Naval Headquarters, Marshal's Office.
Sengoku, the Marshal of the Naval Headquarters and also known as The Resourceful General, gazed out of his office window at Marineford, releasing a heavy sigh. Despite its unchanged appearance, he sensed an oppressive shadow of failure looming over the headquarters. This shadow was cast by none other than the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, the man whose power eclipsed even that of the Four Emperors and who had orchestrated the world-shaking Entei Incident.
Facing the Entei Pirate Fleet led by Ace had resulted in the greatest defeat Naval Headquarters had ever experienced. Admiral Kizaru was captured in front of the world, and Admiral Akainu was crushed and defeated by Ace during a live broadcast. Sengoku himself, renowned for his strategic acumen, was outwitted by Ace. If not for the World Government's intervention and the direct involvement of the Five Elders, the outcome for the elite Marines at Sabaody Archipelago could have been catastrophic.
Even with the intervention of the World Government and the unprecedented personal involvement of the Five Elders, a compromise was still made under Ace's influence. The Buster Call, an emblem of the World Government's absolute justice, was unprecedentedly suspended. This moment shattered the unyielding justice espoused by the World Government, a blow delivered by the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace.
Though most of the elite Marines returned to Marineford due to the agreement brokered between the Five Elders and Ace, the justice within the hearts of all Naval Headquarters personnel began to waver. Ace's exposure of the Celestial Dragons' ugly truths and the Five Elders' enraged launch of the Super Buster Call, which Ace halted through his overwhelming power and negotiation, profoundly impacted the Marines' morale.
In the aftermath of the Entei Incident, the Marines found themselves depicted as tools of the World Government's murderous agenda, while Ace, branded as "extremely evil" by the World Government, emerged as a savior. This undeniable reality struck a heavy blow to the righteous hearts of all Naval Headquarters officers and soldiers. The line between justice and villainy blurred, with the Marines seen as executioners and the pirates as heroes.
This objective fact, stark and undeniable, left even the staunchest hawkish generals at Naval Headquarters questioning their purpose. They had become instruments of massacre, while the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, had become the people's savior—a brutal inversion of their roles that haunted the once-unshakeable bastion of justice.
"Why?"
Sengoku sighed deeply as he gazed out the window at the once-proud Marineford, now overshadowed by failure. It wasn't that Naval Headquarters lacked strength. As the mightiest of the three major forces on the sea, they held an absolute advantage against any Four Emperors pirate group. However, the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, was an exceptional adversary—strong, wise, and supported by formidable allies.
In every aspect—strength, spirit, and wisdom—Ace stood at the pinnacle of the sea. Despite Sengoku's own power, wisdom, and spirit, enhanced by the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu, he found himself completely outmatched. The Flame Emperor was the true ultimate man of this era.
Faced with such a man, the Marines needed to evolve. Sengoku glanced at the paper on his desk with a grim expression. Whether it was due to Ace's overwhelming power or the intervention of the Four Emperors, the Naval Headquarters had suffered a significant defeat under his leadership. This was an unchangeable fact, and Sengoku had become part of the shadow of failure hanging over Marineford.
To overcome this despondency and restore confidence within the Marines, a change in leadership was essential. Only a shift at the top could give the Marines a chance to regain their lost sense of justice and purpose. Resolute, Sengoku smoothed the paper and began drafting his resignation letter, along with his recommendations for the next Marine Marshal.
For a long time, both Aokiji and Akainu, the top contenders from the doves and hawks respectively, had been considered candidates for Marine Marshal. Sengoku and Garp had always supported Aokiji, while the World Government's Five Elders favored Akainu for his superior strength and more aggressive hawkish stance. Akainu's forceful actions often overshadowed Aokiji's belief in "lazy justice," especially in incidents like Ohara.
However, Sengoku now had a compelling reason to recommend Aokiji: during the Entei Incident, Aokiji was the only one among the three Admirals who had not been defeated in front of the world. To dispel the shadow of their failure, Aokiji, unscathed by the incident, was the most suitable candidate.
Perhaps, this failure could be turned into an opportunity. Sengoku's eyes gleamed with determination as he began to write, envisioning a renewed Marineford rising from the ashes of defeat under new leadership.
"Boom!"
"Marshal!"
The office door flew open, and a panicked voice echoed through the room.
"What's wrong?" Sengoku, veins bulging on his forehead, turned to face the intruder.
The Naval Headquarters Rear Admiral, tasked with delivering intelligence, always seemed to bring terrible news. The last person Sengoku wanted to see right now was this Rear Admiral.
"Marshal, Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace, has set sail from the Sabaody Archipelago. Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh, used Conqueror's Haki to defeat all surrounding marine ships. He now calls himself A Captain of the Entei Pirate Fleet! Silvers Rayleigh has officially joined the service of Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace!"
The Rear Admiral, drenched in cold sweat, stood at attention and shouted.
"What?!" Sengoku's pupils shrank in shock.
Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King, had become a captain of the Entei Pirate Fleet's Team Zero?! Although Rayleigh had sided with Ace during the Flame Emperor incident, he had not previously declared his intention to join the Entei Pirates' fleet. This unexpected turn left Sengoku, who knew his old rival well, deeply troubled.
Rayleigh, who had reached Raftel and witnessed the One Piece, seemed to have been hesitant because of what he saw. His actions were likely driven by Ace's lineage and the "D" will. But now, on the day the Entei Pirates' fleet set sail, Rayleigh announced his commitment to join as the captain of Team Zero.
What had transpired at the subsequent banquet in the Sabaody Archipelago? What secret had compelled Rayleigh, a figure who had seen the greatest treasure of all, to join Ace so decisively? Sengoku, covered in sweat, grappled with these questions.
Portgas D. Ace and his allies clearly harbored secrets unknown to the Naval Headquarters and even the World Government. These secrets had driven Rayleigh to join them—a secret that could shake the sea and alter the era.
Sengoku's mind raced, considering the implications. Would other former members of the Roger Pirates follow suit and join the so-called Team Zero? His forehead throbbed with tension.
"Summon all Marines Vice Admiral and above immediately!" Sengoku ordered solemnly.
"Yes, sir!" The Rear Admiral scurried out, leaving Sengoku to gather his thoughts.
Standing up, Sengoku composed himself and flipped his resignation letter face down. As long as he remained the Marshal of the Naval Headquarters, he would take decisive action for the sake of justice.
In the conference room, the atmosphere was heavy. The Elite marines sat on either side of the table, their spirits visibly dampened.
"Everyone! The latest intelligence reports that 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh has joined the Entei Pirate Fleet as the captain of Team Zero," Sengoku announced gravely.
His words sent shockwaves through the room. The legendary pirate, right hand of the Pirate King, had joined Ace's fleet?! This meant that the man who had delivered their greatest defeat, the Flame Emperor, not only possessed the blood of the Pirate King but also his right hand. It was even possible that other old members of the Roger Pirates might join him.
The prospect of Ace reaching the Final Island under such guidance seemed inevitable. The marines' faces turned grim, their already low morale plummeting further.
Aokiji, sitting at the head, reflected on the news. Captain of Team Zero? It seemed the position of captain of the first team was still reserved for him. He planned to ensure a smooth transition within the Marines, placing some of his friends in key positions before leaving to join Ace's fleet as the first team's captain.
"Now, I will announce the latest bounty for the Entei Pirate Fleet!" Sengoku's voice boomed, breaking the silence.
The announcement of a new bounty for the man who had defeated them shocked the Vice Admirals back to attention. Hadn't the Marine and World Government leadership given up the pursuit of Ace?
"We did experience a failure, but that was due to my poor decision-making and the intervention of the Red Hair Pirates, Whitebeard Pirates, and Kaido of the Beasts! We will still hunt down the Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace! Naval Headquarters still has the strength to hunt the Entei Pirate Fleet! The justice we uphold is not over yet! Our war against all pirates has not failed! We are still alive! Still fighting! Justice will prevail!"
Sengoku's impassioned words stirred the room. The Marines, inspired by his determination, roared back with tears in their eyes.
"Justice will prevail!"
As long as they were alive, their mission continued. Justice would not falter under their watch. They remained the pursuers of pirates, steadfast in their duty.
"Announce the latest bounty for the Entei Pirate Fleet," Sengoku commanded, setting the stage for the next chapter in their relentless pursuit of justice.