At the same time...
On the elevated platform at the center of Marineford Plaza, Elio looked up sharply, his gaze fixed on the distant towering wall, drawing the eyes of thousands.
In the very moment his head lifted, that distant wall within his sight was instantly sealed in ice, turning into a massive frozen sculpture.
Moments later, a figure stepped onto the icy barricade, backlit by the cold silver glow of the moon, staring down at Marineford Plaza from above.
The man who stood atop the wall was none other than the last of the Marine Headquarters' three Admirals. Codename: Aokiji. The one who wields the powers of the Ice-Ice Fruit, a Logia-type Devil Fruit. His name was Kuzan.
"Ahhh, it seems that while I was gone for some time, something pretty earth-shaking happened at Marine Headquarters," Kuzan murmured lazily.
Standing at nearly three meters tall, Kuzan gazed across the plaza, where tens of thousands of Marine soldiers had gathered. His eyes finally landed on the central platform with a flicker of doubt and confusion.
A sudden wave of frost had swept over the plaza, chilling the air. Many present instinctively turned to glance toward the source. When they saw the lone figure on the high wall, expressions of surprise and joy spread across their faces.
But that momentary delight quickly gave way to solemn composure. All eyes turned toward the platform, where the new acting Fleet Admiral stood.
There, on the elevated platform, Borsalino and Sakazuki also looked toward Kuzan, who had just appeared without warning.
Neither of them spoke. One remained on high alert, while the other stood there nonchalantly, as if none of this truly concerned him.
"Admiral Kuzan!"
It was at that moment that a stern voice rang out. From behind Borsalino and Sakazuki, Vice Admiral Momonga stepped forward decisively, saluting with utmost seriousness.
"You're back at the perfect time. Fleet Admiral Sengoku has fallen ill. Lord Elio is now serving as acting Fleet Admiral in his stead."
"I see..." Kuzan's eyes drifted lazily toward the platform again, a hint of confusion flashing through the haze of his demeanor.
"But why Vice Admiral Elio? If Fleet Admiral Sengoku is unwell, then his successor should come from among the three Admirals. Elio is still a Vice Admiral. Doesn't Sengoku worry that others might not accept his authority?"
As he spoke, Kuzan's figure flickered and, in the blink of an eye, he appeared at the base of the platform. Under the gaze of all present, he climbed the steps slowly, stopping before Sakazuki and Borsalino. Raising his eyes to meet Elio's on the platform, he said coldly,
"I can smell the scent of blood in the air. Should I take that to mean that Fleet Admiral Sengoku isn't simply sick... but that you all launched a coup?"
Elio smiled calmly and nodded, "Your understanding is quite accurate. As you can see, I did not reach this position through Sengoku's appointment. Rather, it is because everyone in the Marine, aside from you, has pledged their loyalty to me."
Pausing briefly, Elio turned his head toward Hound.
Hound stepped forward briskly, handing Kuzan a document signed by Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Kuzan took it and glanced over it before looking back up.
"May I go see Fleet Admiral Sengoku myself?"
"Of course," Elio nodded, his tone relaxed. "He's with Instructor Zephyr in the conference room."
At that, Kuzan turned and walked away without another word.
Just then, two figures flashed across the plaza, swiftly making their way from Marine Headquarters toward the platform. It was Ain and Binz, who had rushed here from the main building.
The moment they reached the base of the platform, they stood straight and saluted sharply, voices clear and firm.
"Lord Elio!"
"Ain, reporting in!"
"Binz, reporting in!"
Kuzan, having just turned around, blinked in surprise at the sudden appearance of the two.
He knew Ain and Binz well, they were fellow students under Instructor Zephyr. Not only that, he remembered they had both survived the brutal attack on the training vessel three years ago.
That incident had been engraved deeply in Kuzan's heart. Since then, whenever he had time away from duty, he searched tirelessly for the culprits responsible. He knew all too well how devastating the ambush had been to Instructor Zephyr. If they couldn't bring the attackers to justice, Zephyr's faith in the Marine would only wane further... perhaps even sever completely.
He had searched across all four seas, even ventured into the New World time and time again. But still, he had found no trace of the enemies who ambushed the trainees three years ago.
But for now... that was not what mattered.
What truly mattered was this: the appearance of Ain and Binz at this moment was enough to prove that Elio's coup to become the new Fleet Admiral of the Marine wasn't just successful... it had the support of Instructor Zephyr. In fact, it was entirely possible that Zephyr had even been involved in the plot himself.
And that could only mean one thing. Whether he accepted it or not, the tide had already turned. The outcome was no longer in question.
Kuzan exhaled a cold breath silently, then turned his head slightly to glance at Sakazuki and Borsalino.
From their expressions, he saw no trace of disapproval or resistance toward Elio's coup. Sakazuki, in particular, appeared to be a completely different man, his eyes unwavering and filled with firm resolve. It was clear that he had already accepted Elio as the new head of the Marine. As for Borsalino, he still wore that lazy, indifferent look, but even he seemed to have no objections.
Reading their reactions with sharp clarity, Kuzan didn't linger any longer. He turned and strode toward the headquarters building.
Elio, however, wasn't bothered in the slightest by Kuzan's departure. Once Ain and Binz returned to their positions, he took a quiet, deep breath, then slowly swept his gaze across the thousands gathered before him. Calm and steady, his voice rang out.
"I know that among the tens of thousands of you present, there are still many who cannot accept what happened last night. I understand. In last night's operation, many fell... including Vice Admirals like Onigumo, Doberman, and Maynard. Alongside them, countless officers and soldiers below their rank lost their lives."
He paused, allowing the weight of those words to sink in.
"Many of you were subordinates to those very men. If you do not accept my authority as acting Fleet Admiral, you may step forward. I will arrange a warship to take you away from Marineford."
"Of course, you are also free to remain. You are free to choose loyalty to me."
He raised his voice slightly.
"I will give you one minute to decide."
As Elio's final word echoed through the plaza, a suffocating silence fell over Marineford once more.
Just as Elio had said, many of the Marines present had served under the fallen Vice Admirals. When they saw their commanders' corpses, their first instinct was to rise up in defiance. But the entire Marineford had already fallen under the control of the so-called "rebels." Their fury had to be buried deep within, as they waited in silence, hoping for an opportunity to escape and take revenge.
But seeing both Sakazuki and Borsalino, two of the three Admirals, publicly pledge their loyalty to Elio had extinguished the fire in their hearts in an instant.
What shocked them most, however, was Elio's promise to offer them a way out... a chance to leave alive.
None of them doubted his words. Over the years, even if their superiors had been opposed to him, they had still heard from their comrades: Elio always delivered on his word, and if someone came to him with a problem, he answered it.
After a moment of tense stillness, a few officers suddenly stepped forward. Standing tall and proud, they saluted with sharp, decisive voices.
"Loyalty!"
And as if a dam had broken, soldiers behind them raised their arms in salute, shouting out in unison.
"Loyalty!"
"Loyalty!"
The cry of loyalty rang out through the plaza like thunder rolling across the sea. Not a single soul stepped forward to leave.
But that was to be expected. After all, if even the Admirals had pledged loyalty, what reason did those of lesser rank have to throw away their lives?
As Elio watched more and more figures step forward, swearing allegiance, his eyes narrowed slightly. Without a word, he activated his advanced Observation Haki, the supreme form, elevated through the system to its peak.
In a blink, his Haki quietly spread out and enveloped all of Marineford. Every thought, every whisper of doubt or loyalty, all laid bare before his mind.
And once he had scanned the hearts of all, especially those pledging their loyalty, a faint smile rose on Elio's lips. He lifted a hand, signaling to those who had sworn themselves to him to return to formation.
Although a very small number of them hadn't offered their complete loyalty, Elio could tell from their hearts that it wasn't treachery, it was fear. Fear of retribution in the future. Nothing more.
He didn't mind.
With that same steady tone, Elio spoke again.
"You have made the wisest decision of your lives. And know this... I will not enjoy this glory alone."
He paused briefly.
Then, for a second time, he released his supreme Observation Haki.
But this time, it wasn't to read minds. No... this time, it was to speak directly into their hearts.
Because this peak-level Observation Haki granted not only the ability to foresee brief flashes of the future, but the power to project one's own will into others' minds. It could influence thoughts, reshape beliefs, and even alter a person's sense of values.
Silence.
Then, with a sharp step forward, Elio raised his voice, carried by both his words and his will.
"Everyone, the future of the Marine begins now."
"I believe with all my heart, that it is our sacred duty in this era to purge the twisted remnants of the old age... and to build a new world, one of harmony, self-worth, and equality."
"The time of the Celestial Dragons enjoying their unchecked privilege must come to an end. The wicked pirates who plague the seas must be wiped out."
"For the sake of justice!"