200 With the Justice System

Marine Headquarters.

Fleet Admiral's Office.

Sakazuki sat behind his massive desk.

Between his fingers was a freshly delivered top-secret document. At the bottom of the report, a line stood out clearly:

"Target has been successfully extracted through secret channels. He expressed admiration for you and for Justice, and awaits your direct call!"

"Shua—"

Sakazuki set the file aside, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and dialed an encrypted number.

"Purupuru~"

"Click—"

The Den Den Mushi quickly connected, its features morphing until it took on the face of a man with sharp features and raised eyebrows.

Aramaki.

"Sakazuki...?"

The voice on the other end carried barely restrained fervor and worship.

Aramaki.

"It's me."

Sakazuki's deep, powerful voice came through.

"Aramaki, the wind of the sea has changed."

"Yes! Sakazuki! I saw it in the Marine Daily!"

"Those remnants of the old era—Whitebeard and Red-Hair—were both buried by the Marines at Marineford! That's true Justice!"

"Sakazuki, your unwavering conviction... it's just so damn cool!"

Aramaki's tone trembled with awe, his voice thick with admiration.

"And that guy Hawke! He single-handedly wiped out Red-Hair's crew! What a monster!"

"..."

"Aramaki, calm down..."

"The Marines and the World Government are about to collide."

"???"

"!!!"

"..."

Silence instantly filled the line.

Aramaki's fanatical expression froze solid.

Marines... and the World Government?

About to clash?

Impossible!

Those two... how could they ever come into conflict?!

"Hu—"

Aramaki's breathing quickened.

Inside his heart, a fierce battle raged.

On one side stood the man he idolized to the core—the embodiment of Justice itself.

On the other side stood the very foundation of world order—the World Government he had always defended without question.

Which side... should he stand on?!

Beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead and trickled down his cheeks.

"Aramaki, when you've made up your mind... call me."

Sakazuki's voice was calm.

He didn't rush, didn't pressure—he left the choice to him.

"Click—"

The call ended.

Sakazuki set the Den Den Mushi back on the desk and leaned back in his chair.

"Hu—"

He pulled out a cigar and lit it.

Thick smoke curled slowly before him.

A squad of God's Knights had been annihilated at G-3 Branch.

The thin veil that once masked the tension between the Marines and the World Government—had been completely torn apart.

But so what?

Torn is torn!

Now, he stood at the heart of Headquarters—Marineford.

The old generation guarded Paradise's G-3 Branch.

That brat Hawke was about to head for G-5 in the New World.

Kuzan was sweeping the Four Seas, ready to reinforce at any time.

Borsalino, the strongest mobile force, could support any front instantly.

Across the entire ocean, every key position was anchored by the Navy's top powerhouses.

The Marines no longer feared tearing faces with anyone.

Of course, the more time they had to prepare—the better their odds.

Just then—

"Purupuru~"

The Den Den Mushi on the desk rang again.

Sakazuki picked it up. The Den Den Mushi's features once more shifted into Aramaki's face.

"Sakazuki..."

"I've made up my mind!"

...

Marine Headquarters, Training Grounds.

"Yayayaya~"

Kizaru stood with his hands in his pockets.

"You two brats are absolute monsters, huh?"

He looked at the two panting figures across from him, his eyes behind the lenses curving faintly.

Hawke-kun's two Vice Admirals—both were outstanding talents, full of strength and potential!

Prime candidates for future Admirals!

Seems like his own generation's retirement wasn't too far away~

"Curly-brow!"

Zoro gripped his sword tighter, the crimson aura around him blazing like tangible fire. "Let's go!"

"Hmph, moss-head!"

Sanji stomped down hard, his black combat suit instantly coating his body. "Just keep up with my rhythm!"

Before his words even faded, Sanji's figure twisted in the air and vanished.

Stealth Black!

"Oh?"

Kizaru's eyes narrowed behind his glasses.

A sharp gust of wind tore in from his left blind spot!

Sanji's form appeared out of thin air, his right leg cloaked in Armament Haki as it came crashing toward Kizaru's temple.

"Nice kick..."

Kizaru tilted his head ever so slightly.

Sanji's seemingly perfect strike grazed his nose and missed.

"But... too slow."

Kizaru raised his right leg. A thin laser beam shot out, striking Sanji's ankle.

"Ugh!"

Sanji grunted in pain, stumbling back.

And in that instant—Zoro moved!

The ground beneath his feet exploded, and his entire body turned into a crimson blur!

" Rakshasa!"

"Hmm... that killing intent, not bad."

Kizaru's body dissolved into countless points of light, vanishing just before the strike landed—only to reappear behind Zoro.

He lifted his leg, golden light gathering at his toes.

"Light-Speed Kick."

"Boom—!"

Zoro was blasted away, carving a long trench in the ground.

"Damn it!"

Sanji steadied himself, his expression grim as he watched Zoro get sent flying.

So this was Admiral Kizaru's strength?

Speed, power, experience—he outclassed them in everything.

At this rate, there was no winning!

"Hey, moss-head!"

Sanji shouted, "Use that move!"

"..."

Zoro struggled to his feet, nodding heavily.

"Got it!"

"Oh?"

Kizaru's gaze sharpened with interest as the duo regrouped, their aura shifting drastically.

"So you're finally going to show me what's at the bottom of your box, huh?"

"Shu—"

Sanji flickered forward, appearing right in front of Zoro.

"..."

Zoro slowly closed his eyes. The once-wild blood energy around him began to pulse rhythmically—expanding and contracting.

He shut out all distractions, sinking his mind into a blood-red silence.

The cold touch of Wado Ichimonji was the only thing he could feel.

"Hu—"

"Devil!"

Sanji inhaled sharply, his right leg sweeping a vicious arc through the air—unleashing a jet-black flame slash!

"Now!"

"Rakshasa!"

Zoro's eyes snapped open, his whites turning blood-red!

He poured every ounce of blood, will, and conviction into Wado Ichimonji.

"Buzz—"

The blade sang with a piercing hum.

A crimson slash ripped through the air!

One before, one behind—two ultimate strikes fused together midair!

The black demonic flame and crimson Rakshasa aura intertwined like twin dragons, spiraling and amplifying each other—

Until they merged into a colossal beast of destruction, red and black entwined!

"Yo~"

Kizaru took his hands out of his pockets, watching the fusion strike with a smirk.

"Now this... is something flashy!"

A blinding light burst from his fingertips.

"Boom—!!!"

The red-black beast of destruction crashed into the golden light, detonating with a thunderous roar!

A storm of raw energy swept across the entire training ground, tearing the reinforced floor apart, dust and smoke rising high.

When the smoke finally cleared—

"..."

Kizaru still stood in place. His striped suit was coated in a thin layer of dust.

Nothing more. Not a single injury.

"!!!"

Zoro and Sanji's pupils shrank to pinpoints.

Impossible!

Their strongest combined attack hadn't even scratched Admiral Kizaru?!

"That was a good one."

Kizaru brushed the dust off his suit, his tone lazy but genuine.

"Good power, clever coordination. You blended two completely different Haki flows together nicely..."

"Even an old man like me doesn't see that often!"

"If that had hit me clean... it would've hurt, you know!"

"But unfortunately..."

His body flickered, leaving behind a fading golden afterimage.

"I represent... absolute speed!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

Two heavy impacts rang out simultaneously.

Both Zoro and Sanji were struck in the abdomen, sent flying into the edge of the training ground.

"Yayayaya, honestly..."

Kizaru strolled leisurely toward the edge.

Hawke sat nearby, leaning back in his chair, cigar in hand, reading a stack of intel reports.

"Hawke-kun."

"Those two brats of yours are getting scarier by the day."

"In a few more years, I might be the one getting outclassed, huh?"

"Just thinking about it gives me chills."

"Haha, they've still got a long way to go before they can surpass you."