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Sabaody Archipelago.
News of Straw Hat's revival and public recruitment of subordinates spread throughout the lawless zone, causing quite a stir.
However, another sudden event drew everyone's attention, making them completely forget about Straw Hat.
"Hoenn Marines Fleet Admiral Kuzan challenges Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!"
"Whoa, whoa, this is huge!"
"Location... Punk Hazard!"
Not long ago, the Hoenn Government moved its headquarters to Reverse Mountain's All Blue Canal, and since then, its actions had been extremely high-profile, unlike its previous low-key approach.
In a short time, Hoenn had several conflicts with the Marines, with both sides clashing and refusing to yield.
To capture the same group of pirates, the two sides would even agree to fight first, with their respective commanding officers battling it out. Whoever won would take the pirates.
Now, even the Fleet Admirals were challenging each other!
In a certain bar.
Kuzan held the newspaper, his face dark.
"I didn't plan to be so high-profile!"
He was indeed on his way to Marine Headquarters to challenge Sakazuki, because if he didn't fight soon, he worried he wouldn't have the chance later.
After all, the Marines were on the verge of disintegration.
Now, the Hoenn Marines were strong and well-equipped, no longer as cautious as before. Their reach extended further, with Marine branches within their jurisdiction joining Hoenn every now and then.
For example, the Loguetown branch in East Blue.
The massive changes in North Blue made Hoenn's legitimacy increasingly unshakeable. As time passed, the internal divisions within the Marines would only become more severe.
As far as he knew, the Marines' Admirals had already split into two factions.
One side was the conservative faction, advocating for maintaining the status quo. The other was the radical faction, advocating for joining the Hoenn Government and breaking away from the World Government.
Sakazuki was considered part of the conservative faction.
In short, a civil war was about to break out.
In the end, the Marines might not even be able to retain their nominal justice, completely degenerating into a special interest group—the private army of the Celestial Dragons.
Therefore, he had to challenge Sakazuki!
He had waited more than twenty years for this battle.
It wasn't just for justice, but also for the anger from back then. If he didn't settle things with Sakazuki, he would never find peace in his life.
He had originally planned to sneak into Marine Headquarters, secretly find Sakazuki, and then find a deserted place to fight it out—to put an end to years of overt and covert struggles.
But he hadn't intended to be so ostentatious!
"It must have been Daichi who leaked it!"
Kuzan rubbed his leg, veins bulging on his forehead.
Only Daichi knew his plan!
"If I lose to Sakazuki, how can I go back!"
Kuzan helplessly picked up the sherry, guzzling a large mouthful, then let out a long sigh with a smile.
The impact of a public decisive battle on the soldiers of both sides was self-evident. It could be said that his and Sakazuki's victory represented the victory of the two major military forces.
The victor would represent "Justice."
Clearly, Daichi intended to resolve the conflict between the two Marine forces through this duel between the Fleet Admirals, thereby reducing strife.
Among the current Marines, there were still countless righteous individuals. They just hadn't adapted to the rapidly changing world.
Sakazuki was the same.
He was merely dissatisfied with Sakazuki's overly radical ideology, but he never denied Sakazuki's justice, nor did he believe that justice only had one form.
But justice should stand together.
Also, although he had been set up, if he could defeat Sakazuki under the world's gaze, he would feel incredibly satisfied.
"Ahrara, not enough wine."
The gathering of Straw Hat should have attracted the attention of many forces, but now it didn't even cause a ripple.
All forces' attention was focused on the impending "Fleet Admiral's Duel," which would be the decisive battle between the two major armies.
Mary Geoise, Chamber of Authority.
"Refuse this duel?"
Sakazuki, cigar in mouth, had a gloomy expression.
"What a joke! The enemy's challenge letter has been delivered to my desk. If I refuse, how can I, the Fleet Admiral, still have face?!"
"Don't speak wildly, Sakazuki!"
"What is your face worth!"
"What the Marines need now is stability!"
The Five Elders coldly reprimanded him, showing Sakazuki no respect.
The continuously sinking Red Line had long made them anxious, and now the Hoenn Marines' open provocation was undoubtedly an attempt to accelerate this war.
Times have changed.
This Fleet Admiral's duel cannot happen!
If he won, it would be fine, but if Sakazuki lost this match, the current Marines would be completely disheartened, and the consequences could be even more severe.
They couldn't afford to gamble.
Nusjuro said coldly, "A former Marine Admiral has now become the Hoenn Fleet Admiral and is challenging the Marines. With such an impropriety, what right does the military still have to speak of decency!"
Sakazuki's veins bulged!
"If it weren't for your continuous blunders, allowing that Daichi to seize the opportunity, how could this have—"
"Watch your mouth, Sakazuki!"
The five glared simultaneously.
"Hmph!"
Sakazuki snorted coldly, not backing down an inch.
"Even if I disregard the Marines' face, I must participate in this duel. The Marines have no retreat!"
The Five Elders' breathing hitched.
Sakazuki's concerns were also reasonable.
One step back, and every step is a retreat.
The situation between the two major powers had unknowingly reversed. Hoenn had not only gained Dragon and Fujitora as two major combat forces—most importantly, it had won the hearts of the people.
Hoenn's ideology was inherently superior, and now it had created a future for humanity, making it impossible to fool the public by manipulating public opinion.
Paper cannot cover fire forever.
If Sakazuki could win, the Marines could at least hold on for a few more years, relying on the World Government's financial resources and influence to complete their transformation.
The useful slogan of "Justice" would soon be unreliable. Only absolute interests and violence could maintain the World Government's existence.
The Five Elders exchanged glances and nodded silently.
"Sakazuki, we can allow you to face Kuzan, but there's one condition!"
Meanwhile, Sabaody Archipelago.
"Setting sail!!!"
With Straw Hat Luffy's shout, the Thousand Sunny submerged into the sea, heading toward Fish-Man Island, ten thousand meters below the surface.
The Straw Hat crew reunited, and their first crew meeting was held.
"Listen up, Luffy!"
Sanji pulled out a Groudon emblem, meticulously cautioning, "As long as you see something with this mark, absolutely do not provoke it!"
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!!!"
The crew members nodded in unison.
In the past two years, they had heard a lot about Hoenn and the Groudon Company. If they provoked them, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"And this!"
Sanji then took out the Beast Pirates' emblem.
"Fish-Man Island, where we're headed, is protected by this flag. You can fight back against bad guys, but you must never actively cause trouble!"
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!!!"
The other crew members nodded one after another.
The Yonko Beast Pirates were equally terrifying and were allied with the Groudon Company, both being forces under that man.
Luffy looked puzzled.
"Are they very powerful?"
"Of course!"
Everyone responded in unison, even Zoro.
The only person in this world who didn't know how terrifying that man was was probably a super idiot like Luffy.
It's better to kill a Celestial Dragon than to provoke Daichi!
Luffy laughed heartily.
"Sounds like fun!"