One Piece: I am the Fleet Admiral?

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"Okay, Fleet Admiral Akira, let's get straight to the point.

Graham resolutely skipped over the previous incident, pointed to the many CP agents he brought with him, and said, "The Five Elders have already agreed to your suggestion for a gradual handover."

"From now on, CP9, led by Spandine, will be stationed in Marineford until the handover is completed."

"I will also send several CP0 agents here to assist."

"Spandine, come and greet the Fleet Admiral, let's get acquainted."

Spandine, who was standing behind him, gave a despicable grin and was about to step forward.

Sengoku suddenly felt a shadowy gaze cast upon him.

Following his instincts, he immediately locked eyes with Akira.

'Is Akira trying to escalate the conflict?' Sengoku wondered, understanding the meaning behind Akira's gaze.

He was puzzled. At first, he thought it was Akira's personal idea to recall the officers, so he came to inquire and possibly dissuade him.

But after seeing the anger in response to the draft document, he had calmed down.

Knowing that everything was written by the Five Elders and that they had given the order for CP0 to take over, it was clear there was no turning back.

All the Marines could do was accept the situation.

Sengoku believed Akira knew this too.

But now!!!

'That's right, even if we're being replaced, it shouldn't be done without dignity.'

As the Fleet Admiral, Akira's words and actions are constantly scrutinized and can't be made recklessly.

'In that case, I'll handle it,' Sengoku thought, suddenly understanding, and nodded subtly before shouting out.

"We disagree."

He stepped forward, standing in front of Graham with a grim expression.

"Why should CP0 take credit for all the Marine's achievements?"

"Have you helped us this year? We ended the era of the Great Pirates and earned a lot of berries on our own."

"Even if your CP0 intelligence division was useful, it's weak in comparison."

"So how do you have the nerve to take over? Huh??"

Akira's expression relaxed, and he casually loosened his collar.

Sure enough, he had capable people under him, making his life easier.

It's not that he didn't want to voice his anger and uphold the Marine's dignity.

But the timing wasn't right. He needed to ensure the Five Elders remained at ease so he could have the time and space to gather strength.

In his position, everything he says carries immense weight. Even a simple curse could be overanalyzed from multiple perspectives.

Is the role of Fleet Admiral important?

Absolutely!

If he openly resisted the Five Elders' orders now, all his previous efforts would be for nothing, and it would only make the Five Elders more suspicious of him.

So there were some things he simply couldn't say.

At this point, only the three Admirals and Sengoku could speak freely without fear of Graham or the Five Elders.

The three Admirals were still relatively new, so it was best for them not to show too bold a stance.

That left Sengoku, the only one who could challenge the Five Elders without consequence.

Of course, things unfolded just as Akira had anticipated!

Facing Sengoku, Graeme didn't dare be as rude as he would to ordinary officers.

He could only repeat, "It is the command of the Five Elders."

But since Sengoku was determined to uphold Marine's dignity, things wouldn't end so simply.

He exhaled sharply, and saliva flew from his mouth like raindrops.

Seeing this, the Marine officers immediately joined in, hurling insults at the CP0 agents with vulgar words.

They couldn't curse the Five Elders directly, but that didn't stop them from unleashing on CP0 agents in the heart of Marine's base.

Everyone had their own targets. Sengoku directed his fury at Graeme, while the other Marines took aim at the rest of the CP0.

The Marines are an extremely tough institution, and to expect all officers to behave like civil servants is pure fantasy.

The insults exchanged weren't just harsh; they were relentless.

The CP agents were equally enraged and started shouting back.

"You dirty, shameless idiots! Jealous of us, huh? But is being a dog more enjoyable than being human?"

"Oh, it's plenty enjoyable! Our CP loves it! Why don't you come at us? Got the strength for that?"

"You're paralyzed! Talking about strength? You don't even measure up to crap, and you have the nerve to challenge us here?"

"Stupid Marines! Are you looking for death?"

"Is your head on backward? Full of garbage, aren't you? It's not clear who's gonna die here."

"Idiot, idiot! You're at the bottom of the barrel!"

"Your CP is thick-skinned on one side and shameless on the other!"

The office turned into a chaotic mess, resembling a rowdy market.

Dignified Marine officers and high-level CP intelligence agents were yelling and pointing at each other like common street brawlers.

The more they insulted each other, the louder the shouting became.

Eventually, it spilled out of the office and spread toward the square outside.

Marines who were busy training stopped and looked up at the office's rattling windows.

Civil servants from the staff department were alerted and hurried up to check.

No explanations were needed. Upon seeing "our people" and "outsiders" in a shouting match, they quickly rolled up their sleeves and jumped in without hesitation.

As more people joined in, the number of Marines vastly outnumbered the CP agents.

The CP side was overwhelmed, pushed into a corner with no way to fight back.

Graeme tried to intervene several times but was held back by Sengoku, who pinned him in the corner.

After all, this was Marine headquarters. Despite the heated exchange, the CP agents were too outnumbered to resort to force.

"You stupid Marines! We've stopped countless criminals for your own good!" Graeme spat out.

"The era of the Great Pirates is over. If these powerful clones continue to rise, there'll be no more pirates left! What use will your Marines be then?"

Hiding behind the crowd, Spandine taunted, "Without the pirates, half of you will lose your jobs and be forced back to farming."

"Your entire value depends on the strength of the pirates."

"If you don't even understand this basic fact, you've clearly been brainwashed by your so-called 'justice.'"

As soon as Spandine finished speaking, the entire office fell from deafening noise to absolute silence.

All the Marine officers and civil servants turned their gazes toward him, their eyes filled with rage.

The atmosphere thickened, and an indescribable pressure filled the room.

Spandine, seeing the sudden change, felt a wave of fear wash over him.

He swallowed nervously, "W-What? Am I wrong?"

Footsteps echoed through the room.

The crowd parted, making way for Akira, who had been quietly watching the chaos unfold. His face was dark with anger as he walked toward Spandine.

Without a word, he reached out, grabbed Spandine by the neck, and lifted him into the air.

"You dare insult the justice of those who sacrificed their lives for the safety of the people?" Akira's voice was calm, yet terrifying.

"Tell me, how do you want to die."

(T/N: Original- "You're courting death.")

A cold light flickered in Akira's eyes, and his words carried the weight of a storm about to break.

Spandine's face turned pale as he forgot to even struggle.

In that moment, he felt the unmistakable presence of death looming over him.