As Akainu glared at Sengoku with anger and dissatisfaction, he calmly spoke, "I cannot give you the explanation you seek. If I recommend Aokiji, it can only mean that he is more suitable than you. I believe in my choice, and I trust that it is the right one."
Although Sengoku didn't understand why he had recommended Aokiji, since he had made the recommendation, there must be a reason behind it.
However, Akainu couldn't accept this answer. He glared at Sengoku and Aokiji with frustration before returning to his seat, crossing his arms and wearing a clearly disgruntled expression.
Kizaru, on the other hand, looked at the behavior of Sengoku and Akainu with a hint of helplessness. Why didn't anyone ask for his opinion? Although he was equally interested in the position of Fleet Admiral.
As for Kizaru, he watched their performance with a comical expression on his face, showing a hint of regret. It's a pity, he thought, he thought he was going to witness a terrible scene.
To the relief of the Marines who were secretly observing nearby, chaos did not erupt. They were genuinely worried that Akainu's hot temper would lead to a falling out with Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Although no incident occurred at the moment, it was evident that they had fallen out.
Akainu's dissatisfaction as Fleet Admiral was written all over his face.
However, everyone was curious as to why Sengoku, who had a similar style to Akainu, would choose Aokiji as his successor. In contrast, Aokiji's style was more similar to Vice Admiral garp's. Why would Sengoku choose Aokiji as his successor?
It was puzzling.
But what they were more curious about was the answer to this question.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku resigns and recommends Aokiji as his successor.
However, the question asks who the next Fleet Admiral will be.
It was clear that it wasn't that simple.
The potential candidates to succeed as Fleet Admiral were clearly among the three Admirals.
Admiral Kizaru was definitely not a candidate.
Even fools could see that Sengoku was very dissatisfied with Kizaru after the incident at Enies Lobby. Even without that incident, Kizaru was not within Sengoku's considerations for the position of Fleet Admiral.
It could be said that the position of Fleet Admiral was basically between Admiral Akainu and Aokiji.
Since the question provided information that Sengoku recommended Aokiji but asked who the next Fleet Admiral would be, could it be that the true successor was not Aokiji, but Akainu?
This idea shocked everyone. They couldn't believe that Sengoku and Akainu wouldn't consider this possibility.
Sengoku furrowed his brows, pondering what had happened, while Akainu wore a smug smile on his face. In the end, the position of Fleet Admiral would still be his. Sengoku was blind, but those in higher positions understood who was truly more suitable to be Fleet Admiral.
At this moment, the Four Emperors of the New World and the pirates of the Grand Line were all captivated by this question.
It was a major issue that was closely related to them. The identity of the Fleet Admiral essentially determined the future style of the Marines and their attitude towards them.
If this guy Akainu, who was even more extreme and warlike than Sengoku, became the Fleet Admiral, the seas would become even more perilous for them.
---
On the Moby Dick, the Whitebeard Pirates were contemplating the question posed by Luo ke.
They were also surprised by Sengoku's recommendation of Aokiji, as their impression and animosity were more towards Akainu from the Summit War.
Aokiji, despite being their enemy, didn't leave much of an impact during the war apart from creating a tsunami and freezing the sea. It was Akainu who was the main force in taking down the Whitebeard Pirates.
It was unexpected for them that someone like Akainu, who played a significant role in the Summit War, wasn't chosen as the next Fleet Admiral by Sengoku. They thought Sengoku would value him more, especially considering the seamless cooperation they witnessed between Sengoku and Akainu during the assassination plot against Whitebeard.
However, for the members of the Whitebeard Pirates, this turn of events was rather amusing. They found it comical that Akainu had put in so much effort during the war only to be disregarded by Sengoku.
"Hahaha... Akainu must be furious after hearing this news."
"He worked so hard during the Summit War, and now Sengoku didn't choose him as the Fleet Admiral. It's like he performed for nothing."
"I can't stand these types of despicable individuals. If the Marines let someone like him become the Fleet Admiral, then they are no better. Akainu hasn't done anything worthwhile throughout his career. Whether it was instigating Squard to injure Whitebeard or targeting Whitebeard's wound during their fight, or even resorting to dirty tactics against Ace and attempting to attack Luffy. These are not the actions of a true powerhouse. Even among pirates, only the despicable ones would stoop so low. In my eyes, Akainu is nothing but trash."
"You're absolutely right. I feel the same way. He may have strength, but his character is lacking. It makes sense for Sengoku not to choose him."
"He deserves it..."
...
The Whitebeard Pirates' comments about Akainu were broadcasted worldwide, and it resonated with many people. Although Akainu fulfilled his duties as a Marine during battles, his methods were highly criticized. Attacking someone weaker than himself was beyond reproach.
It was not something expected from a Marine Admiral, and it seemed to contradict the principles of a true powerhouse. Many people believed that although Akainu might be suitable as an Admiral, his character was not fitting for the position of Fleet Admiral. They feared that with such a leader, the Marines would adopt similar behavior in the future.
Therefore, when they heard that Sengoku recommended Aokiji over Akainu, they were surprised but also understood the decision.
These comments from the Whitebeard Pirates made Akainu, who was at Marine Headquarters, extremely displeased. He was already unhappy with Sengoku's choice, and now the Whitebeard Pirates were pointing out his flaws. It made him appear unworthy of being the Fleet Admiral.
He was infuriated to the extreme, and the heated atmosphere around him rose once again. The intense aura made the Marines around him feel miserable.
….
However, the question cannot be answered based on emotions and arbitrary choices.
In reality, Luo ke has provided almost all the necessary information for this question. Now, they only need to make a decision.
It's a gamble with two options.
"Dad, the question deliberately tells us that Sengoku recommended Aokiji. I feel like it's trying to mislead us into believing that the next Fleet Admiral is Aokiji. But if we look at it that way, then the answer is definitely not Aokiji," Marco analyzed.
"I think the same way. Many of the previous questions have proven that the most apparent answer is often not the correct one," Ace added.
"But what if this is also a red herring thrown by Luo ke? What if he wants us to think this way, create this idea, and then intentionally go against it by making us choose the other option?" Vista suggested while stroking his beard.
Marco and Ace nodded in agreement upon hearing the suggestion. "It's possible," Marco said.
"So, Dad, it's up to you to make the decision. Whether it's Aokiji or Akainu, we'll follow your lead," Ace said, looking at Whitebeard.
The members of the Whitebeard Pirates turned their eyes towards Whitebeard, entrusting the decision to him.
...
Whitebeard nodded slightly and after pondering for a moment, he made his decision.
He looked at Luo ke and said, "The answer is Akainu."
Although Whitebeard truly didn't want Akainu to become the Fleet Admiral, he was the one who killed Ace, the root cause of Whitebeard's severe injuries and the defeat of the Whitebeard Pirates in the Battle of Marineford.
If it weren't for Akainu, the Whitebeard Pirates wouldn't have suffered such a devastating loss in the Battle of Marineford. Perhaps Whitebeard would have perished at Marineford, but there was a possibility that Ace could have survived. Under the leadership of Marco, Ace, and others, the Whitebeard Pirates might have been able to regain their strength in the future.
The outcome wouldn't have been so tragic.
The thought of the tragic fate of the Whitebeard Pirates, with Akainu becoming the Fleet Admiral even after the Battle of Marineford, filled Whitebeard with disgust and hatred.
But reason told him that the position of Fleet Admiral should belong to Akainu. Not only because of his performance in the Battle of Marineford but also because Akainu's personality was more suited to be the Fleet Admiral, or rather, in the eyes of the World Government, the Fleet Admiral.
After so many years of rivalry with the Marines, Whitebeard had come to understand the situation of the Marines and the World Government.
What the World Government wanted was not peace but stable control. Justice was not a value they cherished. Justice held no value for the World Government. If the World Government truly cared about justice, then the Celestial Dragons wouldn't be able to get away with so many despicable acts. Hasn't the World Government committed enough dirty deeds?
Therefore, the World Government, or the Five Elders, valued obedience and execution. Akainu perfectly demonstrated this in the Battle of Marineford.
He executed Sengoku's orders flawlessly and showed no regard for anyone's face during the Battle of Marineford, killing Ace and going after Luffy. Aokiji and Kizaru couldn't accomplish this, especially Aokiji, who was Garp's subordinate. If Aokiji became the Fleet Admiral, the Marines would probably have to face even greater challenges when dealing with Luffy and other pirates.
Who knows, the world's sea level might rise as a result.
Only Akainu could put the Five Elders' minds at ease.
Although Sengoku had the power to recommend the next Fleet Admiral, the final decision rested with the Five Elders.
The result was obvious.
Whitebeard made his choice.
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(End of this chapter)