Chapter 36: Haki
A burnt smell permeated the conference room, evidence of Akainu's unleashed rage following the shocking news. Kizaru's bored expression froze, and the glass of water in Tensei's hand shattered, spilling liquid onto his clothes. A deathly silence took over the room.
At the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Shapu, trembling and not daring to say another word, could only await his superiors' response.
After a pause that felt eternal, Akainu took a deep breath and, with a solemn voice, said, "Alright, good job. I'll send someone to West Blue. Be ready." He hung up the phone carefully, but the tension in the room remained palpable.
Neither Akainu, Kizaru, nor Tensei could believe what had happened. Though the Marines had faced challenges before, the loss of a Vice Admiral of Tokikake's caliber was a severe blow they couldn't ignore.
Tensei, wiping his hands of the spilled water, voiced his concern, "Something's wrong. King is a formidable opponent, but it was unlikely he could defeat Tokikake with three warships supporting him."
Kizaru, rubbing his brow, added, "Mmm, if King is that powerful, things in Wano might have taken an unexpected turn."
Akainu, with a somber tone, declared, "Something strange is happening. I'll send someone to investigate and check on Tokikake. Whatever happens, the credibility and dignity of Marine Headquarters are at stake."
However, a disturbing thought lingered in his mind. Tokikake's death made him consider an absurd possibility: the resurrection of the Ninja God. Though he dismissed it as unlikely, he couldn't help but contemplate the chance that King had somehow increased his strength extraordinarily.
Whatever the truth, Akainu was determined to send someone to investigate and take the necessary measures to protect the Marines' reputation. He didn't want to cause panic among the populace, so he decided to keep the news a secret until more information was available.
"Alright, that's all, you're dismissed," Akainu ordered.
"I'll have Ryokugyu withdraw from Wano. I don't want another unexpected incident," he added, staring at the office ceiling.
Kizaru left the room without looking back, his dull glasses hiding his thoughts.
Tensei, with a serious expression, stood up and said, "I'll increase surveillance on the main pirate groups. Let's not release this news for now."
Akainu hesitated for a moment and then, with resignation, accepted Tensei's suggestion, "At least until we're completely sure it's Tokikake, we won't publish it."
Tensei nodded and left.
Akainu, alone in the office, let out a sigh and approached the window. He looked out at the sea and, with a mix of fury and determination, said, "I've become Fleet Admiral in an era full of pure evil."
"I'll drag every single one of them back to the damn depths of the sea." Akainu's anger burned like the magma erupting from his fists.
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At that same moment, many things were happening in Wano following Ryokugyu's arrival. Landing on the island's shores, he headed to Udon, first encountering the old prisoner mine where Queen and other Beasts Pirates were located. With astounding ease, he killed them and absorbed their life.
Confident, Ryokugyu ordered a warship to capture the pirates, especially the new Yonkou. Then, he moved towards the Flower Capital, drawn by the noise and celebrations. But plans rarely go as expected.
He was intercepted by the Red Scabbards, Yamato, and Momonosuke. Despite his superiority and the monstrous advantage of his Devil Fruit, Ryokugyu was taken by surprise when Momonosuke mastered his dragon form, breathing hot fire that injured him in his tree-man form. After being hit again by the pink dragon's breath, Ryokugyu grew tired of being attacked and decided to end this Kaido copy.
However, just as he was about to absorb the dragon's nutrients, enormous dark clouds formed in Wano's sky, with thunder and black lightning. Suddenly, red bolts struck Ryokugyu in his tree form.
"Red-Haired Pirates?!"
Paralyzed, he could feel the unmatched Haki. He hadn't expected them to be in Wano's waters.
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