203 With the Justice System

Five days later.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

On the harbor, "Huu—"

The salty sea wind whipped Rayne Hawke's justice cloak over his shoulders, making it snap loudly.

Behind him, four rear admirals of Headquarters — Zoro, Sanji, Dane, and Hibari — stood like four immovable mountains.

A little further back were Commodores Kujaku, Smoker, and Hina.

Beyond them, ten giant warships and twenty large naval vessels formed an iron fleet, rising like a metal wall.

The fleet was ready to sail; every deck bristled with uniformed, battle-ready elite Marines.

"..."

Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and Admiral Kizaru stood shoulder to shoulder before Hawke.

"Hawke…"

Sakazuki spoke first. "The New World is in your hands."

Hawke raised his hand in a salute, his voice clear: "Yes, sir!"

"Yo~"

Admiral Kizaru lifted a hand and patted Hawke on the shoulder. "Hawke-kun, call me anytime if anything comes up~"

"You know I'll get there at full speed — I'll be there quick!"

"WhenI am free, I'll come find you for tea~"

"Mm."

Hawke smiled faintly and said no more.

He turned, then strode up the gangway onto the flagship.

"Vuu—"

The flagship gave a deep, mournful blast of its horn.

Then, as if awakened, the entire iron fleet — under the admiring gazes of countless Marines — slowly moved away from the harbor.

They rode the waves toward the last bastion of chaos and crime — the New World!

...

Holy Land, Mary Geoise.

At Pangea Castle, among the halls of power.

"..."

Unlike the vibrant energy at Marineford, this place was deathly silent — like a tomb.

Five elderly figures sat quietly in luxurious chairs: the Five Elders.

"..."

Silence — a long, heavy silence.

"According to Garling, Shamrock's life card has completely vanished!"

Saint Mars spoke first. "And gone with it was the squad of the Knights of God he commanded."

"It seems G-3 is being guarded by heavy Marine forces."

"Hmph—!"

Saint Peter slammed his hand on the armrest, his golden beard trembling with anger.

"So that means…!"

"The Navy's heart of rebellion is no longer concealed!"

"We cut off all funding and supplies, yet they were not affected — instead, they grow more rampant!"

"..."

"This means…"

"They have found new sources of funds and supplies sufficient to sustain the entire Navy's operations!"

Saint Warcury's brow knit tightly. "Where are these funds and supplies coming from?!"

"From those foolish member nations, or those reckless non-member nations?"

"Or perhaps both?!"

"That's not important…"

"What matters now is: how will this situation be ended?"

"Should we wake Imu-sama?"

Saint Mars' voice dropped as he raised the suggestion that made the other four faces change at once.

"..."

Wake Imu-sama?

The thought rose in all their minds at once.

Imu-sama's power was the world's ultimate truth.

If Imu-sama acted, whether it was a rebellious Navy or a rampant Yonko, they would be wiped away in the blink of an eye.

All problems would cease to be problems.

But…

"No!"

Saint Nusjuro rejected it outright. "Go to wake Imu-sama now? What would we tell him?"

His words were icy and sharp, striking the others like blows.

"Tell him that the Navy we've tightly held for eight centuries has rebelled?!"

"Tell him that our proud piece has completely slipped from our control?!"

"Tell him that under the leadership of the five of us, the seas have gone out of control?!"

Saint Nusjuro's eyes swept the room.

"If Imu-sama wakes and finds the world in this state, he will be furious!"

"At that point, it won't only be the Navy that dies!"

"The five of us… not one of us would survive!"

"Sss—"

The other four showed deep dread on their faces. Indeed, Imu-sama's wrath was unbearable to them — a catastrophe a thousand times worse than a Navy rebellion.

"Then what do we do?"

Saint Satan asked in a low voice, powerless in it.

"Do we just let the Navy run rampant?"

"Of course not!"

A flash of ruthlessness passed through Saint Nusjuro's eyes.

"The Navy's strength and plans have indeed exceeded our expectations."

"But they also have fatal weaknesses…"

"They must, in the name of peace and justice, disperse their forces!"

"Their greatest strength has been divided!"

Saint Nusjuro rose slowly and laid a world map out.

"All the seas think we are pampered rulers, and they've forgotten…"

"We are also warriors at the pinnacle of the world!"

"I propose the five of us act personally!"

"With thunderous force, strike the Navy at its weakest point!"

"As long as we can severely wound the Navy and chop down their strength, we'll have a chance to take back control and reverse the situation!"

At his words the others stiffened.

Act personally?

They exchanged looks and found the long-suppressed resolve mirrored in each other's eyes.

Yes — the Navy's rebellion was ultimately their failure.

If so, then they would correct this failure with their own hands.

"Agreed!"

"Let it be so!"

Saint Peter asked, "Where shall we choose as our first target?"

Thud—!

Saint Nusjuro pressed his finger hard onto the map, on the waters of the New World.

"Here — the G-5 Branch!"

He analyzed coldly: "Marineford is the Navy's old nest, with Sakazuki himself stationed there and elite forces gathered; it's as solid as a fortress."

"At G-3 we've already lost several investigation teams. It must be heavily guarded and on high alert."

"Only G-5 is the best choice!"

"The New World is already chaotic; the Supernova alliance led by Kid is stirring more trouble."

"Rayne Hawke, a newly promoted admiral, isn't firmly established yet, and handling such a complex situation will distract him and keep him off balance!"

"More importantly…"

A cruel curl tugged at Saint Nusjuro's mouth.

"He showed off greatly at the Summit War and was hailed as 'the Navy's future,' an idol worshiped by countless young men!"

"If we kill him, we can utterly crush Navy morale!"

"Hawke is the best target to make an example of!"

"Agreed!"

Saint Warcury snorted heavily, his two curled mustaches trembling.

"Take that brat's head and show the world government's authority!"

Saint Mars' voice turned dark. "Let every fool on these seas see what happens to those who oppose the World Government!"

Saint Saturn's face showed excitement.

"Send the order!"

Saint Nusjuro's voice fell like final judgment.

"The Knights of God — full assembly!"

"Target —"

"The New World, G-5 Branch!"