Once the marines forced the pirates to kneel in a row, Sakazuki handed a blade to each survivor.
"Please, let me go! I won't do it again!"
"Please don't kill me! My child hasn't even learned to walk yet!"
"I swear I'll change!"
"Sob... sob...!"
"I know where the captain hid his treasure! Let me go! Take everything! Just spare me!"
Desperate pleas echoed through the air, but against the backdrop of ruined buildings and charred remains, they seemed meaningless.
The civilians gripped their blades, their hands trembling with rage. Just yesterday, their loved ones stood beside them—now they were nothing but scattered limbs and broken corpses. Hatred burned in their eyes as they glared at the kneeling pirates.
Slash. Slash. Slash.
The sound of blades cutting through flesh filled the air. Amidst the chaos, Sakazuki's gaze landed on a small figure.
A boy, no taller than half a meter, stood clutching a sword. His tiny hands shook as he pointed it at the pirate captain. His eyes blazed with hatred, but his feet refused to move forward.
The pirate captain, despite his wounds, noticed the hesitation. His bloodied lips twisted into a sneer, and with a sudden lurch, he threw himself forward.
The boy flinched, his grip faltering as the sword nearly slipped from his hands. But before it could fall, a large hand reached out, steadying his small fingers around the hilt.
"Look over there," a deep voice rumbled.
Sakazuki had knelt beside him, his iron grip keeping the boy's hands firm. He pointed toward the ruins ahead.
The boy's gaze followed, landing on the crumbling wreckage that buried his parents, his friends, his neighbors. It was where kind old men and women, who once patted his head and gave him sweets, now lay lifeless.
He could no longer hold it in.
"Ahhhhhh!"
A heartbreaking scream tore from his throat as he turned his furious gaze back to the pirate captain. Sakazuki didn't say another word. He simply guided the boy's small hands, pushing the blade forward.
Once. Twice. Three times. The boy didn't know how long it lasted. He only stopped when his strength gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground, exhausted
It was then that he realized—the hand that had steadied him was gone. And in front of him, the pirate captain lay lifeless, never to move again.
...
Sakazuki and his men left the ruined town behind, marching back toward the coast.
"What's the situation?" he asked.
"Reporting, Rear Admiral Sakazuki. All civilians have been accounted for, and the supplies have been distributed," an officer responded, falling in step beside him.
Sakazuki gave a curt nod, then turned to another officer.
"Gather the troops. We're moving to the next—"
Just as he gave the order, he suddenly stopped mid-sentence and turned around.
The officers following him halted as well, glancing at each other before turning to see what had caught his attention.
A young boy was running toward them, panting heavily, gripping a long sword in his small hands. When he saw Sakazuki stop, he pushed himself to run even faster.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
Clang!
Reaching Sakazuki at last, the boy tossed the blade to the side.
Thud!
He dropped to his knees, then slammed his forehead onto the stone pavement.
Thump!
When he lifted his head, blood was already trickling down from his torn skin.
"Please let me join the Marines, admiral, sir!"
The boy's voice was loud and unwavering as he looked up at Sakazuki with determined eyes.
"I'm no admiral," Sakazuki corrected, his deep voice calm. He studied the boy for a moment before asking, "And besides, give me a reason."
"I want..." The boy opened his mouth, but as if recalling something painful, tears started rolling down his cheeks.
"I want..." He bit his lip, trying to hold it in, but it was no use. His face twisted, his body trembled.
Finally, he broke.
"I want to kill every last pirate in this world! Sob... ahhhhhh!"
Thump!
Once more, he pressed his forehead against the ground. His small body trembled, but he did not rise.
For a long time, there was only silence.
Then—
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap...
The sound of footsteps echoed. A group of people was walking away, their steps growing fainter. Just as despair was about to consume him, a cold voice came from ahead.
"Keep up."
His breath caught in his throat.
Scrambling to his feet, he wiped his tears and ran after them.
...
Unlike the unpredictable weather of the Grand Line, the North Blue was unusually pleasant today. The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze brushed across the sea.
A warship glided through the calm waters, leaving ripples in its wake.
Sakazuki stood on the third deck, overlooking the training below.
The recruits there came in all shapes and sizes—some tall, some short, some lean, some stout. But they all shared one thing in common: they were just children.
Every single one of them had lived through the horrors of slaughtered villages and massacred towns.
This was merely a glimpse of the world's darkness, the evil that showed itself openly. Over the past two years of hunting down pirates, Sakazuki had come across too many children like these.
Those who wished to join the Marines were sent to the nearest branch. The branches could take in a few children without issue. They were the future seeds of the Marines, waiting for the day they would take root and grow.
And those with exceptional talent or unwavering resolve—Sakazuki kept them aboard, personally overseeing their training.
Once they returned to headquarters, he would send them to the academy. Someday, these gifted recruits would become the Marines' backbone, carrying the weight of justice on their shoulders.
They would fight. Struggle. Push forward toward the ideals they held in their hearts.
Purururu... purururu...
A Den-Den Mushi rang out.
"Sir, Vice Admiral Morris is calling," Carlo reported, stepping forward with the receiver.
Sakazuki picked it up.
"Vice Admiral Morris," he greeted.
A hearty laugh burst from the other end. The snail's face twisted into a wide grin, perfectly mimicking Morris's expression.
"Hahahaha! Sakazuki! Long time no see. Get ready to return to headquarters. Your promotion to vice admiral has been approved. We need you back for the ceremony."
Though he had expected this, the corners of Sakazuki's lips still curled slightly. His usually cold voice carried the faintest trace of emotion.
"Understood."
"Hahahaha! Alright, get yourself ready. We'll celebrate when you get back."
Click.
The call ended. Holding the Den-Den Mushi, Carlo's face lit up with excitement.
Sakazuki glanced at him and chuckled. "Push the training harder. We're having a feast tonight."
"Yes, sir!"
Carlo responded with enthusiasm before vanishing with a whoosh, using Soru to reappear on the lower deck.
A moment later, his voice echoed across the ship. "Rear Admiral Sakazuki's promotion has been confirmed! Training intensity will increase! And tonight—there will be a feast!"
"OOOOHHHH!!!"
The deafening cheers from the crew echoed across the sea, so loud that a passing News Coo wobbled in the air, nearly falling from the sky.
...
Year 1488 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
On the Navy's side—
Two years of patrols and pirate eradication had made Sakazuki's name increasingly well-known across the Four Blues.
Recognizing his strength and achievements, the high command officially promoted him to vice admiral.
At the same time, Zephyr had won out against Morris in their competition, earning the rank of admiral. With the title Black Arm, his reputation for not killing his enemies spread across the seas.
Meanwhile, future Marine vice admiral Smoker had just been born on an island somewhere in the Grand Line.
On the pirate's side—
Golden Lion Shiki's ambitions grew unchecked. He gathered a massive fleet, expanding his control over the New World.
Whitebeard, in pursuit of his dream of family, continued to take in more sons and daughters, claiming territories along the way and establishing his dominion.
Big Mom and Kaido had parted ways for reasons unknown, each developing their own power.
As for the future Pirate King Roger and Marine Hero Garp, they were still locked in their endless game of cat and mouse across the Grand Line.
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