Chapter 31: "The Vengeful Survivor"

In the grand war room of Marineford, the tension was palpable. The large, pristine room was filled with high-ranking Marine officers, their eyes fixed on the massive screen that displayed the ongoing battle. Every strike, every blow exchanged between Akainu and William was being broadcast live, the harsh sounds of their fight reverberating through the walls.

Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, stood with his arms crossed, his expression grim as he observed the scene. The entire room was silent except for the distant echo of fists colliding with flesh and the roaring sound of magma against dragon scales. The battle had raged for what felt like hours, yet neither Akainu nor William had given an inch. It was a war of titans, and Sengoku knew this fight had far-reaching implications.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the silence. "He's from Ohara!? I never thought… There was another survivor beside her.?" Aokiji's deep, calm voice broke the quiet. The former admiral had been silent for much of the battle, but now, his head was lowered, his face shadowed by regret.

Sengoku didn't respond immediately, his brow furrowed as he watched William's dragon hybrid form continue to tear into Akainu. But the name "Ohara" hung heavily in the air. A painful reminder of one of the Marines' darkest decisions.

Aokiji sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck as he turned his head away from the screen. "I should've stopped him back then. I should have saved more of them…" His voice trailed off, filled with regret and guilt. "Akainu burning those refugee ships full of women, children, and people just trying to escape. That wasn't justice."

In contrast, Garp, the legendary Marine Hero, was leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed behind his head, watching the battle with a bemused smile. "It's funny, isn't it? We burned an island full of innocent people to the ground, destroyed their history, and now we have this kid, this **beast**, coming after us for revenge. Makes you wonder if 'justice' is really what we think it is."

Sengoku shot Garp a sharp look, but the old man's words hung heavily in the air.

Tsuru, the Vice Admiral and master tactician of the Marines, spoke next. Her voice was calm, analytical, as always. "This boy, William—his strength, his fury—he's not just a vengeful survivor. He killed a Celestial Dragon. And on top of that, he has a mythical Zoan Dragon Fruit. If he escapes, he will become a symbol for everyone who has suffered under the World Government. He's already proven himself to be dangerous. If we don't stop him here, he'll become a far greater threat."

Sengoku's jaw clenched as he considered Tsuru's words. William's terrifying power, his connection to Ohara, his Dragon Fruit—it was all coming together in a storm of vengeance. And if he wasn't stopped, that storm would tear through the World Government like nothing they had ever faced before.

As the officers continued to watch the battle unfold, the screen showed William unleashing a devastating fire attack. The flames surged forward, threatening to engulf Akainu, who barely managed to retaliate. Sengoku's heart raced. He could see Akainu struggling, and the realization hit him hard: they might lose a powerful admiral today.

"We can't let this fight continue." Sengoku finally said, his voice heavy with determination. "Akainu is strong, but even he is struggling. If this continues, we may lose him."

Garp leaned forward, an amused glint in his eyes. "You're worried about him? You should be more worried about what happens when that kid gets his hands on a few more allies. A survivor from Ohara with a score to settle isn't something we should take lightly." He chuckled again, though there was a hint of something darker in his tone. "You all created this kid. You thought you could bury Ohara and its history, but it seems the past always comes back to bite you. He's not just some criminal; he's a monster *you* made."

The tension in the room was palpable, and Aokiji sighed. "He's driven by revenge. It's dangerous for someone to have nothing left to lose." 

A silence fell over the room once again as Sengoku's eyes narrowed, watching William's dragon form roar with fury, black and gold scales glistening under the light of Akainu's magma. He could feel the power radiating off William even through the screen, a raw, unbridled strength that made even the mightiest of Marines pause.

Sengoku's mind raced, knowing that this could no longer be left in Akainu's hands alone. This boy was dangerous, more dangerous than he had realized.

"Has Kizaru reached Mary Geoise yet?" Sengoku asked, his voice sharp and focused. They couldn't afford any more delays.

From the transponder snail sitting on the table, Kizaru's lethargic voice came through. "Ooh, I've just arrived, Fleet Admiral. Mary Geoise looks as shiny as ever." There was a hint of amusement in his tone, but it was hard to tell if Kizaru ever took anything seriously.

Sengoku's fingers tightened around the snail receiver. "Good. I'm ordering you to assist Akainu immediately. You are to bring William in, dead or alive. Do whatever it takes, Kizaru. This is not a fight we can afford to lose."

Kizaru's voice responded with that same lazy drawl, "Oh dear, it sounds like things are getting intense. Very well, I'll be on my way."

Tsuru leaned in, her eyes focused on the screen. "Even with Kizaru's help, this won't be easy. William is unpredictable, and he's been forged by years of fighting for his life. The arena, the Celestial Dragons, everything he's gone through—it's all made him into what we're seeing now. A force of nature."

Sengoku nodded, his expression growing darker. "We need to contain him here and now. If he escapes, the repercussions will be disastrous. His presence alone will stir rebellion."

Aokiji, still standing in the corner, sighed again. "We could have stopped this, back then. We could've done things differently."

Garp chuckled, shaking his head. "It's too late for regrets, Kuzan. This is the world we made."

As the screen showed William unleashing his draconic fury, the officers exchanged anxious glances. The reality of the situation began to settle in; they were watching the rise of a powerful enemy, one forged by loss and revenge. A force that could challenge the very foundations of the World Government.

As they continued to watch the battle, Sengoku felt a chill run down his spine. The outcome was uncertain, and the consequences of failure loomed over them like a dark cloud.

Suddenly, the screen flickered, showing a bright flash of light as Kizaru arrived on the battlefield. The Marine officers watched as the man known for his speed and lethargic attitude appeared, stepping out of a beam of light with his usual calm expression.

---

**Back to Mary Geoese...**

The battlefield was a wreck. Magma and molten rock bubbled everywhere, the land around Akainu and William scorched and burned beyond recognition. Akainu, battered and bloodied, was still standing, his gaze locked onto William, who remained in his hybrid form, his dragon claws flexing as he stood tall and imposing, a predator ready to strike again.

William's breathing was heavy, but his eyes were still burning with rage and bloodlust. His massive wings were outstretched, the golden membranes shimmering as he stood, a powerful symbol of destruction. Akainu's chest rose and fell in ragged breaths, his left side still burned from William's earlier fire attack, though the admiral refused to show weakness.

The sudden appearance of Kizaru drew both of their attentions.

"Oh my, things seem quite heated here," Kizaru said with a sly smile as he adjusted his yellow-tinted sunglasses. "Akainu, you've really let things get out of hand, haven't you?"

Akainu grunted, his eyes never leaving William. "Don't waste time, Kizaru. This brat is a bigger problem than we thought. He's no ordinary criminal—he's a mythical Zoan Dragon Fruit user, and he's from Ohara."

Kizaru raised an eyebrow, his casual demeanor not faltering. "Ohara? Hmm, that does complicate things. Well, I suppose it's time to take this seriously then."

William's gaze shifted between the two admirals. His chest heaved, his powerful body glowing with the inner fire of his Dragon Fruit. He knew who Kizaru was, knew the speed and lethality of his attacks. But William's expression didn't falter.

The two admirals stood side by side now, their combined presence formidable. Akainu's magma bubbled menacingly, while Kizaru's light shimmered with deadly speed.

As the tension on the battlefield grew to a breaking point, the air crackled with energy. The stage was set for an even greater clash.