Chapter 148 - 148: Sakazuki's Promotion to Admiral
Ten warships, with hundreds of cannons combined.
They bombarded Ohara continuously, lasting deep into the night.
The raging flames engulfed the entire island, illuminating the heavens in the pitch-black night.
Even several nautical miles away, one could still feel the searing heat and see the crimson sky.
Robin sat crying in a small boat… drifting farther and farther away.
...
Sakazuki and Enel stood at the top level of the warship.
No one spoke. They simply watched the flames burn.
They watched until the fire burned out completely, leaving only scorched black earth and faint wisps of smoke.
Morning.
Tap tap tap tap…
A set of footsteps echoed as Karol approached the bow of the ship:
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki, the rest of the fleet is awaiting orders."
Sakazuki spoke slowly:
"Organize a search party."
Karol nodded:
"Yes, sir."
After a few seconds of silence, he added:
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki..."
"Last night, the operation at the 73rd Branch in the South Blue failed..."
"Only one of the seven-person team sent there survived. Avis and the branch commander perished together."
Sakazuki stared out at the sea:
"Was all evidence cleaned up?"
Karol replied:
"Yes."
"The high explosives triggered by Avis destroyed nearly half the base."
Images of Avis and the personnel sent to the 73rd Branch flashed through Sakazuki's mind:
"Anything else?"
Karol's voice grew a bit hoarse:
"Avis asked me to pass a message to you."
"He's very sorry. He did his best."
Sakazuki fell silent for a moment:
"I understand..."
"Learn from this and have people search the area around the base."
"Look for Avis's Devil Fruit."
"That's all. You're dismissed."
Karol said:
"Yes, sir."
He turned and left with Enel.
Only Sakazuki remained, quietly gazing at the sea.
After a long while, he too turned and left…
...
Ohara, site of the Tree of Knowledge ruins.
The colossal Tree of Knowledge, once spanning half the island, now lay in ruins—reduced to a massive charred stump.
Soldiers walked across the smoke-filled island, searching.
"This is terrifying."
"This is the Buster Call."
"How could anyone survive this?"
"Crater marks and scorched earth everywhere."
"Stop talking."
"Focus on the search."
"Hey! Look over there!!!"
The soldiers, who had been casually chatting while searching, suddenly shouted in surprise.
"This lake is filled with books!"
"What?!"
"Let me see!"
"This is…!!!"
Inside the lake, a massive pile of books—thrown in by the scholars of Ohara.
The entire lake was almost overflowing with them—an effort to preserve humanity's history…
...
Several days later.
Grand Line, G7 Branch.
Spandine and Sengoku met here.
They were reviewing the operation and organizing reports.
On Sengoku's desk lay a photo.
Kuzan sat on the nearby sofa, also holding a photo and staring at it.
Spandine said:
"This is the brat."
"I saw her with the scholars of Ohara."
"They're definitely connected."
He turned to his subordinates:
"Where did you find her?"
A subordinate stood at attention and reported:
"She was spotted on a passenger ship northeast of Ohara."
"But we lost track of her soon after..."
Spandine clicked his tongue:
"That kid has incredible luck."
"I personally saw her on a small wooden boat."
"She escaped the burning Ohara."
"But when we tried to pursue, the rudder seemed frozen solid—completely immobile."
"Unbelievable."
Sengoku cast a subtle glance at Kuzan, who was sweating silently on the sofa.
He said to Spandine:
"If she was involved with the scholars of Ohara..."
"Then she might be able to read the Poneglyphs too."
"Even if she's a child, we can't let her go."
"Use whatever means necessary to capture her."
"Otherwise, all of this will have been for nothing."
Spandine nodded:
"Agreed."
"Then let's fabricate a justification."
"Start the bounty hunt."
"I'll report to the Elders first."
Sengoku gave a small nod and an acknowledging hum.
After Spandine left—
Only the two of them remained in the large office, accompanied by the sound of a goat munching on documents.
"This better be the last time, Kuzan…"
...
A few days after the fall of Ohara.
With the government's and Navy's cleanup, two headlines dominated newspaper front pages—and quickly spread across the seas.
East Blue, Windbell Island, Navy 65th Branch.
Jeram burst into the Base Commander's office waving a newspaper.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki's been promoted to Admiral!!!"
Megan, now the Base Commander.
"What?!"
He grabbed the newspaper, a joyful smile spreading across his face.
Sakazuki was their idol, and he was truly happy for him.
"Jeram! Spread the word!"
"We're celebrating today!!!"
Jeram grinned:
"You got it!"
...
West Blue, a small island northeast of Ohara.
On the streets, people gathered in small groups, holding today's newspaper.
"Hey, hey, is this real?"
"Seventy-nine million Belly."
"How does an eight-year-old have a bounty that high?"
"You don't know?"
"She's the survivor of the Ohara demon who tried to destroy the world."
"Rumor says she destroyed six Navy ships by herself."
"That's why the bounty's so high."
"Terrifying..."
"Good thing the government and Navy discovered her in time."
"To think she was hiding so close."
But amidst the rumors spreading across the sea, new whispers added a layer of fear toward Sakazuki.
As people gathered and discussed the news, someone quietly said:
"Did you know..."
"Actually, the government sent a refugee ship for the innocent citizens of Ohara."
"But the newly appointed Admiral, Sakazuki, personally ordered it destroyed."
The others were utterly incredulous:
"Something like that!"
"No way. I know Sakazuki—he's not the kind of person to do that."
"Damn, he must have disguised himself too well back then."
"And given his prior reputation in reports for pirates' brutal methods... you can imagine what kind of person he really is."
"How could this be... it's utterly inhumane."
"Shh!!!"
"Lower your voice! Do you want to get yourself killed?"
"If word gets out, don't be surprised if he kills your whole family."
"Right, right—let's not talk about it anymore."
"Let's go, quickly."
Shaken by shock, the group dispersed in a flurry.
In a corner by the wall, Robin held her breath. She remained hidden until night fell, then slipped away quietly…
…
New World, Wano Country.
Over Onigashima, dark clouds swirled violently, and thunder rumbled amid flying embers.
A roaring dragon's cry circled high over Onigashima, echoing endlessly.
At Kuri's Oden, gazing toward Onigashima, he tightened his grip on the sword at his waist.
"I can't wait any longer…"
Onigashima.
Boom—
With a tremendous explosion, a nearly‑hundred‑meter crater opened in the ground.
In the air, Kaido—who had been thrashing like a blue dragon all day—transformed into human form and lay motionless inside.
King commanded the half‑finished units, moving Kaido into the palace, and exhaled:
"It's finally over."
Glancing at Queen beside him:
"Next time, don't let Sakazuki's news reach Kaido‑sama."
"Especially when he's drunk—he'll go insane."
The slightly chubby Queen grumbled:
"It was just a newspaper. I didn't expect such a big reaction."
King snorted:
"Idiot."
Queen retorted angrily:
"You bastard, you've no right to say that."
Their usual back‑and‑forth insults continued…
…
Grand Line, Undersea Great Prison.
Level Six, Impel Down.
Several guards tossed food into a cell while chatting idly.
"There's a new Admiral in the Navy now, you know?"
"Huh!?"
"Who is it?"
"They say it's the former Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
"What! Admiral Sakazuki!?"
"You know him?"
"My hometown was saved by him."
"That was eight years ago—it's why I joined the Navy."
"But I ended up assigned to the prison—sigh."
"Don't lose heart. Prison work at least is stable and safe."
"True… maybe it just wasn't meant to be."
"Hahahahaha."
In the depths, in a single‑person cell, the Golden Lion suddenly opened his eyes once the guards had left.
"That brat is already an Admiral…"
"Heh…"
Dangerous light flickered in Golden Lion's eyes. He had plans to escape—he only needed one chance…
"Roger, I'll make you realize that I'm the correct one."
"The great pirate age you started is just child's play."
"Just wait, world…"
…
Inside the vast royal palace, monarch Bartholomew Kuma stood finishing his reading in the royal library—searching for something in the collection.
A gust of cool wind blew in.
Kuma turned suddenly and slapped out with one palm.
Clang!
Dragon caught Kuma's attacking wrist.
Dragon pulled down the hood of his green cloak.
"I bear no ill intent."
"I just wish to talk with you about this world."
He gently released Kuma's wrist.
Bartholomew Kuma looked at the man before him and said slowly:
"This world?"
Dragon produced a newspaper and handed it over.
Kuma took it—it was the page reporting on Ohara, and Robin's massive wanted poster.
"That's right. The world."
They spoke into the deep night… and at some point, both vanished.
…
Grand Line, Lickquie Islands.
Under the Kodaka Kingdom's rule, seventy percent of the Lickquie Islands consist of rock.
So the islanders survive by quarrying and selling giant stones.
In recent years, the new king raised taxes and oppressed the people—and has done so for years.
His main goal was to earn admission into the World Government.
Bartholomew Kuma stood atop a peak, gazing at the emaciated laboring masses:
"So this is the nation you speak of."
Dragon stood by murmuring:
"Yes. This is only the beginning."
"We intend to liberate not only this place, but the whole world."
Kuma looked down:
"When do we begin?"
Dragon replied:
"Tonight."
Then he transformed into a breeze and vanished, leaving Kuma alone gazing at the teeming crowds.
"A revolution, huh…"
...
Late at night.
At a single person's rise, masses poured down from the rocky mountains en masse toward the palace.
With gale winds, torrential rain, and thunder aiding them, they surged toward the king's castle.
Inside the palace, the ambitious king desperately used his Den Den Mushi:
"Damn!"
"Damn!"
"Damn!"
"Why won't it connect!!!"
"Rats!"
"Someone! Go!!!"
"Get our treasures together—prepare ships!!!"
Shouts and combat drew near: clearly the palace had been breached, guards hastily fled to pack, no one eager to die…
Years ago the king tried to flee toward the back gate.
Crack—
His neck snapped instantly.
Dragon and Bartholomew Kuma appeared.
Dragon softly spoke:
"It's over."
Drawn to the Den Den Mushi still clutched by the king, Kuma picked it up and his pupils shrank.
"This is…"
"The special Den Den Mushi used by the CP Organization."
"Exposed?"
"Impossible!"
"And then this is…"
Dragon inhaled deeply to steady his racing thoughts, nodded toward Kuma—and the two disappeared.
Enel and Karol, cloaked in custom capes, stood in a second‑floor room of a dwelling at a distance.
Karol looked at the fallen kingdom and told Enel to put away the magnetic bomb:
"You're still young, after all."
"But after this, you'll probably learn something."
"Let's go, Enel."
They turned and departed.
While tracking and investigating Dragon's movements, it was discovered he had stayed too long on the island.
Sakazuki then sent Karol to investigate; he extracted everything as easily as sifting through a sieve—leaving no trace.
He also made inquiries with the king, discovering that the king had somehow obtained the CP Organization's contact Den Den Mushi.
The king wasn't stupid.
The suddenly meek populace—after years of boiling resentment—suddenly showed obedience, hope shining in their eyes.
When investigated, he broke into a cold sweat—but he realized another possibility.
Namely, have the government gain favor by selling such ideological criminals in exchange for credit and entry into the World Government.
So he secretly contacted a friendly World Government nation's king and obtained a contact Den Den Mushi.
By the appointed date, the CP Organization would lie in wait offshore—once the Den Den Mushi was rung, they'd storm the island immediately.
But even without the magnetic bomb to block signals, Dragon wouldn't stay.
Yet growth at that pace was too slow.
Therefore Sakazuki had Karol and Enel bring the magnetic bomb to block the signal.
Late at night.
Sakazuki ended a Den Den Mushi call.
He lit a cigar and inhaled deeply:
"Phew—"
"Hurry up and grow… puppet."
"Heh…"
He turned and walked toward the first floor.
Preparing for tomorrow's Admiral inauguration ceremony.
…
Early morning.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Soldiers in neat ranks filled the plaza at Headquarters.
Reporters stood on peripheral platforms, snapping photos incessantly, capturing the marines' heroic posture.
At the sound of dawn's bell…
Navy leaders slowly entered.
At the head stood Fleet Admiral Kong.
He stood at the huge podium:
"It is with great pleasure that we gather today for this Admiral inauguration ceremony."
"Because it signifies world justice growing more powerful."
"Official proclamation."
"By order of the World Government and Marine Headquarters."
"We bestow upon Vice Admiral Sakazuki"
"the rank of Admiral."
"Call sign—Akainu!!!"
Countless flashbulbs lit up, and tens of thousands of marines shouted "Justice!" in unison, their voices lingering.
Fleet Admiral Kong stepped aside as Sakazuki walked forward.
Dressed in a red suit and heavy admiral's cloak, he looked utterly solemn.
At a gesture from him, the earth‑shaking cheers suddenly fell silent—it was extraordinarily reverberant.
Sakazuki began softly:
"Over many centuries past…"
"Pirates, these sea‑borne tumors, have been proliferating in endless succession."
"They produce nothing, living by plunder and slaughter."
"They constantly threaten people's lives and property."
"The evil pirate Roger opened the so‑called Great Pirate Age."
"The whole world thought it was pirates' frenzy."
"But today I tell you this:"
"This is the Navy's era! This is the era of justice!"
"We in the Navy bear the world's justice!"
"Evil pirates will be eradicated completely!"
"We will fight in the sky!"
"We will fight on land!"
"We will fight on the sea!"
"We will eliminate all evil, letting people live in peace and harmony!"
"Justice! Victory assured!!!"
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