I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

At Marine Headquarters in the New World, a large number of Marines had assembled together, while countless warships were docked at the harbor, ready to set sail.

Besides the Marines participating in the operation, those remaining behind to guard Marine Headquarters had also been gathered to see them off.

Akainu stood before the assembled forces with a solemn expression and began his speech.

”This time, our enemy is not pirates, but the Revolutionary Army.

Do not underestimate them. The Revolutionary Army is extremely cunning—far more cunning than pirates. They have always hidden in the shadows, only making their move after the Marines and pirates have exhausted themselves fighting each other.”

He then went on to emphasize the threat posed by the Revolutionary Army, claiming that its potential danger far surpassed that of the pirates and that it was an even greater threat to the world. For the sake of justice, he declared, the Revolutionary Army had to be eradicated completely.

By the end of his speech, the Revolutionary Army had been portrayed as a terrorist organization posing an enormous threat to the world’s safety and its civilians.

”For the stability of the world, and to uphold the justice of the Marines, we must wipe out the Revolutionary Army in the New World once and for all!” Akainu shouted with a stern expression.

After Akainu finished speaking, many of the Marines below wore grave expressions.

”I never realized the Revolutionary Army was such a huge threat.”

”It sounds even more evil than the pirates, and even more destructive.”

”But I heard that the Revolutionary Army treats civilians well. Their revolutions only target nobles and officials who oppress the people, and they don’t harm ordinary civilians.”

”You heard that. Maybe the Revolutionary Army spread those rumors themselves...”

The lower-ranking Marines had limited sources of information.

Most of the time, they could only see what the World Government wanted them to see.

As a result, many of them believed Akainu’s words.

After all, how could their Fleet Admiral, wearing the coat of justice, possibly lie to them?

”Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, people should be responsible for what they say. On what basis do you claim that the Revolutionary Army poses an enormous threat to civilian lives? The Revolutionary Army has never deliberately harmed ordinary civilians.”

Just as Akainu was about to seize the moment and order the fleet to depart, Nagasawa spoke.

Akainu’s forward step halted.

He turned around and stared expressionlessly at Nagasawa.

He had never expected Nagasawa to undermine him at such a critical moment.

The Marines were initially angered upon hearing those words.

But after realizing it was spoken by the Hero of the Marines, Nagasawa, they were stunned.

Whose name was mentioned most often throughout the Marines now?

Without question, it was the new Hero of the Marines, Admiral Nagasawa, who had consecutively defeated two of the Four Emperors.

Especially the domineering image of Nagasawa nearly killing Big Mom with a single slash—it had become permanently etched into the minds of countless young Marines.

Everyone also knew that Admiral Fujiwara Nagasawa was a righteous Marine who was approachable and deeply cared about civilians.

This wasn’t because Nagasawa had claimed so himself.

It was the reputation everyone had given him based on his actions.

From the moment he joined the Marines, Nagasawa had openly advocated abolishing the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Despite being an Admiral, he personally traveled around with only Tina at his side, punishing evil and rescuing children kidnapped for experiments.

Even when choosing which Emperor to eliminate, Nagasawa had chosen Charlotte Linlin, whose existence posed a greater threat to civilians, rather than Whitebeard, whose defeat would have brought greater glory to the Marines.

Powerful, compassionate toward civilians, never arrogant, and always kind to others—

Although Nagasawa had not been in the Marines for very long, his popularity was exceptionally high.

Had anyone else openly contradicted the Fleet Admiral like this, the Marines would never have accepted it.

But because it was Nagasawa...

Many of them began seriously wondering which of the two was more trustworthy.

”Admiral Nagasawa, what exactly do you mean by this?”

Akainu clenched his fists and asked with a gloomy expression.

”It means nothing special. I’m simply speaking objectively. I believe you’re fabricating accusations against the Revolutionary Army. That’s all.”

Nagasawa smiled, completely ignoring the murderous look on Akainu’s face.

”Then what gives you the right to claim I’m slandering the Revolutionary Army? The Revolutionary Army launched wars against ten member nations this time. Countless people must have died. They are an evil force even worse than the Four Emperor pirate crews!”

Akainu replied in a deep voice.

Whether he was slandering the Revolutionary Army or not, Akainu himself naturally knew the answer.

But this was war.

Was he supposed to tell everyone before departing that the Revolutionary Army protected civilians better than the Marines?

Wouldn’t that destroy his own side’s morale?

Only by placing themselves firmly on the side of justice could the Marines maximize their fighting spirit.

After all, they were fighting for justice.

They were heroes.

That made everyone feel better.

”The Revolutionary Army’s wars target nobles and officials who oppress civilians. When people like that die, ordinary citizens applaud. You ask what gives me the right?”

Nagasawa calmly took out a Den Den Mushi.

”I happen to have plenty of recorded footage. Let’s see for ourselves whether the Revolutionary Army is truly evil.”

The Den Den Mushi of this world really was an interesting invention.

Not only could they make phone calls, eavesdrop, and broadcast live, there were even ones capable of recording images.

Long ago, Nagasawa had instructed the Revolutionary Army to record footage while carrying out their liberation campaigns.

The recording began to play.

It showed the public trial of a noble.

The footage documented how the noble had kept slaves and brutally oppressed civilians before finally being sentenced to death during the public trial.

The moment Akainu saw the recording, a terrible feeling arose within him.

How did Nagasawa possess something like this?

Could it be...

A bold, outrageous, and terrifying thought suddenly emerged in Akainu’s mind.

Nagasawa was a Revolutionary.

The Marine Admiral who had defeated two of the Four Emperors.

The Hero of the Marines hailed as the greatest contributor of the new era...

...was actually a Revolutionary.

Akainu wasn’t making a random guess.

Based on Nagasawa’s actions, it was entirely possible.

Although Nagasawa was an Admiral, he hadn’t risen through the Marine ranks.

He had become an Admiral directly through the World Military Draft.

Cold sweat appeared on the forehead of the magma man who had eaten the Magma Fruit.

The possibility was simply too terrifying.

Not because Nagasawa was both a Marine Admiral and a Revolutionary...

But because of Nagasawa’s strength.

Akainu hadn’t witnessed Nagasawa’s battle against Kaido.

But he had watched the entire battle against Charlotte Linlin live, seeing with his own eyes how Nagasawa completely dominated her.

In Nagasawa’s hands, Charlotte Linlin—the Four Emperor whom the Marines had always regarded as a major threat—had been suppressed from beginning to end.

In the end, Nagasawa had nearly killed her at her peak with a single slash.

Akainu still remembered that slash vividly.

It had simply been too powerful.

Were the Four Emperors weaker than Admirals?

Of course not.

Then what would happen when an Admiral faced Nagasawa?

Akainu didn’t even want to think about it.

The Marines below were equally stunned.

Watching the footage Nagasawa played, their blood pressure instantly rose in anger toward the noble.

When the noble was finally executed, an overwhelming sense of satisfaction welled up inside them.

The vast majority of the Marines unconsciously put themselves in the shoes of the oppressed civilians.

After all, before becoming Marines, they too had been ordinary people.

Taking a deep breath, Akainu tensed his body, ready to strike at any moment.

Staring at Nagasawa, he asked,

”Were you sent by the Revolutionary Army as an undercover agent?”

That single question seized the attention of every Marine present.

All eyes turned toward Nagasawa.

Even Garp, who had merely come to watch the excitement, was stunned by this unexpected development.

His eyes widened, his mouth hung open, and he stared blankly at Nagasawa.

Thinking about it carefully...

There actually was a high possibility Nagasawa was a Revolutionary.

He despised the Celestial Dragons.

He frequently ignored the Fleet Admiral...

Wait a minute.

Wasn’t Garp exactly the same?

Never mind then.

Nagasawa shook his head.

Akainu immediately let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, it wasn’t the worst-case scenario.

”I knew it. Admiral Nagasawa could never be a Revolutionary spy. He’s our Hero of the Marines...”

Just as everyone relaxed...

Nagasawa spoke again.

”How could I have been sent by the Revolutionary Army as an undercover agent? I became a Marine Admiral first, and only afterward joined the Revolutionary Army.”

He calmly corrected Akainu’s wording.

The heart Akainu had just managed to calm instantly shot back into his throat.

The Marines present stared at Nagasawa in utter disbelief.

What was going on?

Their new Hero of the Marines was actually a member of the Revolutionary Army?

And he had joined the Revolutionary Army after becoming a Marine Admiral?

They couldn’t understand.

Why would someone become a Revolutionary after already reaching the position of Admiral?

Was the Revolutionary Army really that good?

Were the Marines truly that lacking?

As though answering everyone’s doubts, Nagasawa began telling his story.

Inspired by the ideals of the Revolutionary Army, he had searched for them but become lost at sea.

He then met Garp, who recommended that he participate in the World Military Draft.

That was how he became a Marine Admiral.

Later, he finally found the Revolutionary Army and joined it.

”Garp, just look at the mess you’ve caused.”

Standing beside him, Sengoku couldn’t help complaining.

”You really recommended an Admiral like this to the Marines.”

Fortunately, Sengoku had already retired as Fleet Admiral.

Had this happened during his tenure, he would probably have been furious to death.

”Hahaha! I didn’t know he was trying to find the Revolutionary Army. I just thought he was a good person, incredibly strong, and had a personality I liked, so I brought him into the Marines.”

Garp scratched his head innocently while laughing loudly.

”The Marines are merely tools the World Government uses to maintain its rule. True justice cannot be carried out within the Marines. That’s why, even after becoming an Admiral, I still joined the Revolutionary Army.”

Nagasawa spoke seriously.

”Utter nonsense! The Marines are justice! The Revolutionary Army is nothing but a group of traitors hiding in the shadows. You must have been planted by them from the very beginning!”

Akainu’s arms transformed into rolling magma as he shouted furiously.

Nagasawa merely smiled.

He created a Shadow Clone.

Then the clone transformed into Tobirama’s appearance.

”The White Devil!”

The Marines recognized him instantly.

He was currently the most active Revolutionary in the world.

”The White Devil has always been just my clone. So I became an Admiral first, and only afterward did the White Devil begin his activities.”

Nagasawa smiled as he dropped yet another bombshell.

”The White Devil is Admiral Nagasawa’s clone?!”

The Marines were dumbfounded.

The Revolutionary who had thrown the entire world into chaos and killed Celestial Dragons...

...was actually the same person as the Hero of the Marines.

”How terrifying. Even a clone possesses such frightening strength.”

Kizaru looked at Nagasawa in astonishment.

He hadn’t expected such explosive revelations today.

This time, his usual ”How scary” wasn’t sarcasm.

As someone who had personally fought the White Devil, Kizaru knew exactly how troublesome he was.

The mysterious ability to control seawater.

Instant teleportation.

He was incredibly difficult to deal with.

Yet such a troublesome opponent was merely one of Nagasawa’s clones.

Meanwhile, Nagasawa himself possessed the strength to kill one of the Four Emperors.

Kizaru genuinely found Nagasawa terrifying.

”As expected of someone I recognized. Even his clone is that incredible.”

Garp finally understood why Nagasawa had been so bold after learning that a Celestial Dragon had been killed, even celebrating together with him in his office.

So it had been his own clone who did it.

He had literally been celebrating himself.

”And you still have the nerve to say that.”

Sengoku looked speechlessly at Garp, who actually seemed a little proud.

”No matter what, Nagasawa has made tremendous contributions to the Marines.”

Garp smiled.

Although Nagasawa being part of the Revolutionary Army was shocking, it didn’t change Garp’s attitude toward him.

If Garp were still an active Marine, perhaps they would have stood on opposing sides.

But he was already retired.

”As Fleet Admiral, I hereby strip you of your position as Admiral, you traitor! Borsalino, Issho, attack this traitor with me!”

Akainu’s arm transformed into an enormous fist of molten magma.

Like a volcanic eruption, he launched the gigantic magma fist toward Nagasawa.

Knowing how powerful Nagasawa was, he immediately called on Fujitora and Kizaru to assist him.

”Sakazuki, your temper is still as explosive as ever.”

A familiar voice suddenly rang out.

The next moment, a massive torrent of freezing air instantly intercepted Akainu’s magma fist.

Akainu’s already furrowed brows tightened even further.

He knew exactly who had arrived.

The former Marine Admiral...

Now a member of the Revolutionary Army...

Aokiji.

Wearing his dark green coat, Aokiji stepped into everyone’s view and calmly walked to Nagasawa’s side.

”Admiral Kuzan!”

Some Marines couldn’t help crying out in surprise.

Aokiji had always been extremely popular within the Marines.

”Idiot. He’s part of the Revolutionary Army now.”

Someone beside them quickly corrected him.

”So today is a gathering of traitors? Perfect. I’ll deal with both of you together. All Marines, prepare to attack.”

Although Akainu’s words remained as forceful as ever, he quietly increased the distance between himself and Nagasawa.

”Tsk... What a terrifying collection of monsters. Even that guy showed up.”

Kizaru wore his trademark sly smile as he prepared to move.

But the very next instant...

The smile froze on his face.

A blade was suddenly held directly in front of him.

If he took even one more step, he would run straight into it.

”My apologies, Admiral Borsalino. It would be best if you didn’t move carelessly.”

Fujitora slowly drew his sword cane and spoke calmly.

”So you’re one of them too. Two of the Three Admirals are members of the Revolutionary Army. The Revolutionary Army is truly impressive.”

Kizaru paused for a moment before speaking.

This sudden turn of events left every Marine completely caught off guard.

”Even Admiral Fujitora...”

The Marines stared in disbelief.

Their convictions began to waver.

They couldn’t help asking themselves...

What exactly was so attractive about the Revolutionary Army?

These were two Marine Admirals.

”Issho is with the Revolutionary Army too...”

Sengoku frowned.

He had always thought highly of Fujitora and genuinely liked him.

At that moment, Akainu was completely speechless.

He genuinely felt like he was about to cough up magma from sheer anger.

Two of the Three Admirals were members of the Revolutionary Army.

Just what kind of absurd situation was this?