One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

"Ah-la-la, seriously, what's Sakazuki up to now?"

Kuzan, who had returned to his lazy state since leaving the island, found his slothful tendencies acting up again as he sprawled out on a beach chair. Just as he was drifting into a light sleep, Kuzan was abruptly woken up by shouts from not far away.

The vice admiral, who was now quite grumpy about being disturbed, propped himself up slightly, squinting toward the direction of the noise as he grumbled.

"It seems Vice Admiral Sakazuki is conducting a lecture," answered a rear admiral who, well aware of his superior's temperament, had quickly climbed up the mast and taken over the lookout's job, binoculars in hand as he scanned toward Sakazuki.

Kuzan let out a sleepy sigh, his half-lidded eyes heavy with drowsiness. "The Marines who went ashore for the search are probably on their way back soon, huh? Leave the personnel checks for the evacuation ships to the government officials."

"But—"

"Wake me up when we're close to headquarters." Kuzan rested his head on his hands, shifting into a sunbathing position and promptly falling back to sleep.

"Vice Admiral Kuzan! Wake up, we're almost at Marineford!"

The ever-dutiful rear admiral, who had taken on the role of Kuzan's temporary caretaker, called out to the vice admiral, who stretched lazily and yawned. As Kuzan rose, the rear admiral couldn't help but glance at the other warships, silently lamenting. Other vice admirals were always on the front lines, commanding with authority, while their own—well, just look at him!

The fleet, maintaining a defensive formation, was returning to Marine Headquarters in an orderly manner. The towering military fortress of Marineford, with its design heavily influenced by the architectural styles of World War II-era Japan, loomed into view.

Located at the very heart of the Grand Line, this crescent-shaped island bordered the Sabaody Archipelago and the Red Line, strategically controlling the critical choke point leading to the New World.

 Alongside Enies Lobby and the infamous underwater prison Impel Down, Marineford formed a triangular stronghold. Between these points were massive reverse whirlpools, and access to any of the three required passing through the enormous "Gates of Justice," which were arranged in a triangular pattern.

The front of the fortress prominently displayed the seagull emblem symbolizing peace and order and the bold, unmistakable characters for "Marine."

Standing at the bow of the ship, Sakazuki kept his hands in his trouser pockets, his legs slightly apart. The word "Justice" emblazoned on his cape billowed in the wind as the sea breeze swept across.

Sakazuki carefully observed the grand war fortress, built into the natural mountainous terrain. Massive, large-caliber cannons were installed across Marineford's various zones, while the circular deep-water harbor at the front remained ice-free and unobstructed, allowing for year-round navigation.

The harbor could easily accommodate and handle dozens of large warships at once. Inside the bay, dozens of enormous gun emplacements were arranged in an orderly manner. Tall lighthouses built into the cliffs on both sides allowed for reconnaissance over vast distances, making Marine Headquarters an almost impregnable fortress.

With dockside personnel assisting in command, warships could berth at the deep-water harbor without even needing towing support. Sakazuki handed over command to the rear admirals of each ship, who oversaw logistics, personnel assignments, and the maintenance of weapons and ships.

Meanwhile, five vice admirals made their way directly to the upper levels of the fortress to report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the overall commander of this military operation. The fortress's interior was spacious, with many rooms laid out with tatami mats and equipped with various training facilities.

 The upper levels housed the offices of the fleet admiral, admirals, and vice admirals, as well as conference rooms of various sizes for important meetings.

Led by Sakazuki, the five vice admirals entered Sengoku's office. Although the upper level wasn't as expansive as the lower areas, Sengoku, as a symbol of the Marines and one of its highest combat forces, enjoyed certain privileges. The office was adorned with plants and even featured a sizable patch of grass.

"Report!" Sakazuki snapped to attention with a sharp "snap" of his heels, his posture rigid as he saluted. His right hand rose swiftly, fingers pressed tightly together. Standing opposite him at a desk, seemingly absorbed in reading some documents, was Fleet Admiral Sengoku. The other four vice admirals saluted with equally precise and disciplined movements.

Sengoku, with his Buddha-like voluminous hairstyle, lifted his gaze from the documents and looked at the five generals who had carried out the Buster Call operation. His voice was steady and authoritative.

"At ease. You've worked hard."

 Rising from his desk, Sengoku, who was tall and imposing, possessed a robust physique that rivaled even the burliest among the five vice admirals, including Sakazuki. As he approached, Sakazuki and the others couldn't help but feel a palpable sense of pressure, even though they knew it wasn't deliberately aimed at them. Sengoku's natural aura of authority surpassed that of any one of them.

He had a long, jet-black beard that was distinctively braided and hung down to his chest like a plait. Wearing round, black-rimmed glasses, his demeanor was warm and scholarly. Were it not for his formidable physique, one might have mistaken him for an academic.

 His sharp, perceptive eyes seemed capable of seeing through anyone, much like the Buddha of legend. His pristine uniform underscored his identity as a Marine. Sengoku's epithet, "The Buddha," was undoubtedly well-deserved.

Sakazuki spoke again. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the military strike operation—the Buster Call—has been completed. Ohara has been wiped off the map by overwhelming cannon fire.

The illegal scholars of Ohara have been eradicated. Nico Olvia, who previously escaped from Marine imprisonment, has been recaptured and is currently detained in the headquarters' prison. Vice Admiral Jaguar D. Saul, who defected and resisted arrest, was killed on the island by Kuzan and me. The civilians aboard the evacuation ship are being identified and processed by government personnel. Awaiting further orders. Please advise."

"Excellent. You've completed the mission exceptionally well, maintaining peace and justice in the world. Write a detailed report on the mission's specifics. You've worked hard—go rest. You are dismissed for now!"

Sengoku looked at these exceptional and powerful officers with approval and ordered them to rest.

While Sengoku, as a fleet admiral, wasn't a "field officer" in the traditional sense, he and the admiral rank occupied a unique echelon of command. Vice admirals, on the other hand, were the highest-ranking officers with substantial freedom of action. Admirals, as symbols of the Marines' ultimate combat power, primarily served as deterrents. Their deployment signified major Marine actions or significant events. Day-to-day high-level operations, however, relied on the vice admirals as the backbone of the Marines.

Sengoku's rational management ensured that these high-ranking officers wouldn't become physically and mentally exhausted.

"Yes, sir!" came the crisp reply as the vice admirals dispersed to rest. Only Sakazuki and Kuzan remained behind.

Sengoku raised an eyebrow, curious. "Hmm? Is there something else you need to report immediately?"

______________

Happy reading guys i hope you are enjoying!