After the cleanup was finished, Sengoku ordered preparations to return to Marineford.
He understood clearly — the New World would never be quiet again.
This war had become a spark.
Now true chaos would begin.
Because of the severe injuries suffered by Akainu and Kizaru, the Marines no longer had many fighters capable of facing a Yonko one-on-one. Sengoku originally planned to leave Garp and Aokiji in the New World to maintain balance.
But Garp immediately refused.
— What? Stay here? Are you kidding me?! — he grumbled.
Ignoring Sengoku's protests, he headed straight for the ship.
Sengoku could only sigh heavily. He had no energy left to argue with Garp.
In the end, only Aokiji remained in the New World with additional Marine forces.
Less than an hour after the war ended, Morgans released an emergency newspaper.
The headline shook the world:
A WAR ERUPTS IN THE NEW WORLD!
Two Emperors — Charlotte Linlin and Kaido — clashed against the Marines led by Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Hero Garp, and the three Admirals: Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji!
The Marines dominated the battlefield — until the intervention of the strongest man in the world, Whitebeard, who stopped the war!
The world was stunned.
Civilians celebrated.
To them, the Yonko were monsters — and the Marines were heroes.
But pirates saw something different.
"If one of the Emperors is weakened… I can take their throne."
Thousands of pirate ships began sailing toward the territories of Kaido and Big Mom.
Chaos began spreading across the New World.
And it grew even worse when news spread that the Marines had lost a base, weakening their influence in the region.
On the Marine Ship
Akainu sat on deck, his body wrapped in bandages.
The medics urged him to rest, but he ignored them.
Unlike him, Kizaru lay comfortably, recovering without concern.
— Bring me a Den Den Mushi, — Akainu ordered coldly.
Because of the war, he had forgotten to call Kai.
"Pera… Pera… Pera…"
Two minutes passed with no answer.
Akainu frowned.
Finally—
— Hello, Sakazuki-san. Sorry for not answering right away… I was busy.
North Blue — Marine Base
Kai lay in the medical room, his entire body covered in bandages.
After finishing the battle against pirates and the mafia, Yamakaiji had ordered him to rest.
But Kai refused and stayed to help the wounded Marines.
Only an hour later did he finally allow himself to lie down.
When the Den Den Mushi rang, he didn't want to answer.
The doctors had strictly told him not to move.
But he realized — besides Sakazuki and Yamakaiji, no one else would call him. And Yamakaiji was here.
So he carefully sat up and answered.
Kai explained everything — the pirate attack, the mafia involvement, the attempt on his life, the injured soldiers.
Akainu listened silently.
When he heard that Kai had nearly been killed, a cold anger flashed in his eyes. For a moment, he seriously considered going there personally.
After a pause, he asked:
— Kai… are you alright?
— Yes, Sakazuki-san. Please don't worry.
Then Akainu spoke about the war against the Yonko.
About his battle with Kaido.
About his injuries.
About fighting Big Mom alongside Kizaru.
Kai listened carefully.
The more he heard, the more admiration filled him.
— Rest, Kai. I'll call you tomorrow, — Akainu said before ending the call.
Immediately after, he called Yamakaiji.
— Report everything.
Yamakaiji honestly described Kai's actions:
How he fought multiple pirates at once.
How he supported others with his mist ability.
And how, in the end, he learned to cut through metal.
Hearing this, Akainu felt a rare sense of pride.
If he had been alone, he might have smiled.
But then a lazy voice came from behind:
— Oh? Sakazuki… are you smiling? I've never seen that before. Found yourself a wife or something?
It was Kizaru.
Akainu's mood darkened instantly.
He slowly turned his head.
— How scary~ — Kizaru said lightly. — Suddenly I remembered I have work to do.
He quickly walked away.
Akainu let out a cold huff and headed toward his cabin.
He had made up his mind.
It was time for Sengoku to learn about Kai.
Perhaps…
It was time for the Marines to recognize a rising force.