Akainu was seriously injured.
He had fought alone against the drug-crazed Whitebeard and sustained heavy injuries.
Then, he was struck by Kaido's Thunder Bagua, which worsened his condition and pushed him to the brink of death.
Fortunately, the Holy Land of Mariejois had the finest doctors and medical equipment in the world, enough to save his life without leaving any serious aftereffects.
The medical environment in Mariejois, which served the Celestial Dragons, was exceptional. The wards were clean and bright, and the air was fresh and pleasant.
However, Akainu wasn't the least bit happy. He lay on the hospital bed, lifeless eyes staring blankly, lost in thought.
Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
Everything that happened in Marineford had completely shattered his worldview.
Caelan's godlike combat power, the rabid dog-like Kaido who followed him around, the group of high-ranking Marines that Caelan took away...
His mind was overloaded. He simply couldn't understand how things had ended up like this.
Just that morning, he had slain Whitebeard, threatened Shanks, and stood tall as the unparalleled hero of the Navy.
By the afternoon, Caelan had arrived, split the Five Elders with one slash, and shattered the dreams of the Fleet Admiral with a single shot.
The glory and splendor of the morning were still fresh in his mind.
Yet by nightfall, he lay in a hospital bed, the Navy in ruins, and the World Government on the verge of collapse.
This so-called Holy Land, Mariejois, seemed more like his grave.
Even a man of iron like Akainu was disoriented, his eyes filled with confusion.
"Sakazuki, how is your injury?"
Saint Saturn and Saint Nusjuro entered the room and asked with concern.
"I'll recover soon with some rest," Akainu turned his head to look at them and responded calmly.
He sighed inwardly. From this day on, only two of the Five Elders remained.
But it was the first time he'd ever been treated so politely by the Elders.
"That's good. At least there won't be any lasting effects," Saturn breathed a sigh of relief.
Akainu was now the last pillar of the Navy. If he could return to full strength, that alone was a blessing.
"Thank you, Saint Saturn, for your concern."
Akainu was slightly taken aback.
This old man had always addressed him as Akainu in a cold, condescending tone.
He had never shown such polite concern before.
For a moment, Akainu instinctively became cautious.
Saturn and Nusjuro exchanged a look and prepared to cut to the chase.
With a pleasant expression, Nusjuro said, "Sakazuki, your performance at Marineford was exceptional."
"After our discussion, we've decided to have you take over as Fleet Admiral immediately."
This was originally meant as a reward before the Battle of Marineford.
Now, it was a burden no one wanted to touch.
Upon hearing this, Akainu simply showed an expression of "I knew it." "Can I refuse?"
He had sensed something off the moment these two old men started acting friendly.
Who in their right mind would want to be Fleet Admiral right now?
The World Government and Navy had both been discredited by Caelan. Their ideology had completely collapsed.
Former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, former Admirals Kuzan and Borsalino, former Marine Hero Garp, and former Chief of Staff Tsuru had all joined Caelan.
He was the only one left holding the face of the entire Navy.
What was even more terrifying was that the Neo Navy was incredibly powerful, and Caelan was practically invincible.
Becoming Fleet Admiral at this point was no different from being buried alive.
Seeing Akainu's clear reluctance, Saturn didn't hesitate. "Akainu, you can't refuse. You're on the same boat as us now."
Are you kidding? He was the only one left to take the fall. There was no way they'd let him go.
"I don't see any reason I should accept," Akainu looked directly at Saturn and replied without backing down.
He was just an admiral. He wasn't deeply tied to the World Government.
Even if he didn't join Caelan, he would rather retire into seclusion than continue serving the Celestial Dragons.
"Don't be so ungrateful. You were begging for this position before!"
Nusjuro's face turned dark, and murderous intent flashed in his eyes. The First Generation Kitetsu in his hand trembled with impatience.
"If you want to kill me, do it," Akainu snorted coldly, disdain in his voice. "Back then, becoming Fleet Admiral might've meant something. Now... heh."
The Navy was in shambles. More than half the personnel had scattered. Those who remained were probably just clinging to the World Government's sinking ship.
And he didn't like those kinds of people.
Even if it was a bit pathetic to die in a hospital bed, he had never been afraid of death.
"You..."
Nusjuro was so angry he almost drew his sword.
But Akainu was the Navy's last hope. Killing him would be a waste.
"Tch."
Seeing Nusjuro's expression, Akainu's contempt only deepened.
Even on the verge of collapse, all they could do was posture in front of him.
Saturn also had a headache. But then an idea struck him, and he smiled wickedly. "Sakazuki, I remember you have a daughter named Hibari, correct?"
He had read Akainu's profile before. There were no relatives listed except for one daughter, which had stood out.
"What are you trying to do?"
Akainu's expression changed instantly.
Saturn smiled at just the right moment. "I've decided to grant you and your daughter the title of Celestial Dragons. From now on, you'll enjoy all the privileges of world nobles."
"I don't want it. And my daughter doesn't need it either!"
Akainu snapped.
Did they really think he didn't understand the current state of the Celestial Dragons?
Right now, the Celestial Dragons were being targeted by Caelan. They were on the verge of extinction.
Even before Caelan appeared, he had always despised the Celestial Dragons.
"Akainu, whether you like it or not, you will accept it," Saturn said coldly. "I've already decided. You and your daughter will be naturalized as Celestial Dragons. Soon, you'll become the first Celestial Dragon Fleet Admiral in history, and your daughter will be brought to the Holy Land to live in luxury."
"Are you threatening me?"
Akainu glared at Saturn.
All that talk about letting his daughter enjoy happiness in the Holy Land was clearly a veiled threat.
"This isn't a threat, it's a win-win," Nusjuro sheathed his sword and smiled. "You made great contributions to the World Government. This is your reward."
"…"
Akainu didn't want any of it. He didn't want Hibari to be involved at all.
Hibari was his only remaining family, and her past tragedies were the foundation of his belief in absolute justice.
Her life was worth far more than his.
"We will send someone to pick up your daughter immediately. You'll be reunited in the Holy Land soon."
"Didn't you always want to be Fleet Admiral? If you don't take the position, the Navy will collapse. Don't you want to stop that from happening?"
"On one hand, you have your daughter and the title of Fleet Admiral you always dreamed of. On the other hand, you die quietly in a hospital bed, and your daughter gets killed by Caelan as a Celestial Dragon."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)