Marine Headquarters was already mobilizing before Rosward's emergency call reached Sengoku.
The operations chamber beneath the Fleet Admiral's office had been transformed into a map of Sabaody.
Each grove was marked with evacuation routes, defensive positions, and projected Beasts Pirates entry points. Red markers moved steadily through the western channels.
Kaido's fleet had arrived faster than expected.
Tsuru stood beside the central chart, directing branch ships away from the civilian lanes.
Zephyr coordinated rapid-response units leaving Marineford, while communications officers relayed orders to Sabaody and the Red Line.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino were all present.
None was sleeping, trimming fingernails, or inventing excuses.
Sakazuki leaned over the western approach with his arms folded.
"If Kaido reaches the inner groves, the mangrove roots will turn the entire archipelago into a trap. Fire, resin, and panicked civilians will do more damage than his fleet."
Kuzan studied the eastern evacuation routes.
"I can freeze sections of open water to create temporary barriers, but not from Marineford. By the time a ship carries me there, the battle will already have begun."
Borsalino adjusted his tinted glasses.
"I can arrive first."
His usual drawn-out tone remained, but the laziness behind it had disappeared.
Sengoku turned from Rosward's sleeping Den Den Mushi.
"Your primary mission is Kaido. Protect the evacuation routes, keep the Beasts Pirates away from the mangrove roots, and support Garp's defensive line."
"And Zaraki?" Sakazuki asked.
The room became quieter.
Sengoku looked toward the written report describing Charlos's attack on the freed slave, Garp's warning, and Zaraki's controlled strike.
"He directly struck a Celestial Dragon," Sengoku said. "There is no Marine regulation that makes that lawful."
Tsuru nodded.
"The circumstances matter politically, but they do not erase the act."
Sakazuki's jaw tightened.
"That brat keeps forcing Headquarters to choose between discipline and survival."
"He stopped Charlos from firing into an evacuation crowd," Zephyr said. "Remove him now and Kaido reaches Grove 1 with one less fighter capable of standing in front of him."
"I did not suggest removing him now."
Sakazuki's answer surprised several officers.
He pointed toward the western route.
"Kaido first. Zaraki answers afterward."
Kuzan pushed his sleeping mask farther up his forehead.
"That sounds almost patient coming from you."
"It sounds like prioritizing an Emperor over one idiot with a bubble helmet."
Sengoku looked at Borsalino.
"You are not being sent to arrest Zaraki. Prevent further escalation between him and the World Nobles if the evacuation vessel has not departed, but do not interfere with him while he is engaging Kaido unless he endangers civilians."
Borsalino's mouth curved faintly.
"What a frighteningly specific assignment."
"You are the fastest available officer."
"And if Kaido and Zaraki decide to continue their previous fight in the center of Sabaody?"
"Move the fight west."
"With what?"
Sengoku's glare sharpened.
"Use your imagination."
"My, my."
Borsalino stepped toward the open launch balcony overlooking Marineford's bay.
Light began gathering along his body, not as an instant teleportation across the world but as the beginning of his established high-speed transit through a chain of reflected paths and prepared signal points toward Sabaody.
Before leaving, he glanced back.
"What should I tell the Five Elders when they order me to place the World Noble incident above Kaido?"
Sengoku's voice remained steady.
"Tell them Fleet Admiral Sengoku ordered otherwise."
The light intensified.
Borsalino vanished from the balcony in a brilliant beam directed toward the first relay mirror outside Marineford.
Sakazuki watched the fading glow.
"They will demand consequences."
"I know."
"For Zaraki."
"I know."
"And perhaps for everyone who witnessed the nobles being defied."
Sengoku placed both hands against the table.
"I know."
Tsuru studied his expression.
"What will you do?"
"Preserve Sabaody. Save the civilians. Stop Kaido. Then I will deal with the political disaster that remains."
Zephyr looked toward the command feed from Grove 1.
"And if the Five Elders try to punish Zaraki before the battle ends?"
Sengoku's gaze hardened.
"Then they will be obstructing an active Marine defense operation."
It was not a declaration of rebellion.
It was a line carefully drawn through procedure and command authority, narrow enough for Sengoku to defend and firm enough to prevent the Government from removing one of his strongest fighters at the worst possible moment.
A communications officer raised one hand.
"Fleet Admiral! Live visual from Grove 1!"
The screen changed.
Dorry and Brogy stood aboard their reinforced longship behind the outer breakwater, new weapons raised.
The Oni Slayer had shifted into a firing position without placing its cannons toward the mangrove roots.
Law's Polar Tang remained beneath the eastern shelf, prepared to receive wounded and relocate personnel.
Zaraki entered the platform from the evacuation road.
Garp arrived several steps behind him after ensuring the World Noble vessel had departed.
Above the western channel, the clouds split around the enormous body of an azure dragon.
Kaido had reached Sabaody.
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