"Haha, haven't you heard my name from Akainu and Kizaru?" The calm voice teased with a slight smile.
"You…" Admiral Aramaki froze, startled, hesitant as he answered, "Are you the man the Fleet Admiral warned us about, the one we must be wary of, God King Shirogai?!"
Such overwhelming Conqueror's Haki pressed down on Admiral Aramaki like nothing he had ever experienced before. He was certain that only the legendary God King whose name he had long heard but never seen, would be capable of wielding such immense Haki.
"Bingo"
"So strong! Such powerful Conqueror's Haki! No wonder Kizaru was so cautious of this monster!"
In his panic, Aramaki recalled what Fleet Admiral Sakazuki had once said about Shirogai.
"Remember, unless it's a matter of life and death, never make him an enemy!"
---
Not long after the World Military Draft concluded, in New Marineford, in the grand halls of Mariejois, six newly appointed Admirals gathered for a briefing in the Fleet Admiral's office.
"Whew, this is excellent tea!" said one of the original three Admirals, Kizaru, clad in a yellow and white striped suit, leisurely sipping tea with his legs crossed.
Beside him sat Aramaki, wearing his green justice coat with his muscular torso exposed, sunglasses in place and green curly hair framing his face. He listened with adoration to the rugged figure speaking in front of them.
"I never thought I'd personally hear Brother Sakazuki, who embodies Absolute Justice, explain our mission to us!"
"I really want to go play Dice later," grumbled Issho in his purple kimono with a Marine coat draped over his shoulders, cane sword in hand. His eyes were closed, disinterested in most things spoken in the room. Issho's mind lay elsewhere, his ideals often in quiet conflict with Akainu's philosophy — yet he stayed nonetheless.
Reclining nearby on a floating bubble slept a beautiful woman, completely oblivious to the briefing; this was Admiral Verglas, the only female Admiral, her white hair spread across the bubble like stardust.
Next to her, lazily drooling, was Cero, silver-haired and bare-chested under his justice coat, his attention clearly elsewhere.
Only Admiral Magellan, encased in his specialized black gas-proof armor crafted by Dr. Vegapunk, listened intently to Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's words.
---
"Besides that, there is one more critical point…"
Fleet Admiral Sakazuki stood before the assembled Admirals, cigar clenched between his teeth, magma-occupied gaze cold and unwavering.
"Do not confront Shirogai directly," Sakazuki emphasized with grave seriousness, his voice carrying the weight of truth itself. "If he becomes involved in anything related to the Sky Islands, abandon it. We have not found a method to defeat him in direct combat. Evade conflict, do not provoke him."
"Hey! Fleet Admiral!"
Aramaki folded his legs casually, arrogance thick in his voice. "That so-called God King Shirogai? He's just a pirate who deceives the world! If I face him, I'll capture him and bring him to you! As long as—"
"Hey, hey, Brother Aramaki," interrupted Kizaru with lazy ease, "don't describe Brother Shirogai so casually. You haven't faced that monster before. Brother Shirogai's power is disproportionate to his appearance! Your Forest Power will be nothing but a plaything once he focuses on you!"
Aramaki remained unconvinced, dismissing Kizaru's warning as cowardice.
"I know he has the Talent Fruit ability, allowing him to master any Devil Fruit power, but so what!" Aramaki declared with confidence. "If that man dares appear before me, I'm certain I can defeat him! The strength of the forest will not be undone!"
"Of course!" Cero chimed in proudly, lifting his chin. "What title of Number One in the World? If you ask me, that's only because he hasn't met me yet! Otherwise, the title would be mine! My Thunder-Thunder Fruit is the strongest in existence!"
"Huh?" Aramaki sneered back. "Hey, Cero! My Mori Mori Fruit is stronger! Your Thunder-Thunder Fruit can't match it!"
"Tsk, really?" Cero scoffed. "If you think your abilities compare to mine, let's spar later! Then we'll see whose powers are truly superior!"
"Hmph! Afraid of me?" Aramaki glared and stood, ready to accept.
"Enough!" Sakazuki's voice cracked like volcanic force as he exhaled thick smoke. "Sit down this instant! This is not a ring for you to settle your egos! If you want to fight, wait until after this meeting!"
---
Despite their power, the new Admirals possessed troublesome flaws. Among them, Aramaki and Cero caused the most headaches. Cero revelled in chasing women and drinking, constantly shirking duties. Aramaki acted with reckless independence — once annihilating an entire country under the assumption it was aligned with the Marines, only to discover it was loyal to the Sky Island Alliance. All noble citizens were unknowingly killed by his vine onslaught, and the undercover operation was lost.
And Verglas? She often slept through situations where her strength was urgently needed.
Sakazuki eyed them once more.
"I repeat! If you truly encounter God King Shirogai head-on…" he growled, "Unless it's life or death, never make him an enemy. Retreat if possible! This is not cowardice, it's strategy."