally.
"Caught me, huh? What a headache."
Kizaru grinned, showing no trace of embarrassment from being exposed.
"..."
Neither man spoke further. They walked side by side toward the Fleet Admiral's office.
The door was ajar.
Inside, Aokiji sat alone on the sofa. When he saw them enter, he nodded slightly.
Tsuru had already departed, heading to assist Garp in guarding the New World.
And Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku—right now, his back was turned to them as he roared deafeningly into the Den Den Mushi on his desk.
"ELDERS!!!"
"Look! Look at this! What kind of people did you find?!"
"The Marines issued a mandatory summon order to the Shichibukai! And the result?!"
"Not a single one came!"
"Now tell me, what use is this damn summon order?!"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, someone seemed to be arguing.
"Invite them? The Marines should go beg them?!"
"Heh, let me tell you!"
"Those pirates haven't spared even the slightest respect for the World Government!"
"Add more military funds!"
"Once I deal with Whitebeard, I'll take them down one by one and replace them with a new batch of obedient Shichibukai!"
"What?"
Sengoku's voice rose even higher.
"The recent funds are already plenty, and there's no way to increase them?!"
"Buy fewer slaves, stop fixing up that broken garden of yours in Mary Geoise, and wouldn't you have the funds?!"
"Watch your tone?"
"How should I watch it?!"
"For all these years, I've spoken this way, and from now on... I'll keep speaking this way!"
Before the other side could respond, Sengoku slammed the Den Den Mushi shut.
...
The office instantly fell into silence.
Sengoku slowly turned around, his face breaking into a smile unlike ever before.
He suddenly punched the air with force.
"..."
From the sofa, the long-silent Aokiji finally spoke.
"This way, you won't be able to get the funds, Fleet Admiral."
"Funds?"
At that, Sengoku burst into booming laughter.
"Hahahahaha—"
He strode to the sofa, plopped down, and drained the cup of tea on the table.
"I just wanted to curse them out!"
"This rage has been bottled up for decades!"
"And at the same time, I'll confuse those old bastards, let them think the Marines are still just watchdogs that can only survive off their charity!"
His eyes sharpened.
"But what they don't know... is that the second batch of salvage submarines is already under construction."
"Once complete, centered on Alabasta, the surrounding seas that have slumbered for eight hundred years will become the Marine's golden mine!"
"Belly will turn into more submarines."
"Submarines will salvage more Belly!"
"The Marine's accumulated wealth will only larger and larger!"
"Hmph—"
Akainu snorted coldly.
"The World Government's petty tricks never stop. Those CP keep trying every which way to infiltrate Branch G-3, like flies."
"It doesn't matter. Let them come."
Sengoku waved dismissively.
"We'll wipe out every squad they send."
"Just deny everything."
"The Marines aren't like other organizations. Even if those old fools suspect something, without solid evidence, they won't dare act rashly."
He leaned back into the sofa, tapping the armrest lightly.
"As long as the God's Knights and those ancient monsters don't personally act, there will be no problem."
"Headquarters always keeps its eyes on Mary Geoise. If they make any move beyond expectations, we immediately abandon all plans and fully withdraw, prioritizing preservation of strength."
"..."
"Alright."
"As for the Shichibukai, ignore them."
"This war, from the very beginning, has always belonged to us Marines alone!"
Sengoku stood, walking to the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the harbor below where steel and battle spirit intertwined.
"This war, the three of you are the absolute main force. Be fully prepared."
"Yes!"
Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji answered in unison, their voices echoing throughout the vast office.
They exchanged glances, then turned and left in tacit understanding.
Sengoku stood silently for a moment, then turned to the messenger.
"Pass the order down—full forces, highest state of readiness!"
"Wait for Hawke's return, and then..."
A light unlike any before blazed in Sengoku's eyes.
"We will open an era that belongs to the Marines!"
"The Great Marine Era!"
...
The sun shone directly over Headquarters, dyeing all of Marineford in brilliant gold.
"Vroom—"
Just then, the deep rumble of engines rolled from beyond the horizon.
On the harbor, Marines conducting their final war-readiness checks all halted in unison, gazes snapping toward the source of the sound.
There, a massive fleet surged across the waves at great speed.
At its front—three colossal warships, like mobile fortresses.
"It's the G-3 Branch fleet!"
"It's Rear Admiral Hawke... he's back!"
Someone shouted, and the harbor erupted in cheers!
All eyes gathered upon the flagship of that fleet.
At its bow, a figure stood silently.
He wore the pure white cloak of Justice, his black short hair brushing lightly in the sea breeze.
Hawke had returned!
The full Marine force had gathered!