One Piece: I am the Fleet Admiral?

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In fact, Spandine's words weren't entirely wrong.

If there were no pirates in the world, the Marines would lose many people.

Although this is just a hypothetical situation.

After all, with the current twisted world system and development, it's inevitable that people are forced to go out to sea every day.

But!

Saying, "The value of the Marines depends on the strength of the pirates" and "Being brainwashed into fools by justice" directly denies the very justice that everyone has fought for their entire lives.

It's an insult to the Marines.

Akira had been able to sit back and watch like he was watching a movie before, but this time he couldn't let it slide.

As the Marine Fleet Admiral, he had to take the lead in standing up to uphold justice.

Otherwise, how could he lead the Marines in the future?

Not to mention, Spandine had the audacity to compare the soldiers who gave their lives to protect civilians with dirty, evil pirates.

How could this be tolerated?

"You're really asking for death!"

Akira's eyes gleamed with coldness as he silently drew his Nichirin Sword from his waist.

Spandine's pupils shrank, his hair stood on end, and he froze in fear.

He could only stare blankly as the blade moved closer and closer to him.

Just as he was about to lose his head, Graeme suddenly appeared beside him, extending two large hands.

Clang!

A piercing sound rang through the office, and a powerful gust of wind erupted from behind the two of them.

When the wind died down, Akira turned his gaze to Graeme.

"So, by blocking me, you're saying you agree with his words?"

Swish.

As soon as Akira spoke, every Marine in the room shot a furious glare in Graeme's direction.

Even as the captain of the CP0, Graeme felt immense pressure at that moment.

It was clear that if he didn't give the right answer, he would be despised by all the Marines in the future.

After all, the Marines are built on justice.

Most of the top officers have a strong sense of justice.

And Spandine's words directly stirred public outrage, making him deserve whatever punishment came his way.

But just like Akira, as the Marine Fleet Admiral, he had to uphold justice.

Similarly, as the captain of the CP0, Graeme had a duty to protect the lives of his subordinates.

What troubled Graeme even more was the fact that Spandine was completely unreasonable.

It was a pretty messed up situation.

Trying to invoke the authority of the Five Elders to settle this wasn't enough.

If the Five Elders heard they were being dragged into this mess, they might even punish the entire CP to appease the Marines.

"Please, calm down, Fleet Admiral Akira, this is just a misunderstanding."

"Our CP organization has no doubts about the Marines' justice. This is merely an individual's foolish behavior and does not represent us as a whole."

"Surely you can understand?"

Graeme's tone was urgent.

Akira could actually understand—what major power didn't have a few fools in its ranks?

Even he couldn't guarantee that there weren't people in the Marines who were more corrupt than Spandine.

But still...

At least, no Marine had said anything so foolish in front of the CP that it enraged them all.

So while Akira could understand, he didn't accept it.

He looked at Graeme silently, his face completely expressionless as his aura steadily grew more intense.

Seeing this, the officers behind him gathered even closer and pushed forward with greater force.

The CP members, feeling the pressure, began sweating profusely but wisely kept their mouths shut, not daring to anger the Marines further.

Graeme clenched his teeth, realizing the Marines weren't going to let this slide easily.

He turned to Spandine.

"My lord! You—"

Spandine froze, terrified by the cold, emotionless look in Graeme's eyes.

Smack!

Graeme didn't waste any time with words.

He raised his hand and slapped Spandine hard across the face.

The force was so intense that Spandine's teeth flew out, blood spraying everywhere.

In an instant, his consciousness seemed to leave his body, and his breath became faint.

"Are you satisfied now, Fleet Admiral Akira?" Graeme asked in a deep voice, turning his gaze back to Akira.

Akira: ...

Spandine's current condition was so bad that even his own mother might not recognize him. He'd probably be bedridden for months.

As the captain of the CP0, Graeme had already done enough. The person responsible was defeated, and pushing the issue further would just make Akira seem unreasonable.

So, Akira released his grip, letting Spandine slump to the ground.

"Fleet Admiral Akira, we'll remain at headquarters for now. Please arrange the handover with us as soon as possible," Graeme said, before stepping away.

His subordinates quickly picked up Spandine and followed him out.

The Marines watched them leave in silence, not saying a word until the CP0 disappeared down the corridor. Then, the officers turned back to Akira.

"Fleet Admiral, do we really have to hand over all our property?" one anxious general spoke up, voicing the concerns of many.

*Snap.*

Akira sat down in his chair, lighting a cigar and exhaling smoke as he eyed them calmly.

"Otherwise? The Five Elders requested it personally. Can we, as Marines, refuse?"

"Can't we fight to keep it?" the officers asked, clearly worried.

"We can only aim to secure dividends at the end of the year and distribute them as usual," Akira replied.

"But why give it back? I don't get it."

"Well, if you don't understand, then there's no need to force it."

Akira sighed softly. It was disappointing that even at this point, they hadn't grasped the deeper implications behind the Five Elders' orders. Their reactions were frustratingly slow.

For those who understood, no explanation was needed. For those who didn't, no amount of explanation would make a difference. If the Five Elders were concerned about the Marines going rogue, there was little more Akira, as Fleet Admiral, could do.

He'd just have to wait for his fellow officers to come to their senses in time.

"Follow the orders from above," Akira commanded, signaling the end of the conversation.

The officers remained in place, still staring at Akira.

"Huh?" Akira raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing. "You're not even going to listen to the Five Elders? Do you plan to rebel against the World Government?"

As he spoke, Akira carefully studied their expressions.

"What? Rebellion, rebellion?"

"No, no, isn't that going a bit too far?"

"We didn't mean that. We just want to earn a bit more and gain some extra profits."

Most of them looked startled, shaking their heads instinctively at the thought.

However, Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood there with a serious expression, lost in thought.

Borsalino pouted, looking as indifferent as ever, while Kuzan glanced over, then lowered his head and resumed his lazy demeanor. Sakazuki, on the other hand, was deep in thought, one of the few officers visibly considering something more serious.

Akira's eyelids drooped slightly as his thoughts started to crystallize.

"If you don't want to rebel, then go back to your duties." Akira knocked on the table, his voice firm.

Hearing this, the officers finally understood that the return of the property was inevitable.

After all, the idea of the Marines rebelling?

That was something they could never have imagined.

And even if they dared to think it, who among them would truly defy the orders of the Five Elders?

So, they all left.

Yet, unknowingly, the word "rebellion" had already taken root in their minds.

"Mr. Sengoku, please stay."

Sengoku turned his head, confused.

He saw Akira resting his chin on his hands, eyes burning with intensity, as he asked:

"Can you use Conqueror's Infusion?"