Chapter 400: Prepare for the Showdown!
Chapter 400: Prepare for the Showdown!
Hearing Sakazuki’s voice, Tokikake immediately stopped his attack.
He knew very well how important today’s mission was.
If he truly pressed forward, Sakazuki would likely cut him down without hesitation.
The realization hit him—he had let his anger blind him.
How could the man in front of him, who had slapped him away with a single strike, be just a Lieutenant?
Impossible. That could only mean one thing: this man was a hidden trump card of the Navy.
Though Tokikake had no idea when such an arrangement had been made, that thought already burned in his mind.
"Fleet Admiral, I—"
"Get back to your place. Don’t embarrass yourself further," Sakazuki cut him off sharply.
Tokikake clenched his fists. His pride stung, his face burned from the earlier slap, and bitterness welled inside him. But against Sakazuki’s words, he had no choice but to leave—disgraced and humiliated.
"...Please."
Sakazuki glanced at Gion, spoke a single word, then turned and left.
As his footsteps faded, Gion shifted her gaze toward Chrollo.
It was obvious Sakazuki’s words weren’t only for her—but for him as well.
Which meant... Sakazuki already knew.
The Marine Headquarters was fully aware of the Dragon Hunter Pirates’ involvement.
But then—why?
Why was there no reaction at all!?
"What exactly did you do?"
Suppressing the tension in her chest, Gion demanded directly.
"We... are simply here to help."
Chrollo’s answer was calm, almost dismissive. "And we’re helping as officers of the Navy."
With that, he turned and led his men toward their arranged position.
Gion gritted her teeth at the evasive answer, but followed in silence.
---
Soon, everyone arrived at the designated site.
It had to be said—the Navy’s efficiency was terrifying.
In such a short span of time, preparations were complete.
Even if the Dragon Hunters hadn’t come, Findus and his group would have been crushed the moment they set foot here.
"Next, follow the Admiral’s orders."
Ryuunosuke’s voice rang out, cold and commanding.
"The battle begins. Kill them with everything you have."
After that, he said no more.
The atmosphere among the gathered sailors was strange. Many were timid, their nerves stretched thin. To them, this all felt like a staged rehearsal rather than a life-and-death battle.
Some, bored out of their minds, even sat down to play cards.
Time crawled by. Slowly, the sun climbed high into the sky.
Then—
"Ships spotted!" the lookout’s cry shattered the lull.
A loud bang! followed—the crack of a musket.
The World Government had arrived.
---
Sakazuki strode to the port with Borsalino at his side, his expression unreadable.
As for Green Bull, he was still recovering. Even if he wasn’t, Sakazuki would never bring him here.
Ten minutes later, the massive ship docked.
From it, a procession descended.
"Lord Findus," Sakazuki greeted with forced civility. "What brings you here so suddenly?"
He had met Findus before. That familiarity allowed him to speak directly.
Findus, however, was unsurprised the Navy knew of their arrival. After all, they hadn’t exactly tried to hide it. If the Navy hadn’t noticed, they’d be useless.
Given Findus’ high standing, Sakazuki’s personal welcome—with so many officers in tow—was already a sign of respect.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, do you think this is the place for such talk?" Findus said slowly.
"...Forgive me. I’m not fully prepared. This way, please. Let’s continue in my office."
Though his tone was calm, a flicker of impatience crossed Sakazuki’s face.
Findus noticed it and smiled inwardly.
A man who wore his emotions so openly was the easiest to deal with.
"Have Vice Admiral Tsukiyama and Vice Admiral Boka come as well," Findus added casually as he walked.
"There are things I need to discuss with them."
Most of the names he listed had been mentioned in Morgans’ intelligence reports. Some were not. Perhaps it was deliberate—an attempt to misdirect Sakazuki’s suspicion.
"Fine. I’ll have them summoned," Sakazuki replied flatly.
"Truth is, I can’t control many of those men anyway. If you’d like to discipline them yourself, be my guest. The Navy can’t afford such disorder."
His disgust was obvious.
Findus, watching closely, became more certain: those so-called officers were nothing but freeloaders, living carelessly at headquarters.
Yet again, he misunderstood.
Only a handful were truly useless. The rest had been drained to exhaustion by Tsuru’s endless oversight.
---
"By the way, Lord Findus, these people..."
Sakazuki’s eyes swept over the hooded figures trailing behind him. Notably absent was Ilok, the deputy commander of CP. He had stayed aboard the ship.
The hooded ones were clearly not notable figures.
This alone puzzled Sakazuki.
"They are my personal guards. Why? Does the Fleet Admiral mind their presence?" Findus asked, amusement curling his lips.
"Not at all." Sakazuki’s smile was thin. "No reason to mind."
By now, they had entered the arranged encirclement.
Findus and Ilok had split apart—exactly as Sakazuki intended.
Confirmation.
The target was indeed the Navy.
No need for pretenses anymore.
---
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Step by step, naval admirals and their units appeared, blocking Findus’ path.
At once, his instincts screamed. Something was off.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki... what is the meaning of this?" Findus demanded.
The entire ordeal had felt strange from the start. Messages unanswered. Sakazuki’s constant feigned ignorance.
And now, this.
"The names you called just now—those men cannot come," Sakazuki said calmly.
"They’ve already been dealt with. For betraying the Navy."
His smile widened.
"So, no Fleet Admiral ’s office. Whatever you wish to say, say it here."
---
Findus’ eyes narrowed.
"You dare... to go against the World Government?"
Then, a mocking voice cut in:
"The World Government is moving against the Navy. And it will be led by the newly promoted Elder, Findus himself."
The words weren’t spoken by Sakazuki.
They came from a phonograph shell in his hand.
Morgans’ voice.
Hearing it, Findus’ composure shattered. Rage twisted his face.
"Morgans! You wretched vulture!"
In that instant, his fury nearly boiled over.
Every operative he’d sent to Marineford—exposed.
Every plan—undone.
All because of that damned bird’s intelligence network.
Now the Navy stood ready, their trap already sprung.
It was as if the entire situation existed only to mock him.
And Findus could feel it—mocking him it did.
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