Tsuru nodded solemnly and immediately instructed the aide following behind her to investigate the situation in the Sabaody Archipelago. At the same time, she said in a low voice,
"Sengoku, are you saying that Lucas might not be able to handle Aramaki?"
"He has quite a few special combat forces gathered around him now."
"Don’t forget, Issho, the man known as Fujitora, is considered by you to possess combat power on par with Aramaki. With him and Lucas working together, they should be more than capable of suppressing Aramaki, shouldn’t they?"
The Vice Admirals present also fell silent.
In their eyes, aside from the difference in numbers, the special combat force Lucas had assembled could practically be regarded as a second division of Marine Headquarters.
Aramaki was indeed regarded by Sengoku as possessing combat power comparable to an Admiral.
But he was still only one person.
Compared with the group of extraordinary combatants assembled around Lucas, the difference was simply too great.
If someone told them that all those people working together still couldn’t deal with a single Aramaki, they probably wouldn’t believe it.
"No, Tsuru. You don’t understand."
Sengoku shook his head and explained solemnly.
"Defeating Aramaki isn’t difficult for Lucas. Between Fujitora and Aramaki, if we’re talking about who has greater destructive power, the answer is definitely Issho."
"However, if you’re asking who is more troublesome to deal with, then without question, it’s Aramaki."
"His Mori Mori no Mi allows him to merge with trees and take root within the earth. As long as the battle takes place on land, he’ll be practically immortal."
"And once he escapes, searching for him inch by inch beneath the earth would be even more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack."
At this point, a helpless look crossed Sengoku’s face. He sighed before continuing,
"Once he sets his sights on someone, given Aramaki’s extreme personality, he’ll cling to them like a piece of stubborn adhesive."
"If you ask why I classified him as possessing combat power comparable to an Admiral, there’s only one major reason."
"He’s even more troublesome than an Admiral."
The expressions of the Marine officers present immediately became grim.
An enemy who could be fought, killed, and defeated wasn’t particularly frightening.
The truly terrifying kind was an enemy who couldn’t be killed and would lurk in the shadows like a venomous snake, watching you with malicious intent.
If Aramaki really was as troublesome as Sengoku described, then he would indeed be even more troublesome than an Admiral.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, looks like that new guy has caused trouble again."
A deep voice came from the distance.
Wearing a white Justice cloak over a red floral-patterned shirt, Akainu strode toward them with a grim expression.
"However, since this time it’s for the sake of the justice upheld by Marine Headquarters, I’ll help him once."
"I have some history with Aramaki. He should be willing to show me some consideration and let Lucas off the hook."
"But whatever conditions Aramaki demands in exchange, or whether he expects Lucas to apologize to the Celestial Dragons, that’s beyond my control."
"If Fleet Admiral Sengoku thinks it’s acceptable, Vice Admiral Tsuru, please contact Lucas and tell him to say one thing to Aramaki."
"Ask him to give Sakazuki some face."
"My name still carries a little weight."
"Have Aramaki give you face?"
Tsuru’s expression froze slightly.
Sengoku remained silent for a moment before saying,
"Tsuru, do as Akainu suggested."
"According to the people who have dealt with Aramaki, he has an inexplicable, almost fanatical admiration for Akainu. It should be useful."
"Hopefully, we’ll still make it in time."
As he spoke, Sengoku looked toward the aide who had just hurried back to Tsuru’s side.
"Lilan, connect to Lucas’s Den Den Mushi. Tell him that Akainu is willing to put in a good word for him."
As Fleet Admiral, Sengoku knew very well that Akainu, as one of the old-generation Marine Admirals, had always harbored reservations about Lucas, who had been promoted through unconventional means.
For Akainu to set aside his prejudices and intervene in the matter involving Aramaki was undoubtedly a good thing in Sengoku’s eyes.
However, after Sengoku finished speaking, Lilan, standing nearby, wore an increasingly bitter expression.
"Lilan, what’s wrong?"
Akainu’s expression darkened slightly.
"Do you think my name isn’t enough to carry weight?"
"Or are you unable to contact Lucas? Do I need to go to the Sabaody Archipelago myself?"
"Akainu, calm down. Lilan probably doesn’t mean that."
Sengoku quickly intervened.
"Lilan, Tsuru just asked you to gather intelligence on the Sabaody Archipelago. Have Lucas and Aramaki already encountered each other?"
"Against an opponent as troublesome as Aramaki, even if Lucas has fallen into a disadvantageous position, there’s nothing shameful about admitting it."
"Go ahead and tell Lucas about Akainu’s goodwill first. Perhaps Akainu’s influence will be more useful."
"Lilan, just tell him exactly that. I’m sure Lucas will understand our intentions."
Tsuru also spoke solemnly in agreement.
For a moment, the bitterness on Lilan’s face deepened.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Admiral Akainu, it’s not that I don’t want to tell him."
"It’s just that... Admiral Akainu’s name really doesn’t seem to carry as much weight with Admiral Lucas."
"I just received a report from Hina. Aramaki encountered Admiral Lucas, and Admiral Lucas even cut Island No. 1 of the Sabaody Archipelago in half."
"Then, during the pursuit, Aramaki not only surrendered and voluntarily asked to join his ship, he also presented an exceptionally impressive show of allegiance."
Sengoku and the others froze.
Their faces were filled with disbelief.
Tsuru was the first to lose her composure.
"Lilan, this isn’t the time for jokes."
"No, tell Hina that she can’t joke around at a time like this."
"How could she possibly have cut apart the Sabaody Archipelago, and Aramaki voluntarily joined her ship? This concerns the outcome of our Marine Headquarters’ battle. Absolutely no one should joke about this..."
Her voice gradually became quieter.
She looked at the photograph Lilan had provided, showing Island No. 1 of the Sabaody Archipelago split cleanly in two.
Only then did she realize that the seemingly absurd report was actually true.
"Lilan, what you just said is all true?"
"Aramaki really joined Lucas’s ship?"
"And you said Aramaki presented an exceptionally impressive show of allegiance. What exactly did he do?"
Tsuru hurriedly pressed for an answer.
This was something even Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself had been unable to accomplish.
Even Akainu had only been confident that he could make Aramaki show him some consideration.
Yet Lucas had not only repelled Aramaki, he had actually made Aramaki volunteer to join his ship and present proof of allegiance.
It completely overturned their understanding of the situation.
Lilan’s face was filled with bitterness.
But under the gazes of everyone around her, she could only smile helplessly and speak again.
"The Celestial Dragon was Aramaki’s gift of allegiance."
"Admiral Lucas has already had people send the Celestial Dragon back."
"And before that, Admiral Lucas also asked me to relay a message to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"Aramaki tied up the Celestial Dragon?"
Sengoku and the others were utterly stunned.
Everyone knew that Aramaki was an absolutely fanatical supporter of the Celestial Dragons.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been manipulated by the Five Elders into coming here and causing trouble for Lucas in the first place.
And now someone was telling him that the Celestial Dragon had been tied up by that very fanatic.
How was that even possible?
Sengoku quickly took the fax from Lilan’s hands.
The instant he saw the final sentence written on it, his expression changed.
At that moment, he believed the entire story.
"The job was done beautifully. I expect more money!"
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