At the same time—
Inside Marineford's grand conference hall, the highest-ranking officers of the Navy Headquarters had gathered.
Sengoku.
Sakazuki.
Kuzan.
Borsalino.
Garp… and many others.
Today's meeting was not about suppressing pirates.
It was about selecting the next Fleet Admiral.
"I'm out."
"Let Kuzan and Sakazuki fight it out."
Borsalino said lazily while trimming his nails, utterly unconcerned.
That was the thing about people—
Once you experienced the joy of slacking off at work, a detached, transcendent aura naturally followed.
Besides…
In Borsalino's view, being Fleet Admiral meant endless exhaustion.
Balancing the emotions of Admirals and Vice Admirals while enduring scoldings from the Five Elders.
Far less relaxing than remaining an Admiral.
And if he became Fleet Admiral, how would he find time to visit Red Romance and have late-night "heart-to-heart talks" with the compassionate ladies there?
They were noble women devoted to their profession.
Their spirit was worthy of praise!
Every night, Borsalino would kneel devoutly behind them in solemn appreciation…
"I recommended Kuzan to Kong."
"The Five Elders favor Sakazuki."
"What do you two think?"
Ignoring Borsalino entirely, Sengoku looked toward Sakazuki and Kuzan.
"Are you going to compete with me?"
Sakazuki's expression was stern, his tone heavy with threat.
"Your personality is too extreme."
"If you become Fleet Admiral, this sea will be dyed red."
Kuzan removed his eye mask and frowned.
As the leading figure of the Navy's "dove" faction, he deeply opposed Sakazuki's "hawk" ideology.
Not just in temperament—
But in execution.
Where Sakazuki went, corpses followed.
"Then let's settle it with a battle."
"Whoever wins becomes the next Fleet Admiral."
Sakazuki exhaled a plume of smoke.
Since merging with the Second Divine Body—
Aside from Doflamingo, no one on the seas impressed him anymore.
"Let's hope you don't lose too badly," Kuzan replied calmly.
Just then—
A Den Den Mushi began ringing inside the conference hall.
Purururururu…
Sengoku answered it immediately.
"Fleet Admiral, this is bad!"
"Scopper Gaban of the Roger Pirates is heading toward the island where Roger was buried!"
"Sunbell, Spencer, and several former Roger Pirates members are sailing toward Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Should we intercept?"
The room fell tense.
Ever since Roger's public execution, his former crew had scattered across the world and lived quietly.
Why were they surfacing now?
Could it be…
A final grand gathering before death?
"Intercept them no matter what."
"I'll dispatch Borsalino as reinforcement."
After hanging up, Sengoku looked at everyone present.
"You've heard the report."
"Begin preparations."
"The duel between Kuzan and Sakazuki will take place in three days."
With that, the meeting ended.
The officers dispersed.
"Congratulations."
"When you become Fleet Admiral, my operations will be completely unrestricted."
Xiao Zizai called out from behind Sakazuki.
"You'd better restrain yourself."
"Sengoku isn't truly retired. He remains the Navy's Chief Inspector."
"He oversees everything."
Sakazuki lowered his voice.
"And don't think I don't know what you've done."
Xiao Zizai adjusted his glasses casually.
"You mean secretly killing a Celestial Dragon?"
"The World Government still hasn't noticed."
"Shut up!"
Sakazuki's heart skipped violently as he clamped a hand over his mouth.
After confirming no one was nearby, he released him.
"You're insufferably dull."
"Sigh…"
"I still owe Ron a Devil Fruit. Looks like I'll be busy."
Smiling faintly, Xiao Zizai walked away down the corridor.
"What a lunatic…"
Sakazuki rubbed his forehead.
"Forget it. I'll head to Sabaody and speak with Her Majesty."
...
Inside the Multiverse Tavern—
Ding-ling…
The bell rang as the door slowly opened.
Ron looked up.
A man stepped in wearing a top hat, monocle over his right eye, and holding a cane.
Every movement exuded refined gentlemanly grace.
"Welcome, Mr. Jack the Ripper."
"I'm Ron, the tavern's owner."
Ron greeted him with a smile.
Jack the Ripper—
From the world of Record of Ragnarok.
Humanity's representative in the fourth match against the gods.
He had faced Heracles, the demigod who embodied justice and compassion.
The Valkyrie Brunhilde once described him as "the scum of scum," the embodiment of humanity's malice.
He was also the third guest possessing the "pervert" trait.
"Good morning, Mr. Ron."
Jack removed his hat and bowed elegantly before taking a seat at the bar.
His voice sounded weak—
As if he had suffered severe injuries.
Soon, Tohru placed a bottle of wine before him.
"Your drink. Please enjoy."
"Thank you."
Jack filled his glass and drank it in one motion.
Gulp…
The sharp burn of alcohol spread through him.
"Ah…"
He exhaled in satisfaction.
Filling his glass again, he did not drink immediately.
Instead, he spoke softly.
"The voice that guided me here said…"
"You can guide the confusion within me and relieve the pain in my heart."
"Is that true?"
Though he had won against Heracles—
The methods he used had been utterly ruthless.
He represented humanity.
Yet he endured humanity's cruelest insults.
That did not bother him.
What weighed on him most was this—
For a humanity that despised him,
He had killed the only god who ever loved him.
Ron lit a cigarette and spoke calmly.
"If Heracles truly loved humanity—and loved you—"
"Does it make sense for him to stand against humanity and brutally beat a killer fighting on their behalf?"
"Why didn't he stand up against Zeus? Against the gods?"
"Brunhilde dared to."
"Why couldn't he?"
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