One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

Naval Headquarters, Marshal's Office

Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral of the Navy, known as the Buddha of Sengoku and "The Resourceful General," gazed out the window at Marineford and sighed. Though Marineford appeared unchanged, Sengoku could feel the heavy shadow of defeat looming over it.

The source of this shadow was none other than the man who had orchestrated the "Flame Emperor Incident," a man whose power surpassed even that of the Four Emperors: Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace.

In the face of the Entei Pirates, led by Ace, the Navy suffered its greatest defeat since its establishment. Fleet Admiral Kizaru had been captured before the eyes of the world, and Admiral Akainu was crushed by Ace in a public display of dominance. Sengoku, renowned for his strategic brilliance, had been outwitted by Ace in their battle of wits.

If not for the intervention of the World Government and the personal involvement of the Five Elders, it is uncertain how many of the elite Marines who had gathered at the Sabaody Archipelago would have survived.

But even with the World Government's intervention, and despite the Five Elders personally stepping in to halt the devastation, Ace's influence still forced them into compromise. The Buster Call, the symbol of the World Government's absolute justice, was suspended in an unprecedented move.

Ace had shattered the notion of absolute justice espoused by the World Government. Though most of the elite Marines returned to Marineford due to the truce between the Five Elders and Ace, the damage had already been done. The faith in justice among the officers and soldiers of the Navy had begun to waver.

Whether it was Ace exposing the ugly reality of the Celestial Dragons to the world, or the Five Elders recklessly launching a Buster Call in anger, or Ace masterfully controlling the battlefield and forcing a deal with Kizaru and the highest powers of the world to stop the Buster Call and protect the people of Sabaody—each act weighed heavily on the conscience of the Navy.

The Marines, who were supposed to represent justice, had, by the end of the incident, become tools of mass slaughter at the hands of the World Government. Meanwhile, Portgas D. Ace, a pirate whom the World Government labeled as "an extreme evil," emerged as the people's savior. Even the hawks within the Navy could not deny this fact.

The roles had reversed: the Marines, once protectors, had become killers, while the pirates had become heroes.

"Why…" Sengoku muttered, looking out at Marineford, the supposed bastion of justice, and sighed deeply.

It wasn't that the Navy was weak. As one of the three great powers of the sea, the Navy held an overwhelming advantage against any of the Four Emperors. But Ace was simply too powerful. His strength, wisdom, and leadership towered over others, positioning him at the pinnacle of this era.

In comparison, Sengoku, who had eaten the Human-Human Fruit: Model Buddha and had attained the wisdom, strength, and spirit of Buddha, found himself utterly outmatched. In every aspect—strength, wisdom, and spirit—Sengoku had been crushed by Ace.

Ace was the true ultimate force of this era.

To face a man like Ace, even the Navy would need to undergo drastic changes. Sengoku's eyes fell on the paper resting on his desk, his expression dark.

No matter the reasons, one thing was clear: Ace was simply too powerful. Whether it was the intervention of the Four Emperors, the Red Hair Pirates, Kaido, or the Whitebeard Pirates, the Navy, under his leadership, had suffered a devastating defeat. This was an undeniable fact.

Sengoku himself had become part of the shadow of failure hanging over Marineford.

The first step toward restoring the Navy's confidence and reclaiming its sense of justice was a change in leadership. Only a change at the top could bring hope of a recovery.

With that thought in mind, Sengoku smoothed out the paper on his desk and began writing his resignation letter, along with his recommendation for the next Fleet Admiral.

For years, two figures had been considered for the position: Admiral Aokiji and Admiral Akainu, the former representing the doves and the latter the hawks. Sengoku and Garp had long supported Aokiji, but the Five Elders and the World Government favored Akainu, whose strength and ruthless tactics made him their preferred candidate.

Akainu's hawkish stance was certainly stronger within the Navy, especially after Aokiji's reputation for "lazy justice" following the Ohara Incident and the events at Water 7. But now Sengoku had a strong case for Aokiji: during the Flame Emperor Incident, Aokiji was the only Admiral who had not been defeated on the world stage.

If the Navy was to clear away the shadow of defeat, Aokiji, who had never been beaten, was the natural choice to lead.

Perhaps, Sengoku thought, this defeat could actually turn into a positive.

His eyes brightened with resolve as he began to write.

'BANG!'

The door to his office burst open.

"Fleet Admiral!" The voice was panicked.

"What is it?" Sengoku's forehead began to throb with frustration. The Rear Admiral standing before him was his primary intelligence officer—the bearer of bad news more often than not. These days, Sengoku dreaded his presence.

"Fleet Admiral, Flame Emperor—Portgas D. Ace—has set sail from the Sabaody Archipelago! Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh, has used Conqueror's Haki to knock out all the surrounding Marine ships! He's declared himself the captain of the Entei Pirates' fleet!"

"Dark King Rayleigh has officially joined the command of Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace!!!"

The Rear Admiral of Naval Headquarters, drenched in cold sweat, stood at attention and shouted.

"What?!" 

Sengoku's eyes widened in shock.

Rayleigh is now the captain of the Entei Pirate Ship's Zero Division?!

Though during Flame Emperor's rise, Rayleigh emerged from hiding and sided with Ace, he hadn't formally declared allegiance to the Entei Pirates like Issho, who publicly became the captain of the second division of the Grand Fleet. Rayleigh, however, simply took action without making any such statement.

Sengoku, knowing his old rival well, thought Rayleigh, having been to Raftel and seen the great secret treasure, might still be hesitant due to what he uncovered there. His decision to act seemed driven by his recognition of Ace's bloodline and the "Will of D." he saw in him.

But now, on the very day the Entei Pirates' fleet set sail, Rayleigh has declared he's joining and taking command of the Zero Division! What could have happened at the Sabaody Archipelago banquet to change his mind so decisively?

Sengoku's forehead glistened with sweat.

Portgas D. Ace, and the secrets he holds—secrets even the Naval Headquarters and the World Government are unaware of—must have compelled Rayleigh to join!

Though Sengoku's wisdom helped him piece together the situation, the exact nature of that secret remains unknown to him. Yet, he's certain that it is a secret capable of shaking the seas and altering the entire era.

Otherwise, Rayleigh, who once stood at the pinnacle of pirate history, wouldn't have made such a decisive choice to join the Entei Pirates.

What's even more concerning is the possibility that other former members of the Roger Pirates might follow suit and join Rayleigh in the so-called Zero Division. 

Sengoku's veins pulsed with tension. "This is no time for complacency."

"Summon all generals at the rank of Vice Admiral and above immediately!" Sengoku commanded gravely.

"Yes, sir!" The Rear Admiral responsible for intelligence rushed out in a panic.

Sengoku stood up, his face regaining composure. He turned the resignation letter on his desk face down and walked toward the conference room with determined steps. 

He was still the Fleet Admiral of Naval Headquarters, after all. For the sake of the Navy, he would make one last stand.

Inside the conference room, Vice Admirals and higher-ranking officers filled the room. However, unlike previous meetings where a fierce fighting spirit filled the air, the atmosphere this time felt subdued.

"Everyone," Sengoku began, "the latest intelligence confirms that 'Dark King' Silver Rayleigh has joined the Entei Pirates as captain of the Zero Division."

Sengoku's words sent a shockwave through the room. Several officers visibly trembled.

Silver Rayleigh, the legendary pirate and right-hand man of the Pirate King, joining the Entei Pirates? This meant that Flame Emperor—Portgas D. Ace—not only carried the Pirate King's blood but had also secured the allegiance of his most trusted ally. Could he even gather the remaining members of the Roger Pirates?

If so, with these figures guiding him, who could stop Ace from reaching the final island?

Could it be that a new Pirate King is about to emerge?

The mood among the Vice Admirals darkened further. Rayleigh has truly joined?!

Aokiji, seated at the head of the table, flashed a knowing look. Captain of Zero Division? So the position of first division captain is still being reserved—for him.

After ensuring a smooth transition within the Navy and leaving the dovish generals in place, he would make his move—to become the captain of the first division of the Entei Pirates' fleet.

"Now," Sengoku interrupted the silence, "announce the latest bounties for the Entei Pirates."

His voice reverberated through the room, snapping the Vice Admirals out of their stupor.

"We are still alive!" Sengoku roared. "Justice will prevail! Yes, we faced defeat, but it was my own misjudgment—and the interference of the Red-Haired Pirates, the Whitebeard Pirates, and Kaido of the Beasts—that led to it. 

The justice we stand for is not over yet. We will continue to pursue Flame Emperor, Portgas D. Ace!"

Bounty updates on the man who defeated Naval Headquarters—Entei himself?

"Announce it!" Sengoku's voice boomed. "The latest bounty for the Entei Pirate Fleet!"

Justice cannot end with us!

The fierce shout from Sengoku sent a wave of determination through the room, reviving the spirits of the Vice Admirals.

Could it be that the Navy, and even the higher-ups in the World Government, had given up on hunting down the Entei Pirates?

No, the Naval Headquarters still had the strength to pursue them. The war against the pirates wasn't over yet!

Sengoku's passionate speech stirred the Vice Admirals to tears as they shouted in unison, "Justice will win!"

Sengoku's eyes surveyed the room. As long as they still breathe, this battle is far from over.

They will continue to fight!