Chapter 250

"Then let them duel immediately. Is there any time left to delay given the current situation?"

"Garp Kong, issue your orders. Whoever becomes Fleet Admiral, their first task will be a world-wide recruitment drive!"

"Facing the aggressive stance of the Five Emperors Luo Xing and the Beasts Pirates, we must increase our combat power!"

"Additionally, you must mobilize the entire army, always prepared for a full-scale war with the Beasts Pirates!"

214. The Battle of the Navy Admirals: Aokiji vs Akainu! Their respective justices!

The Beasts Pirates' current territory, besides their main base and Wano Country,

openly includes Dressrosa, Punk Hazard, the Sabaody Archipelago, and the Germa Kingdom in the North Blue.

Not yet known to outsiders are Alabasta and the surrounding villages in the East Blue where Nami resides.

And during the Summit War,

Kaido and the Damalian Alliance occupied Whitebeard's territory in the New World, expanding their domain another twofold.

Nowadays.

Luo Xing has launched a war in the North Blue, intending to use Germa's clone army to carve the North Blue out of the World Government's jurisdiction.

Once successful, it would mean the World Government, which has ruled the seas for eight hundred years, has had its foundation completely shaken!

After all,

this great sea is composed entirely of the four seas of Dongnanxibei, the Grand Line, and the Red Line.

The loss of the North Blue is equivalent to the World Government shrinking its territory by one-quarter.

Plus, in the latter half of the Grand Line, the New World, except for a few forces like the Red Hair Pirates, is basically under the domination of the Beasts Pirates.

The Beasts Pirates' overall power and territory are now sufficient to go head-to-head with the World Government!

Even if the Five Elders lack brains, they see this clearly.

The threat of the Beasts Pirates right now is even far greater than that of Rocks and the Pirate King Luo Jie back in the day!

The World Government can no longer have any 137 reservations; they must gather more troops and combat power, always ready to start a true, world-spanning massive war with the Beasts Pirates!

This is also the order and consideration of my lord Imu!

Therefore.

The Five Elders directly ordered Garp Kong to mobilize the entire army worldwide, that is, to summon the World Government's forces scattered across various locations.

Once these forces gather, it will be an army of at least tens or even hundreds of thousands!

Yet with so many troops, the Five Elders still find it insufficient.

They also demand a world-wide recruitment drive by the Navy to add more combat power to counter the growing threat of the Beasts Pirates.

"Let Akainu and Aokiji decide the winner quickly; the Navy has no time to wait for them!"

These were the exact words of the Five Elders, which soon reached the ears of Akainu and Aokiji.

The two exchanged glances and, in perfect unison, went to a certain deserted island far from Marineford.

In the original story,

the great battle between Akainu and Aokiji took place on Punk Hazard, permanently altering the island's climate and turning it into an Ice-Fire Island.

But now Punk Hazard is territory of the Beasts Pirates, guarded by the Inferno Disaster Scorch; naturally, they could not choose that place again.

On the deserted island.

Akainu's injuries from the Summit War have already recovered (bjdh), though several permanent scars remain on his face and neck, all caused by the world's strongest man, Bai Huzi.

In comparison,

the unscathed Aokiji and Huang Yuan were merely slacking off during the Summit War.

Their hard work and merit are far from comparable to Akainu's.

However,

even with such great merit and hard work, Sengoku still set his heart on having Aokiji succeed him as Fleet Admiral; how could Akainu not feel anger and dissatisfaction?

This is too unfair!

Fortunately, there are voices within the Navy supporting Akainu.

Especially the high-ranking officials like the Five Elders, who favor Akainu even more, giving him the chance to compete fairly with Aokiji for the position of Fleet Admiral.

Akainu looked at Aokiji across from him and said coldly:

"Kuzan, with your lazy nature, you are simply unsuitable to be Fleet Admiral!"

Aokiji retorted without any courtesy:

"Sakazuki, even if I indeed lack drive, the Navy cannot be handed over to you under any circumstances!"

"Your justice is too extreme! Do you remember that civilian ship you shelled in Ohara?!"

A sneering curve appeared at the corner of Akainu's mouth as he laughed:

"I didn't expect you to remember something so long ago."

Then, the smile gradually turned cold, chilling to the bone.

"Regarding that matter, I consider myself to have done no wrong!"

"What if there were hidden scholars aboard that civilian ship?"

"For the safety of the world, it is better to kill a hundred by mistake than to let one escape!"

Aokiji's face darkened.

Sakazuki was indeed as extreme and radical as ever, completely incompatible with his own philosophy.

Aokiji took a deep breath and said:

"Since that is the case, there is no need for more nonsense; let us decide the winner with strength!"

"Just as I wished!"

Akainu shouted loudly and struck first:

"Great Fire Blast!"

A molten lava giant fist roared out.

Aokiji felt no fear.

He likewise threw an ice giant fist, meeting Akainu's strike point-for-point.

This clash of ice and magma, each countering the other, left no clear victor.

Yet neither man was willing to retreat a single step; both chose to fight to the death.

Although they were not enemies, but rather comrades who had served together for many years,

for the sake of their respective justices, they had to hold the conviction of killing one another!

This unprecedented, earth-shattering battle between the Navy's Admirals lasted a full ten days and ten nights.

The final victor was Sakazuki Akainu.

Aokiji lay on the ground, covered in blood, one leg burned away by the magma.

Akainu panted heavily, a massive wound on his upper body, yet he still stood.

"I have won, Kuzan..."

Akainu's throat was hoarse; he clenched his fist, magma surging forth, seemingly intent on finishing off Aokiji right then.

Yet gazing at his former comrade, now powerless to resist, the iron-hearted Akainu suddenly felt a flicker of reluctance.

Akainu ultimately abandoned the killing of Aokiji; he turned and walked toward Marineford, saying without looking back:

"Watch closely, Kuzan. I will make you understand that only under my leadership will the Navy move in the right direction!"

"The lazy, conciliatory justice you cling to will serve not the slightest purpose in this increasingly chaotic era of Great Pirates!"

"Kuzan, let me warn you one last time: if you ever fall and I encounter you again, I will show no mercy!"

Akainu departed.

He would, as the new Fleet Admiral, forge a new Navy unlike any era before.

And Aokiji, the loser, lay on the ground for a long time, unable to come to his senses.

No one knew how much time had passed,

when Aokiji fashioned a leg from ice and stood up.

He gazed toward Marineford and shook his head.

The Navy was a place he could never return to.

And now, where should he go next?

Aokiji could not help but recall the words spoken to him more than ten days ago by that mysterious Fifth Emperor, Luo Xing.

That man seemed to have foreseen that Aokiji would not prevail against Akainu, and had even then invited him to join the Beasts Pirates.

Aokiji initially found this invitation utterly absurd.