Chapter 474—Fleet Admiral Akainu!
When Akainu spoke, his tone was eerily calm, yet there was an unmistakable coldness and detachment in his voice.
"Of course. Yes, of course."
As a soldier, isn't this the way it should be?
Akainu's words struck the minds and souls of everyone present like a thunderclap, reverberating through them. They all lowered their heads in unison, their faces filled with shame and self-doubt.
"Don't bow your heads."
Akainu's deep voice echoed through the room. "A soldier should never bow their head, except at a funeral."
Everyone was shocked, as if something hot was about to burst out of their hearts.
They couldn't help but clench their fists and raised their heads. They held their heads high and looked at their Fleet Admiral with respect.
Yes, they had experienced a heavy defeat and were even driven out of the New World like a dog that had lost its home.
They could only hide in the first half of the paradise of the great route and secretly accumulate strength.
But what does it matter? Now they have no more constraints, no orders can hinder their development, and no one will ride on their heads and point fingers.
The paradise was on the verge of unification, with dozens of kingdoms and forces already under the control of their iron-fisted army. Through immense organizational power and strict control, the taxes collected from these regions far surpassed the military funding provided by the World Government. The army's morale grew stronger each day, and recruitment surged at an impressive rate.
Under the relentless military order, the city of Water 7 was producing heavy warships of Buster Call caliber nearly every day.
Meanwhile, the Navy's Science Department, under Admiral Borsalino's leadership, efficiently churned out a large number of pacifist killing machines.
With abundant resources and top-tier military orders, the power of the Navy Headquarters had never been more formidable or expanded to such unprecedented levels.
What else is there to fear? There was no escape. Only the victors could be called righteous. They had no choice but to fight to the death.
"Everyone—"
Akainu crushed his burning cigar with one hand, pressing his palms heavily against the table. With a slow, deliberate motion, he stood up from his seat, his tall and muscular frame imposing. The overwhelming pressure, infused with Akainu's fierce presence, swept across the room, causing everyone to instinctively tighten their focus, their eyes burning with excitement.
"This will be our final battle for justice."
His voice was laced with deadly intent.
"No matter the outcome,"
"No matter who lives or dies in the end…"
"No matter who ultimately claims justice..."
Akainu smiled boldly, his voice filled with unwavering resolve.
"We will risk our honor and our lives to defend the dignity of our Navy, together with you!"
He suddenly pointed behind him, and on the wall, the plaque bearing the five black characters "Absolute Justice" stood out, exuding an aura of nobility and authority.
"This is our belief!!"
Boom!!
The moment his words echoed, a majestic energy, as immense as the sun, erupted from Akainu's body.
It spread out as an invisible wave, sweeping through the conference room and radiating throughout every corner of Marineford.
Everyone's expressions shifted immediately.
Kizaru, lips curled into a faint smile, seemed intrigued.
Fujitora and Green Bull exchanged looks, their faces etched with doubt and uncertainty.
This was Conqueror's Haki!!!
Akainu had awakened it!
This meant that, at this moment, he had broken free from the World Government's influence and had become a true king of the Navy.
The strong, indomitable spirit that burned within Akainu marked him as destined for greatness. His rise was inevitable—he had the qualifications of a king!
Meanwhile, outside the emergency military meeting room, two elderly figures leaned against the wall, gazing out at the howling sea and clear blue sky, lost in their own thoughts.
The blue and white justice flag of the seagull fluttered in the wind before them, its Libra seagull emblem seeming almost alive, as if it yearned to soar into the sky.
Garp and Sengoku stood side by side, their expressions mixed with deep complexity.
"Akainu... this kid is really..."
Garp shook his head, letting out a long sigh.
Sengoku smiled bitterly, his voice tinged with regret. "Maybe... it seems we misjudged him."
"Maybe…" Garp replied quietly.
"In this era, we truly need someone like him to lead the Navy down a different path."
Sengoku's voice was filled with melancholy, weighed down by emotion.
"At least, he's done what we never dared to do in our lives."
Indeed, Akainu had boldly defied the World Government's orders, swiftly conquering dozens of its member states, unifying Paradise, overhauling the Navy, and initiating radical military reforms.
Sengoku himself admitted that he could never have done such things—and perhaps never would have dared.
It was clear that Akainu's awakening of Conqueror's Haki was only a matter of time.
Garp chuckled, his tone light but resolute. "Indeed, no matter the outcome of this war, this world will eventually change."
"Justice will become the dominant force in the world!"
Akainu might not have been exaggerating or slandering—he was simply that hardcore.