Chapter 1183 - 694: Kuzan, 4.5 Billion Belly!

Marineford.

Akainu relocated his original headquarters back from the New World.

As a fortress rebuilt after destruction, it reformed with a unique aesthetic belonging to Akainu.

The former fortress only seemed immense and grand. The newly built fortress resembles a full-fledged war bastion.

The remaining crescent-shaped harbor has been expanded with the extended area filled with Peacekeepers on standby and guard.

And at the forefront of the harbor, the tallest donjon has been fashioned into a colossal cannon mouth shape, aimed directly at the sea.

York joined the World Government, and the technology he contributed slightly transformed this position of the Navy Headquarters.

Besides the primary reason of proximity to Holy Land Mary Geoise, it’s also intended that this fortress cannot undergo a second destruction.

Otherwise, the already declining prestige of the Navy could possibly diminish further.

Bang!

Inside the office, Akainu angrily hung up the phone and punched the office desk, which had been replaced countless times, with a fist dyed crimson, melting a hole through the surface and dripping magma below.

Underneath the brim of his hat, the mouth biting a cigar exhaled smoke, shrouding his face.

He stood up and walked straight to the balcony, overlooking the wide azure sea in silence.

Behind him, his Navy subordinates who were always prepared, stealthily approached, lifting the broken desk away and replacing it with a new one.

Leading against the balcony door frame, Kizaru put down his nail clippers, turned his head toward the sea as well, pursed his lips, and smiled:

"How terrifying... although it’s always been this terrifying. If only I had known earlier, I would have made a move back in Water Seven."

"Who’s to say? In the future, let’s refrain from such jokes."

Akainu slowly raised his head, revealing a pair of resolute eyes, "Contracting our forces till now, not only has the Revolutionary Army not been dealt with, but we’ve allowed the disaster to grow. I’ve long opposed the idea of a Pirate Kingdom being unrealistic. Not only would it tarnish our reputation and embarrass the Navy, but it accomplishes nothing else."

"It’s not entirely without merit."

Kizaru glanced in the direction of the Red Earth Continent, perhaps mockingly, "At least a certain guy is in full bloom now. Whenever pirates are mentioned, one cannot bypass him. Not only that, but his power has significantly increased. Dealing with him now is already quite unrealistic."

"Hmph! Kuzan, that guy..."

Akainu snorted coldly but remained silent for a while before speaking, "Though it’s evil, at least this time, the perspective is sharp."

Sage has become so mighty that even Akainu, who views pirates as evil, now has to acknowledge this surpasses Rocks, being the singular rise in sailing history that can stand alongside their Navy institution!

Rocks?

A loose coalition without any firm foundation, powerful yet coexisting with other pirates, scattering instantly with the fall of its captain.

The ancient Nika? The original pirate?

Though strong, it’s but a small team, perhaps only a single person.

Only Sage, not only is individually formidable, but has an influence so vast that it has become assumed within the Navy that the New World is his domain, even if intelligence suggests he’s still digesting the first half, while hardly touching the second half.

Especially after this campaign, his status is even more unshakeable.

Yet it infuriates Akainu further.

The relocation of headquarters is something he’s entirely uninvolved in — it’s a complete disrespect toward the Navy, even though he’s ascended Mary Geoise numerous times, the answer remains forever...

The Navy is merely an external organization of the World Government.

The higher he goes in rank, the more this statement rings with truth and powerlessness.

Many decisions aren’t theirs to make autonomously; despite having autonomy, it’s only against ordinary pirates. Once it reaches the level of these Great Pirates, they are practically puppets.

And this only makes Akainu more discontent.

"If they listened to me and stayed at the New World headquarters without moving, there wouldn’t have been so many issues!"

Akainu exclaimed angrily, "Sage may be formidable, but attacking the Navy Headquarters is impossible. Even without that ridiculous agreement, he wouldn’t target the Navy! But now, they essentially surrendered the last territory in the New World, and what about the West Sea and North Sea? With Vegapunk there, crossing the Calm Belt is no longer a problem!"

"Strategic mistakes will mean tactical battles won’t go well!"

No matter how wide the Grand Line is, it isn’t as long as the route itself; it won’t take long before the disaster crosses two seas.

Even something he could foresee, the World Government remains indifferent, always clinging to the agreement, thinking first to resolve the core threat of the Revolutionary Army.

As for Sage... they think it’s merely business.

But it’s this business that’s the biggest issue.

No matter how strong Sage is, Akainu dares to fight, but this business, even without understanding all of it, purely based on intelligence, gives him a chill.

As Sage grows stronger, their prestige falls, leading to more pirates no longer fearing the Navy.

Previously pirates encountering warships would first flee, only the vicious minority would consider taking on the warships.