Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Aftermath
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Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"What?! Both admirals?!"
"Y-You're joking, right? Those are two admirals we're talking about!"
"What mission were they on? Who could inflict such devastating injuries on two admirals?!"
"Shhh, I heard they went to the West Blue."
"West Blue?! That's where Vice Admiral Arashi is stationed."
"Quiet!"
As the warship docked in the inner harbour, five stretchers were swiftly carried toward the hospital.
Shock, disbelief, and utter incredulity spread like wildfire throughout Marineford.
No one could fathom how two admirals, the epitome of Marine power, could end up in such a state.
The two who had left through the Gates of Justice unscathed were now being carried back in perfect synchronization—on stretchers.
"And the other three? They're part of the next generation's 'Three Monsters,' aren't they?"
This realization sent waves of unease rippling through the ranks. The defeat of the Marines' strongest forces would have catastrophic consequences if word got out.
Soon enough, a gag order was issued from the Commander-in-Chief's office, and security across Marineford was raised to its highest level.
Speculation ran rampant. Some guessed that an immensely powerful group had risen in the West Blue—so powerful that even Sengoku and Zephyr couldn't prevail.
Others whispered about the legendary young vice admiral who had clashed with Headquarters for the sake of justice.
According to these whispers, the admirals' opponent had been none other than Vice Admiral Arashi himself.
The rumours varied wildly, each more exaggerated than the last.
Inside the Marine Hospital.
Kong, the Fleet Admiral, stood silently at the bedside of the two unconscious admirals.
Both were wrapped head-to-toe in bandages like mummies, their bodies bearing the scars of a gruelling battle.
Around him, the other vice admirals held their breaths, their shock evident in their expressions.
"How are they?" Kong finally asked, his voice heavy.
"They've suffered multiple severe injuries: piercing wounds, blunt force trauma, burns, and electric shocks," the doctor replied, trembling.
"Both admirals are in critical condition."
The doctor paused to steady his voice. "To be honest, the injuries they've sustained are the worst I've ever seen. If they were ordinary men, they'd have died on the spot."
"What kind of enemy could they have faced?" the doctor wondered aloud. "Could it have been Redfield? But even he—"
Before he could finish, he caught a glimpse of Kong's darkening expression and fell silent.
"Questions you shouldn't ask, don't ask!" Kong snapped. "Forget everything you've seen here today."
The doctor nodded furiously, retreating without another word.
"What about the three young ones?" Kong asked next.
"Akainu is in critical condition," the doctor reported.
"Whether he survives depends on his willpower. He's suffered severe wounds to his shoulder and abdomen. Even if he recovers, he'll likely bear permanent scars."
"Kizaru's injuries are less severe, but he still needs rest."
"Aokiji is also critical but much better than Akainu. He just needs time to recover."
Kong nodded grimly and entered the room where the three were being treated.
Drawing back the curtains, he saw the once-mighty trio—now deep in unconsciousness, utterly unresponsive.
After a long silence, he left the hospital, exhaling deeply.
"Arashi," he muttered. "This time, you've given me a gift to remember."
The Battle of Ohara had left the Marines in shambles.
Two admirals and three monster vice admirals were gravely injured, rendering nearly all of their top combatants incapacitated.
This was unprecedented, a first in Marine history.
Not even the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, or the "Strongest Man in the World," Whitebeard, had ever caused such devastation.
"The World Government," Kong murmured. After a moment's thought, he decided to leave the matter alone.
Undoubtedly, the government was already aware of the debacle. Ultimately, the final decisions wouldn't rest with him as Fleet Admiral.
No one could have anticipated that the Ohara Buster Call would lead to such a catastrophe—not Kong, nor the World Government's high-ranking officials.
Seven Days Later.
A message swept across the world:
"Ohara has been erased by a Buster Call for violating the World Government's prohibitions!"
The news shocked the world, leaving many stunned, regretful, and fearful.
Yet, no mention was made of the battle that had occurred fourteen days prior.
...
West Blue, Fortress G-18.
Arashi slowly opened his eyes. The bright light made him squint momentarily as his vision adjusted.
He felt as if he had been reborn, his mind sluggishly rebooting.
Looking down, he saw that his upper body was bare, his lower half clothed only in undergarments. A warm blanket was draped over him.
Outside the room, a waterwheel in the pond turned gently, accompanied by the soft sound of dripping water.
On the bamboo chair outside the door sat a familiar figure.
"Eveya," he called out softly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"VIce Admiral!" Eveya turned quickly, her face lighting up with joy. "You're finally awake!"
Arashi nodded with a small smile. "How long was I out?"
"A week" Eveya replied.
He paused for a moment, then sighed. "That long, huh?"
He had expected that much, while he could revive and return to his full state, His mentality and emotions were not the same.
All the torturous pain, exhaustion and even the pain of death, he can feel it and still remember it fresh even now.
If not for his willpower he already became crazy or insane from the torturous pain of death he felt all the time.
It's like sleeping is the cure for his mental health.
"You were in a gruelling battle. It's no wonder you're exhausted," Eveya said, her tone filled with admiration.
As she spoke, she couldn't help but be amazed by the man before her.
Despite his youth, Arashi had defeated three monster vice admirals and two admirals.
Adding to this were his past feats, like capturing Gol D. Roger and Shiki the Golden Lion.
Who could believe it? Who would dare?
"You truly pushed yourself to the limit," she added.
Arashi chuckled lightly, standing up despite still being clad in only his undergarments.
Eveya's cheeks flushed as she caught sight of his imposing figure.
His broad, muscular chest and eight perfectly defined abs stood out prominently. His towering frame dwarfed her by nearly five feet.
Even more incredible was his unmarred skin—completely free of scars, defying the logic of every battle-hardened warrior.
This was yet another testament to his unparalleled strength.
"Eveya!" Arashi's voice snapped her out of her daze.
She turned to see his massive, muscular back, which resembled a mountain range—powerful and terrifying.
The sight of those sinews shifting like coiled dragons sent shivers down her spine.
This was Arashi, a man who defied all expectations. "Clothes," Arashi said.
"Huh? Oh, yes, right away!" Eveya, her face flushed bright red, quickly picked up the neatly folded garments and handed them over.
In no time, Arashi's robust physique was concealed beneath the flowing fabric.
A fleeting look of regret and admiration crossed Eveya's face—her commanding officer's powerful build was nothing short of mesmerizing.
"Dr. Clover and the others—are they all right?" Arashi asked casually as he walked toward the courtyard.
"We've allocated a safe area for the civilians and scholars who survived from Ohara," Eveya replied promptly. "They're all doing well."
"And what about Marine Headquarters?" Arashi's eyes flashed as he asked, his tone sharp.
It had been seven days since his awakening, and the calm, peaceful atmosphere at Fortress G-18 struck him as unusual.
"Headquarters hasn't made any moves or attempted to contact us," Eveya replied.
"Is that so?" Arashi's eyes narrowed in thought. Something about it seemed off.
"Yes. Over the past seven days, it feels as though they've entirely forgotten what happened," Eveya added.
"However, news of Ohara's destruction has spread across the world."
"And the battle I had with the two admirals?" Arashi asked.
"It hasn't been mentioned at all."
"Well, now that's interesting," Arashi said with a faint chuckle. It was intriguing.
Despite such a monumental defeat, there was absolute silence—no reaction from Marine Headquarters, nor the World Government.
It was clear they were doing everything in their power to conceal the battle.
"Tell the mess hall to prepare some food," he added. Seven days and seven nights of sleep had left him ravenously hungry.
Half an hour later, Arashi walked into the Marine mess hall, the eyes of everyone around him filled with awe and reverence.
Sitting down, he began eating—and didn't stop until he had consumed thirty-three bowls of noodles, over a hundred pounds of beef, and fifteen bowls of meat stew.
The spectacle left Yvea gaping in shock, her mouth hanging open. Around them, the other Marines were similarly stunned, collectively frozen like statues.
"How...where does all that food even go?" Eveya stammered.
"There's a technique beyond the Marine Six Powers called Life Return," Arashi explained with a soft smile.
"It allows the body to accelerate energy absorption from food. In simpler terms, it speeds up digestion and optimizes nutrient utilization."
He turned to the crowd of astonished Marines and continued, "If you train hard and master the Rokushiki to my level, you'll be able to learn this technique too. Trust me—it's incredibly useful."
With those encouraging words, he left the mess hall, leaving a trail of inspired and determined faces in his wake.
A short while later, Arashi encountered Crocodile and Douglas Bullet.
"What's next?" Crocodile asked, his tone serious.
The question made Arashi narrow his eyes slightly. "What's next?" he repeated, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's an interesting question."
After a brief pause, he gave his orders. "Send a team of soldiers to monitor Ohara. If there's any unusual activity, report it immediately."
Crocodile, though puzzled, nodded and accepted the task without question.
"And we need to find ways to strengthen our forces," Arashi said, his tone soft but firm, his sharp eyes glinting with resolve.
Though he possessed overwhelming power and even a near-immortal body, his subordinates were still too weak.
If they were to face an onslaught of stronger enemies, they would be at a disadvantage.
The previous battle had proven that point—Crocodile and Bullet's timely assistance had been critical to their survival. It underscored the importance of having a powerful organization.
"I'm going to build an organization," Arashi declared after a moment of silence.
His gaze settled firmly on Crocodile and Bullet. His voice carried a weight that demanded action.
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