『 Kuke: Non-Devil Fruit User; Bounty: 』

『 Combat Power: Over Three Million. 』

What does three million combat power mean?

If the average combat power of an admiral-level powerhouse was around 500,000, then Kuke could fight against six of them at once.

And currently, the Marine Headquarters had only six admiral-class powerhouses—Kong, Aokiji, Kizaru, Akainu, Garp, and Zephyr.

Among them, some were stronger, some were weaker.

Kuke alone could take on all six of them.

He didn’t need resurrection, teleportation, or any system abilities—he could fight all six at once with just his own strength.

Kuke alone was equivalent to the combined power of all the Marine Headquarters’ strongest fighters.

Ten years ago, Kuke had 1.5 million combat power.

Ten years later, it had doubled to three million.

This was beyond his expectations.

A decade ago, he had gathered almost every notable female powerhouse in the sea under his command. Yet, as time went on, further combat growth became increasingly difficult.

His crew’s progress over ten years had even surprised him.

They had done exceptionally well.

“You’ve all made it worth my efforts.” Kuke smiled at the gathered women.

“One-on-one, Imu is no longer my match.”

Ten years ago, Imu’s combat power had been weaker than Kuke’s current three million.

Over the past decade, perhaps Imu had recovered some of his former strength.

At most, Kuke estimated that even at his absolute peak, Imu would only be roughly equal to his current self.

And Kuke still had 『 Resurrection 』 and 『 Teleportation 』 abilities granted by achievement points.

But Imu possessed Uranus.

Combining the two.

That brought Imu’s combat power close to five million.

“Still stronger than me.”

A gap of around two million remained, but Kuke felt no pressure.

Once he obtained the Dark-Dark Fruit.

And once his crew’s strength rose further.

With Poseidon Shirahoshi already on his ship.

And with the accumulation of achievement points.

When it came to trump cards.

Kuke was confident that he had more than the World Government.

If even his trump cards couldn’t defeat Imu.

Kuke still had one last method.

If he were truly desperate, he could transform every monstrous figure of the sea into women, forcibly bring them onto his ship, and turn them into his crew members. Even if he could only absorb half of their combat power.

But numbers would add up.

A single Emperor-Class powerhouse, even at half strength, still exceeded 200,000 combat power.

With enough numbers.

The increase in strength would be terrifying.

That move—

Was something he would only consider if he was truly cornered.

Kuke glanced at his achievement points.

『 Achievement Points: 1,112,413 』

1.1 million.

Over the past two years, his achievement points had increased by around 100,000.

With just these 100,000 points.

He could revive ten times or teleport the Sun and Moon Pirates ten times.

“Looks like it’s about time to make a move.”

After nearly a decade of silence.

The Sun and Moon Pirates were ready to make their grand return to the seas.

…

At Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

A major event had occurred.

One that would impact the entire Marine force and shape the future of the seas.

The transition of the Fleet Admiral’s authority.

Kong was stepping down.

All the high-ranking officers of the Marines had gathered.

“I was originally meant to be a temporary measure, but due to various circumstances, I have held this position for ten years. Now, it is time for me to retire.”

Kong announced his resignation to the Marine high command.

None of them were surprised. They had anticipated this.

And since Kong was making the announcement publicly, it was clear that the decision had been approved by the World Government.

“Of course, I won’t be leaving Marine Headquarters immediately. The most important part of this transition is deciding who will be the next Fleet Admiral.”

Kong turned his gaze toward the three admirals.

All the Marine officers followed suit, focusing their attention on the admirals.

More precisely, two of them.

Kizaru was ignored.

Everyone knew he had no chance.

That left Akainu and Aokiji.

Behind them stood their respective factions.

Akainu had the larger following—every hawkish officer in the Marines had pledged loyalty to him. Over the past decade, Akainu had relentlessly hunted down pirates, with the World Government secretly supporting his actions.

This had made Akainu the most infamous man on the seas over the past ten years.

Many Marines opposed his methods.

But at the same time, his faction of loyal followers had only grown stronger.

His influence was immense.

Aokiji, on the other hand, had gathered a smaller faction of doves—officers who opposed Akainu’s extreme measures.

“The decision of both myself and the World Government is that the next Fleet Admiral will be… Sakazuki.”

Kong directly announced the result.

Akainu remained expressionless.

But a fire seemed to flicker in his eyes.

His heart pounded faster.

A lifelong dream—finally achieved.

Behind him, many high-ranking Marine officers couldn’t hold back their excitement, cheering in celebration.

Meanwhile, the officers standing behind Aokiji were filled with disappointment and frustration.

Aokiji’s expression didn’t change.

But slowly, his fists clenched, and an invisible chill radiated from his body.

“I do not agree.”

Aokiji stepped forward, shocking everyone.

The room turned silent as everyone stared at him in surprise.

This was completely unlike Aokiji’s usual behavior. It had been a long time since they had seen such a forceful presence from him.

“The Fleet Admiral’s position should be decided by strength. The loser has no right to lead the Marines.”

Aokiji’s eyes burned with fighting spirit as he stared down Akainu.

Akainu scoffed.

“That’s right. The loser should keep their mouth shut.”

The battle for Fleet Admiral.

A fight between admirals—was now inevitable.

On an uninhabited island in the first half of the Grand Line, the two fought for ten days and ten nights.

The final result.

Akainu won.

Aokiji lost.

Defeated and disheartened, Aokiji resigned from the Marines.

From that day forward, there was no more Admiral Aokiji.

And there was no more Admiral Akainu—only Fleet Admiral Akainu.

In an instant, the three admirals were reduced to just one—Kizaru.

Wrapped in bandages, Akainu returned to Marine Headquarters as the victor.

Once again, he summoned all the high-ranking Marines.

“The official succession will take place in three months. The transition of power takes time. But more importantly, we must begin a global recruitment campaign to find two new admirals.”

Kong stared at Akainu.

This was also an order from the Five Elders.

The Marines couldn’t afford to have only one active admiral.

They couldn’t allow such a gap in their strength.

Especially with the ten-year mark approaching, the Five Elders hadn’t had a peaceful night’s sleep in a long time.

The Marines needed to reinforce their forces.

Akainu nodded.

Though he hadn’t yet officially taken the position, he had already begun issuing orders as the new Fleet Admiral.

Standing atop the Marine Headquarters building.

Akainu gazed down at Marineford—at the sea itself.

Raising his arms, he declared:

“In three months, I will be inaugurated as Fleet Admiral before the eyes of the world! I will make this clear to everyone—I will purge the pirates! There will be no place for this filth on these seas!”

Within the Marines.

A fanatical, extremist atmosphere spread.

Many Marines were fired up, as if they had been injected with pure adrenaline.

But there were also many who felt uneasy about the new direction the organization was taking.

“Sakazuki becoming Fleet Admiral… Where will the Marines end up? Hina is worried. Hina is troubled.”

Taking a long drag from her cigarette, she sighed.

Thinking about Akainu’s extreme methods over the past decade.

Her eyes filled with frustration and disapproval.

A thought lingered in her mind.

A desire—

A growing impulse.

The changes within the Marines.

Had shaken the entire world.

——

DONT FORGET POWER STONE

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