"Aizen Sosuke?"
Akainu froze for a moment.
That name sounded familiar. If he remembered correctly, he was Garp's newest recruited aide.
Wait…
Did Oguro just say that Aizen Sosuke was formerly the Captain of the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13?
That meant this guy was on the same level as those two women in front of him… an Admiral-class powerhouse?
Oguro's words caused a significant stir among the Navy's upper ranks.
Tsuru walked over to the ruins where Garp had fallen and shouted impatiently.
"Stop playing dead and get up already! Explain what's going on with this Aizen Sosuke!"
Crash!
Rubble slid aside as Garp slowly stood up, an awkward look on his face.
Being exposed by an old friend, even with his thick skin, was still a bit embarrassing.
"I really don't know Aizen Sosuke's true background," Karp said honestly. "When he joined the Navy, he only said he was a wandering swordsman."
"I saw that he was strong and sharp-minded, so I kept him around."
He quickly explained everything he knew.
Tsuru frowned deeply. None of it was particularly useful.
The real issue now was whether they should protect Aizen Sosuke.
The Navy had always regarded the Holy Spirit Empire as a massive threat.
Yet their understanding of the Holy Spirit Empire, and that so-called Gotei 13, was pitifully shallow.
If they could secure a former captain as an insider, it would be a huge breakthrough.
But looking at the current situation…
Could they really handle the Whitebeard Pirates, the Roger Pirates, and the Holy Spirit Empire all at once?
If anything went wrong, Marineford and their hundred thousand elite troops could be completely wiped out here.
Just as Tsuru hesitated, a messenger rushed over in a panic.
"Report, Vice Admiral Tsuru! A call from the Five Elders!"
The Five Elders!
Tsuru's pupils shrank sharply, a sense of foreboding surging in her chest.
Taking the Den Den Mushi, she said in a deep voice, "This is Tsuru."
On the other end, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro spoke solemnly.
"Tsuru? That will do. Sengoku can't spare the time, and neither can you."
Just that single sentence made an invisible pressure press down on Tsuru.
The battlefield broadcast had already been cut off, yet the Five Elders still had an exact grasp of the Navy's high-level movements.
It was a clear warning… everything you do is under our control.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro continued, "That Aizen Sosuke… the Navy must protect him at all costs."
Tsuru's heart sank. Her bad feeling had come true.
She said gravely, "Oguro has brought two Admiral-level combatants with him."
"If the Navy chooses to oppose them, we'll be facing six top-tier powerhouses head-on. The risk is too great."
"Enough!"
To her surprise, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro cut her off sharply.
"Tsuru, don't forget your place. The Navy is merely the face of the World Government. Since when do you get to debate our decisions?"
"Aizen Sosuke's existence will allow us to thoroughly understand the Holy Spirit Empire and provide invaluable intelligence for future decisions."
"What the Navy needs to do is execute orders. As for risk… if you're afraid of risk, then don't be a Marine. Go back and farm."
"That's all. No more discussion. Execute immediately."
Without giving Tsuru any chance to respond, the Den Den Mushi clicked shut.
"Tch… those bastards are just as unpleasant as ever," Garp said with a look of disgust.
Tsuru shot him a sharp glare.
You've got the guts to say that to their faces?
"Enough fooling around," Tsuru said grimly. "The order's been given. Don't think you can slack off anymore."
Garp's expression also turned serious.
What came next might be the most dangerous battle in the Navy's history.
If they lost, Marineford itself might cease to exist.
And the enemy's top-tier combat power exceeded theirs by one.
The last time they fought a battle like this was against the Rocks Pirates.
At that moment, Aizen Sosuke, the center of everyone's attention, slowly stepped forward.
When he looked at Oguro, there was deep disgust in his eyes.
That expression alone made Oguro want to applaud his acting skills.
If he hadn't already received Aizen's "script" beforehand, he might have genuinely believed this guy was about to turn on him.
"Heh. Soul King? Just a snot-nosed brat."
"Just because you call yourself the Soul King, everyone has to obey you? On what grounds?"
Aizen's voice was filled with contempt.
"No one starts out standing in the heavens. Not you, not me. Yet you think you can sit at the very top just by clinging to the title of Soul King. How could I ever submit willingly?"
His impassioned words stirred many people present.
Among the strong, who would willingly bow to someone weaker?
Yoruichi stepped forward and shouted angrily, "Aizen! Watch your mouth! How dare you question the Soul King's authority!"
The disdain in Aizen's eyes only deepened.
"Hmph. Without the blind loyalty of fools like you, what right does someone who doesn't even have captain-level strength have to sit securely on the Soul King's throne?"
Just as Yoruichi was about to retort, Oguro suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder.
He looked at Aizen coldly.
"Aizen, I didn't expect you to misunderstand me this deeply."
"But let me remind you… the succession of the Soul King follows its own rules. It's not something you get to question."
"If you confess now, I can give you a chance to redeem yourself. The position of Fifth Division Captain can even remain yours."
"Hahaha…"
Aizen burst into laughter, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Then should I thank the Soul King for his boundless mercy?"
The smile vanished from Aizen's face in an instant, his expression turning icy cold.
"Sorry. I don't need anyone's pity. Anything that belongs to me… I'll take it myself."
Oguro shook his head, regret evident on his face.
"What a shame. Yoruichi, Soifon!"
"Yes!" the two answered in unison.
"Apprehend the traitor Aizen Sosuke. If he resists… kill him on the spot!"
"Understood!"
Two terrifying waves of spiritual pressure erupted simultaneously from their bodies.
Both entered Shunko at once.
"Traitor… die!"
Yoruichi's figure flickered and vanished from sight.
That terrifying speed made everyone's hearts jolt.
The Flash Goddess Yoruichi was finally revealing her brilliance in the world of One Piece.
Boom!
Monstrous spiritual pressure mixed with Kidō power blasted toward Aizen Sosuke.
Given the sheer force behind it, it was hard to say whether Yoruichi had mixed in a bit of personal resentment.
Whoosh!
At that very moment, a resolute figure stepped in front of Aizen Sosuke.
***
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