CHAPTER 178- Even Aramaki Turned Coat

Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded gravely and immediately ordered the aide behind her to investigate the situation on the Sabaody Archipelago. Then she turned to Sengoku with a deep voice:

"Sengoku, are you saying you think Luo Yu might not be able to handle Aramaki?"

"Right now, he's gathered quite a formidable lineup of special combat forces."

"Don't forget—Fujitora Issho, in your own words, possesses admiral-level combat strength equal to Aramaki. With him teaming up with Luo Yu, they should easily suppress the opponent, right?"

Hearing this, the gathered vice admirals all fell silent in agreement.

In their eyes, the special combat unit Luo Yu had amassed could already be considered a second Marine Headquarters—lacking only the official designation.

Aramaki might indeed be acknowledged by Sengoku as an admiral-level force.

But he was still just one man. Compared to the elite Luo Yu had gathered, the disparity was obvious.

If someone claimed that even with all that manpower, Luo Yu couldn't handle a single Aramaki, no one present would believe it.

"No, Tsuru, you don't understand," Sengoku replied solemnly. "Defeating Aramaki isn't the issue. In terms of destructive power, if you compare Fujitora and Aramaki, it's Fujitora who comes out on top."

"But if we're talking about who's harder to deal with, it's unquestionably Aramaki."

"His Woods-Woods Fruit lets him merge into trees and root himself in the ground. As long as he's fighting on land, he's practically immortal. And once he escapes, trying to find him across the earth… it's harder than fishing a needle out of the sea."

Sengoku sighed, a trace of helplessness flashing across his face.

"Once he latches onto someone, with his obsessive and extreme nature, he's like a piece of sticky gum that just won't come off."

"The reason I rate him as an admiral-level force isn't just raw strength—it's that he's even more of a headache than most admirals."

The expressions of the Marine commanders darkened instantly.

An opponent who can be fought, wounded, or killed—that's manageable.

The real threat was someone who couldn't be killed, hiding in the shadows like a venomous snake, waiting for a chance to strike.

If Aramaki was truly as troublesome as Sengoku claimed, then he really was worse than an admiral.

"Looks like that rookie's stirred up trouble again."

A deep voice cut through the air.

Striding forward with a stern face, draped in a cloak of justice and a red floral shirt, came Admiral Akainu (Sakazuki).

"But since this time it's in the name of Marine Headquarters' justice, I'll lend him a hand."

"I know Aramaki. He might give me some face and back off from Luo Yu. But… if Aramaki demands a deal, or wants someone to apologize to the Celestial Dragons, I can't guarantee anything. If you're okay with that, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, then Vice Admiral Tsuru, please get in touch with Luo Yu and tell him—Aramaki should give Sakazuki some face."

"My face is still worth something."

"Have Aramaki give you face?" Tsuru paused for a moment.

Sengoku was silent briefly before speaking. "Tsuru, do as Sakazuki says. Based on reports from those who've interacted with Aramaki, it seems he has an almost fanatical admiration for Akainu. It might actually work… let's just hope it's not too late."

As he spoke, Sengoku turned to Lilan, the aide who had just returned.

"Lilan, contact Luo Yu immediately. Let him know Akainu is offering to smooth things over."

As Fleet Admiral, Sengoku was very aware that Akainu had always harbored resentment toward Luo Yu—especially because of his unprecedented promotion.

This time, Akainu setting aside his prejudice to intervene in Aramaki's case was undoubtedly a good sign.

However, just as his words faded, Lilan's expression turned visibly bitter.

"…What's wrong, Lilan?" Akainu frowned, voice hardening. "Are you saying my name's not enough for Luo Yu? Or can't you reach him? Need me to go to the Sabaody Archipelago myself?"

"Calm down, Sakazuki," Sengoku stepped in to ease the tension. "Lilan isn't that kind of person. Lilan, Tsuru just had you investigate the Sabaody situation—have Luo Yu and Aramaki already clashed?"

"With an opponent as tricky as Aramaki, even if Luo Yu ends up on the losing end, it's not something to be ashamed of. Just pass along Akainu's goodwill—it might come in handy."

"Lilan," Tsuru added with a solemn nod, "Just do as we said. I believe Luo Yu will understand our intention."

Lilan's face scrunched up even more bitterly. At last, unable to bear the weight of their expectant stares, she gave a wry smile and replied:

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Admiral Akainu—it's not that I don't want to relay the message."

"It's just that… Admiral Akainu's favor doesn't seem to be as useful as Admiral Luo Yu's."

She took a breath.

"I just received a report from Hina: Aramaki confronted Admiral Luo Yu. Luo Yu sliced Island No. 1 of the Sabaody Archipelago in half."

"And in the subsequent pursuit, Aramaki didn't just surrender—he personally requested to board Luo Yu's ship… and offered a very loud and clear token of loyalty."

Sengoku and the others froze, their faces filled with disbelief.

Tsuru was the first to break the silence.

"Lilan, this is no time for jokes."

"No—you tell Hina this isn't something she can joke about! Saying Luo Yu split Sabaody and Aramaki willingly boarded the ship? That concerns the entire outcome of Marine Headquarters' position. That kind of humor could cost her—"

Her voice trailed off as she looked at the photo in Lilan's hand.

A clear image of Sabaody's Island No. 1—split in half by a single slash.

Suddenly, what had sounded like an outrageous fantasy now felt all too real.

"Lilan… what you said just now—it's all true? Aramaki actually boarded Luo Yu's ship?"

"And… this 'loud and clear' token of loyalty—what was it?"

Tsuru pressed anxiously. After all, even the Fleet Admiral Sengoku himself hadn't been able to rein Aramaki in.

Even Akainu was only confident enough to ask Aramaki for a favor—not order him.

But now, Luo Yu hadn't just repelled Aramaki—he had gotten him to submit.

This completely upended their understanding.

Lilan let out a helpless laugh as she felt everyone's eyes boring into her.

"…The Celestial Dragon was Aramaki's meeting gift."

"Admiral Luo Yu has already had the Celestial Dragon sent back to headquarters. And he asked me to pass along one final message to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

"Aramaki… tied up a Celestial Dragon?" Sengoku and the others were stunned.

Everyone knew Aramaki was a fanatical devotee of the Celestial Dragons.

If not, he wouldn't have allowed himself to be manipulated by the Five Elders and gone after Luo Yu in the first place.

And now someone was telling them that Aramaki had tied up one of the very Celestial Dragons he worshipped?

How was that even possible?

Sengoku quickly snatched the fax from Lilan's hands.

The moment he read the final line, he was silent.

And then, he believed it.

The message read:

"It was a smooth deal. Add more money."