Elio's voice echoed through the plaza, laced with a bewitching charisma that stirred the hearts of thousands.
As if responding to an unseen force, the massive crowd of Marines erupted into chants.
"Loyalty! Loyalty! Loyalty!"
The roar swept across the square in waves, each louder and more fervent than the last.
Those who had followed Elio for years were the most impassioned. Their eyes gleamed with fire, and they shouted until their throats went raw. A few even cried out,
"March on the Holy Land! Break free from the World Government!"
The sheer momentum of their fervor pushed the atmosphere to a boiling point.
On the steps below the platform, two Admirals stood frozen. Beside them, Vice Admiral Gion and a row of Rear Admirals looked on in disbelief.
It wasn't that they had never seen an inspiring speech; every great commander was expected to move the hearts of their men. Vice Admiral John Giant, for instance, had long been the one to deliver key addresses during major events at headquarters. His speeches were once considered the most rousing in all of Marine history.
But what they were witnessing now... surpassed even that.
This wasn't simple morale.
This was madness.
Almost every Marine, from the greenest recruit to the most seasoned officer, even a few Vice Admirals standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gion, seemed entranced. They raised their fists and roared Elio's name like zealots worshiping a god.
Not just the Admirals, everyone was shocked.
Inside the command hall, Sengoku and Zephyr stared wide-eyed as the plaza outside trembled beneath the sound of unified, deafening chants.
"...Something's not right," Sengoku muttered.
His eyes narrowed.
"Is that... Observation Haki?"
He turned away from the window with a bitter smile. "He's channeling his beliefs through the speech... making the crowd resonate with him emotionally. No wonder so many at headquarters have sworn their unwavering loyalty to him in just a few years."
Zephyr didn't respond. He turned sharply toward the main doors.
Sengoku followed his gaze...
There, standing just outside the entrance, was Kuzan.
No one had noticed when he arrived.
In his hand was a document bearing Sengoku's signature. His expression was unreadable, eyes distant.
"Kuzan..." Zephyr muttered.
Kuzan stepped into the hall.
He didn't waste time.
"Zephyr-sensei. Do you truly support everything Elio is doing?"
His voice was calm, yet it cut straight to the heart.
"You both heard what he said," Kuzan continued. "He claimed the era of the Celestial Dragons' privilege should come to an end. If the Holy Land hears those words, the Marines will fall into ruin."
Zephyr's expression darkened.
"Kuzan... do you intend to stop this?"
"No," Kuzan replied flatly. "I just want to know what you really think."
Zephyr smiled faintly, shaking his head.
"My opinion doesn't matter anymore. You were always my most exceptional student. Perhaps the one who knows me best."
His eyes narrowed.
"In my heart... the Marines I once believed in are already dead."
Kuzan's gaze didn't waver.
"Of course I know you best," he said softly. "Ever since you returned from Ohara, you've never forgiven Sakazuki for what he did. You let the only survivor, Nico Robin, escape. You gave up your 'Burning Justice' and chose 'Lazy Justice' instead. Wasn't that because you were already disillusioned with the Marines?"
He exhaled deeply, the weight of years behind that breath.
"Zephyr-sensei, I-"
"Wait."
Sengoku stepped forward abruptly.
His voice was low but thunderous.
"It was you who let Nico Robin go?"
He stared at Kuzan as if seeing him for the first time.
"How could you do that?! If the Holy Land finds out, your career will be over! You know they fear anyone who studies the Void Century!"
Sengoku's face contorted in disbelief.
"As a Fleet Admiral, how could you possibly let her escape?! What were you thinking?!"
Before Kuzan could respond, Zephyr stepped in.
"Enough! Kuzan, don't listen to that nonsense. Elio leads Marine Headquarters now!"
He folded his arms.
"So what if you let Nico Robin go? It doesn't matter. As long as you remain and support Elio, with you three Admirals standing beside him, and the unprecedented unity he's created, then even if the Holy Land finds out... so what?"
Kuzan stared at him for a long moment.
Then he slowly nodded.
"I understand now, Zephyr-sensei."
His voice was calm but firm.
"So, no matter what Elio does next... even if it means going to war with the World Government... you'll support him with everything you've got?"
Zephyr's eyes were unwavering as he declared,
"Of course!"
…
Following the mutiny, Marine Headquarters gradually returned to calm after Elio's fiery speech.
With the two Admirals and a host of Vice Admirals accompanying him, Elio made his way back to the top floor of Marine HQ.
But instead of heading to the conference hall, he walked directly toward the door of the Fleet Admiral's office.
Just as Gion reached out behind him to push it open, the tightly shut door swung open on its own.
A tall figure stepped out, nearly three meters in height.
Kuzan.
"Admiral Kuzan?" Gion's eyes narrowed sharply, immediately stepping forward as if facing a threat. "Why were you inside the Fleet Admiral's office?"
Kuzan glanced at her lazily, then shifted his gaze toward Elio. With his usual indifferent tone, he said,
"Elio... Wait, I should call you Fleet Admiral Elio now, shouldn't I? If I were to leave right now, I'm curious... who would you appoint to take my place among the three Admirals?"
"You're thinking of leaving?" Elio smiled, shaking his head slowly.
"Admiral Kuzan, I'm afraid I can't allow that. You possess the powers of the Ice-Ice Fruit, a formidable force. If I let you walk away now, you'd become a potential threat."
"So you only have two options. One: stay and swear loyalty to me and continue to serve as an Admiral of Marine Headquarters. Or two: we take you down here and now."
Kuzan's brows twitched slightly, his gaze drifting past Sakazuki, Borsalino, Gion, and the others.
"You're afraid I'll go to the Holy Land and report everything you've done to the Five Elders?"
"You won't get that chance."
Elio waved a hand and strode past him to stand behind the large desk. His tone cooled as he continued,
"I've already sent word to the Holy Land about how you let Nico Robin escape in Ohara. If you dare step foot outside this building, the Five Elders will be the first to know."
He paused briefly, then shifted his tone to something softer.
"Kuzan, times have changed. You didn't leave after speaking with Sengoku and Zephyr. Instead, you stayed... waiting for me."
"You've already made your decision. You came here just to ask me a meaningless question, hoping I'd give you a dignified way out."
"But I won't offer you one."
Elio straightened, his voice rising in strength.
"I now formally invite you, if you're tired of being lost, if you still want the justice you once believed in to burn again, then stay and help me!"
"In my homeland, there's an old saying: 'Are kings and generals born of noble blood?'"
"Eight hundred years ago, twenty kings united to create the World Government. If we stand together now, then eight hundred years later, we can forge a better era of our own!"
With that, Elio stepped behind the Fleet Admiral's desk and took his seat. He looked up sharply.
"So, Admiral Kuzan," he said, voice loud and firm, "Tell me. Will you stand by my side?"