One Piece : The Strongest Fleet Admiral

"Lieutenant General Tsuru! Please stay!" Sakazuki caught up and shouted loudly.

"Sakazuki, do you need something from me?"

Tsuru looked puzzled, wondering what Sakazuki might be planning. Was he seeking her support?

"Lieutenant General Tsuru, I hope you can continue to serve as the Marines' Chief Staff Officer! The Marines need you!"

Sakazuki sincerely invited the seventy-year-old veteran.

"Oh? If you become Fleet Admiral, aren't you afraid that I will disobey your orders? You know my relationship with Garp and Sengoku."

"Lieutenant General Tsuru, I believe in your character. You would never do anything to harm the Marines!"

Sakazuki complimented Tsuru, and it wasn't flattery; it was the truth.

Compared to Sengoku and Garp, Tsuru had been the Marines' General Staff Officer for a very long time. She was a highly sensible and principled individual.

While she might tolerate small disputes among her soldiers out of loyalty, when it came to critical issues, she would always prioritize the Marines' interests. Like Zephyr, she was a soldier who sincerely considered the development and future of the Marines.

Another factor was the connection between Tsuru and others within the organization. Current Admiral candidate Momousagi Gion was like a sister to her, and the other candidate, Chaton, was pursuing Gion.

Winning over Tsuru was akin to securing three powerful allies. It was a strategic advantage that could not be ignored.

Although Tsuru, Sengoku, and Garp were once part of the "Iron Triangle," Sakazuki saw great value in reusing her expertise.

"Don't doubt people when employing them, and don't employ people when doubting them!"

Tsuru agreed. How could she ignore her deep connection to the Marines, to which she had dedicated her life?

Continuing to serve in the Marines was her inner wish. Her prior thoughts of retirement had stemmed from fear that Sakazuki might marginalize her after taking office.

Now, it seemed she had misunderstood him.

Although Sakazuki was not yet Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had strongly recommended Aokiji.

However, in the eyes of this intelligent Chief Staff Officer, Sakazuki's rise to Fleet Admiral was inevitable.

After successfully convincing Tsuru, Sakazuki returned to his office in high spirits.

Before he could settle down, an unexpected visitor appeared.

"Sakazuki, your extreme sense of justice is unsuitable for a Fleet Admiral!"

As soon as Aokiji entered, he spoke directly and confidently.

"I'm unsuitable? Then are you suitable? What would you do as Fleet Admiral? Take all the Marines and sleep through battles together?"

Sakazuki sneered, his tone dripping with mockery.

It was no secret that he disapproved of Aokiji's laid-back personality. Aokiji spent his days either sleeping during meetings or lounging on a warship during missions.

While Sakazuki understood that Aokiji's behavior stemmed from his inner conflict about justice, laziness was no excuse.

"If you're conflicted, go and fight pirates wreaking havoc everywhere. What's the point of just lying there?"

Aokiji ignored Sakazuki's jabs and stood firm in his beliefs.

If someone as cold and ruthless as Sakazuki became Fleet Admiral, who knew what direction the Marines would take?

"Sakazuki, I won't hesitate or back down this time! Let's have a fight! The winner will be Fleet Admiral!"

This duel was not just a test of strength but also a clash of ideals about justice.

Sakazuki naturally agreed.

The duel would serve two purposes: settling the matter of Fleet Admiral and allowing both to test their true strength.

The previous battle with the ailing Whitebeard had been rushed, leaving little opportunity to fully gauge his abilities.

Now, facing Aokiji at his peak, Sakazuki could further establish his position in the world of pirates.

Both had fought alongside each other for years, so there would be no intent to kill. The duel would not endanger their lives.

Additionally, Sakazuki's Magma-Magma Fruit had a natural advantage over Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit.

Half a month later, the Five Elders formally recommended Sakazuki for Fleet Admiral.

However, with Sengoku and Marine Hero Garp supporting Aokiji, the matter remained unresolved.

To settle the debate, the two rivals agreed to a duel. The victor would become the next Fleet Admiral.

New World, Punk Hazard!

Once a mild and peaceful island, Punk Hazard had been transformed by Caesar Clown's forbidden experiments. A failed experiment had leaked toxic gas, rendering the island desolate.

The Marines chose this forsaken location for the duel.

Dozens of warships surrounded the island, creating an intimidating sight. To an outsider, it might appear as though the Marines were preparing for a battle with a Yonko.

On a large battleship at the forefront, Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru stood on the deck, staring intently at the island.

Several nearby warships were commanded by prominent vice admirals, including Doberman, Onigumo, Strawberry, Dalmatian, and others.

The impressive lineup underscored the importance of this duel.

After all, the victor would determine the Marines' future trajectory: radical justice or peace-seeking moderation.

Admiral Kizaru, meanwhile, was absent. As the most mobile admiral, he had been tasked with guarding Marineford.

Though unlikely, the possibility of a Yonko taking advantage of the situation required vigilance.

In the center of Punk Hazard, Sakazuki and Aokiji stood facing each other.

Neither spoke a word, and their camaraderie of many years seemed distant in the face of this battle.

There was no room for sentiment. Only the conclusion of the duel could provide answers.

Suddenly, a tremendous aura exploded between the two. A powerful force surged into the sky, scattering the clouds.

The blazing sunlight bore down on the desolate land, adding tension to the scene.

Sakazuki's hands began to transform into molten lava, while freezing air emanated from Aokiji.

"Dark Hound!"

"Violent Pheasant Beak!"

The world's top warriors clashed at the same time, igniting a fierce and decisive battle.