Marijoa, Marine Garrison Base.
Fleet Admiral Akainu had been staying in the Holy Land these past few days. On one hand, he wanted to reassure the Celestial Dragons and show that he did not fear the World Government's suspicion.
On the other hand, he was also waiting for Aramaki to send back definitive news.
However, just now, the news Aramaki sent back left him very dissatisfied.
What did he mean by only being able to determine that it was energy from a non-Devil Fruit Ability user?
In this world, non-Devil Fruit Ability users are as numerous as the hairs on an ox; how is that any different from saying nothing at all?
However, the 'gag order' immediately issued by the Gorosei made Akainu realize that things were not simple.
Unlike those five old men of the Gorosei, who would drift off-topic as they chatted, Akainu did not consult with anyone.
From beginning to end, he only trusted himself. Moreover, he was single-mindedly devoted to the Marine and his long-cherished wish to 'exterminate the pirates and pacify the four seas'.
Therefore, his focus was solely on the Marine.
Navy Grand Staff Officer Taro, former Admiral Aokiji, and current Admiral Aramaki appearing in the same sea area at the same time—there was definitely a problem!
Every time Taro took some inexplicable action, it would lead to unexpected results. Although, sometimes Akainu found them quite satisfactory,
For example, Edward Weevil!
But at other times, it would make Akainu feel uneasy all over, like the Sicily Island Incident!
Akainu had a faint feeling that Taro was doing a lot of things behind his back.
He sat stiffly in his chair, reflecting on Taro's actions since he joined the Marine.
From the first time he heard Taro's name, Akainu had been wary of him. Later, that turned into a limited amount of trust.
However, as Taro's position in the military grew higher and the incidents he caused grew larger, it was no longer as simple as just being wary for Akainu.
Then there was Kuzan, who had vanished since leaving the Marine, only to reappear now.
Although Aramaki said he encountered Aokiji first and Taro only appeared later,
Akainu believed that Taro and Aokiji must have met before Aramaki arrived!
Bastard, secretly making contact with a former Admiral—and the loser of the struggle for the Fleet Admiral position at that—what exactly are you trying to do, Navy Grand Staff Officer?
Akainu's face was dark, steam rising from his tightly clenched fists, his gaze resolute and cold.
"Clack, clack!"
The crisp sound of geta approached. 'Tokikake' Kake walked in with a hunched back and a somewhat wretched manner, a faint smile on his face.
"Boss Sakazuki, why the long face? Did that fellow Midorik screw things up?"
He and Aramaki were close personal friends, and it was under his recommendation that Aramaki had joined the Marine.
Aramaki's first mission had already made the Fleet Admiral's face darken, which forced Kake to worry for his friend. Thus, he decided to come and feel out Akainu's thoughts.
Akainu's eyes flickered, his gloomy expression returning to a serious one, and the magma transformation on his arm instantly receded.
"It's nothing! It has nothing to do with Midorik. He did a good job with the task I assigned him!"
Kake had been present when Akainu originally gave Aramaki his orders, so he knew what Akainu's requirements for Aramaki were.
Since Aramaki had already compared the energy he had 'eaten', why did Akainu have that expression now?
The fleshy mole on Kake's brow twitched as he asked cautiously,
"Boss Sakazuki, did Midorik encounter some unexpected situation on this trip?"
Akainu tilted his head to look at Tokikake, thought for a moment, and shook his head.
"No!"
"Midorik is already on his way back. I am returning to Marineford now. Kake, go prepare a ship for me!"
Tokikake was stunned for a moment before revealing a smile.
"Understood, Boss Sakazuki!"
Not until Akainu's warship descended from the Red Line via the Bubble Gondola did the smile on Tokikake's face vanish like a face-changing performer, replaced by a heavy expression.
Momousagi noticed the change in Tokikake's expression and furrowed her willow-leaf brows.
"What's wrong? What did Sakazuki say to you?"
Hearing the inquiry from the goddess of his heart, a rogue-like smile immediately surfaced on Kake's face.
"Ah, Gion, please accept my..."
"I refuse!"
Momousagi cut him off coldly before Tokikake could finish.
Tokikake's face turned bitter. "Ah, that's such a pity! However, I won't give up!"
Momousagi gave him a look of utter disdain and turned to leave.
Only then did Tokikake say,
"It's precisely because Boss Sakazuki didn't say anything that I find it strange!"
Momousagi stopped in her tracks, turning back in confusion. "He didn't say anything? Then, regarding the Celestial Dragons..."
Tokikake sighed, looking very worried.
"Right? You find it strange too, don't you?"
"Not just the rumors among the Celestial Dragons, but even regarding Midorik's mission, Boss Sakazuki didn't say much!"
"It seems something that concerns him even more has happened!"
Hearing this, Momousagi pondered for a moment, said nothing, and strode away.
"Hey, Gion, don't go! Let's analyze this some more! Hey, Gion...!"
Hearing Tokikake's shouts behind her, Momousagi's pace quickened!
...The climate in the New World was very harsh; one moment it was sunny, and the next it was a violent storm.
Amidst the torrential rain, on the deck, Taro stared at Aramaki for a long time, highly suspecting that this guy had been so lazy over the past few days that he hadn't even changed his posture once.
"So, Admiral Midorik, did you call me over just to show me that you're not afraid of getting rained on?"
The pouring rain caused a faint fluorescence to rise from the surface of Aramaki's body. He looked very comfortable, his hair standing on end, looking very spirited.
He didn't share Taro's mood for banter; closing his eyes, he spoke softly.
"Sakazuki wants you to return to Marineford immediately to see him!"
Taro raised an eyebrow.
"Is that an order?"
Aramaki opened his eyes slightly. "Yes!"
Taro squinted, staring at Aramaki. "What exactly did you report to Sakazuki?"
Aramaki grinned, revealing a few white teeth.
"Guess!"
Taro's brow furrowed instantly. Just as he was about to speak, Aramaki's hair fluttered for a moment, and the continuous curtain of rain was completely brushed aside.
"Taro, I know nothing about what you were doing in that sea area, so what could I have possibly said to Sakazuki?"
Taro thought for a moment and laughed.
"So it's because of Aokiji!"
Aramaki also laughed, his eyes flickering with a leisurely light.
"I don't know anything. I hope the Grand Staff Officer doesn't drag a newcomer like me into this!"
The smile on Taro's face grew wider. "Will I drag you into it? Guess!"
"Rahahaha!" Aramaki burst into laughter. After laughing for a while, he waved his hand.
"Grand Staff Officer, please suit yourself!"
Taro took one last look at Aramaki, his Internal Energy surging as he transformed into a Falcon, piercing through the rain and soaring into the clouds.
Aramaki stared at Taro as he disappeared above the dark clouds, chewed a couple of times, sighed, and murmured,
"No matter how many times I eat it, this kind of energy still can't be digested! Uncle Vegapunk, just how did you manage to handle this kind of ability?"
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