"Times have changed. Now when you voice an opinion, no one can afford to look down on you."
After the meeting concluded, Vice Admiral Onigumo approached to chat.
During the meeting where Griffin recommended Chin Jao to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, most people felt he had no right to speak up. Among the officers, only Onigumo—then still a Rear Admiral—spoke in his defense.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Griffin smiled faintly. "As long as it's a suggestion for the good of the Marines, Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the others are always willing to listen."
...
Onigumo shook his head, a cigar clenched between his teeth, and snorted coldly, lowering his voice. "You're still too naive. If Ronz and his ilk weren't wary of your strength, they'd never have spoken up for you."
"Sometimes, whether what you say makes sense isn't important—what matters is the strength of the person saying it!"
Griffin's smile faded as the two gradually walked to a secluded spot.
"Of course I know. Most people are just opportunists, riding the wave of my current influence. Only seniors like you genuinely have my best interests at heart."
In private, officers who graduated from the Zephyr Training Camp would use informal titles to show closeness.
Onigumo gave Griffin a meaningful glance, the corner of his mouth curling up. "Quite a few people are aware of your little move—having Smoker contact others."
"Your position is... awkward."
"Most importantly... your seniority is too shallow. The forces you could gather have already been split up."
"To put it plainly, most of us from Instructor Zephyr's camp have chosen to follow Admiral Sakazuki—myself included."
"The rest have either sided with Admiral Borsalino or Admiral Kuzan. The older generation are essentially Fleet Admiral Sengoku's trusted aides."
"As for those below officer rank... your reputation isn't small, but compared to Vice Admiral Garp, it's still far behind."
Garp's influence was no longer confined to any single faction; in terms of prestige, he even surpassed Sengoku.
It was just that he rarely participated in internal discussions, appearing almost non-existent during meetings.
...
"It's clear you want to build your own faction."
Onigumo took a deep drag of his cigarette. "That's only natural. You have the strength for it—what you lack is time and status."
"Instructor Zephyr told me your strength already rivals his when he became an Admiral."
"Truly astonishing... and you're only in your twenties..."
"If not for the current three Admirals being arguably the strongest in centuries, you might have become the youngest Admiral ever!"
After a moment of silence, Onigumo said gravely:
"In a few years, Fleet Admiral Sengoku will likely be promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. When that Admiral position opens up, you'll be able to fill it."
"Admiral Sakazuki doesn't care about seniority. He would absolutely promote you exceptionally!"
...
"So you believe Admiral Sakazuki will be the next Fleet Admiral..." Griffin smiled faintly. Looking at Onigumo's expression, he seemed even more certain than Griffin himself, who knew the future.
Onigumo nodded firmly. "Other than him, no one can lead the Marines through such chaotic times!"
Griffin understood—Onigumo was trying to recruit him on Akainu's behalf.
Rather than building a small group of his own, it would be better to join Akainu's "family." Once Akainu assumed the role of Fleet Admiral, Griffin could inherit his position and resources.
In the longer term...
If Sakazuki was also convinced that he was the only suitable candidate for Fleet Admiral, then Griffin was being groomed as the next Fleet Admiral after that.
...
Griffin was certain that Onigumo had come to speak with him about these matters not because Sakazuki had instructed him to do so, but rather as a spontaneous act of his own.
Indeed, among the high-ranking officers, more people supported Akainu, but if one counted the mid-ranking officers and ordinary commanders, the majority supported Kuzan.
Between a friendly and lenient commander and a cold, strict one, most people would choose the former.
Sengoku had also recognized this situation, which later led him to choose Kuzan.
In the contest for Fleet Admiral, the ones supporting Akainu were actually the high-ranking officials of the World Government.
...
What Onigumo did not know was that Smoker's efforts to garner votes for Griffin were merely superficial; more importantly, they were preparations for a confrontation with the World Government.
The scope of their considerations was simply not on the same level.
...
"Since we've already spoken to this extent..."
Griffin paused for a few seconds before speaking earnestly: "I also believe Admiral Sakazuki is the most suitable successor, but do you know his weak point?"
"Weak point?"
Onigumo frowned and pondered deeply.
How strong is Admiral Sakazuki? What weak point could he possibly have?
...
"Support from lower-ranking officers."
Griffin continued: "Most ordinary soldiers cannot view the Pirate problem from our perspective. This is human nature—no one wants to be the sacrificed party, nor can they easily accept the principle of killing rather than letting go."
"Admiral Sakazuki's problem is that his reputation among ordinary soldiers is poor."
As he spoke, Griffin smiled faintly.
"And I... happen to be able to compensate for this weak point."
...
Onigumo was not foolish; he immediately grasped the intricacies involved.
"You mean..."
Griffin nodded: "You all have noticed that I am gathering people to form my own faction, but what I actually intend is..."
"When enough people have joined me, I will then join forces with Admiral Sakazuki, combining our strengths. Then... you can foresee it, that kind of future."
Onigumo's eyes lit up, and his fingers trembled slightly with excitement as he held his cigar.
...
Griffin did not deceive him.
He merely blurred the concept.
Joining forces... whether I join Akainu's faction or Akainu joins mine, that is hard to say.
If we cannot unite... then the Marines will be split between us.
...
...
Returning to his dormitory, Griffin rubbed the corner of his eye.
Left eye twitching means fortune, right eye twitching means disaster...
I feel... someone will send me a big gift these days.
—
—
Soon,
it was the night before the execution day.
The warships had long been assembled; now, the ships approaching Marineford from afar were Pirates who risked their lives to watch the spectacle.
Some were old spectators who had witnessed the execution of the Pirate King years ago, while others were new Pirates who regretted not having seen it before and now dared to come and witness it at the risk of their lives.
Among them...
Doflamingo embraced a beautiful woman at the ship's bow, looking toward a small boat nearby.
That boat, resembling a coffin, could only accommodate one person.
One person was enough; none of the Pirates gathered here dared to underestimate him.
The World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawkeye!
...
"Fufufu... I recall the World Government did not summon the Seven Warlords of the Sea to assist?"
Hawkeye did not look up; his coffin boat drifted forward with the waves.
"And you?"
...
"I came as the invited King of Dressrosa..."
Doflamingo's lips curled into a mischievous smile, reveling in the chaos: "You and Shanks are good friends, right? Will you intervene, Mihawk!"
"Too noisy... Flamingo, you'd better stay away from me."
Mihawk glanced coldly, his gaze alone causing Doflamingo a stinging sensation.
So strong!
This guy definitely isn't on the same level as me!!
...
Doflamingo chuckled softly a few times, awkwardly signaling his crew to turn the rudder: "I understand your feelings, won't disturb you anymore."
...
Violet leaned against him, this was the name she used after marriage, like a nickname between the two.
"Doffy... I have a bad feeling..."
She looked at the deep, dark sea surface, somewhat uneasy.
Doflamingo tightened his arm slightly: "Don't worry, Violet..."
"You are mine, no one can harm you."
...
"Yes, I believe you!"
Back when the Celestial Dragon Saint Shangong died in Dressrosa, the World Government wouldn't have cared about the reason at all.
Not to mention destroying Dressrosa, at least the Riku family who failed in their guard duties would have to die!
You're not Garp's hometown anyway!
...
It was Doffy becoming king that protected the Riku family, protected Dressrosa!
Doflamingo looked at Marineford in the deep night, like a terrifying giant beast crouching on the sea.
He knew very clearly, the Marines were the overlords of this sea.
Besides wanting to see the Red Hair Pirates end, what he wanted to see more this time...
Was that monster who could seal Kari!
If there's a chance...
...
So troublesome, how could such a sharp dragon-slaying sword be sealed away!!
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