《One Piece: Rising》Chapter 18: My Honor is Loyalty!

"Lord Imu?"

Hearing this unfamiliar name, a flicker of genuine confusion crossed Sengoku's eyes.

As Fleet Admiral of the Marines, he had traveled between Mariejois and Marine Headquarters countless times over the years. He had personally overseen security operations at the Holy Land on numerous occasions, particularly during the Reverie held every four years.

During these assignments, he had meticulously mapped every defensive position in Mariejois to prevent even the slightest security breach.

Yet despite his extensive knowledge and high clearance, the name "Imu" remained entirely foreign to him.

If even Sengoku was unfamiliar with this entity, it was no surprise that the others exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions betraying deep skepticism toward Gion's revelation.

Meanwhile, at the top floor of Marine Headquarters.

As the elevator doors slid open, Xayuki stepped out without hesitation, his movements purposeful and decisive.

Vice Admirals Strawberry and Bastille followed closely behind him. Several Rear Admirals rushed ahead, positioning themselves with military precision at the conference room doors at the corridor's end.

The moment Xayuki approached, two Rear Admirals pushed the massive doors open in perfect synchronization.

Without breaking stride, Xayuki entered the conference hall, his posture commanding and his gaze unwavering.

"Clatter!"

Inside the conference hall, Gion, Hound, and the assembled Marine officers rose to their feet in unison, the soldiers behind them following suit with disciplined precision.

Xayuki didn't proceed to his designated seat. Instead, under the focused attention of everyone present, he strode directly to where Sengoku sat.

"Attention!"

Before Sengoku could react, Xayuki snapped to perfect military attention, his feet together, and raised his right hand in a formal salute. "To Fleet Admiral Sengoku—salute!"

At Xayuki's command, Strawberry, Bastille, and the other high-ranking officers behind him immediately stood at attention. Gion, Hound, and their subordinates followed suit, their voices ringing out in unison: "Loyalty!"

Sengoku's expression remained impassive as he observed Xayuki's salute, his eyes betraying nothing of his thoughts.

In stark contrast, Maynard and the other officers who had not pledged allegiance to Xayuki watched him with undisguised hostility, their bodies tensed as if preparing for combat.

"Vice Admiral Xayuki, you've had quite an eventful night."

After a weighted silence, Sengoku shook his head with a measured sigh. "Using the lives and blood of your comrades to fulfill your ambitions—is this the justice you claim to uphold?"

In response, Xayuki reached into his coat and extracted a document, placing it before Sengoku with deliberate care. Taking a respectful step back, he spoke with calm conviction.

"Years ago on Fish-Man Island, I encountered a seer who prophesied that my success would be built upon mountains of bones. I rejected that vision. In my view, each person's fate—whether to live or die—is ultimately their own choice." His voice hardened slightly. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Marineford now stands under my control. If you wish to prevent further bloodshed, I ask that you sign this document."

"Xayuki! You treacherous dog!"

Before Sengoku could respond, Maynard leapt to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury. "As long as we draw breath, your schemes will never succeed!"

"You court death!"

Without waiting for Xayuki's command, Strawberry and Bastille moved with lethal synchronicity.

In a blur of motion, Strawberry's finger—hardened through the Finger Pistol technique—was positioned a hair's breadth from Maynard's heart, while Bastille's massive blade rested against his throat, the edge drawing a thin line of blood.

Simultaneously, Gion's hand moved to her sword hilt with fluid grace, while Hound's lips curled into a predatory smile, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust. Should Maynard, Yamakaji, or Stiles make even the slightest provocative movement, they stood ready to strike with lethal efficiency.

The atmosphere in the conference hall crystallized into razor-sharp tension, the air itself seeming to vibrate with imminent violence.

"Strawberry! Bastille!"

Maynard's voice trembled with barely contained rage as he glared at his former comrades. "Xayuki has been at Headquarters for merely six years! What could he possibly have done to make you forsake your Marine honor and follow him into treason?"

"A warrior lives for the one who recognizes his worth," Strawberry replied, his gaze cold and unflinching. "My honor is my loyalty!"

Bastille, ever economical with words, spoke with quiet finality. "Sit down. Our shared history won't stay my hand if you resist."

"You—" Maynard's fury peaked, his body instinctively lurching forward.

"Enough!"

Sengoku's fist crashed down upon the conference table with thunderous force, the impact reverberating throughout the room. "Maynard, stand down! Now!"

Without sparing another glance at the confrontation, Sengoku turned his attention to the document Xayuki had placed before him.

"What is this?"

As Sengoku scanned the contents, his eyes narrowed sharply. Looking up at Xayuki with barely concealed disbelief, he asked, "You propose I appoint you as Acting Fleet Admiral? Xayuki, surely you recognize the impossibility of this demand. The appointment of Fleet Admiral isn't within my unilateral authority. Without the sanction of Mariejois—"

"The Holy Land's approval won't be necessary."

Xayuki interrupted with the faintest smile playing at his lips. "All that matters is that the Marines—from Headquarters to the Four Blues and throughout the Grand Line—believe you are temporarily indisposed due to health concerns, and that I am acting in your stead. Of course, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you may refuse to sign." His voice dropped to a softer, more dangerous tone. "But understand that such refusal will cost many more lives before dawn breaks."

At this thinly veiled threat, Sengoku fell silent, his strategic mind rapidly calculating the implications.

As Fleet Admiral, he recognized Xayuki's maneuver for what it was—a brilliant tactical delay. By temporarily stabilizing the Marine branches across the world with this fiction, Xayuki could methodically eliminate opposition with minimal casualties and maximum efficiency.

Once Xayuki secured complete control over the Marines, the World Government would face an impossible choice: either legitimize Xayuki's position as Fleet Admiral, or mobilize all remaining forces in a potentially catastrophic civil war against the very military meant to protect them.

As Sengoku deliberated in silence, Xayuki turned and walked with measured steps to the empty chair directly across from him at the conference table.

The moment he approached, Gion stepped forward with practiced elegance, adjusting the chair slightly. After Xayuki seated himself, she took a position at his left side, her hand resting on her sword hilt. Strawberry and Bastille quickly moved to flank Xayuki's right, their unified gaze fixed on Sengoku's grave expression.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you must not sign that document!"

Suddenly, Maynard rose again, his voice charged with desperate conviction. "We still possess the strength to resist! If we can hold our position until Vice Admiral Garp returns from leave, victory will surely be ours! Furthermore, the Three Admirals haven't yet fully declared their—"

"Bang!"

Before Maynard could finish, the massive doors of the conference hall burst open once more.

All eyes turned to see Admiral Sakazuki—resplendent in his newly donned Admiral's coat and cap—stride into the room, accompanied by Vice Admiral Momonga.

Under the stunned gazes of Maynard, Yamakaji, Stiles, and the others, Sakazuki walked directly to Xayuki's side, positioning himself as a clear ally.

"Admiral Sakazuki!"

Maynard's voice cracked with disbelief, his pupils contracting in shock. "What... what are you doing? Surely you haven't... No, it's impossible! You're the Admiral who tolerates no compromise, whose justice is absolute! What of your unwavering principles?"

Sengoku also raised his gaze to meet Sakazuki's, his voice weighted with gravity. "Sakazuki, is this truly your choice?"

Sakazuki slowly lifted his head, a momentary shadow of hesitation flickering across his typically resolute eyes. But within an instant, that doubt vanished, burned away by newfound conviction. His expression hardened into unshakable determination as he nodded firmly.

"Yes."

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