"Sakazuki, we are ready to board the ship." Gion's voice came from behind him.
The Vice Admiral remained silent, not uttering a word. He quietly leaned against the balustrade of Ryugu Palace, overlooking the full view of Fish-Man Island below.
A few months ago, when he first visited Ryugu Palace, the scene before him was no different from now. Yet, there seemed to be some indescribable, subtle changes.
The sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs behind him, getting closer and closer.
"Clearly, you've been the one running back and forth for this matter all along, working yourself to exhaustion. You even nearly lost your life here because of it." Kuzan's tall figure appeared beside him.
This young Vice Admiral, who was so youthful that one might doubt his capability, leaned forward and rested against the carved railing in the same posture. "And yet, the Fleet Admiral and the Five Elders sent me to take over the results of your efforts. I know that this kind of thing would be unpleasant for anyone. Sakazuki, if you want to curse me out, go ahead."
"So?" Sakazuki turned his head slightly, looking at Kuzan's sincere expression. "Are you comforting me?"
Kuzan shook his head. "Not really. You're strong-willed, senior. A minor setback like this won't defeat you."
He extended a hand toward Sakazuki, his gaze unwavering. "I just want to tell you that the results of your efforts—the stability of Fish-Man Island—I can bear the responsibility!"
But Sakazuki did not shake his hand. "You and I both know the real reason the Fleet Admiral sent you to station here."
Recalling Sakazuki for disobeying orders was just a superficial excuse. The true brilliance of Kong lay in his ability to recognize talent.
Sakazuki excelled at handling emergencies and unexpected crises. Combined with his ruthless and decisive methods, he was highly effective at breaking through deadlocks.
Although Kuzan was younger, his gentle and gradual approach to handling affairs made him more adept than most Vice Admirals at managing delicate situations. His strategy of advancing through retreat allowed him to maximize the mitigation of regional conflicts and consistently handle long-term issues.
To the Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki had fought a beautiful vanguard battle, but now it was time for Kuzan, stationed in the central army, to follow up steadily.
The iron-blooded hawk-like warrior looked at his fellow marine, who came from the same faction, and sternly warned, "I didn't achieve anything on Fish-Man Island, Kuzan. This is merely the beginning of a difficult endeavor. Your burden will be even heavier than you imagine."
The young dove-like general pressed his lips together. He did not refute Sakazuki's warning but instead stubbornly repeated his earlier promise.
"I can bear it!"
"Good! Fish-Man Island is in your hands now." Sakazuki finally clasped Kuzan's outstretched hand, which had remained extended all this time.
The two strong arms gripped each other firmly.
"Gion, let's go. We can't keep the Fleet Admiral and the Admirals waiting." Sakazuki turned around and strode away, calling out to the woman who had been silently standing at the staircase entrance.
At the gates of Ryugu Palace, Neptune and Queen Otohime smiled as they watched Sakazuki approach.
The Great Knight of the Sea exchanged a glance with his beloved wife before stepping forward together. "My friend, Neptune will never forget this favor. The doors of Fish-Man Island will always remain open to you."
"Master, rest assured. We will protect Fish-Man Island, and together with the newly arrived Kuzan... uncle, we will spread the seeds of peace throughout the deep sea." Otohime smiled gently as she reassured Sakazuki, though she hesitated slightly when addressing a certain someone's title.
Sakazuki's first reaction was to glance at Gion's expression. Seeing that she remained as composed as ever, he turned back and glared at his fujoshi apprentice.
"Oh, right," he suddenly recalled something.
"Whitebeard asked me to pass on a message—he wants to drink with you next time."
At these words, Neptune's gaze filled with guilt as he looked toward the distant world. "Sigh, my old friend has indeed been wronged this time."
Whitebeard's underlying message was clear—though the Navy was now stationed on Fish-Man Island, you will always be my friend, Edward.
The Marine Vice Admiral saluted Neptune and Queen Otohime. "Message delivered. I should also prepare to set sail."
He was the first to board the awaiting warship. On the deck, Onigumo and the assembled marines had been waiting. As soon as he stepped aboard—
Snap!
Their heels clicked together in unison.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, sir!"
The stern-faced general tugged the brim of his cap downward. "Set sail."
Under the protection of its coating, the warship slowly moved toward the main entrance of Fish-Man Island.
The butterfly's wings had already flapped. What would become of Fish-Man Island in the future following his involvement? Sakazuki did not know.
Citizens living in peace, wise rulers and capable ministers working together to uphold the nation—this was the most beautiful hope.
Peace—just two simple characters, yet achieving it required countless people to dedicate their hearts and efforts.
But this world was still filled with endless injustice and calamities, with too many wars and massacres, too much violence and tyranny.
"Vice Admiral! Look!"
Onigumo broke Sakazuki's contemplation. Even someone as composed as him couldn't help but feel a bit moved by what he saw.
On both sides of the undersea passage, massive crowds had formed, standing silently in two orderly rows, one on the left and one on the right.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki!"
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki!"
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, we don't want you to leave!"
"Vice Admiral, please come back and visit us!"
"That's right, next time you return, Fish-Man Island will surely be a completely different place!"
...
Voices called out, words filled with sincerity.
The corners of Sakazuki's lips lifted ever so slightly. This outpouring of support and affection from the people was unexpected.
But it also gave him the answer he had been searching for.
The peace and prosperity these people longed for would take a lifetime of effort from him and like-minded warriors.
But he would fight for it—
As he always had.
In the end, the warship left Fish-Man Island.
Looking back at the bright, shining Fish-Man Island deep in the pitch-black sea, it resembled a dazzling, radiant pearl.
Light had finally reached their hearts.
"Riding a fine steed, I gallop forth—come, let me lead the way!"
For once, Sakazuki did not maintain his usual stern and grim demeanor. Instead, he let out a hearty laugh.
Onigumo stepped forward with a disciplined stride, knowing full well that the Vice Admiral was in high spirits. However, he still had to dampen his superior's rare good mood.
"Reporting, Vice Admiral Sakazuki! This ship was supposed to have one thousand crew members. Actual count: nine hundred ninety-nine! Report complete! Please advise!"
"Lindemann..." Sakazuki murmured the name of the only missing marine.
It was sheer luck that they managed to rescue that cunning fox. But in the future, Sakazuki's difficult missions would only increase, and who knew how many more would face various trials on the path of justice?
Lindemann, you better be safe.
Sakazuki clenched his fists.
Brigadier General Lindemann, it's truly great that you're safe and sound~" Borsalino spoke, though even he felt a bit guilty as he said it.
A silver-haired man in a kimono suddenly appeared out of thin air, but his current state was far from ideal.
Lindemann clutched his right shoulder, nearly jumping three meters high. He had survived the great storms of the Grand Line, made it through Little Garden without starving, endured the perilous, enemy-surrounded conditions of Fish-Man Island, bragged in Kaido's presence, and even endured rough treatment under Jack's command. Yet now, of all times, he was suddenly shot—by his own people.
The scorching and forceful penetration caught him completely off guard.
Equally caught off guard was Borsalino. Even though his Observation Haki had sensed someone watching earlier, he never expected someone to get this close.
Kizaru clicked his tongue in amazement. His Observation Haki was among the best in Marine Headquarters, yet just moments ago, when he had scanned the area, he hadn't noticed anything unusual. While his Haki had predicted Lindemann's arrival when he spoke, pinpointing his exact location, during the man's silence, all he had felt was a vague sense of being watched.
So, this kid could evade most detection methods as long as he didn't reveal his hostility or make a sound?
"Brigadier General Lindemann?"
Beside them, Jack the Drought was utterly furious. He had already suffered enough humiliation from this cunning fox, and now their suspicions had been confirmed.
"You damn spy!"
He stomped forward, intent on using the man's head as a drinking cup.
Lindemann instantly darted behind Borsalino. No way—he had just witnessed Jack's monstrous strength firsthand! Now that he was in a hurry to get back home, there was no way he would provoke him further.
The mammoth Zoan user forcefully halted—because a bright light suddenly flared in front of him.
"Ame no Murakumo!"
The roughly three-meter-tall Marine Vice Admiral gripped the light-formed sword in both hands, turning his head with a smiling expression to encourage the snarling fox.
"Brigadier General Lindemann, you have perfectly completed the assigned mission. Leave the rest to this old man! May justice be with you!"
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