Chapter 22
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Chapter 22 Akainu: It's a Good Time to Overthrow Big Mom!
In the New World, at the Naval Headquarters, a Marine soldier rushed into the Fleet Admiral's office. He saluted with his right hand to his temple and declared, "Report! New developments have emerged across all nations!"
Opposite the entrance stood a tall plaque, bearing the philosophy of the current Fleet Admiral, "Radical Justice." Beneath the plaque lay a long table covered in various documents where the Fleet Admiral, Akainu Sakazuki, conducted his official business.
Sakazuki lifted his head, the scars on his face visible beneath his hat brim, and commanded with a grave tone, "Speak!"
"Yes!" The soldier ceased the formalities of his salute and proceeded, "Kaido has defeated Big Mom! She's gravely wounded, and her fate is uncertain! Kaido has escaped with Charlotte Pudding."
"Moreover, the four commanders of the Charlotte family — Perospero, Katakuri, Smoothie, and Cracker — are on the brink of death!"
"The main contingent of soldiers stationed on Cake Island has been annihilated, Big Mom's castle has been reduced to rubble, and much of the island lies in ruins!"
"Currently, thirty-four islands are in various states of anarchy, and thousands have been displaced!"
After delivering his report, the soldier stood in silence, awaiting the Fleet Admiral's orders.
Sakazuki pondered, wrestling with his options. "Inform the Grand Inspector, the Grand Staff Officer, and the Admiral remaining at the headquarters to come here."
"Yes!" the soldier hastened to summon the men.
Left alone in his office, a gleam sparked in Akainu's eyes. He mused to himself that this was the perfect opportunity to wipe out Big Mom group. The prospect of eradicating a Four Emperor faction ignited his blood.
He reached for his teacup on the right side of the table and noticed that the tea was already bubbling and steaming. Only then did he remember his own body's extreme heat. Unfazed, he drank calmly, the searing temperature not bothering him.
The Marine Grand Staff Officer Tsuru, the Grand Inspector Sengoku, and the Admiral Fujitora arrived in succession. They marched through the corridor and into the Fleet Admiral's office, instantly recognizing Sakazuki's combat-ready demeanor.
The three sat down with grave faces, exchanging glances. They had been briefed on the way about the wartime intelligence from their spy and knew this was an unprecedented chance to obliterate a royal faction. Even the most peaceable of Marines wouldn't pass up this chance, least of all the hawkish and iron-willed Sakazuki.
It signified the restart of their war against the imperial order after two years! Facing the decimated Charlotte family and their leaderless dragons, victory was assured.
"I understand the situation completely," Sakazuki affirmed to his three colleagues.
"We must indeed seize this opportunity," Vice Admiral Tsuru interjected, her composed demeanor suggesting total control.
"This time, we must ensure no mistakes occur," declared Sengoku, his gray hair complemented by his crossed legs.
Fujitora nodded in agreement, knowing Sakazuki had likely called the three of them for this reason. "Very well, finally no one has any objections this time. Set off for the port as soon as possible. The allocated armaments are ready."
"What about the scale?"
"Five full warships, plus two Vice Admirals, Bastiu and Dalmesia. Is that enough?"
"That's enough."
The three nodded with satisfaction, thinking this was not just sufficient, it was overkill! Each battleship carries a thousand people; five means five thousand elite soldiers who can master Armament Haki and some six-style. They are capable of defeating tens of millions of Berry pirates in single combat without breaking a sweat. Add to this the five of Marine's top officers, and the combat effectiveness rivals that of a Buster Call! Even if the Charlotte family were at the peak of their power, frontally engaging them would still be a formidable challenge. Sakazuki was taking this operation very seriously, it seemed.
Sengoku nudged his light-reflecting reading glasses, feeling that Akainu treated pirates much more harshly than he ever did. Perhaps it was a good decision to make Akainu Fleet Admiral after all. "Bring Charlotte Linlin back alive!" Akainu emphasized.
Staff Officer Tsuru paused, furrowed his brows in thought, and asked, "Are you planning to use her for human experiments?"
Sengoku, hearing this, stroked his bearded chin and said, "BIGMOM's skin is comparable to that of the Lunaria tribe, and her natural power exceeds that of giants. She could be very useful, but detaining her will be challenging." Even with Seastone, she could probably use her remaining strength to break through steel. The risks for researchers would be significant.
Fujitora rested his hand on his scabbard, his face marked with folds and scars, and spoke lightly, "This old man can suppress her for a while. It won't be forever, but it should be sufficient." His gravity was the best tool for suppression, and with his presence, that force was unresistible.
Tsuru and Sengoku, after careful thought, felt Fujitora's method was feasible and asked about the situation at SSG.
Akainu stood, handing them the prepared documents. "The Pacifistas are nearly complete. SSG can use more pirate genes, and the research team wants more samples. BIGMOM'S exceptional abilities will serve well."
"So, she must be taken alive."
Tsuru, after a penetrating look into Sakazuki's eyes, took a deep breath and replied, "We will do our best."
Following this, the three exited the Fleet Admiral's office as Sakazuki gestured with his head. Akainu was once again alone in the office. He left the long table and slowly walked to the window atop the fortress, overlooking soldiers busy below and the vast sea. His gaze was solemn, filled with deep resentment toward the pirates, and he clenched his cigar.
"Eliminate the pirates, starting with the Charlotte family!" he declared