It started with a bang, literally, the day Monkey D. Garp destroyed his wall to spit in Sengoku's face and proceeded to quit. Shockingly violent, but also not surprising. Luffy is Garp's own flesh and blood; and one who had followed in his footsteps. When Luffy finally earned rank in the marines, (and though he won't admit it when Sakzuki took him under his wing), Garp had allowed himself to breathe easier.

Sengoku had strong-armed Garp into trusting him for Luffy's safety and Sengoku had been played himself. The child tied down with no free-will. Garp had forgiven him eventually, when Sengoku accepted Luffy's unconventional recruitment methods. His subordinates are odd, but they are good people and if Sengoku looks the other way about them having some unsavory connections, well, being Fleet Admiral had to serve for something. The way Luffy smiled and Garp's invitation for lunch had definitely made the slip worth it. He'd made Garp believe that his grandson was safe... Now he's going to be executed. Executed for keeping to a deal Sengoku himself had had to betray. Sengoku's hands are tied, Garp knows that; but it just doesn't feel like enough.

After that particular rollercoaster, Sengoku thinks he's seen the worst of the blowback surrounding Vice-Admiral Luffy's arrest. In less than a day, the marine's have lost two powerful vice-admirals and an specialized battle squad. It isn't a devastating blow, but it also isn't something Sengoku will easily shake off either. Yet, he's been too hopeful. Out goes Garp and in comes the most unflinching of his subordinates, a man that -Sengoku is sure- will one day kick him out of his job. (And depending on how this whole execution goes, it might be sooner rather than later.)

Sengoku hadn't really liked Admiral Akainu when he'd named him Admiral. The man is unshakeable, with a strong moral compass and the strenght to bring it into reality but... he can also be thorough enough to border on cruel and one-track minded in the pursuit of his goals. Dangerous characteristics in a man of so much power. Then, Sengoku had seen 14-year-old Luffy and Akainu meet. Marineford would never be the same. Even after their disastruos fall-out, compromised of good intentions and absolutely not tact from two powerhouses, Sengoku knows Sakazuki has never stopped being in Luffy's corner -whether the younger man knows it or not is anybody's guess.

Absolute justice? Justice is protecting people's right to be free! Not taking freedom away from them.

Garp is a whirlwind, but Akainu is the center of the storm, deceptively calm. Sengoku tries to diffuse the situation before it gets out of hand. Akainu believes in absolute justice, in the erradication of evil at the root and at whatever cost. He is surprised the admiral is here in the first place, after hearing that his former student somehow broke his brother, the son of the former pirate king, out of the marine's most secure prison.

"Former Vice-Admiral Luffy is been executed for the crime of high-treason, currently the prime suspect in orchestrating the release of Portgas D. Ace." Sengoku informs, driving home the point that despite how they're still gathering evidence, they both know Luffy did it. "He's also going to be announced as Dragon's son." Another secret Sengoku knows Akainu dislikes. Still, when the admiral speaks, only condemnation leaves his mouth.

"What happened to the brat's deal?"

The phone rings and Sengoku has never been so glad. He could definitely take on Sakazuki, on authority alone, but he's had such a long day and he's going to have such a long week and no matter what they did the execution was going to be chaotic. So, he looks at Admiral Akainu and pointedly reminds him:

"Duty calls." The man frowns, but acknowledges the dismissal. The corner of his mouth pulling downwards so insistently Sengoku thinks they'll fall off. They both know the Admiral made his point clear anyways. Sengoku picks up the phone, hoping for good news, but it is Vice-Admiral Smoker on the phone. He's probably the last person Sengoku wants to talk to at this time because he absolutely knows what's coming.

"Fleet Admiral," he begins, voice tight and gruff. Smoker doesn't sound particularly happy at any given time, but Sengoku has dealt with the man enough to know that this time he's particularly irritated. "Why am I carrying a fellow marine officer into Impel Down?" Sengoku sits down before he answers, rubbing the bridge of his nose and preparing himself for a long-winded speech that really means because I said so, so get to it and that's how that goes.

The last of his marines to make an impression regarding the subject is Rear-Admiral Coby, who had been found gagged and bound in the former Vice-Admiral Luffy's office. Coby has asked to see him. Sengoku doesn't usually take these meetings so casually but the young marine had been betrayed by his friends and squad, Sengoku could make an exception. Maybe, just maybe, he thought he'd finally find someone who would complain about Monkey D. Luffy.

"Fleet Admiral." Coby acknowledges respectfully, saluting his superior officer. Sengoku has worked with high-ranking marines so long he had almost forgotten what respect looks like. This, this young man is defintely the future that Sengoku strives for. Powerful, kind and with a good head on his shoulders.

"At ease, soldier." Sengoku says, motioning for Coby to take a seat. The young man, who Sengoku still remembers was a tiny thing when he arrived at Marineford three years ago, immediately follows the direction. "How are you, Rear-Admiral?"

"I'm doing well, Fleet Admiral." He answers easily, and Sengoku is surprised that he means it.

"Tell me then, what brings you to my office?" Coby rustles a folder out of his coat and hands it over, it's unlabeled. Sengoku signals to open it and the younger marine nods, looking nervous. As he starts pulling out papers he notices the envelope is quiet thick. A paper clipping of Monkey D. Luffy's face greets him, and he slowly realizes what the package is. Newspaper articles, marine reports, superior officers evaluations, team statistics, even letters of gratefulness from royal families and organization. He looks at Coby questioningly.

"It's a folder detailing every single act of heroism performed by my captain since entering the marines. Well, at least to my knowledge. Among them lay letters of support from the Royal Families of Alabasta, the Fishman Race, and Elbaph and the Sakura Kingdom as well." The young man's spine is straight and his eyes are respectful but demanding. "I am here to plead for clemency for his crimes. Vice-Admiral Luffy, a man with no previous bounty or criminal record, was sentenced to be executed for crimes he allegedly committed in less than 24 hours. That is not proper procedure, and regardless, I believe that my captain's previous actions should earn him some leninency or at least, a fair trial."

Sengoku takes a deep breath and swallows back the urge to scream. How is it possible for Monkey D. Luffy to have his entire organization wrapped around his finger?

"Rear-admiral." Sengoku responds patienly. "Your squad mates left you tied up to commit treason in the name of the man that you're here to defend. They betrayed you." Coby shakes his head adamantly.

"They did not betray me, Fleet Admiral. They were protecting my dream." Coby says softly, standing up to leave. "Please, think about what I've said. I firmly believe in Justice and I think so do you." A pot shot if Sengoku ever heard one, but the marine salutes him before leaving. Marching out the door, the kanji for Justice emblazoned proudly on his back.