One Piece: King of the World-Chapter 299: Only Where the Enemy Is!

Hearing Sakazuki's words, Onigumo remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"If a hawk faction Marine becomes Fleet Admiral, it will naturally be a great thing. We will fully support you, Admiral."

The Marines were divided into three major factions.

First, the neutral faction, led by Borsalino, consisting mainly of Tokikake, some laid-back Vice Admirals, and those who preferred to go with the flow.

Second, the dove faction, led by Kuzan. In truth, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had also belonged to the dove faction. However, an unspoken rule existed within the Marines, whoever assumed the position of Fleet Admiral had to maintain absolute balance.

Thus, after becoming Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had been forced to downplay his dove faction ties.

To keep things fair, he had entrusted control of the Marine science division to the neutral faction, strongly supported Sakazuki's promotion to Admiral, and refrained from suppressing the hawks.

At the same time, he still took care of the doves, including Kuzan, ensuring a degree of harmony within Marine ranks.

More importantly, Sengoku had worked tirelessly to reduce factional conflicts within the Marines.

Thanks to his prestige and the tremendous benefits he had secured for the organization, internal power struggles had remained manageable.

For the most part, the factions had achieved genuine cooperation with the only notable exception being the ongoing rivalry between Sakazuki and Kuzan.

At the very least, it wasn't as severe as it could have been.

Currently, the dove faction still held significant influence. Vice Admiral Momonga, for instance, was one of its strongest members, and as the highest-ranking Vice Admiral, he commanded a great deal of authority.

Meanwhile, Sakazuki was the undisputed leader of the hawk faction.

Historically, the doves had produced multiple Fleet Admirals. Even Kong, the former Fleet Admiral, had been part of the dove faction.

Although this long-standing power dynamic had never led to open hostility, if given the choice, the hawks would naturally prefer one of their own to take command.

And now, Sakazuki was the most promising hawk Marine to ever stand on the verge of claiming the Fleet Admiral position.

At a time like this, the hawk faction had no reason to hesitate they would throw their full support behind him.

After all, the Fleet Admiral influenced the entire Marine hierarchy. If the leader was iron-fisted, then the Marines as a whole would adopt a harsher, more decisive approach.

And in turn, this tougher ideology would shape new Marine recruits, subtly swaying them toward the hawk mentality thereby strengthening the faction's influence over time.

Hearing Ghost Spider's words, Sakazuki nodded.

"Very good. We must remain united. Now, let's discuss something important do you know why Marine Headquarters summoned you this time?"

"Isn't it because of the Reverie?" Dalmatian responded instinctively.

"I don't know why, but its scale has suddenly doubled, so naturally, more personnel are needed."

Doberman nodded in agreement, but Onigumo frowned slightly.

"Admiral, is there another reason?"

Sakazuki remained silent for a moment before replying.

"The expansion of the Reverie you would never have guessed is actually a cover operation to coordinate with our Marine mobilization."

As soon as Sakazuki said this, Onigumo, Doberman, and Dalmatian were all shocked.

Wait… since when did the Marines have this much authority? The Reverie itself is just a smokescreen for our movements? That's insane!

"What the hell is going on? Is something big about to happen?" Doberman asked, clearly startled.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

After all, for the World Government to orchestrate such a massive distraction, something monumental had to be in the works.

Both Onigumo and Dalmatian looked at Sakazuki in astonishment, their eyes filled with curiosity and doubt.

Sakazuki wasted no time.

"Under the command of Saint Claudius, CP-X will be spearheading a joint operation between Marine Headquarters and the Cipher Pol agencies."

"Our staging ground will be Marineford."

"Our main combat forces will be Marine Headquarters and the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"And before the Reverie even begins…"

"We will launch a calculated, premeditated frontal assault against the Whitebeard Pirates."

"The goal of this war…"

"Is to completely annihilate the active forces of the Whitebeard Pirates, led by Edward Newgate himself!"

The moment Sakazuki finished speaking, the three Vice Admirals were completely stunned.

"Wait… what?!

Marine Headquarters is declaring WAR on Whitebeard?!"

Dalmatian blinked a few times, as if trying to process what he had just heard.

"My life just went through a rollercoaster of emotions… Admiral, can you say that again? We're going to war with the Whitebeard Pirates?"

"Yes." Sakazuki's voice was calm, yet resolute.

"The strategic purpose of this war is to shatter the current era!"

Onigumo narrowed his eyes. "Shatter the era?"

"You mean… the era of the Great Pirate Age?" Doberman asked, excitement creeping into his voice.

"Exactly." Sakazuki's tone hardened.

"We will end the Age of Pirates."

"We will erase the shadow of Roger."

"And we will erase the shadow of Whitebeard!"

Dalmatian murmured, still slightly unsure. "This… this is really happening, huh?"

Then, as realization struck him, his expression shifted. A battle-hungry grin spread across his face.

"This is exhilarating… I'm literally trembling with excitement! Hahahaha!"

"So this is the change you spoke of, Admiral?" Onigumo asked.

"Saint Claudius is leading CP-X, and this initiative originates from him?"

Sakazuki nodded.

"Yes. Since CP-X is leading this operation, I believe this marks Saint Claudius' shift in strategy. This type of initiative has never happened before."

"Whether it was Roger or Shiki, past wars were always initiated by the World Government or Marine Headquarters."

"But this time… the driving force behind the war is Saint Claudius himself."

"I see this as a sign, the beginning of a new era."

Sakazuki was absolutely correct in his assessment.

Until now, Claudius had been consolidating power, steadily building his influence.

But now, he was taking the offensive not just against the World Government, but also against the pirates of the New World.

In a steady buildup phase, a dove faction Marine like Sengoku was essential.

But to lead an aggressive charge, only a hawk Marine could be trusted.

That was why Claudius was now considering supporting Sakazuki as the next Fleet Admiral.

And Sakazuki understood this perfectly.

This war…

Was a test.

A battlefield examination to see who was fit to lead the Marines in the new age.

So, when Doberman asked, "Admiral, what's your plan?"

Sakazuki answered in a booming voice:

"This war is codenamed Marineford War—the Battle of the Best."

"This is Saint Claudius' grand opening move."

"We, the hawk Marines, never ask who the enemy is."

"We only ask… where the enemy is!"

***

This book is completed so you can read all chapters on: /Blownleaves.