《One Piece: Rising》Chapter 22: Betting on the Name of Absolute Justice!

After leaving the conference hall, Sakazuki did not immediately follow Xayuki out of Marine Headquarters. Instead, he made a detour to his personal office, where his gaze settled on the plaque mounted prominently on the wall—its bold characters spelling out "Absolute Justice."

For a long moment, he stood in contemplative silence. Then, he exhaled deeply, as if releasing a burden carried for decades. For perhaps the first time in his long military career, a faint smile crossed his severe features.

Without further hesitation, he turned and strode from his office with newfound purpose.

As he approached Borsalino's office, the two guards stationed at the door snapped to attention, saluting crisply in unison: "Loyalty!"

Sakazuki returned their salute with practiced precision. "Is Admiral Kizaru inside?"

"Yes, Admiral Sakazuki!" one soldier confirmed with a sharp nod.

"Open the door," he commanded without hesitation.

The soldiers, clearly aware of Sakazuki's current authority in the new hierarchy, immediately complied.

Inside, Borsalino sat at his desk, his posture as languid as ever—whether from the Sea Stone handcuffs binding his wrists or simply his characteristic indolence was difficult to determine.

"Oh?" Borsalino's eyes registered mild surprise at Sakazuki's entrance. Straightening slightly, he drawled, "How terrifying. I never imagined Xayuki would manage to sway even you."

"You chose to stand aside yourself, did you not?" Sakazuki approached the desk, his imposing figure casting a shadow over his seated colleague. "Tell me your true thoughts on this matter."

"What thoughts could I possibly have?" Borsalino raised his shackled hands with an exaggerated gesture of helplessness.

As a fellow Devil Fruit user, Sakazuki understood the debilitating effects of Sea Stone. Without hesitation, he turned to the guards. "Remove his restraints. Your duties here are complete—report to the plaza immediately."

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers saluted before quickly unlocking Borsalino's handcuffs and departing, leaving the two Admirals alone.

Sakazuki's expression grew solemn as he regarded his longtime colleague. "You know well that among all at Marine Headquarters, you are the only one I consider a brother. If you can accept the choice I've made, will you continue to stand beside me?"

Borsalino didn't answer immediately. He flexed his wrists experimentally, then rose with fluid grace and moved to the window. From this vantage point, he gazed down at Marineford Plaza, brilliantly illuminated despite the late hour.

The vast space now held at least fifty thousand Marines, standing in perfect formation. Remarkably, not a single voice disturbed the expectant silence as all eyes remained fixed on the central platform.

"I'm curious what leverage Xayuki used to secure your allegiance," Borsalino finally said, his gaze tracking Xayuki's distant figure as he emerged from headquarters. "Don't tell me he uncovered some dark secret from your past—"

"He found my mother."

Borsalino turned, genuine surprise displacing his usual mask of indifference. "You mean that elderly woman Xayuki has been caring for these past three years? I encountered her once—she appeared to suffer from severe dementia. I recall she had wandered from her quarters in the residential district, searching desperately for her grandson. Not knowing her identity, I assigned two soldiers to accompany her."

As if struck by his own bout of forgetfulness, Borsalino abruptly changed the subject. "What was it you mentioned earlier?"

Sakazuki frowned slightly, uncertain. "About standing beside me?"

"No, before that," Borsalino shook his head.

After a moment's reflection, Sakazuki ventured hesitantly, "Brother?"

"Let's go see our mother."

Before Sakazuki could respond, Borsalino transformed into a brilliant streak of light that shot from the office window. In the next instant, he materialized before Xayuki's residence in the Marine residential district.

Meanwhile, Xayuki and his entourage arrived at the entrance to Marineford Plaza.

As he approached, the soldiers standing in formation on either side of the entrance raised their hands in perfect synchronization, offering crisp salutes.

Throughout the vast plaza, tens of thousands of Marines turned their attention to the approaching party. Among them, Hina and the female officers under her command watched with a complex mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

Without breaking stride, Xayuki proceeded into the plaza, flanked by Gion, Momonga, Bastille, Strawberry, Hound, and other Vice Admirals who had declared for him. Their destination was the elevated platform at the plaza's center.

As Xayuki passed the first rank of assembled Marines, the entire line stepped forward in perfect unison, backs ramrod straight as they shouted with one voice: "Loyalty!"

Xayuki acknowledged them with a measured salute, his expression composed.

When he reached the second rank, those soldiers followed suit, stepping forward with even greater fervor as they echoed the same declaration: "Loyalty!"

Still, Xayuki maintained his silence, offering only a warm smile and returned salute.

As he approached the third rank, before those soldiers could complete their demonstration of allegiance, a massive figure suddenly burst from the fourth rank. A thunderous voice boomed across the plaza, causing many to wince at its sheer volume:

"XAYUKI!"

The voice carried unmistakable fury. The towering figure planted himself directly in Xayuki's path, his massive frame radiating an intimidating aura that seemed to distort the very air around him.

"John Giant?"

Before Xayuki could respond, Strawberry—who had maintained a protective position at his side—stepped forward, his expression tense with alertness. Simultaneously, Gion moved to Xayuki's other flank, both Vice Admirals adopting combat-ready stances.

Though Momonga, Hound, and Bastille didn't immediately advance, their postures shifted subtly, muscles tensing as they assessed the potential threat.

Their caution was well-founded. The figure blocking their path was none other than Vice Admiral John Giant, a formidable warrior of the Giant Tribe whose strength and endurance far surpassed ordinary humans.

More concerning still, as a Vice Admiral of equal rank, John Giant possessed the authority to command any lower-ranking officer within headquarters. This combination of physical might and institutional authority made him an exceptionally dangerous opponent.

"What madness you have wrought, Xayuki!"

Despite facing five Vice Admirals ready to strike at the slightest provocation, John Giant held his ground. Using his tremendous height to full advantage, he glared down at Xayuki with undisguised contempt. "In the name of the Marines' Absolute Justice, I must stand against this treachery!"

With lightning speed belying his massive frame, John Giant drew the enormous blade strapped across his back. Raw battle intent erupted from him like a physical force, causing his Vice Admiral's coat to billow wildly in the sudden pressure wave. An invisible aura of intimidation radiated outward like a tsunami, crashing against Xayuki and his supporters.

"John Giant!"

Xayuki raised a hand, signaling his protectors to stand down. His expression remained unnervingly calm as he spoke: "You should have stepped forward to fight for justice sooner. Because now, your resistance can only be interpreted as treason."

As he delivered these words, Xayuki took a single, deliberate step forward.

BOOM—

The moment his foot connected with the ground, the earth trembled beneath them.

In the next instant, a terrifying shockwave erupted from beneath Xayuki's feet. It manifested as a rapidly expanding cloud of red and black energy that rippled outward in all directions. An invisible yet palpable pressure filled the air, causing the very atmosphere to vibrate with a low, ominous frequency.

John Giant, who had just drawn his massive sword, suddenly froze mid-motion. His body seemed locked in place, as though shackled by invisible chains. An immense, crushing weight descended upon him, forcing him inexorably downward until his knees struck the ground with a thunderous impact.

"This... this is—"

Kneeling before Xayuki, the giant used his sword as a makeshift crutch, struggling to remain even partially upright. With tremendous effort, he raised his head to look at the man who had brought him low. His face contorted with shock and disbelief.

"Conqueror's Haki! You've... you've awakened Conqueror's Haki!"

~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~

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