The explosion raged on for several minutes. At this moment, all eyes, from the Marines on the island to the residents of Marineford, were fixed on the smoke-filled battlefield.
“Nokiyoru, stop!” an angry roar from Fleet Admiral Kong pierced through the chaos, his fury evident.
“Zephyr, what are you doing?” Sengoku was beside himself with disbelief.
“Garp, Sengoku, stop Zephyr!” Kong roared again.
“Kid, didn’t you hear the order to stop?” Garp bellowed.
“Bang…”
“Ugh…” Blood splattered as a figure was violently thrown to the ground, covered in blood, a particularly gruesome wound on his chest deep enough to expose the bone.
“Cough… cough…” Nokiyoru’s face twisted in pain, looking like a vengeful ghost as he lay on the ground, blood quickly soaking the earth.
At that moment, the smoke cleared, revealing the scene within.
Kong, his face dark, crouched beside the gasping Akainu, who had two flaming swords plunged into his chest. On the other side, Zephyr was restrained by Sengoku and Garp, his face a mask of anger and sorrow.
“Let me go, I need to check on Nokiyoru,” Zephyr demanded, glaring at Sengoku and Garp.
“Zephyr… this…” Garp looked uncomfortable, unable to meet Zephyr’s furious eyes.
Sengoku, too, wore an apologetic expression.
Ignoring them, Zephyr used Soru to appear beside Nokiyoru, gently lifting him, his face full of concern. “Are you alright?”
“Cough… cough…” Nokiyoru, pale but smiling, replied, “I’m fine, Master.”
Nokiyoru then turned to look at Fleet Admiral Kong; his expression calm before breaking into laughter. He ignored the pain in his body and even shed tears from laughing so hard.
“Hahaha… hahaha…” The laugh was filled with endless sarcasm, making Kong, Garp, and the others frown deeply.
“Kid, what are you laughing at?” Kong sighed, standing up, feeling a heavy weight in his chest.
“A Fleet Admiral, an Admiral, a Vice Admiral… such esteemed figures, yet you shamelessly break your word, interfering in the competition not once but twice, and even attacking the victor. Truly admirable,” Nokiyoru’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“If you want something, just say it. I’m just a Marine trainee, not even an official Marine. Following orders is the most basic duty of a Marine. However, you promised not to interfere in the competition. Not once, not twice, but repeatedly broke your own rules… I can’t understand. I can’t understand why you would attack me…”
“Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, tell me, was the outcome of this competition predetermined? Is it rigged?” Each word was a dagger, Nokiyoru’s fury evident. He swore he would leave the Marines and make those who wronged him pay if given the chance.
“Nonsense…” Garp’s face turned red with anger, feeling as if his face was burning.
“In that case, Vice Admiral Garp, please explain,” Nokiyoru said calmly.
“I…” Garp breathed heavily, like an enraged lion, his chest heaving.
“Kid, let’s not discuss this now. Why didn’t you stop when I ordered you to?” Kong deflected.
“Ridiculous. This was a personal vendetta between that dead dog and me. We both agreed it was to the death, and you, Fleet Admiral Kong, approved. Surely you haven’t forgotten so quickly,” Nokiyoru mocked.
Seeing Nokiyoru’s undisguised mockery, Kong rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated.
“Blu… blu…”
At that moment, a Den Den Mushi rang from Kong’s collar.
Kong sighed in relief, quickly pulling out the Den Den Mushi and, after glancing at Nokiyoru, walked to the side to speak privately.
A moment later, Kong handed the Den Den Mushi to Nokiyoru, instructing, “It’s the Gorosei.”
Nokiyoru took the Den Den Mushi nonchalantly but felt a triumphant smile inside.
This was all part of Nokiyoru’s plan. His ultimate goal was to speak directly with the Gorosei.
With his strength, Nokiyoru could have slowly worn down Akainu. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have used such a high-profile, charging move, deliberately making Kong and the others intervene.
In the fiery domain, Nokiyoru was confident he could kill Akainu, albeit at a cost. But this way, he could negotiate terms—a rare opportunity.
“Blu… blu…”
Moving to a quiet spot, ensuring no one could eavesdrop, Nokiyoru answered the Den Den Mushi.
“Hello,” Nokiyoru said calmly, staring at the golden Den Den Mushi.
“Nokiyoru Kara, not bad, not bad at all. I won’t introduce myself; you should know who this is,” an authoritative, elderly voice said.
“Yes, esteemed Gorosei, what are your orders?” Nokiyoru feigned respect, his tone sincere.
“Haha… very good, very good. You’re quite a promising talent,” the Gorosei laughed heartily.
“Nokiyoru Kara, can you let Akainu go this time? Both of you are valuable assets to the government.”
“Esteemed Gorosei, this…” Nokiyoru pretended to hesitate.
“I understand your enmity. Name your price,” the Gorosei continued, pleased with Nokiyoru’s attitude.
“No… I have no conditions. Serving the government is my honor. But I have a sister… I hope…” Nokiyoru’s face was serious, like a fervent believer beyond reproach.
“We know about your sister. As long as you serve the government well, you’ll have access to the World Government’s intelligence network when you become a Vice Admiral.”
“Thank you, esteemed Gorosei.”
“Any other conditions?”
“None. My lifelong dream is to become an Admiral and help the government eradicate all pirates,” Nokiyoru said, his face twisted with apparent hatred for pirates.
“Good. In that case, about Akainu…”
“I won’t pursue it,” Nokiyoru replied respectfully.
“Excellent, excellent… Let’s leave it at that.”
Standing silently for a moment, Nokiyoru turned away from everyone, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
“Just wait… all of you wait…”
With a deep breath, Nokiyoru calmed his rage, knowing it wasn’t time to retaliate. Humility was necessary. He turned back, expressionless, and returned to Kong.
“Fleet Admiral Kong.”
“About Akainu…” Kong’s face reddened.
“Let the dead dog live for now,” Nokiyoru said disdainfully. “Fleet Admiral Kong, you’d better keep that dog on a leash, or he will truly die.”
“Ugh…” Akainu, lying on the ground, glared at Nokiyoru, spitting a mouthful of blood in fury.
“The result of this competition can be announced now, right?” Nokiyoru raised an eyebrow, noting his injuries.
Thus, Akainu narrowly escaped death again, with Nokiyoru declared the victor.
Next up was the match between Kizaru and Aokiji. The winner would face Nokiyoru for the title, but Nokiyoru was not interested in second, third, or fourth place. His goal was always first.
With that, Nokiyoru was once again hospitalized.
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