Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
At the harbor, the salty sea wind swept past with a low roar, lifting the Justice cloak on Renn Hawk's shoulders and snapping it sharply in the air.
Behind him stood four Marine Headquarters vice admirals.
Zoro, Sanji, Dain, and Hibari remained motionless, steady as mountains.
Further back were three rear admirals.
Peacock, Smoker, and Tashigi.
Beyond them rose a steel fleet of overwhelming scale.
Ten massive battleships and twenty large warships stood ready in formation.
The fleet was prepared to depart.
Every deck was packed with elite marines in full uniform, their presence sharp and intimidating.
...
Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and Admiral Kizaru stood side by side before Renn Hawk.
"Hawk," Sakazuki said first, his voice firm and restrained.
"The New World is in your hands."
Renn Hawk raised his hand in a crisp salute.
"Yes, sir!"
Kizaru reached out and patted Hawk on the shoulder with an easy smile.
"Hawk-kun, call me anytime if something comes up," he said lightly.
"You know I move pretty fast when I go all out."
"And if I have time, I might even come visit you for tea."
Renn Hawk smiled faintly but said nothing.
He turned and strode up the flagship's gangway without hesitation.
A deep horn echoed across the harbor.
Moments later, the entire fleet began to move.
Like awakened steel beasts, the warships slowly departed under the reverent gaze of countless marines.
They cut through the waves, heading toward the final land of chaos and crime.
The New World.
...
The Holy Land, Mariejois.
Pangaea Castle, the Chamber of Authority.
...
Unlike the vibrant energy of Marineford, this place was suffocatingly still.
Five aged figures sat quietly upon their ornate thrones.
The Five Elders.
...
Silence filled the chamber.
Long, heavy silence.
"According to Garling," Mars spoke first, his voice low,
"Shamrock's Life Card has completely vanished."
"Along with it, the entire unit of the Knights of God under his command."
"It appears that the G-3 Branch is heavily defended by naval forces."
"Hmph!"
Peter slammed his hand against the armrest. His golden beard trembled with anger.
"So that's how it is!"
"The Navy's betrayal is no longer hidden!"
"We cut off their funding and supplies, yet not only did they survive, they grew even more reckless!"
...
"That means," Mars continued slowly,
"they have found a new source of resources capable of sustaining the entire Navy."
V. Nasjuro frowned deeply.
"Where are those funds and supplies coming from?"
"Allied nations? Independent ones?"
"Or both?"
"That no longer matters," Saturn said quietly.
"What matters is how we end this."
"Should we awaken Imu-sama?"
The room stiffened instantly.
Awaken Imu-sama.
The thought surfaced simultaneously in all five minds.
Imu-sama's power was absolute truth.
Once Imu acted, whether a rebellious Navy or rampant Emperors, all would be erased in an instant.
Every problem would cease to exist.
But…
"No."
Nasjuro rejected it outright.
"Report to Imu-sama now?"
"What exactly would we say?"
His voice was cold, each word striking like a blade.
"That the Navy we controlled for eight hundred years has rebelled?"
"That our most trusted piece has slipped completely out of our grasp?"
"That under our leadership, the seas themselves have fallen into chaos?"
Nasjuro's gaze swept the chamber.
"If Imu-sama awakens and sees the world like this, their wrath will be unimaginable."
"When that happens, the Navy will not be the only ones to die."
"None of us will survive."
The other four fell silent, unease written plainly across their faces.
They knew it was true.
Imu-sama's anger was a catastrophe far worse than any naval rebellion.
"Then what do we do?" Saturn asked heavily.
"Do we simply let the Navy continue unchecked?"
"Of course not."
A sharp glint flashed in Nasjuro's eyes.
"The Navy's strength and planning have exceeded expectations."
"But they still have a fatal weakness."
"To uphold peace and justice, their forces are spread thin."
"Their top combat power is divided."
Nasjuro rose slowly and unfurled a world map.
"The world believes we are indulgent rulers who sit above the fray," he said coldly.
"They have forgotten something."
"We are warriors who stand at the pinnacle of this world."
"I propose that the five of us act personally."
"With overwhelming force, we strike the Navy's weakest point."
"If we cripple them there, we can reclaim control and reverse the situation."
The other four stiffened.
They exchanged looks, each seeing the long-dormant resolve reflected in the others.
In the end, the Navy's rebellion was their failure.
Then they would correct it with their own hands.
"So be it," Peter said.
"Where do we strike first?"
Tap.
Nasjuro's finger struck the map, landing on the New World.
"Here. The G-5 Branch."
"Marineford is their stronghold," he continued.
"Sakazuki himself is stationed there, and its defenses are impenetrable."
"G-3 is even worse. We have already lost multiple investigation teams there."
"Only G-5 remains viable."
"The New World is already in chaos," Nasjuro said calmly.
"Eustass Kid's Supernova Alliance is stirring trouble everywhere."
"Renn Hawk is a newly promoted admiral," he went on.
"His foundation is not yet stable, and he is being sent to manage this complexity."
"He will be stretched thin."
"And more importantly…"
A cruel curve formed at Nasjuro's lips.
"He rose to prominence during the Summit War."
"He is praised as the future of the Navy."
"An idol to countless young marines."
"Kill him, and the Navy's morale will collapse."
"Renn Hawk is the perfect example."
V. Nasjuro snorted coldly.
"We will take that young man's head and remind the world of the World Government's authority."
Mars' voice darkened.
"Let every reckless fool on the seas understand the price of defiance."
Saturn's expression grew animated.
"Issue the order."
Nasjuro's voice fell like a final verdict.
"The Knights of God, assemble in full."
"Target."
"The New World. G-5 Branch."