You can read the advance chapters here : patreon.com/Vigilante04
---------------
"This concludes the basic information on the Big Mom Pirates!"
In the massive conference hall, the atmosphere was heavy with seriousness and tension.
After Vice Admiral Tsuru finished briefing on the Big Mom Pirates, Fleet Admiral Kong spoke in a strong and commanding voice:
"Now, I officially appoint Admiral Sengoku as the Supreme Commander of the Expeditionary Grand Fleet…"
"He will lead Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji, Steel Fist, Dalmatian, Flying Insect, and a total of ten Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters. Akainu will serve as the Deputy Commander. The official appointment documents will be issued later."
"Vice Admiral 'Iron Fist' Garp is temporarily reassigned to the G-5 branch as its acting base commander. Marine Headquarters staff will oversee the logistics of the expeditionary fleet and coordinate other related matters…"
"The primary duty of G-5 is to prevent major pirate crews, including the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, from using this opportunity to attack the G-5 fortress. They must also be prepared to support the expeditionary fleet at any moment as it advances into Totto Land, the heart of Big Mom's 'Four Seasons' stronghold."
"In the New World, aside from the G-1 branch, which mainly protects Mariejois at the gateway to the New World, the G-5 branch holds immense strategic importance. It is the only Marine base directly under Headquarters that can extend even a limited influence into a region that has nearly become a pirate haven."
"By securing the entrance to the New World, we aim to deter pirates and prevent them from running rampant. G-5 will serve as a crucial foothold, and failure is not an option!"
"Although intelligence suggests that the Whitebeard Pirates, Beasts Pirates, and other major crews haven't made any significant moves, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must remain highly vigilant and prepared for the possibility of these forces suddenly joining hands."
The high-ranking Marine meeting lasted until evening.
As night fell, many Marine officers, now exhausted and hungry, stood up and saluted as Fleet Admiral Kong gave the order to dismiss.
With various emotions—seriousness, worry, relief—one by one, they left the conference hall.
However, the key figures of this expedition—Admiral Sengoku, Admiral candidate Akainu, and Vice Admiral Tsuru, who was in charge of logistics and support—did not leave immediately.
Instead, they followed Fleet Admiral Kong to his office to discuss the detailed strategy for the campaign against the Big Mom Pirates.
"It's a shame that Z still refuses to return and insists on staying at the Marine Academy as its chief instructor…"
Sitting behind his desk, Kong leaned back in his chair and gestured for Sengoku, Tsuru, Akainu, and the others to take a seat.
Rubbing his temples in exhaustion, the Fleet Admiral sighed. "If he were still here as 'Black Arm' Z, Marine Headquarters wouldn't be under so much strain. Sengoku wouldn't have to shoulder the burden of filling the gap left by two Admiral vacancies."
Z—also known as 'Black Arm'—had become a Marine Admiral at just 38 years old. A highly respected figure among both Marines and civilians, he was admired by countless people.
Thirteen years ago, at the age of 42, he was in his prime.
He had a promising future ahead, yet due to unforeseen circumstances, he resigned from his position as an Admiral.
After stepping down, he was reassigned as the Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy, officially withdrawing from front-line duty.
Since then, he had remained behind the scenes, no longer fighting on the battlefield as he once had.
It had to be said—Z's retirement was a great loss for the Marines.
Even though, as the Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy, he often led students on real combat training in the first half of the Grand Line, he only fought against low-level pirates. His battlefield experience was now being wasted on enemies who weren't strong enough to be a real threat.
"Honestly, if former Admiral Z could form a Marine guerrilla unit, operating between the G-5 fortress and the central New World, he could coordinate with the expeditionary fleet and ensure we stay ahead of any sudden pirate movements.
If an unexpected force intervened, he would be there to respond, making this entire operation foolproof…
But unfortunately, he's fully committed to staying off the front lines. No matter how much I try to persuade him, his mind won't change!"
Thinking about his former subordinate, "Black Arm" Z, Fleet Admiral Kong sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of guilt.
Z's retirement wasn't just words—he had truly stepped back from active duty.
As Chief Instructor, he had spent years training the next generation of Marine elites, ensuring a steady influx of fresh talent into Headquarters.
Thanks to him, Marines like Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji—once mere candidates—had now risen to become key figures, forming the backbone of Marine Headquarters.
Even as Fleet Admiral, Kong could no longer force Z to return. The man had already given too much to the Marines.
Back then, Kong had acted with good intentions. He never intended to suppress Z or drive him out. But due to various considerations, he had ultimately allowed things to play out as they did…
Who would have thought that a seemingly perfect decision would create such a deep wound?
"...That incident," Sengoku murmured with a sigh.
But he avoided going into detail.
The event that had led to Z's resignation had shaken the entire Marine force. It was a disgraceful moment that left a stain on their history.
"Honestly, if it weren't for you constantly convincing him, Fleet Admiral Kong…"
Sengoku shook his head. "Z wouldn't have stayed as Chief Instructor to train the next generation. He would have quit the Marines entirely."
"Z-sensei?"
Akainu raised an eyebrow and spoke in a deep voice. "I've heard about what happened to him, but I've never fully understood the reason behind it. I've always wanted to ask you about it, Fleet Admiral Kong."
Thirteen years ago, while at the peak of his power, Admiral "Black Arm" Z suffered an unimaginable tragedy.
A group of pirates he had once spared came back for revenge—this time, not against him, but against his family.
The consequences were devastating…
Frustrated, Z resigned from his position as Admiral, withdrew from frontline duty, and took up the role of Chief Instructor at the Marine Academy, overseeing its elite training program.
Because of this, Ghost Spider, Doberman, Borsalino, and others became his disciples, part of the very first batch of trainees in the Marine Academy's elite training camp.
But Sakazuki didn't believe it.
An Admiral of Marine Headquarters—would the Marines really fail to ensure the safety of his family?
If that were true, then for nearly 800 years, high-ranking Marines would have constantly faced retaliation from pirates. Who would willingly join the Marines and dedicate their lives to justice under such circumstances?
That idea was nothing but a joke. A cruel, ridiculous joke!
When Akainu suddenly raised the question, the reaction in the room was immediate.
Fleet Admiral Kong's expression shifted slightly.
Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru, upon hearing his words, felt their hearts tighten.
Because they knew—this matter wasn't as simple as it seemed.
It wasn't just a case of Marine negligence. There were deeper forces at play. The shadow of Cipher Pol loomed over the incident, tying it to the highest levels of the World Government.
The situation was far too complicated, and Fleet Admiral Kong himself had been unwillingly entangled in it.
Among Marine high command, this was an unspoken taboo—something never openly discussed.
Let alone questioning it outright in front of the Fleet Admiral himself.
"Sakazuki…"
Sengoku's expression turned serious. He attempted to steer the conversation away. "This isn't the time for unrelated matters—"
He didn't want this powerful and ambitious Admiral candidate to provoke Kong with his bluntness and risk earning the Fleet Admiral's displeasure.
But Kong raised a hand, signaling Sengoku and Tsuru not to intervene.
After a brief silence, he sighed and said, "There's no need to avoid it. Z's case… it's not a problem to discuss."
"What you should know, you should know. This is a painful lesson for the Marines."
"Whether it's the Marines or the World Government, in the end, we're only human—not gods. We believe we control everything from above… but we fail to realize that a single mistake in judgment…
Can lead to consequences that are fatal and irreversible."