Vergo led the G-5 forces in an assault on Gran Tesoro.
Before taking action, he submitted a report to the newly appointed Fleet Admiral, Akainu.
Akainu was extremely pleased.
Having only recently assumed the position of Fleet Admiral, Akainu's authority had not yet been fully established.
He still couldn't command the entire Navy as effortlessly as moving his own arm.
There were many complicated reasons behind this.
First—
Akainu's rise to power had directly forced Aokiji out of the Navy.
Naturally, many officers who had been close to Aokiji were unwilling to fully support Akainu.
Second—
Akainu's philosophy of Absolute Justice fundamentally conflicted with both retired Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp.
Especially Garp.
The conflict between them had become irreconcilable during the Summit War.
After Akainu killed Portgas D. Ace—
Garp openly declared he intended to kill Akainu.
From that moment onward, the two became completely incompatible.
Like fire and water.
Ever since Akainu became Fleet Admiral—
Garp, who once frequently lounged around the Fleet Admiral's office, had not stepped foot there a single time.
He didn't even attend Akainu's inauguration ceremony.
Garp deeply hated Akainu for killing Ace.
And he despised Akainu's extreme methods.
Meanwhile—
Akainu also held tremendous disdain toward Garp.
In Akainu's eyes—
The so-called Marine Hero was utterly unqualified as a marine.
Garp allowed his son to become the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
He allowed his grandson to become a pirate.
And in the end—
When Akainu executed the Pirate King's son, Ace—
Garp actually developed killing intent toward him.
Absolutely intolerable!
If not for Garp being protected by Sengoku, Kong, and even the Five Elders—
Akainu's very first act as Fleet Admiral would have been targeting Garp.
Even if he couldn't punish the old man directly—
Garp would no longer be allowed to act however he pleased under Akainu's New Navy.
A new ruler always lights three fires.
In order to fully seize control of the Navy—
Akainu made several major decisions.
The most important one—
Was relocating Marine Headquarters from Marineford to the G-1 Base facing the New World.
Marineford had already been devastated during Whitebeard's assault.
By moving headquarters to G-1—
They would avoid the enormous effort of rebuilding Marineford while also placing the Navy directly at the frontline against New World pirates.
It perfectly represented Akainu's determination to eradicate piracy entirely.
However—
Because Sabaody Archipelago had fallen under the control of the Beasts Pirates—
Marineford now stood as the only obstacle between Sabaody and the Holy Land atop the Red Line.
Therefore—
Akainu could not abandon Marineford.
Nor would the Five Elders permit it.
Heavy military forces were stationed there at all times to guard against the growing threat of the Beasts Pirates.
After relocating headquarters—
Akainu's second urgent priority was filling the vacant Admiral positions.
As the Navy's highest combat power—
The Admirals were absolutely critical.
There could be no gaps.
Aokiji's departure and Akainu's promotion had left the Navy with only one active Admiral:
Kizaru.
Ordinarily—
Finding two replacement Admirals would have been incredibly difficult.
After all, Admiral-level fighters were rarer than rare.
Yet surprisingly—
The World Military Draft brought in two monsters:
Fujitora and Ryokugyu.
Akainu was overjoyed.
It felt as though even fate itself was helping him.
Akainu personally tested both men's abilities.
And he acknowledged that both possessed true Admiral-level strength.
Fujitora, a user of the Gravity Fruit, could even summon meteors from outer space.
Though blind—
His Observation Haki had reached terrifying heights.
He could sense emotions, intentions, and disturbances from astonishing distances.
No wonder he could accurately drag meteors down from the heavens.
Akainu was highly satisfied with Fujitora's strength.
The only issue—
Was their differing views on justice.
Fujitora cared far more about civilian lives and moral fairness.
If Akainu had slight dissatisfaction toward Fujitora—
Then toward Ryokugyu, he was almost completely satisfied.
Because Ryokugyu also followed Absolute Justice.
Moreover—
Ryokugyu deeply admired Akainu and practically worshipped him.
He was unquestionably part of Akainu's faction.
In truth—
Akainu had many loyal supporters within the Navy.
People like:
OnigumoDoberman
Hardline marines who showed no mercy toward pirates.
These individuals allowed Akainu to rapidly stabilize his authority as Fleet Admiral.
And now—
Vergo's report represented something extremely significant.
A veteran marine holding both the positions of Marine Vice Admiral and G-5 Base Commander—
Was clearly showing willingness to side with Akainu.
How could Akainu not be delighted?
Without hesitation—
He approved Vergo's assault on Gran Tesoro and even stated he would personally explain the matter to the Five Elders.
After all—
The power of money was limitless.
Gild Tesoro maintained many hidden business dealings with the World Government itself.
That was why nobody dared target him.
To move against Tesoro—
Approval from the Five Elders was normally required.
The fact Akainu personally took responsibility for the matter clearly demonstrated how highly he valued Vergo.
However—
Vergo's next sentence caused even Akainu to hesitate.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki..."
"The Admiral positions haven't been finalized yet, correct?"
"Once I eliminate Tesoro, I wish to come to headquarters and compete fairly with Fujitora and Ryokugyu for the Admiral seat."
Akainu fell silent.
In terms of experience and achievements—
Vergo absolutely surpassed Fujitora and Ryokugyu.
But regarding strength...
He should still be lacking somewhat.
Akainu intended to eradicate every pirate in the New World.
He also needed enough power to confront the increasingly aggressive Beasts Pirates.
What he valued most now—
Was military strength.
As long as someone possessed sufficient power—
Even a newcomer could become an Admiral immediately.
But without overwhelming strength—
No amount of seniority or achievements mattered to Akainu.
After thinking for a moment, Akainu replied:
"Vergo..."
"You understand that Fujitora and Ryokugyu possess monster-level power. They are highly suitable for the Admiral position."
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi came Vergo's calm voice:
"I've heard they're strong."
"But I do not fear them."
"As long as the competition is fair... that should not be a problem, correct?"
At that point—
Akainu had nothing left to say.
He could only agree.
Yet inwardly—
He couldn't help feeling puzzled.
Where exactly was Vergo getting such confidence from?
The next day—
When Vergo annihilated Gran Tesoro and defeated Tesoro within merely half a day—
Then arrived at Marine Headquarters to challenge Fujitora and Ryokugyu—
Akainu finally understood the source of that confidence.
And the result left him both shocked and ecstatic.
Vergo—
Actually possessed strength capable of rivaling Fujitora and Ryokugyu.
The Navy had gained yet another top-tier powerhouse.
For Akainu—
This was unquestionably tremendous news.
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