At the entrance of the base.
Moria looked left and right as he walked toward the meeting hall.
As if he suddenly remembered something, he glanced at the soldiers leading the way.
"You're stationed on the Sabaody Archipelago. Have you heard the name Absalom, marines? I'm looking for my companion."
The two soldiers said nothing. They simply continued walking in silence.
Moria clicked his tongue. "Tch. You dare ignore me, you…"
After turning a corner, the two soldiers ahead suddenly stopped.
"We're here."
With that, they stepped aside to both sides.
Moria raised his head and looked forward.
"Hm?"
Near the gate of the meeting hall in the distance, the newly appointed Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki, stood there holding something in his hand.
Several other Warlords stood obediently not far away.
A bad feeling rose in Moria's chest. He stopped and did not move forward.
He began to stir his ability slightly and was about to speak when Sakazuki casually tossed the object in his hand toward him.
It was not large, but it was coated with Armament Haki. The force behind it was obvious.
Moria narrowed his eyes, unable to read the new Fleet Admiral's intent.
Still, his reaction was quick. A black shadow wrapped around his arm, forming a protective layer.
Pa!
He raised his hand slightly and caught it.
The impact from the Armament Haki made his body tremble, but it did not cause much harm.
However, the small box Sakazuki had thrown shattered from the impact.
A pink twin tailed head rolled across the ground.
Moria stared at the head. His mind went blank and his pupils shrank sharply, his mouth opening wide in disbelief.
"Ah… ah…"
He could not form a complete sentence.
Puchi!
Something scorching pierced through his body. Moria lowered his head to look.
"Hellhound."
At some point, Sakazuki had already appeared in front of him. A magma arm had pierced through his chest.
But Moria did not care about that. He only wanted to know one thing.
"You… what did you do to Perona…"
Puchi!
Sakazuki pulled out his black red magma covered arm, causing Moria to collapse on his knees uncontrollably, yet his eyes remained locked on Sakazuki.
Sakazuki's voice carried no emotion. "Are you blind?"
Moria's body trembled with rage.
"You actually…!"
He tried to activate his ability. The shadow beneath him rapidly expanded, rising as if about to erupt.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out as a bullet pierced straight through Moria's eye. At the same time, the shadow forming behind him shattered instantly.
Moria felt his strength draining away.
"Sea… stone…"
His body fell limply to the ground.
He was clearly breathing more out than in.
Carlo appeared with several soldiers.
* * *
Back inside the meeting hall.
Sakazuki looked at the remaining three, saying, "Now everyone is here. The meeting begins."
His indifferent tone made the three unconsciously tense up and sit straight.
Sakazuki's cruelty, methods, and strength were already well known. But two Warlords, figures equal to them, had just been killed so casually.
Fear rose uncontrollably in their hearts. It was terrifying. It felt as if he had not killed two Warlords, but two ordinary pirates.
Moria's bounty alone was 320 million, higher than anyone present. Yet he died like an ant, without even mounting real resistance.
No one dared show the slightest disrespect. They waited respectfully for Sakazuki to continue.
Sakazuki ignored their thoughts and went on, "The entrance to the New World has been sealed, and Fish-Man Island no longer needs long term garrison. Jinbe, you will lead the Sun Pirates and cooperate with the Kuja Pirates to hunt pirates near the Sabaody Archipelago. Reduce the pressure on the local marine base."
Jinbe and Elder Nyon stood up together.
"I understand."
"I understand as well."
Sakazuki nodded lightly and gestured for them to sit.
"As for Crocodile, expand the scale of Baroque Works. Set up branches at all seven routes of the Grand Line and hunt pirates and record their information. Submit everything truthfully to the marine bases."
Crocodile's heart sank.
All his funds were currently tied up in the Operation Utopia.
Baroque Works was based at Whiskey Peak, which covered only one route. If he had to establish branches on all seven routes, the project would be forced to stop.
Years of playing the hero. The plan was almost complete. And now…
"Uh…"
Sakazuki glanced at him. "You can go join those two right now."
Crocodile reacted instantly.
"No problem. Leave it to me."
Cold sweat formed faintly on his forehead. Money meant nothing if he was dead.
Sakazuki let out a faint chuckle.
"Very good."
* * *
Outside the Sabaody Archipelago.
A warship slowly sailed away, heading toward the Florian Triangle.
Inside the temporary Fleet Admiral's office, Sakazuki leaned back in his chair.
"How is the evacuation of civilians from the New World progressing."
Carlo replied, "It's proceeding steadily and in order. Since the declaration of war against pirates and the detonation of Firs Island, one of the End Point islands, many civilians within Marine controlled areas want to flee the New World.
"Soter has already begun transporting them with the floating fleet. But at the moment, there aren't many places available. They can only be temporarily settled on sparsely populated islands and uninhabited islands.
"As for civilians under the Four Emperors. They are also afraid, but they can't escape at all. This time the Emperors are unusually coordinated. All ports have been completely sealed. In the latter half of the New World, the only ships that can be seen at sea are pirate ships."
Sakazuki gave a low "Mm."
"Transport as many as possible, and Move them to the other side of the Red Line. Where are the redeployed warships now?"
Carlo checked the latest records. "All summoned warships have arrived at the Florian Triangle. They're awaiting orders."
Sakazuki stood up and looked out the window.
"How long until we arrive?"
Carlo responded, "At full speed, about three days."
Sakazuki nodded. "Full speed ahead."
* * *
On the Grand Line, a remote island.
Inside the town's only casino.
Unlike its usual lively atmosphere, everyone was gathered around a single table.
On the table, both sides' chips were piled high like small mountains.
One man had completely lost himself. His eyes were bloodshot as he pushed all of his chips forward.
"I bet on white!"
Why were his eyes so red? Because the mountain of chips in front of his opponent had all been won from him.
Across the table, a blind middle aged man showed a faint smile.
"Sir, you have courage. Since that's the case…"
He calmly pushed forward the mountain of chips in front of him as well.
"I bet on black."
The dealer swallowed hard and pressed the bell.
Ding!
"Betting is closed."
The roulette wheel slowly began to spin as numerous hearts rose to their throats.
The wheel slowed down bit by bit, and the red eyed man stared in disbelief.
"Black 17! Black wins!"
The blind man smiled. "It seems my luck is better today."
The man who had lost everything suddenly flipped the table.
"Impossible! You cheated…!"
He rushed forward, trying to grab the blind man by the neck.
Bang!
But his body was slammed to the ground instead, unable to move.
The crowd looked at the calm blind man with fear.
A Devil Fruit user.
The blind man stood up and turned toward the dealer. "Please help me exchange these chips."
The dealer trembled the moment he was spoken to.
"Y-yes!"
He hurriedly exchanged the chips for cash and sent this terrifying figure away.
In such remote seas, an ability user meant someone who could act without restraint, like a devil. There were not many good people like that.
Outside the casino.
The blind man walked out carrying a backpack full of Berries.
Feeling the warmth of the sunlight, he smiled softly.
"This way, the travel funds are enough. To bet on the future of the entire world. To completely wipe out all pirates. What incredible resolve. I must experience it myself."
* * *
Kergashi Island.
Marine recruitment office.
A dense crowd packed the already small area.
If not for the many restrictions, even more people would have come. Even so, the numbers were impossible to count.
There were even elderly men with gray hair, claiming to be only thirty, trying to enlist to kill pirates. Several soldiers had to forcibly escort them away.
Isaac looked at the absurd scene and snorted. "Crazy…"
Yet his mind felt strangely unsettled as he moved forward with the crowd.
At the recruitment desk.
"Name."
"Isaac."
"Age."
"29."
"Reason for joining the Mar—"
"..."
Evening.
Isaac walked out of the Marine base in a daze, having completed all the enlistment procedures.
He looked down at the document folder in his hand.
Pa!
He slapped himself hard.
"What am I doing…"
He wanted to tear the folder apart, but his hands would not move.
On the cover were the words "Enlisted by Call Up."
Why did those words feel so hard to let go of.
Somewhere deep inside, he felt an overwhelming sense of honor.
His heart refused to calm down.
"Damn it…"
Though he resisted in his thoughts, the corner of his mouth lifted unconsciously as he stared at the words.
"I'll keep it for now…"
He carefully put it away and walked back home.
* * *
A few days later.
On the warship about to depart, people below tearfully said goodbye to their children.
After this parting, no one knew if they would return alive.
But to support Fleet Admiral Sakazuki in eradicating all pirates, even death was worth it.
If not for age limits, half the island would have enlisted.
In this atmosphere, even Isaac, who had left without telling anyone, quietly wiped away his tears as memories of his mother and sister surfaced.
Sweet moments from childhood. A happy family. His father's broad chest. His mother's warm embrace. His lovely sister.
How had he turned into such a bastard.
"Pirates… pirates…"
In a sudden moment, everything became clear.
"It's all because of pirates…"
His fists clenched tightly.
If there were no pirates…
His father would not have died. His mother would not have lost her mind. His family would not have fallen apart. His country would not have become so poor.
All of it was caused by pirates acting on a whim.
He finally understood the meaning behind the Fleet Admiral's words.
"They treat slaughter as loyalty. For petty arguments, or to vent anger for so-called companions, they massacre nations and destroy islands. They recklessly destroy everything in the world and call it adventure. They openly challenge the Marines and the government and call it freedom."
Their fleeting pleasure became endless suffering for others.
It became widows and orphans across thousands of households on an island.
It became shattered futures.
The warship sounded its horn and slowly began to move. Isaac came back to his senses.
"Kill all pirates…"
His gaze had never been so firm.
"Isaac!!!"
A woman in a long dress ran over desperately, pushing through the crowd.
Isaac froze and grabbed the railing tightly.
"Aria!"
It was his sister.
After forcing her way to the front, she reached the edge of the platform and threw something with all her strength.
Isaac did not have time to see what it was. He lunged forward to catch it and almost fell off the ship, only saved by two fellow recruits who grabbed him from behind.
Aria cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted.
"This is dad's medal! Wear it! You must come back alive! Mom and I will be waiting for you!"
Isaac trembled as tears filled his eyes.
"Okay!!!"
The warship slowly sailed away from the island.
Carrying the hopes of an entire island, it headed toward an unknown future.
Not only here.
Across the world, every Marine recruitment island was playing out the same scene.
These new recruits had no extraordinary talent. They were just the most common people in the world.
Yet what they carried on their backs was the hope of the world's majority.
To wipe out all pirates.
What no one knew was… bearing these hopes… most of them would eventually fall on that island…
Never retreating a single step, even in death.
**
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