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Chapter 02: The Cellar of Despair

Sengoku was furious. No, make that fuming and beyond livid. He'd been ready to take the fall for the disaster that was Dressrosa and had admitted to Kong that his era (and thus that of the Three Naval Demons) was just as over as that of Whitebeard, and even had named a successor he trusted both to lead and to care, and then… politics. He couldn't believe that members of Kong's staff and even two of the Elder Stars were backing the methods that nearly leveled one of the founding kingdoms as "necessary". Even considering that he had caused enough infighting to stall the process, it was little comfort. I cannot… damn them all! Stomping – yes, stomping – through the halls of HQ in a manner that surely hadn't been seen in at least two decades, the Fleet Admiral (to be ret.) made way for the cellar, the irrational flaring of his Haki causing people to jump back or give him wide berth. Time to call someone back from her self-imposed obscurity. The three of us didn't raise her to be a monster only to never see the daylight. And I didn't work myself into the ground all my life to be bulldozed over like an ant! Finally reaching the stairs, he collected himself: It would do him little good in this realm of potent Haki users to come in like a Blue Oni who'd lost his cool.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly descended to the final subterranean level of HQ before the labyrinthine vaults, and entered a room that was downright surrealistic in level of its technology: Visual Den-Den Mushi Com sets connected to a multitude of monitors, allowing the various Marine Coordination officers in the room to communicate face to face with their comrades at and even under the sea, giving complicated explanations one couldn't give over the mere phone and each set was outfitted with White Interference Snails so nobody could catch them talking; the same went for the audio-only and fax set in the corner. This was the nerve centre of the very elite of the elite of the Marines: The Special Tactics and Operations High Command Coordination Room, the core of the Navy Special Tactics and Operations Command Centre.

And in the midst of the organized chaos, in front of a lit-up world map with tiny boat figurines on it, sat his target, unmoving as a mountain covered in ice. Quietly, he stepped behind her and waited, as she was implementing a greater operation. At least she uses her skills properly. But I wish you would stop doubting so much, hime. None of the Coordinators present took any special notice of him, yet Sengoku knew that they were all too aware of his presence in the room, as nobody here was lower than Rear Admiral. Each one of them had been handpicked for one reason or another, amongst them absolute loyalty, but what they had in common with the woman in the middle – their leader – was their hyper-awareness and well-informed ways, be it through intelligence reports or their masterful Haki. "Rough seas today."

"The Gods of the Sea seem displeased," she dismissed, hissing more orders that were followed with well-practiced precision. "What can the STOC Sôkanjisui do for the Fleet Admiral, sensei?" She got to her feet, proving that she was a good deal taller than him – just like the admirals. Waving at her 2iC, she faced Sengoku, and followed him as he turned to leave for the adjacent conference room.

"I need you to hear me out, and then to judge, Commander-Coordinator-in-Chief."

The SpecOps CCIC waved at one of the chairs. "Well, be my guest, sensei."

With an explosive sigh, the aging officer fell into the offered seating implement, which he absentmindedly noted to probably be her own – it was meant for someone more than average size. "I take it you know all about the mess we had to clean up, Theodora-hime," Sengoku began immediately as he knew that his prize apprentice did not like to cut corners when it came to matters dealing with justice, the injured masses, and especially with what admirals were involved.

She did not look impressed in the slightest as her eyes narrowed. As he suspected, she was not surprised at all and told him as much. "Bakainu was there. What did you expect? A picnic and a romantic interlude like that rubbish they used as their cover? Oh please. Even Borsalino-nii at his worst would have thought of something significantly more believable."

"Point is, we have quite the situation on our hands. You are aware of Gol D. Andrea's involvement?"

"How could I not? To make that man lose his cool…" She pauses for a moment after realizing what she said and shook her head in annoyance. "That was horrible. Anyway, things obviously did not go as well as planned if there were at least two Yonkô involved, multiple Great Royal Privateers and all these marines to end up like this. Doflamingo may be dead and while that is a blessing (I'll have to bring an offering to the Gods later), the World Government and therefore the Navy by proxy as a whole have lost face in this situation. How can we bring back True Justice if people are afraid we will wreck their homes, shatter their dreams and kill their kin?"

"Hear me out," he implores her and the tone was not that merely of a superior to a lesser or even a professional one. It was a personal, reverent sound which meant there was more to this incident than what the fleet admiral had previously revealed. "Please, hime-ue."

"I am listening, Sôri-sensei," she finally answered, sitting down on the table and addressing him like once his ancestor was known 880+ years ago. Prime Minister. "What has the unflappable stoic of the Three Naval Demons who all taught me fighting, strategy and leadership shaken enough to come down to my dark realm? It's not like you haven't made up your mind already. Also, why was not an assembly called? That idiot dog's latest rampage can't be overlooked like Ohara. There is no justification whatsoever for use of excessive force this time."

"No there isn't. But there are developments that might make it unnecessary to have him judged by his peers."

"How so."

"Disastrous as the fallout was… the initial objective was complete but we have the troubling matter of what or more exactly who escalated it. The fault isn't purely on him," he explained.

"I am actually surprised she's his daughter by that behavior. He never caused that much collateral damage," she remarked darkly. "And you know that I know this first hand."

"How can I forget that? Garp and Kuzan and you chased that man from the bottom of the sea to the roof of the sky," Sengoku chuckled. "And you were always quick to point out that the pirates he and I chased reflected all too well our outlook on life – he chose Roger while I took it upon me to hunt Shiki. But I wouldn't be so quick to call her dissimilar from him. She has the same tenacity if it comes to the things she believes in."

"Yeah. And from what intelligence tells – or my brother for the matter – her beliefs of what makes a Marine are all skewered. Frankly, I am surprised she hasn't been marked with misconduct."

"Theodora-hime, you grew up as a Marine. It's somewhat hard to live to that exact standard, deshi," he defended his adoptive granddaughter, weakly but he did. "If there had been a way to, she would have grown up as a Marine but that flopped horribly. I wonder if she had joined back then, how much of this could have been avoided."

"There is no use musing on what could have been," she murmured as she waved a dismissive hand. "So exactly what positive happened beyond that tyrant being dead? Finally. I still haven't forgiven Bakazuki for delivering the confirmation of him joining the privateers when I was about to erase him from existence."

"Uncovering quite the criminal network was an achievement but the credit cannot lie with the admirals alone. We also were able to obtain three devil fruits if Whitebeard's is included from Dressrosa alone, and I actually would like you to check them over later with your own power, see if that old pirate's is still functional. Also from Punk Hazard, an additional two fruits were procured but those shouldn't require examination." He pushed up his glasses. "Vegapunk might be the genius of the millennium, but all his tools are strictly within the laws of physics. Yours are not."

"True. And Devil Fruits are a part of my clan's lore, nothing new there. I'll look into it. But you are not here to tell me things I already know. What troubles you, Sôri-sensei?" she asked while fixing the petrol-blue mane with pronged hairsticks.

"Please keep an open mind with what you may be requested or asked," he broached carefully. She blinked slowly as he continued. "I know better than anyone that with your information, you know a great deal of what is going on but things are changing. I want this sorted out as soon as possible as it would be nice to have the admirals unified for the next age. An age that I will not be a part of as a Fleet Admiral." A pin could drop with how quiet it was before he resumed. "With all that is going on, I wouldn't be surprised if Sakazuki does ask you for your aid."

"I'd rather try to freeze over Naraka," she deadpanned. "That idiot – ignoramus would be a compliment after all – can't even tell the difference between justice and law, so why should I even listen to someone who can't answer a simple question?"

"All your assessment questions are trick questions, Shiroyoru. Some people have not lived the lives to answer them." He shook his head. "Unimportant. The point is, I have chosen to take the blame for the disaster."

The temperature dropped slightly. "You're retiring? Or just joining my sister in Internal Affairs?"

"Technically, the latter, but it amounts to the same."

"It's sad to see you go. That isn't what troubles you though. What is going on?"

"What this era needs isn't me anymore so with that, I will take the blame for Dressrosa's tragedies. Will it endear me to the population there, likely not. If anything, some of the people likely saw his actions as necessary to free them no matter the sacrifice. How would you feel if your people were oppressed under a lie that has been going on and having to sit there with a smile on your face? From what I've heard about Viola-hime, she has had to bear with Doflamingo's rule and as displeased as she is with the damage, there are worse things. There could have been no more kingdom or he could have perverted the Reverie through intimidation, outright bribery or other methods. The buildings have been rebuilt and although the lives lost remain lost, at least it wasn't outright for nothing. To satisfy though unhappy with the results, I am willing to put myself to blame for allowing it to happen. If anything, this is better than what happened with Ohara as at least there were some lives that were saved."

Theo blinked once and twice before clearing her throat. "If I just had said yes when you told me that I was going to have command of that Buster Call, but no…"

Taking off his glasses, he sighed, looking for the first time his actual age. "How old was your mother when she became Princess of the Lost Arts?"

"Thirty-nine."

"You were not even twenty-four. Hesitation might have cost you back then, but you are still alive, which means you can still act."

"I was passed over. I had the better score than that bloody dog, and I was politically bulldozed out of a promotion to admiral just because I couldn't put an end to that bunch of fools who forgot to read the warning at the bottom to keep their mouths shut!" she yelled, putting her head in her hands. "And look at us now. That man, at times there are pirates who do less damage… kami…" Straightening, she turned to the side.

Sengoku observed her with renewed worry. He had known how much she resented Akainu, but he had not considered that her level of that ability would allow her to understand in hindsight the consequences of her hesitation back then, and be frustrated beyond all measure about it. Hardening his heart, he grimly decided to play that one against her. I want you to come out and be the example you were born to be, Princess. "In light of his shown restraint in Dressrosa, if he approaches you, maybe you can hear him out. Some of the recent events were not to his liking either."

The look she shot him out of the corner of her eyes had only one description: thunderous. "That man flattened half the city and only went towards his only small-scale technique when he was out of ideas. A Yarukiman tree has more imagination growing its leaves to the optimum pattern."

"There are the events of Punk Hazard to consider," he pointed out. "I'm sure even Kuzan can attest to his aid during that investigation."

"And I had to stop my beloved from drinking through an entire case of Marineford Icewine afterwards." She shook her head, calming down. "I have spent enough time down here to know better than let my resentment get the best of me. Why trying to placate me about him? It won't change his faults and the reasons both of us cannot trust him with the secrets below this level."

"He's still only human and right now, I don't think he gives a damn about any of the secrets. You already know that he has, in the past, expressed interest in the position of fleet admiral which the higher ups want to support now, but I have other ideas of who my successor should be."

"I'd certainly hope so," she grumbled as she motioned for him to continue.

"They are going to keep pushing for him to advance and even use Dressrosa as a springboard and inspirational picture of a disaster that the marines were able to partially avert. The Punk Hazard success is what they want as the clincher. I'm certain you don't want that or that Kuzan wants that either."

"I would never condone that idiot," she hissed as she shook her head with worry. "And they actually will push forward to have him be the fleet admiral? Have they completely lost their minds?" She looked like she could use a good bit of Marineford Icewine herself as she contemplated the thought. "What are they using to stop Kuzan from possibly advancing to fleet admiral with your recommendation? His age? Being my consort should be in his favor after all. Screw that, I have seniority over all of them." She stilled. "It's the true justice, isn't it. Isn't it?!"

"'If man is corrupt, then what is justice?'" he quoted sadly. "I think Kuzan scares them. He is too much of a Kumori, both by blood and name actually, and it shows in everything he says and does. To put one in charge would be admitting an approaching storm, and everything out of their hands."

"And yet it is always us that have to rescue them. They still fear what it means if 'we come bearing gifts'." She shook her head again. "Can't you do anything?"

An opening, hime. Sorry for using it. "I cannot. You however can."

"If they won't allow Kuzan, they are further from allowing anyone I can influence beyond direct threats of considering the contract broken, and I'd rather wouldn't do that."

"You may not even have to make a threat," Sengoku calmly stated as he watched her eyes narrow. "If this ends up being how I see it, they will be unable to even bring him up as candidate. You see, there is something you two can have a mutual interest in and while it may still be awkward, you will find that listening to Sakazuki about his current problems may solve everything you need, if you play it right."

The Kumori princess pulled out a small bottle of icewine and two cups. "I am all ears."

"You mentioned the ill sentence of old. Well, that's basically the scheme." He accepted the small helping of the sweet yet tart Marineford specialty and took a long and lingering sip. "A woman too weak to live out her dreams or even awaken out of her coma is in the infirmary awaiting a treatment that even Dr. Vegapunk is unable to provide. That very same woman is the cause of a recent change of heart in the very person you detest. People often get desperate when they are at their wits' end."

"What if it's an act?" she countered as she sipped the liquid.

"He's not that good of an actor to falsify that much grief. Surely you heard of his, by now infamous, breakdown at the pier? Even he doesn't want to go through this world alone and on a whim, you could change more than just her condition."

Sengoku could hardly contain his pride as she demonstrated just why he had chosen to teach her back then as she caught on immediately. "The seat I was denied back then? You think he'd be willing to pay with his chair?" She started to chuckle. "Hate-hatena. To think that he actually managed to doubt his ways…"

"Human nature is rather surprising," Sengoku raised his glass to her as she nodded in agreement.

"And if this is the case, I will take this surprise gracefully. Who knows, maybe we can finally trust him with that." A cold glint filled her eyes, making them harder than flint. "I fear the Danarans, even when bearing Gifts. I do not like being played sensei, but I let it pass because it served a good purpose. Very well. I'll kill the flock of gulls with one strike and listen to our clueless living volcano." She got to her feet. "Tell him I am usually at the northern beach during sunrise. If you excuse me now, sir, I have pirates to sink into the vengeful sea." She saluted.

"Thank you, hime-ue. And dismissed, Sôkanjisui." Putting his glasses back on, he also got to his feet, and left the room through another door. The only things that stop D.s are Danarans. I just hope I didn't set things in motion too late, he thought grimly as he started the long way to the surface. Maybe I'll go visit in on her before everything starts.


-Meanwhile-


Tsuru already knew what to expect when she heard the knock behind her office door and felt the presence of the admiral. Word had already been traveling around headquarters about his personality being very subdued as of late and upon hearing why, she could not blame him. Even her two friends were affected by the coma of the sickly female marine, Gol D. Andrea. "Come in," she called out finally.

Admiral Akainu walked in, unsure of really how to ask anything from this marine. Their interactions were rather limited and they had relatively little in common to speak of. "I need to ask you about…"

"If it's about Shiroyoru, listen up then get out because I have work to do." The admiral was glad for the blunt and to the point statement as it made it feel like less hoop jumping in preparation for the ultimate confrontation. "Your lack of understanding irks her more than anything else."

"Understanding?" he hesitantly clarified before remembering his conversation with Sengoku that started to make him doubt his place in the marines.

"You never really thought about your orders before doing them, have you?" The magma logia's silence was all the answer needed to confirm the question. "We all know you have the capability to be shrewd and cunning so why? Why thoughtlessly just go along what's given to you without thinking of the consequences? Don't you think someone with Theodora's eyes and abilities would not have seen your talent in an assessment all these years ago and lament the wastage?"

He cleared his throat before answering carefully. "I thought I was doing the right thing. I never had a reason to question my actions before and apparently, the higher ups see fit for that trend to continue." Tsuru's eyebrow rose slightly in interest at the slight bit of information that the admiral likely should not have revealed but she said nothing as he continued. "Without hearing anything about what I'm doing wrong before or being punished, can we assume we're only doing the right thing? I never thought to personally analyze my actions after the mission until my last mission: Punk Hazard."

"Then I can tell you why she called you baka ever since you joined the Navy. If you are interested that is."

"I would appreciate it," he said with a slightly bowed head. Have I really been so naive about my actions?

"First. What are the two possible meanings of baka?" Tsuru's intense stare nailed him, dared him to think.

He frowned. "Idiot. And…" He bowed his head even lower, suddenly feeling exactly like the implication that had stuck to him the last 28 years, even if only behind his back amongst the more… considerate Marines. "Foolish. Naive. Dense. Especially if used as a pun on my given name. And calling myself inu… what must she think…"

"The word baka conveys the idea better than anything else. With that in mind, the only advice I can give you is to try to understand Theodora-hime's conviction to always try to understand," Tsuru finished.

Glancing into her eyes, he gave a small smile and nod. "Thank you for your time," he said softly but there was an underlying strength to the words that made the female marine smile as he swept away dramatically.

There might be hope for you yet…

The minute he was outside the offices and strolling, watching the recruits and new marines be given their training, he felt a sense of ease and hope. Hopefully, soon… A gull landed in front of him however, message clutched to its beak and it glared up at him with its beady eyes. "You better not peck me like last time," he grumbled as he reached for the message. Reading it carefully, the hope within him ignited immediately as he incinerated the message. The gull squawked in protest at the sudden rise in temperature before Akainu sighed. "What? You wanted a reply?"


It's freezing, Sakazuki thought as he pulled his coat around himself. Well, if he had to be honest, it was not really that cold, but his own anxiety at talking to what amounted to his old rival about his desperate quest made him shiver, and the breeze coming from the sea didn't make him feel any better. But turning into magma around her was out of the question. After all the years she had spent in the shadows, he was not even sure any longer how strong she really had become, since he also didn't know how strong Aokiji really was any longer – the way he'd massacred that harpy of a woman, Monet, hadn't shown anything. Will she really listen? Or was Sengoku just yanking my chain? Then again, would he really do something like that when Andrea's welfare is in the air with her as the only way?

"The sea is calm today," her cool voice cut into his thoughts. "It seems it will be a nice day."

Shaking himself, he stepped by her right, mindful of the fact that she was left-handed. At least she doesn't have that blasted sword on herself today. "Not for me."

"My condolences," she stated tonelessly, not facing him. "I was not aware I would have to arrange a Rite of the Dead before we have a new Fleet Admiral, but I am sure the Great Blue will take good care of her."

He gritted his teeth at the jab. Are you trying to reel me up? "If that was the case, it would be even harder to keep news of this out of all her brothers' ears. Given that one of them has a disposition towards the paranormal, that is quite the feat. But in any case, she still hasn't been considered dead by Dr. Vegapunk and I won't give up. She's still there breathing and that means I can still help her somehow."

"And why are you then even talking to me? As far as I know, the only other reason that would put you within my range is down the cellar, that is, work, and for that I have a snail."

"Actions speak louder than words, Shiroyoru," he grunted as he tried his best to stay patient and not retort angrily. Not like you would even be likely to consent to converse with me over the Den Den Mushi anyway… you always delegate me to one of the other coordinators

She smirked. "Very well then. Sakazuki-taishô. What is it you want from Kumori no Theodora that is so desperate you would talk to me face to face?"

"I have… heard that you can help me. Help her…" His fist tightened as he had thought on her condition. She was supposed to be so strong and outspoken but now was so frail and delicate. The thought turned his stomach before he turned his attention to find himself the recipient of an intense gaze. "I will tolerate any ire you feel towards me or hatred but if there's the slightest chance she can be spared from what she is suffering, I will take that chance."

"How bad is it really?"

Sakazuki had trouble containing his surprise at the empathic tone. "The consumption of a devil fruit for her, given the nature of her palm's scar, is essentially suicide. In the time it took for her to have the fruit extracted, part of her palm had… died. It doesn't look decayed but it's not really alive either. Isshô said her breathing sounded weaker during her punishment and her footsteps began to falter even more as time wore on. You are aware she was in charge of the rebuilding effort if you could call it that?"

"I may have received reports of such a thing," Shiroyoru said vaguely, but her eyes were oddly emotional, which the magma logia found unusual to happen within his presence.

"It began small they said. Her coughing up blood or bleeding from the scar we had been accustomed to and dealt with but those tremor powers… Whitebeard's fruit did not completely vanish from her. It's obviously a good deal weaker and it seems to only produce minute pulses but it was enough to concern Vice Admiral Isshô. She pushed herself more and more each day it seems until her first building was done. After that building was done and approved, she became fanatical about proving she was changed."

"I have checked the Gura-Gura no Mi earlier, it's intact, ready for another user. Her body seems to have copied that fruit's power to some extent; but from what I know, she should have taken a break afterwards, not work like hell," she considered. "In other words, she has worked herself into an early grave, if you pardon the saying."

"It wasn't pretty," he winced as he remembered the joke she had made a while ago. The smile she had worn seemed so far away. "She normally suffers from narcolepsy but according to those two, she did not have a single instance of it happening during the whole rebuilding process except near the very end, where her condition sharply dropped. Her appetite was that of a normal person but that is not normal for her. When I saw her after the mission to Punk Hazard, she looked like a ghost of herself walking through Marineford. Seeing her run towards the pier happily clenched my heart." He paused as if waiting for her to make a jab at him but continued after she remained quiet. "Then she tripped right before she got to me. I caught her but… she bruised and I felt how thin she had become. I'm not going to lie and say she is relatively unscarred but for her to get hurt that easily concerned me. Her will to live was stronger than I had seen it before but her body couldn't keep up."

"What if she's meant to die?" Shiroyoru asked theoretically. "Not everyone gets to pick whether they can keep living or when they die so how do you know that this isn't her time? Just wondering."

"It can't be her time," he frowned as he remembered the times Andrea had grabbed his hands to the latest bit of training she would demand from him, the inane doodles she would leave over his paperwork or the times she slept peacefully. The stubborn woman who he watched change when she met truly corrupt pirates could not die. I've lost everything once. That's why I became a marine. I can't do it again. "It can't," he repeated. Are you trying to make me beg, Shiroyoru?

Moments passed, and the sun's rays started to flood the city behind them. Finally, she asked, "Who has told you about me? I can tell the number of people who know of that ability on one hand."

The admiral decided to avoid the question as it would likely not be news to the powerful woman. "I was not told the specifics but it was strongly hinted that you can do something… Anything is better than this state she's in." His face showed an expression that she had not seen before and it disturbed her that something could put him out of everyone in a state of misery through sheer worry. "We've never seen eye to eye and I will not deny that we've been at each other's throats but she is different. She is separate from all of this."

"Is she?" Theo inquired before giving a skeptical look. "Or is this something to amuse yourself with until you get tired and bored of her? How can I trust your word that this won't just be for not? For all I know, it's a trap of sorts."

"I have no intention of being deceptive when she's involved especially," he growled quickly, but then lowered his head as he realised that he wasn't impressing the Kumori with his attitude. "My apologies," he quickly amended.

This caused a chuckle to escape in sheer disbelief. "That serious?"

"She's barely out of her teenage years but yet she thinks… She was convinced she is going to die before me. That is the most frustrating thing that someone you care about more than half your age is so certain they are going to face death. She already has told me to 'find her a pretty gravestone' with a serious face. How the hell would you take the person you care about to be so relaxed about death?" He took a deep breath to calm down before continuing. "She is at the age when a few marines even join late. Regardless, she has shown promise with a dream that she had to abandon once before because of her medical history. I will never… No, I refuse to have to watch her abandon what she wants because…" He tone shook quickly as he realized he had a tear run down his cheek.

Theo watched him carefully, seeing the cracks form in that shell of his that had been his persona for nearly three decades, and suppressed her surprise. Now look at that. I wonder what my emotion compass would read on him. Sen-sensei was right – right now, I have the world in my hands again. I used to think sometimes that he's got the wrong devil fruit with that attitude. Good to see the emotions now match the temperature. "Because of what, Sakazuki-san?" she pried sternly.

"I love her…" he said as he touched his cheek. The warmth of the tears contrasted with how he felt on the inside, as icy as Theodora's legendary life-stealing cold. "I love her that the mere thought of losing her is worse than any hell I could think of. Or you." No point in clinging to pride. By Marine standards, she's a fucking princess, and if begging will save Andy, I will beg. "Is there the slightest chance you'll consider at least seeing her condition?" he asked weakly, his throat tight at the possibility she might just outright reject the notion.

She was silent again for a while, and then, she faced him outright, the eyes as judging as they had been when she had assessed him 28 years ago, and he had failed. "Beware of Danarans, even when bearing gifts, Sakazuki. I am a Danaran. Are you really willing to fall to my whims?" she asked grimly. Can you meet my eyes, foolish man?

"What would you have me do?" he asked slowly as he looked into her eyes. He felt nothing could make him any more low on the scale of things, but he knew that if he looked away, she'd leave. Eyes of a judge, posture of a fricking queen, and that ability Vegapunk hinted at. Just what have you become?

"I'll do it. But I won't do it for you, or for free." She stepped backwards, closer to the sea, letting the waves lap at her boots and freeze on contact. "You do realise why you are admiral and not I?"

Realization at what exactly she would ask in exchange struck him quickly. "Why do you think I'm an admiral, if I may ask?"

"Are you that slow still, Sakazuki-san? Oh well. Let's put it like that. The guy with the lower score got promoted because he made the decision to go to Ohara while the up-to-then favoured candidate for Sengoku's successor as admiral hesitated and ended up torching Madrigal Island, which was of no political interest, unlike an island of foolish scholars." She glared, the chill in the air suddenly intensifying. "You are the replacement for a reluctant, 23-year-old me, and you know it. Well, I've lived in the cellar long enough to lose hesitation. But it's your decision. What is truly important. That seat you cling to? Or the woman in the ICU under Vegapunk's eyes slowly drifting closer to a Rite of the Dead?"

"You're making me pick?" he asked with an incredulous tone. "Me getting that seat over you will cause you to turn a blind eye to a woman that possibly only you could help?" He paced slowly, the pain coursing through his chest increasing as he imagined not seeing her smile again or the possibility of never hearing her laugh with amusement. He remembered reassuring her that she could be a fine marine and training her. What would I be anymore without her in my life?

"You knew I wouldn't help you for free. And yet, here you are. Asking your greatest rival, begging her to help you. That simply raises the question if you finally have an idea of the things that are truly important in life…" she twirled a knife she had pulled from nowhere around her fingers, "or is it just a flight of fancy? In the latter case, there is no reason for my side to help you." The blade disappeared again.

"That's blackmail," he spat bitterly before remembering he had essentially done the same thing to Andrea when they first met. "Have you finally become as cold as your element, White Night?"

"I never hid what kind of power goes with my name and my birthright," she corrected tonelessly. "The truth of the Navy is in my hands, and if there is one thing I have learnt from you, it is indeed that sometimes the end justifies the means. Besides… about ten years ago, I challenged you to a duel to the death, and I hate things unfinished."

I taught her that. I, no-one else. Akainu had trouble controlling his breathing at realising into what exactly he had turned the Demons' Apprentice, albeit unwittingly. "I never would have thought you would master politics to a higher degree than the Elder Stars while being less than half their age. What are your demands?" What kind of monster did I create?

"All from two decades in the shadows. Well. First of all, you pass. For the first time in your life." She nodded in approval. "I will heal your Andrea. Including that lack of life of hers, and don't ask me how I can do that. For that, you and I will fight for your seat, that is, a staged fight – in other words, a fight without any lasting damage to each other. You lose, you step down, you won't become Fleet Admiral. And when all that is over, I maybe, just maybe tell you why exactly you have never won against me, and what kind of world we actually live in. Sakazuki-taichô." She paused. "If you accept, name the time and place for our fight. I would prefer to start with the battle first."

Andrea would be displeased with the conditions, he mused before a mental image of her in the coma flashed before his eyes again. But she doesn't have to know… for now. "I think I would find Punk Hazard a most appropriate place for a confrontation. You would also dislike the climate and mold it to your liking," he hinted vaguely at the island's current environment and he thought it a fitting gesture for her to remake what he destroyed.

"You mean the fact you turned it into a blazing inferno after destroying the Shinokuni gas?" She smirked, sensing his surprise. "I am the Sôkanjisui of the Special Forces. Being aware is in my job description. Well, it's good enough – the island is dead after all. When then?"

"As soon as possible," he suggested with a slightly optimistic tone. "I don't want to take the chance of her life force running out while we wait for a day to fight. The day after tomorrow?"

"In the evening, yes. Meet me at the Submarine docks tomorrow. We'll take the Trafalgar Astute," she confirmed with a grim nod, giving the name of her submarine. "And don't worry about her life force. I'll check in on her later, and make sure she'll survive until I can take care of her properly." To Sakazuki's surprise, she offered her hand.

The marine soon-not-to-be admiral knew the sincerity of the situation as it stared him in the face. She – the highest Grand Military Name – would not offer to shake his hand if she was going to go back on her word or had no intention of following through. "I'd appreciate your discretion and haste with this matter," he replied with a lighter heart as he shook her hand.

However, the smirk on her face quickly made his relief twist slightly as she let go. A whirl, a swish of the coat, and the head of the Kumori clan (and Kuzan's wife) took her leave, but stopped about four meters away from him. "Oh, Sakazuki-san. Just a simple question before I go to check on her."

"A question?" he asked cautiously as he knew better than to just accept everything at face value now. Especially since he had an alarming record when it came to Shiroyoru's simple questions. "Does it have to do with her or is it about something else? Either way, I'm not in a position to deny this question, am I?"

"Well, it's more of food for thought I admit." Smirking over her shoulder, she continued, "You've become interesting, Bakazuki. How far would you go for love, and what are you willing to forfeit for it? Just something to consider until your beat-down." With this, she disappeared in a shower of blue-glowing white something that made way for the city.

He watched after where she was for a moment before turning to trudge to find a place to rest. If this was going to be resolved as soon as possible, he needed his wits about him. He knew that he had signed away one of the things he had taken pride in as a marine but he thought of how frail his Andrea was, lying in her bed, eyes closed and unaware of the events happening. You knew what you were getting yourself into, he told himself as he felt some of the heat around his body flare at thinking of the situation he may have put himself into. Unbidden, the last stanza of an old poem he'd read as a cadet came to mind. God appears, and God is light, to those poor souls who dwell in night, but does a human form display, to those who dwell in realms of day. Did I really just walk into this willingly?