One Piece Thundergod Marine

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"I must give it a try!" 

Aokiji continued, his tone earnest, "It's too dangerous to let Akainu lead the Marine!" 

It was dangerous for enemies, and even more so for their own people. 

He was a good general, no doubt about it, but that didn't mean he was a qualified commander-in-chief! 

After being provoked by Rowen's words, Aokiji suddenly realized that his inner feelings were not as transparent and indifferent as he had outwardly portrayed. 

In Rowen's words, it was hypocrisy!

Clearly unable to tolerate it and filled with rage, he still had to put on a facade of "Ah, I understand you" and do things against his conscience. 

When Rowen ruthlessly tore off this layer of scar or pretense, allowing blood to flow from the wound and exposing his true thoughts in broad daylight, Aokiji understood. 

It was time to make his voice heard! 

And he was resolute in this decision. 

If he were to back down now, Aokiji knew he would never forgive himself for the rest of his life. 

Upon hearing this, Garp looked at him seriously, noticing the burning passion in his eyes, and suddenly broke into a grin. 

"You remind me of the days when you used to follow me around and learn, Kuzan." 

"Hmm?" 

Aokiji looked up in confusion. 

"I've never mentioned this, but I've actually been unable to stand your lazy attitude all these years! However, since it was your own matter, I didn't point it out." 

Garp waved his hand and pulled out a donut from a paper bag. 

Aokiji: "..." 

Sorry, I understand the reasoning behind it. 

But what qualifications do you have to lecture me?!!! 

Put that donut down and speak! 

Ignoring Aokiji's resentful gaze, Garp continued chewing on the greasy donut. 

"However, now you've shown me that you haven't forgotten your original intentions, Kuzan." 

Aokiji fell silent. 

It seemed… this was indeed the case! 

After years of going in circles and deceiving himself, he had returned to his old self. 

He was running tirelessly toward a goal. 

In the matter of competing for Fleet Admiral, he had not become the person he most despised but had instead returned to the person he once was. 

"Since you want to compete, then go for it!" 

Garp suddenly shouted, "Isn't it just that little brat Rowen? Let me tell you, I've never liked him!" 

Aokiji: "..." 

"Just wait! If he dares to stand up and support Akainu, I'll put aside my pride and join you guys for some fun!" 

In the competition for Fleet Admiral, aside from the former Fleet Admiral, most of the time, the older generation wouldn't personally intervene to garner votes. 

Because their qualifications spoke for themselves, their invisible connections were undoubtedly far superior to the new generation of Fleet Admiral candidates. Once they stepped in, it would definitely disrupt the current situation. 

Externally, a Marine fatigued from internal conflict was something no one, aside from criminals, wanted to see. 

Internally, as someone who broke the unwritten rules, the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars) would definitely have issues with it, making it hard for him to come to a good end. 

Knowing all this, Garp was still willing to stand by him, and Aokiji felt deeply moved, unable to stop himself from calling out the title he often used for Garp when he was on his ship. 

"Senior official!" 

In response, Garp earnestly patted Aokiji's shoulder, leaving a huge greasy palm print. 

"I will do my best to help you secure a fair chance to duel with Akainu… the rest is up to you, Kuzan!" 

"Understood!" 

Aokiji nodded excitedly, repeatedly expressing his gratitude. 

---

The next day, at a banquet where the Vice Admirals of Headquarters were gathered, Rowen publicly declared his support for Kizaru as Fleet Admiral… 

Aokiji: "..." 

Garp: "..." 

Akainu: "..." 

Sengoku: "..." 

Σ(д;)!!! 

What's going on?! 

Kizaru: "..." 

Huh? Why is Kizaru here too?! 

Kizaru himself wanted to say… 

What grudge do I have against you?! 

I've been an invisible man for half a month now, and you're pushing me to the forefront, what do you want?!

This is a Murder!

(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻! 

Watching the Scientific Force earnestly rallying support for their rise, Kizaru was so angry his nose scrunched up in annoyance. After cursing under his breath, he simply slipped away to Sabaody to avoid the limelight. 

In the "Rooster Crown" courtyard, Rowen hummed a tune, leisurely swirling a glass of red wine. 

"Humph! You old asshole, you're still too green to compete with me!" 

Being dragged down by Garp was certainly something Rowen didn't want to see. 

As a retired old cadre and a notoriously careless Marine, why would he, a promising Marine in his prime, want to waste his time with Garp's foolishness? 

It wasn't a matter of Garp being unwilling; it was about whether Rowen wanted to stain his reputation. 

If it were someone else, they would surely fight back and defend themselves. 

But for him, when enemies came, he fired back; when they brought water, he mixed the dough, avoiding a head-on confrontation. 

"That move of yours is really something, Rowen!" 

Zephyr chastised him, though a smile was clear on his face. 

After finishing his sentence, he couldn't help but burst into laughter: "I really want to see the expression on Garp's face right now; it must be quite spectacular!" 

Charging into battle with the determination to face death, only to punch into a pile of cotton— he probably wouldn't spit blood, but he might have a brain hemorrhage. 

At the female soldiers' gathering, Tsuru finished cutting a cake for Dora and explained to the bewildered Momousagi standing nearby. 

"Hey, don't always think of Rowen as a fool. That little guy is cunning; who can easily use him like a gun?" 

"But he visited Admiral Akainu before, right? Aren't they on the same battlefront?" 

Momousagi still asked, full of confusion. 

"In the Marine, there aren't so many battlefronts… Since Garp has made his stance clear, even if Akainu accepts the challenge, it would likely just result in a draw between Aokiji and Akainu." 

"Given Rowen's intelligence, he naturally sees this point. It won't affect the outcome anyway, so he doesn't care about Garp's provocation; it's like him saying that 'you all can do as you please'." 

At this, Tsuru smiled bitterly and shook her head: "It's just a trap for Borsalino; I heard he's been hiding completely, not stepping out of the gates in Sabaody." 

Momousagi: "..." 

Okay, that makes sense. 

I feel for Admiral Kizaru for a second. 

Clearly, he found himself in a situation where he was just watching, but suddenly he was caught on fire; he must be gnashing his teeth at Rowen right now. 

Setting aside all other reactions, Aokiji and Akainu quickly understood Rowen's intentions and snapped out of their shock. 

Since neither side could rely on their hidden plans, they would settle things the way men do— through a duel! 

---

A few days later, news began circulating at Marine Headquarters. 

In the struggle for the Fleet Admiral position, neither Akainu nor Aokiji could convince the other, leading them to a point of armed confrontation. 

There were no right or wrong sides, nor were there any personal grievances. 

Only differing ideologies and perspectives remained. 

Since they couldn't persuade each other with words, then… they would use the method of a duel to convince each other with their fists! 

In the absence of a fruitful mediation from Sengoku, they would duel on Thunder God Island in the New World; whoever won would become the next Marine Fleet Admiral! 

*(End of Chapter)*