In the pitch-black spatial wormhole, a long, slender leg suddenly stepped out, landing on the soft carpet of Whole Cake Island's castle.
Red wore a gentle smile as he welcomed the first high-ranking Marine officer to make direct contact with the Straw Hat Pirates.
"Senior Aokiji, this way please."
Walking ahead, Red raised his hand in invitation.
At this moment, more than half an hour had already passed since the Five Elders had been blasted into outer space.
With Luffy's return, Kaido—quite unusually—had chosen to behave himself.
Before the Straw Hat Pirates took any further action against the Beasts Pirates, Kaido temporarily remained in that sea area as their "partner."
And under Kaido's orders, Jack—who had been evenly matched against Dual-Blade Style Chopper—was forced to cease hostilities as well.
Just like that…
A war destined to be recorded in history came to an end in a way no one had ever anticipated.
What followed was the reorganization of forces and the treatment of the wounded on all sides.
Meanwhile, Red brought several members of the Straw Hat Pirates along with Aokiji back to Whole Cake Island to discuss what would come next.
That's right!
Although Mega-Evolved Zoro had slain Fleet Admiral Akainu, Red—who knew the plot all too well—was perfectly aware that…
For Aokiji, this might not be a bad thing at all.
After all, Aokiji had long harbored serious doubts about Akainu's brand of justice and was deeply dissatisfied with the Marines' actions under the World Government's rule.
Perhaps Aokiji himself had not yet fully considered this, but today's opportunity might very well allow him to completely reform the Marines and build a force that truly served the people.
And precisely to awaken Aokiji to this possibility, Red had deliberately invited him here for negotiations.
To ensure a relaxed atmosphere, Red brought only Usopp—and Robin, who shared a past connection with Aokiji—to this meeting.
The rest of the crew remained in the other sea area to guard against any unexpected developments.
After all, that region currently housed Marines, Government forces, the Beasts Pirates, and Whitebeard's side all at once. Getting all of them to coexist peacefully was no easy task.
Under Red's guidance, the group moved quickly and soon arrived at a small meeting room prepared in advance. Everyone took their seats.
The moment a Playing Card Homie closed the meeting room door, Aokiji—whose thoughts had been weighing heavily on him—could no longer hold back and spoke bluntly:
"So… what exactly is your purpose in bringing me here?"
"And what did you mean just now about making me Fleet Admiral?"
Lifting the cup of red tea brought by the Homie, Aokiji—now fully aware of the current situation—spoke directly.
Yet the complex emotions flickering in his eyes betrayed the turmoil in his heart.
His superior was dead, his subordinates captured, and he himself had become fish on the chopping block…
Even with Aokiji's exceptional mental fortitude, true calm was impossible.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly."
He raised his head, staring straight at Red.
Red, however, let out a chuckle.
As the victor, he appeared relaxed and smiled calmly.
"How refreshingly straightforward, Sir Aokiji."
"Since you've asked so directly, I won't bother with pleasantries either."
Setting down his teacup, Red's gaze grew playful.
"Akainu is dead. The Marines are leaderless. Sengoku has already retired and won't return. And the World Government can't exactly parachute in a Fleet Admiral to command the Marines."
"So tell me—under the current circumstances, besides you, Senior Aokiji, who else is more suitable to become the next Fleet Admiral?"
"..."
Aokiji's eyelids sank.
"So you deliberately killed Akainu and spared me, didn't you?"
Clearly, despite the conversation just beginning, factional differences led Aokiji to an unavoidable misunderstanding.
Red immediately shook his head.
"No, no, Sir Aokiji—those words won't do."
After denying it, Red grinned again.
"This was nothing more than a coincidence."
"We just happened to want Akainu dead… and we also happened to want you alive."
"Because we know very well who serves the World Government—and who truly labors for the people of this world."
"Akainu was ultimately nothing more than a watchdog willing to guard the Celestial Dragons' estate."
"But you, Senior Aokiji!"
"You're the one truly fit to lead the Marines and protect peace for the common people!"
"..."
Aokiji was silent for a moment before scoffing.
"Hearing that from a pirate like you is really absurd."
"Maybe," Red replied noncommittally, continuing on.
"But the world works this way. I think you've long since passed the age where you believe everything is simply black or white."
"Sure, we pirates aren't good people—but at the very least, we've killed quite a few Celestial Dragons."
"Killing even one Celestial Dragon is more meaningful than doing ten or a hundred good deeds."
"I trust you understand that, Sir Aokiji?"
"..."
"I admit the Celestial Dragons are scum, but that doesn't erase your crimes!"
A flicker passed through Aokiji's eyes, and a trace of emotion appeared on his face—but acknowledging a pirate's words was clearly not easy for him.
Red, however, looked utterly unconcerned.
"So what?"
He let out a mocking laugh, as though he hadn't just spoken about "the people of the world."
"We're just a bunch of people who yearn for freedom. Naturally, these troublesome matters should be left to those willing to be troubled."
"Let's get straight to it, Sir Aokiji."
"I can introduce you to some capable aides who can help you rapidly expand the Marines' strength and ensure you sit firmly on the Fleet Admiral's throne."
"And all I want…"
"…is to see people who actually get things done sitting where they belong."
Fixing his gaze on Aokiji once more, Red spoke earnestly:
"To show our sincerity—"
Snap!
Red suddenly snapped his fingers.
Usopp, who had been waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward.
He extended his palm—and in an instant, a wooden door appeared within it and swung open.
From the pitch-black space beyond emerged a massive container, like a time capsule.
Inside it sloshed strangely colored nutrient fluid…
…and an unconscious purple-haired man.
The moment Aokiji saw the container, his expression changed drastically. He leapt to his feet in shock.
"Ze… Zephyr-sensei?!"
That's right—this was the first "inauguration gift" Red had prepared for Aokiji.
The former Marine Admiral, Zephyr, who had been imprisoned by Usopp for half a year.
Splash!
With a light press on the control panel, the nutrient fluid drained away.
Exposed to air once more, Zephyr coughed violently before slowly opening his eyes.
"This is…"
He lifted his head in confusion, staring at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Months of unconsciousness had left his mind in disarray.
At that moment, Aokiji rushed forward and opened the sealed glass cover.
"Zephyr-sensei!"
Aokiji shouted emotionally.
Though Marine records had long listed both Kizaru and Zephyr as missing, half a year had passed—long enough for everyone to silently accept their deaths.
No one had said it aloud.
To see his mentor alive again felt like witnessing someone return from the dead.
"Well, Sir Aokiji—are you satisfied with this gift?"
Red chuckled, breaking Aokiji's swelling emotions.
"Nearly all of the Marine high command are Zephyr-sensei's students. With his support, you can sit securely as Fleet Admiral—without any controversy."
"…Aokiji… you pirate brat…?!"
Having relied on nutrient fluid for half a year, Zephyr weakly climbed out of the container.
The moment he saw both Aokiji and Red, his foggy consciousness snapped fully awake.
He remembered… the one responsible for his long captivity.
Just as he was about to gather his remaining strength, Aokiji—clearly anticipating this—pressed a hand firmly onto Zephyr's shoulder.
"Zephyr-sensei, the situation is complicated right now. Please sit and rest first."
"I'll explain everything to you shortly."
Without giving him a choice, Aokiji gently but firmly seated the weakened Zephyr.
Only then did Zephyr realize the emptiness where his arm should have been.
Connecting that with his abnormal weakness, he finally suppressed his fighting spirit and sat quietly.
Seeing this, Aokiji let out a long sigh of relief.
His gaze then shifted to Usopp—and to the storage door that was slowly fading from his palm.
If his guess was correct, Kizaru, who had vanished alongside Zephyr, was likely behind that door as well.
The Insect King… Usopp.
Perhaps his threat to the World Government was even greater than that curly-browed cook's.
But…
Aokiji turned his eyes back to Red.
After today, he might no longer need to worry about the World Government's fate at all.
After a long silence, Aokiji finally spoke in a deep voice:
"This gift of yours…"
"I can't refuse it."
"Tell me—what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Very simple." Seeing Aokiji's attitude soften, Red seized the moment.
"I know a group of people who genuinely care about the world."
"Unfortunately, they have some… history with the World Government, so they can't join the Marines through legitimate channels."
"So once you become Fleet Admiral, I hope you can help them join the Marines smoothly, allowing them to dedicate everything to their ideals."
"Wait."
Aokiji frowned, interrupting him.
"The leader of that group you mentioned… don't tell me he shares the same surname as your captain?"
"Seems so."
Red nodded casually, offering no denial.
Then he added:
"But rest assured—these people are all unknown nobodies."
"As long as you handle things properly, no one will discover their identities."
"As I said… I just want capable people sitting where they belong."
"The Marines command enormous resources, yet they're wasted daily by the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. It's such a shame."
"I believe the people I recommend will make good use of those precious resources."
Hiss…
Hearing Red speak so casually, Aokiji couldn't help but inhale sharply.
Ruthless.
Absolutely ruthless.
Using the Marines as a bridge to funnel World Government resources into the Revolutionary Army's construction and operations…
Not only would it weaken the World Government, it would secretly strengthen the Revolutionary Army.
Two birds with one stone!
If the World Government discovered this, he'd lose his head in minutes.
No—
From the moment he brought Revolutionary Army members into the Marines, he'd already be dancing on a blade.
No wonder the Straw Hat Pirates wanted to keep him alive…
Because a plan like this…
…was truly irresistible.
Aokiji suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining brighter than ever before.
No one knew…
That he had long been dissatisfied with the World Government and the Marines' actions.
Especially when he saw Robin standing behind Red—his mind involuntarily returning to the people of Ohara slaughtered under Akainu's orders.
In an instant, long-suppressed resentment toward the World Government exploded, flooding his thoughts like a tidal wave.
Having followed Garp for so long, he had inherited Garp's disdain for the Celestial Dragons—but lacked Garp's carefree attitude.
Watching Celestial Dragons treat civilians as lesser beings, watching the World Government play with lives… yet being powerless to stop it.
As a Marine, he could only obey orders, forced to witness tragedy after tragedy.
For a long time, a knot had festered in Aokiji's heart.
After losing to Akainu and watching him become Fleet Admiral, that knot only grew tighter.
But just now…
It was as if Aokiji had finally found a way to untie it.
Perhaps this…
…was the true meaning of him becoming a Marine.
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
"So that's how it is."
Moments later, having grasped everything, Aokiji lifted the corner of his mouth, mimicking Red's smile.
"I never expected the world-shaking new Four Emperors—the Straw Hat crew—to be involved with the Revolutionary Army as well."
"Just like Vice Admiral Garp's lineage."
After sighing in reflection, Aokiji looked up sharply and spoke word by word:
"Even knowing this is a road of no return… human curiosity really is like that."
"I understand your request."
"Don't worry."
Aokiji grinned widely.
"Fleet Admiral—that seat is mine!"
(End of Chapter)