Seeing that no one stepped forward to accuse or provoke him as an Admiral, Sakazuki finally felt a slight sense of relief.
To be honest, he had been a little tense during that earlier scene. Not because he feared anyone rebelling. He was Sakazuki, after all, a Marine Admiral with overwhelming strength. If anyone dared to jump out, one Meigo would be enough to send them flying.
What he was really worried about was Ortoren's pack of mad dogs refusing to give him any face at all, lumping him together with Aramaki and tearing into him as well.
What, you're an Admiral, who would dare curse you?
Didn't you just see those Commodores and Rear Admirals a moment ago, chewing out Vice Admiral Aramaki like he was a nobody? These hardcases who came up from the New World Marines wouldn't give a damn about your rank.
That said, Sakazuki probably hadn't even realized yet that the New World Marines faction actually held him in fairly high regard.
First of all, most of the New World Marines faction stationed at Headquarters were veterans who had fought pirates on the front lines of the New World. They had climbed the ranks step by step on the back of real combat achievements.
A group like that naturally leaned hawkish. In fact, many members of the New World Marines faction were closely connected to the hawkish camp. The reason Sakazuki felt earlier as if such a large hawkish presence had suddenly vanished was the same one. Back then, it was a matter of stance. Now, it was a matter of politics. Many so-called hawks were, at their core, New World Marines.
Second, Sakazuki had personally gone to the New World and taken part in the decisive battle against the Whitebeard Pirates. In the eyes of some New World Marines, that alone suggested that Admiral Ortoren and Admiral Sakazuki were on good terms. After all, when their own Admiral went to war, Sakazuki had even brought his own rations and taken the initiative to head to the front lines in support.
On top of that, Sakazuki's performance in that battle had been broadcast to the entire world. Everyone saw it clearly. He was ruthless, decisive, and brutal, perfectly in line with the values of those so-called mad dogs of the New World Marines.
Coupled with Sakazuki's authority at Headquarters at this very moment, it was only natural that the New World Marines faction would not treat him the same way they treated Aramaki.
When the meeting room finally settled down, Sakazuki let out a cold snort.
"From this moment on, if I see any further violent conflict within Headquarters, I don't care who started it or who threw the first punch. Anyone involved will be dealt with under military law. Not a single one of you will be spared."
As soon as Sakazuki said this, Commodore Raiset, Rear Admiral Bastille, and Vice Admiral Saonglimah exchanged glances, a trace of regret and helplessness flashing through their eyes.
The three of them had just agreed that once the meeting ended, if that bastard Aramaki dared to take some back alley, they would find a way to sack him and beat him up to vent their anger.
It was obvious that all three were bold to the point of recklessness. They didn't even bother considering whether Aramaki was too strong, or whether the three of them could actually keep him under control.
But that was the New World Marines' style. You might be strong, but that didn't mean they wouldn't dare to throw hands.
Besides, ever since Aramaki had been dropped into his position from above, he hadn't produced any real achievements. Everyone knew he was a Mera Mera no Mi user, but how strong he actually was had never been truly acknowledged. Naturally, they weren't particularly afraid of him.
Once Sakazuki saw that no one dared to stir up trouble anymore, he continued.
"As for the written order from Fleet Admiral Sengoku that was sent down earlier from Mary Geoise, I already said it. The New World front is currently at war. Ortoren may not have been able to grasp the situation yet. It's only been six hours. What's the rush? I'll have people press them and follow up again. Let's see how things look over there tomorrow or the day after."
As his words fell, the New World Marines faction seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. One by one, they straightened up, their expressions turning openly smug as they looked toward Aramaki and his people.
Aramaki's face twitched slightly, doubt flickering in his eyes.
Something about this didn't feel right.
Before Aramaki could say anything, Sakazuki spoke again.
"However, we still don't have a clear picture of what's happening on the front lines. Headquarters has lost channels to many of our contacts in the New World Marines. Whether this is a pirate scheme or something else, no one can make a call right now. So Headquarters needs to tighten its defenses as well. Borsalino, once this meeting ends, you'll take command of every warship currently in port and put them on combat alert."
Borsalino lifted his teacup, took a sip, and replied, "No problem."
Aramaki, who had still been harboring doubts, finally relaxed. Right, of course. Admiral Akainu couldn't exactly stand up in this setting and openly mobilize troops on the grounds of "guarding against Ortoren." Using an excuse like this was the only way it would make sense.
The New World Marines faction's expressions turned serious again when they heard Sakazuki's order, but no one spoke up to oppose it. Sakazuki's reasoning was solid, and there was nothing to pick at.
More importantly, they were currently "a group of dragons without a head." If you wanted them to scrap or argue among themselves, sure, that was easy.
But until their own Admiral issued orders, none of them knew what the next step was supposed to be.
Make the wrong move, and they would only cause trouble for their Admiral.
In a situation like that, it was all too easy to end up on the back foot.
Before long, under Sakazuki's step-by-step arrangements, Marine Headquarters settled back into order.
With nothing else to add, Sakazuki quickly adjourned the meeting.
He and Borsalino left the conference room, and Aramaki hurried after them.
Sakazuki and Borsalino had just stepped into the elevator when Aramaki forced his way in behind them.
"Admiral Akainu, what's the next move? It'd be better if we coordinate with each other. Otherwise, we'll end up with the same kind of mess we just had. Don't you agree?"
Sakazuki nodded, his expression calm. "You're right. After this, I plan to take part of our forces to the New World port at the Holy Land and set up a new defensive line. Borsalino will remain here to hold Headquarters. You'll come with me…"
The moment Aramaki heard "set up a defensive line," he was convinced Sakazuki was preparing to move against Ortoren. This was a perfect chance to earn credit.
Even if he didn't rack up merits, just showing his face on the front lines at Mary Geoise would be enough. He could make an impression on the Celestial Dragon lords and curry favor with the Five Elders.
Aramaki agreed without hesitation. "No problem. I'll head back and make preparations."
As soon as the elevator doors opened, Aramaki sensibly stepped out first. After Sakazuki and Borsalino returned to the Admiral's office, Borsalino finally spoke.
"So, you've really made up your mind?"
"What, at this point you're thinking of staying out of it?" Sakazuki replied quietly.
"Of course I'd like to stay out of it," Borsalino said with a hint of helplessness. "But… I don't have a choice."
Sakazuki lit a cigar and said, "Honestly, at first I thought you'd side with Saint Saturn."
"Why would you think that?" Borsalino asked, a little puzzled.
"You two were on pretty good terms, weren't you? And he made you quite a few promises," Sakazuki said calmly.
Borsalino burst out laughing. "Promised me what? That I'd become an Admiral once everything was settled? Sakazuki, back then, if I'd really wanted to be an Admiral, you and Ortoren wouldn't have risen so easily yourselves. From the very beginning, Saint Saturn's promises meant nothing to me at all. All I ever wanted was to go back to the Science Corps, drink tea, read the papers every day, and live a relaxed, easy life."
"That's true," Sakazuki said with a stiff smile. "Mary Geoise can't give you that anymore."
Under Ortoren, there was no shortage of capable Marines. Losing Borsalino wouldn't change much. But Mary Geoise was different. In a situation like this, they would only work Borsalino to the bone.
"But that's not the main reason," Borsalino added softly.
Sakazuki glanced at him. "Then what was it that made you decide?"
"This morning I arrived together with the World Government fleet," Borsalino said. "Before I disembarked, I happened to see Fleet Admiral Sengoku. He looked at me with that trusting gaze and even smiled. What a headache… I was trained personally by Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Before I was transferred to the Science Corps, when he was still an Admiral, I served as his aide."
He smacked his lips, clearly reluctant, then continued, "That's exactly why I never wanted to leave the Science Corps. Over there, I didn't need to deal with much social maneuvering, and there was hardly any pressure. But when something like this happens, it leaves me stuck, unable to move forward or back."
"Is that all?" Sakazuki asked, his tone somewhat strange.
"Of course not," Borsalino said, his expression turning serious. "For the Fleet Admiral of the Marines to be taken away just like that by Mary Geoise… that's not just disrespecting him. It's disrespecting the entire Marine force."
To people like the Five Elders, this kind of thing didn't even register. They stood too high above everyone else and were long used to thinking and acting this way.
But to figures like Sakazuki and Borsalino, this was outright humiliation, blatant bullying.
That, too, was one of the reasons Sakazuki had finally made up his mind. When he watched Fleet Admiral Sengoku being taken away, it suddenly hit him that Sengoku had been right all along.
What they wanted wasn't a Navy that upheld justice, but a Navy that obeyed.
Mary Geoise had indeed promised him the position of Fleet Admiral. But today, in this situation, they dared to forcibly take Sengoku away. Once the pressure from so-called "external threats" like Ortoren disappeared, they would only become even more arrogant.
Would it really mean anything for him, Sakazuki, to become that kind of Fleet Admiral?
Before long, Sakazuki changed the subject. "I'll be heading to the New World port at the Holy Land soon. I'll wait for Ortoren there."
"You're planning to challenge him?" Borsalino raised an eyebrow, looking more amused than concerned.
Sakazuki let out a soft sigh. "If I don't fight for it at least once, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. So no matter what, I have to fight."