120. Shock Fruit Birth

The news that Akainu became the new Marine Fleet Admiral spread throughout the world like a hurricane.

The rise of the new Marine Fleet Admiral will bring about significant changes to the world's balance of power.

After all, after so many years of development, the Marines can almost represent most of the World Government's power.

Under the management of former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Hero Garp, and other strong Marines of the older generation, the Marine's strength has been steadily growing, so much so that even the World Government cannot completely ignore their ideas.

Just like this battle for the Fleet Admiral position, Kuzan (Aokiji) would have had no chance at all if the World Government's control over the Marines was as strong as it used to be. However, in this competition, even though Aokiji lost, he at least had the right to compete fairly. This demonstrates the influence of the senior executives of the older generation of Marines. The World Government's control over the Marines has dropped to a very low level.

As for Akainu, who now controls such a powerful force, his will is destined to affect the future actions of the entire Marine and even change the global situation. Akainu's iron-fisted approach may really provoke an all-out war between the Marines and pirates.

Along with the news of Akainu becoming Marine Fleet Admiral, another equally shocking piece of news spread: Admiral Aokiji, after failing to win the position of Fleet Admiral, resigned from his title and completely left the Marines. Although this news isn't as shocking as Akainu becoming the Marine Fleet Admiral, it still caused quite a stir.

As a Marine Admiral, Aokiji might be the first in Marine history to withdraw completely. The departure of such a supreme combat power is a significant loss for the Marines, especially given Aokiji's strategic Devil Fruit ability. In this context, the power gained through world conscription is not as strong as it might seem. Without counting the retired older generation powerhouses, there is almost no change between the current Marines and their previous strength. One Fleet Admiral retired, one Admiral is gone, and two new Admirals have been conscripted. That's it.

Compared to Aokiji's impressive record and strength, the two new Admirals are unknown entities, and no one knows if their combat power can fill the gap left by Aokiji.

No one knew that the turmoil within the Marines was just a precursor to a huge wave. After Sengoku announced his retirement and Akainu took office as the new Marine Fleet Admiral, Akainu made a high-profile announcement to transfer Naval Headquarters from the G1 branch in the first half of the Grand Line. This means that the Marines, under Akainu's leadership, will focus all their combat power on the New World to compete head-to-head with the increasingly powerful pirates there.

In this tense atmosphere, a bombshell announcement detonated a massive storm across all factions. The king of Dressrosa, Shichibukai Doflamingo, announced a gladiatorial fight for the whole world. The winner would receive the legendary Gura Gura no Mi (Tremor-Tremor Fruit), the Devil Fruit of the world's strongest man, Whitebeard, which is said to have the power to destroy the world.

"That bastard Doflamingo," Akainu muttered. In the Marine conference room, his gloves glowed as hot molten iron and puffs of black smoke rose from the table. Akainu, with a cigar in his mouth and a hideous scar on his face from the battle with Aokiji, was furious. In his opinion, Doflamingo, as a Shichibukai, should have contacted the Marines immediately about such a significant event instead of causing such a massive upheaval on his own.

"Has the response to the dismissal of Doflamingo from the Shichibukai not come down yet?" Akainu whispered.

Fujitora, one of the Admirals who came from the World Conscription, smiled. One of his main goals in joining the Marines was to abolish the Shichibukai system. This proposal quickly gained the support of most Marines.

Although the Shichibukai system helps balance the power of the sea, to most Marines who dream of expelling pirates and maintaining justice, it is a disgrace. This system was initially proposed and directly appointed by the World Government, and from the beginning, Marine's top brass opposed it. However, their objections were overruled by the Five Elders.

Now, with the perfect opportunity to abolish the Shichibukai system after the Summit War, the system is practically a relic. The remaining Shichibukai—Doflamingo, Bartholomew Kuma, and the Pirate Empress—can no longer balance the power against the New World's new Four Emperors. Besides, there are hardly any pirates left who could be suitable for the Shichibukai. Almost all the famous big pirates have formed their own alliances.

So, the Marines swiftly proposed the abolition of the Shichibukai system to the higher-ups. However, the Five Elders have not responded yet. If the Shichibukai system isn't cancelled, the Marines can't act against Doflamingo, nor can they ensure that the Tremor-Tremor Fruit won't fall into the wrong hands.

"Damn it, those bastards up there," Akainu cursed in a low voice.

Sengoku, munching on senbei, seemed to hear him. He had always been unhappy with the Five Elders but had to be responsible as the former Marine Fleet Admiral. Now that he was retired, he felt freer to criticize the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders, like Garp, without repercussions.

Akainu, with his fiery temper, might soon clash with the Five Elders. They want to use Sakazuki (Akainu) as their enforcer, but they might get burned holding this fiery blade.

"Here we come, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki. The order from above is here," a Marine liaison officer said excitedly as he opened the conference room door.

"The Five Elders have directly ordered the abolition of the Shichibukai system."

"It's finally here," Akainu said, a rare smile appearing on his stern face. "Ten warships will set off, targeting Dressrosa. Fujitora, Aramaki, Kizaru, and Mr. Sengoku, you will go to Dressrosa. Make sure to secure the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. When necessary, you are authorized to initiate a massacre."

Akainu's eyes darkened as he spoke calmly.

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