Aokiji dropped heavily onto the ground, letting out a tired sigh.
"That's just how you are," he said helplessly. "You never leave the enemy any room… and you never leave any for yourself either."
"That's exactly why I couldn't trust the Navy to you."
"Hmph! If you devote yourself to justice, then you'd better be ready to die for it!" Akainu shot back immediately. "If you don't even have that resolve, what the hell are you doing in the Marines?"
The moment their ideals came up, Sakazuki's temper flared again.
But just as quickly, he forced himself to calm down.
"…It doesn't matter now," he muttered. "A deal's a deal. I lost. The Fleet Admiral seat is yours."
Ruthless as he was, Akainu kept his word.
A loss was a loss. He wouldn't cling to the position.
"That's good to hear," Aokiji replied. "Sengoku-san and the others are here."
He looked up to see Sengoku rushing over with a squad of medical personnel.
When Sengoku saw the outcome, a shadow crossed his stern face.
Smoker's earlier words echoed in his mind:
"The World Government will never allow Aokiji to take the position. That would mean admitting their authority over the Marines can be challenged."
Those words hit Sengoku like a hammer to the chest.
Now that Aokiji had won…
What would the World Government do?
—
After Aokiji and Akainu were transported back to separate warships, Sengoku immediately placed a call.
"Hmm? Sengoku? What do you need?" came the voice from the Den Den Mushi, its shell styled like spiked hair.
Sengoku spoke gravely.
"Commander-in-Chief Kong, I have something important to report—and I'm asking for your help."
On the other end was Kong, Commander-in-Chief of the World Government's armed forces.
Sengoku explained the duel's outcome and requested that Kong intervene with the Five Elders so Aokiji could assume the Fleet Admiral position smoothly.
Kong let out a long, helpless sigh.
"On matters like this… I don't have much sway. In the end, it comes down to what the Five Elders decide."
Despite holding the grand title of Commander-in-Chief—nominally overseeing the Marines, Cipher Pol, the Army, even the police—Kong's real authority was limited.
The title carried more prestige than power.
The true decision-makers were still the Five Elders.
Sengoku knew that all too well.
Reaching out to his old superior was just one last attempt to stack the odds.
After ending the call, Sengoku stared out at the sea and muttered quietly,
"Let's hope this doesn't spiral out of control…"
—
Seven days passed.
The formal report recommending Aokiji as Fleet Admiral had long since been submitted.
But the World Government gave no reply.
Until today.
At last, Sengoku received a response.
But what arrived wasn't an appointment letter for Aokiji.
It was a disciplinary order.
"Admiral Kuzan defied superior authority, engaged in a private duel against Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, and caused severe negative impact."
"He is hereby ordered to immediately depart for the New World to inspect territories formerly controlled by the Whitebeard Pirates and to apprehend the Blackbeard Pirates, redeeming his offense through merit."
Sengoku read the document—and once again shattered his desk with a furious slam.
"What the hell do they think the Marines are?!" he roared.
In that single document, they had formally locked in Sakazuki's position as Fleet Admiral.
Not only had they overturned the Navy's decision, they had reclassified the duel itself as an unauthorized personal conflict.
The Navy's internal selection process?
Discarded like yesterday's trash.
"They prop up Akainu and ship Aokiji out," Sengoku growled. "They're clearing the field so Sakazuki can consolidate control."
He saw through the maneuver instantly.
With the leader of the dove faction removed and Kizaru's neutral camp unlikely to stir trouble, the hawk faction under Akainu would quickly seize the core levers of power.
By the time Aokiji returned—if he returned—it would be too late.
"Those bastards sure know how to scheme against their own," Sengoku muttered bitterly.
After venting his anger, he summoned Aokiji and explained everything.
What surprised Sengoku was that Aokiji didn't look particularly angry.
If anything, he seemed prepared.
"After I came back from the duel," Aokiji said calmly, "Smoker came to see me. He warned me this might not go the way I hoped. Told me to be careful."
"I just didn't expect the World Government to show us this little respect."
"I thought they'd at least wait until I took office—then find some excuse to push me out."
"Didn't think they'd skip the ceremony altogether."
Seeing Aokiji so composed unsettled Sengoku even more.
"Kuzan!" he said quickly. "I know this is unfair—but don't act rashly! Even if Sakazuki's been appointed, the Marines' justice won't change!"
"You're still an Admiral. You have autonomy. If you don't want to deal with him, then stay in the New World long-term!"
But Aokiji shook his head.
"No, Sengoku-san. That's not what I want."
His voice was steady.
"I'm sorry. But please allow me to resign from the Marines."
It hit Sengoku like a bolt from a clear sky.
His voice trembled.
"…What did you say?"
"I want to step down as Admiral," Aokiji repeated firmly. "And leave the Marines."
Sengoku drew a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Kuzan, I know you've been wronged. But isn't quitting a little impulsive?"
"I can guarantee no one will target you because of this."
Aokiji shook his head again.
"It's not about being targeted."
"In the Marines… I can't find my justice anymore."
Sengoku's expression hardened.
The moment those words left Kuzan's mouth, Sengoku knew this was serious.
"So I'm going to go out into the world," Aokiji continued quietly. "And figure out what my justice really is."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"I won't forget I was a Marine. If the Navy ever truly needs me… I'll still help."
His resolve had never been clearer.
From the words Aizen had once spoken to Smoker, Aokiji had understood something deeper.
The World Government wanted a Navy that behaved like a loyal dog.
But justice was the Navy's own will.
And once a dog has its own will…
Can it still be called obedient?
That was when Aokiji realized:
The current Marines could not truly uphold justice.
If he had become Fleet Admiral, perhaps he could have changed that.
But since he had failed—
Then he had to leave.
Sengoku saw the determination in his eyes and knew there was no stopping him.
After a long silence, he sighed.
"I hope you find your justice sooner rather than later."
Did Sengoku really not understand the World Government's attitude toward the Navy?
Of course he did.
He had always known.