The next morning.
The world exploded.
When Morgans—the chaos-loving newsbird—printed the report of yesterday's "Hell" sighting off the coast of Cocoyasi Village and scattered it to every corner of the globe, the order of the seas collapsed overnight.
World Economic Herald — Extra Edition!
The front page contained no text, only a single high-resolution photograph that filled the entire page.
A sea stained crimson with blood.
Countless wrecked warships drifting helplessly on the surface.
At the very center of the debris field knelt the withered body of Marine Admiral Akainu, Sakazuki—still clad in his dark red suit, eyes wide open in death.
Eight enormous, blood-red characters formed the headline:
BUSTER CALL DESTROYED! THE GENERAL HAS FALLEN!
The subheading was even more terrifying:
Emperor Uchiha Commits Further Atrocities! Navy's Top Combatant Akainu (Sakazuki) Killed in Action!
Ten elite warships annihilated! Five Headquarters Vice Admirals missing, presumed dead!
Can Marine Headquarters still uphold justice?
---
The Pirates' Frenzy
The Grand Line—gathering ground of pirates.
"Hahaha!! Good riddance!"
"That mad dog Akainu is dead—killed like a chicken!"
"Look at this! The Navy is finished!"
In taverns across the seas, pirates raised their glasses and celebrated wildly. Fear of the Navy vanished in an instant.
"One general crippled, another dead! Hero Garp captured!"
"Marine Headquarters is an empty shell!"
"This is our era—the true Golden Age of Pirates!"
"To the New World! Seize territory! Crush those weak Marines!"
Ambition ignited everywhere.
The sea, long suppressed by the Navy's might, began to boil.
Order?
Law?
All of it had been obliterated by Uchiha Tobirama's devastating strike.
---
Panic Among the World Government
In contrast to the pirates' revelry, the more than 170 member nations of the World Government fell into absolute panic.
Kings stared at the newspaper with trembling hands.
"The Navy… lost?"
"A single man destroyed a Buster Call?"
"Who will protect us if Uchiha Tobirama comes for our kingdoms?"
"Contact the World Government immediately! Increase Heavenly Tribute! Request CP0 protection!"
Overnight, the high seas plunged into chaos.
---
Marine Headquarters — Marineford
The main conference hall.
Every officer of colonel rank and above was present, yet not a single person dared speak. Even breathing felt dangerous.
At the head of the table sat Kong, Commander-in-Chief of the entire military.
He looked as though he had aged twenty years in a single night.
Bloodshot eyes. Ashen face.
On the table before him lay the casualty list.
Admiral Sakazuki (Akainu) — confirmed dead
Five Vice Admirals, including Onigumo and Doberman — confirmed dead
Ten thousand elite Marines — fallen
Admiral Kuzan (Aokiji) — crippled
Monkey D. Garp — captured
Marine Headquarters had lost nearly seventy percent of its top-tier combat power.
A blow unprecedented in the Navy's eight hundred years of history.
"I am guilty."
Kong slowly rose, removed his marshal's cap, and placed it on the table.
"The Buster Call was approved by me."
"I sent Akainu."
"These catastrophic losses have disgraced justice and plunged the world into chaos."
He looked around the room—faces filled with grief, fear, and confusion.
"All of this is due to my failure of leadership."
"I hereby resign to take responsibility."
"I will bear all blame myself."
"Marshal!!"
Gasps echoed through the hall.
Kong raised a hand, silencing them, then turned toward the man seated at his left—calm, solemn, eyes sharp behind gold-rimmed glasses.
"Sengoku."
"Yes."
"From this day forward, you are the new Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters."
"This disaster… is now yours."
The Navy was a sinking ship—and only Sengoku's wisdom could possibly save it.
"Yes."
Sengoku did not refuse.
He made no grand speech.
He simply stood and delivered a deep military salute.
---
Holy Land Mary Geoise
The Chamber of Authority.
The Five Elders sat in silence as the Den Den Mushi clicked shut.
"Kong has resigned," said the bald Elder, resting his hand on the hilt of the First Generation Kitetsu. "That should placate the member states."
"Sengoku taking over is acceptable," said the bearded Elder. "A strategist, and a Buddha Fruit user. His strength and prestige should stabilize the situation."
"But Uchiha Tobirama?" the blond Elder frowned. "Akainu is dead. Even he couldn't stop him."
"Leave it for now," said Saint Saturn, tapping his cane. Cold calculation flickered in his eyes.
"The Navy's core strength is crippled. Sending more forces would be suicide."
"Our priority is stabilizing the world and suppressing the pirates."
"As for that Uchiha…"
A cold snort echoed.
"Let him rampage—so long as he does not attack Mary Geoise."
"The Holy Knights cannot move lightly."
"When Vegapunk's new weapons are complete…"
"Then we will settle the score."
A compromise born of helplessness.
A strategy to preserve rule through retreat.
---
The New World Reacts
Moby Dick
"Gurarararara!!"
Whitebeard laughed thunderously, IV tubes swaying with his movement.
"That magma brat Sakazuki is dead?"
"To kill him… just how strong is that Uchiha Tobirama?"
Battle intent burned in his eyes.
"My sons! Set sail! This sea is about to change—and your old man won't be absent!"
---
Whole Cake Island
"Mamamamama!"
Big Mom devoured an entire wedding cake in excitement.
"That nasty Akainu is finally dead!"
She hugged Tobirama's bounty poster, eyes gleaming.
"He can crush a general like an ant! That strength—those genes—must be mine!"
"Katakuri! Prepare the ship! I'm capturing him myself!"
---
Red-Haired Pirates
At the bow, Shanks stared at the sea, expression grim.
"This has gone far beyond loss of control."
Benn Beckman exhaled smoke. "Akainu's death means total collapse. The balance is gone."
"If we don't act…"
Shanks tightened his grip on Gryphon.
"He'll erase this entire ocean."
"I'm going to see him. Now."
---
Wano Country — Onigashima
Thunder roared as a colossal blue dragon twisted through the clouds.
Kaido laughed madly.
"Akainu is dead?! Hahaha!"
"Uchiha Tobirama! I can already smell you!"
"It's you or me!"
"Only you can give me the perfect death!!"
The Four Emperors moved.
The storm's eye converged on Tobirama.
---
Marine Headquarters — Fleet Admiral's Office
Sengoku donned the Fleet Admiral's cloak—the symbol of supreme authority.
There was no joy in his eyes.
Before the vast window, he gazed upon Marineford's square, flags flying at half-mast.
"Transmit my orders."
He turned, voice heavy and resolute.
"Summon all remaining Vice Admirals and above."
"Including Kizaru. Tsuru. And the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"Return to headquarters immediately."
"Akainu is dead—but the Navy must not fall."
"We will formulate a new strategy."
"Even if justice itself must be gambled…"
Golden light flashed briefly in Sengoku's eyes.
"We will not allow that Uchiha Emperor to advance another step."
"Even if it costs our lives—"
"—we will stop him at the gates of the Grand Line."
--------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapters on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic