I Am Honkai

Stopping five steps away from Sakazuki, Leiva came to a halt.

Thud!

Behind Leiva, the formation of over a hundred Astartes warriors from the Third Legion's Black Templars Honor Guard stopped simultaneously, their synchronized footfalls echoing like thunder.

Among them, several warriors immediately raised the banner of the Astartes Third Legion, Black Templars. The golden double-headed eagle atop the flagpole clutched a wreath of olive leaves, encircling the bold, hollow numeral "Ⅲ" that stood out brilliantly.

The next moment, Leiva leaned forward slightly, extending his right hand across the five-step gap.

The gesture was clear—it was a demand, pressing Sakazuki to acknowledge the Empire's dominance by voluntarily placing himself and the Navy beneath Leiva's authority.

In this moment, the Navy and Sakazuki were undeniably the weaker party, seeking aid. There was no comparison between the surrendering faction and the victorious one.

In both morale and armament, Leiva's side held absolute and overwhelming superiority.

Seeing this, Sakazuki's expression dimmed briefly but quickly returned to neutrality. Without hesitation, he stepped forward to close the distance and shook Leiva's hand, acknowledging the reality.

There was no humiliation in this. The World Government was gone, and the Navy had no loyalty to die alongside it.

As long as the Empire wasn't a band of pirates—even if their ruling class turned out to be as vile as the Celestial Dragons—it didn't matter to Sakazuki. All he needed was funding to exterminate the pirates.

Moreover, from Leiva's demeanor and the disciplined bearing of his troops, it was evident that the Imperial forces were highly trained professionals, not marauders.

This gamble had paid off!

Sakazuki now felt fortunate that he had defied the Five Elders' orders to abandon the New World and redirect all forces to the Red Line. His gamble had not been in vain.

Leiva nodded in satisfaction and withdrew his hand. His gaze then shifted to the Navy officers standing behind Sakazuki. A faint smile played on his lips.

"Admiral Sakazuki, won't you introduce the individuals accompanying you?"

His gaze lingered on one man in particular—a tall, lean figure wearing a yellow-and-white pinstriped suit, sunglasses, and an enigmatic smirk that seemed to radiate sleaze.

For reasons he couldn't quite pinpoint, Leiva found the man's inscrutable aura intriguing.

Hearing this, Sakazuki nodded without hesitation and gestured toward the man.

"This is Borsalino, one of the Navy's three admirals. Codename: Yellow Monkey."

"Leiva Legion Commander, it's a pleasure to meet you. The forces you've brought… truly terrifying," Borsalino said.

Aware that Sakazuki had already resolved to switch allegiances, Borsalino abandoned his usual playful antics. Removing his hands from his pockets, he spoke with rare seriousness.

Yet, despite his attempt at sincerity, his peculiar features made the exchange feel oddly out of place.

"Terrifying? You have an interesting personality. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Borsalino," Leiva responded, his smile unwavering.

Sakazuki cleared his throat and shot Borsalino a subtle glare, signaling for him to remain silent. He then gestured to another figure standing nearby.

"This is Issho (Fujitora), also one of the Navy's three admirals. Codename: Purple Tiger."

Standing at an impressive height similar to that of an Astartes (270 cm), Issho had short black hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His face bore an "X"-shaped scar that extended across both his closed eyes.

He wore a lavender kimono tied with a dark purple sash, with a Marine coat draped over his shoulders. A matching scarf encircled his neck, his hands were wrapped in bandages, and wooden sandals covered his feet. He carried a cane sword, completing his appearance as a wandering ronin.

"Leiva Legion Commander, I am Issho," he said, bowing slightly.

"Issho… Admiral." Leiva nodded in acknowledgment, curiosity flashing in his eyes. "Admiral Issho, may I ask why you keep your eyes closed?"

"Ah, because I am blind," Issho replied, opening his eyes to reveal the whites beneath.

"Blind? If we are to serve together under the light of the God-Emperor, restoring your sight would be a simple matter," Leiva remarked casually, his gaze shifting away as though the matter were trivial.

Next, Sakazuki gestured to a white-haired woman who exuded an air of authority.

"This is Tsuru, a Vice Admiral and the Navy's Chief Staff Officer."

Despite her silver hair tied into a simple shoulder-length ponytail, Tsuru retained a dignified presence, her warm demeanor belying her sharp intellect.

"Vice Admiral Gion, codename: Pink Rabbit."

Gion, also known as Pink Rabbit, was striking, with jet-black hair, a beauty mark below her lip, and an elegant figure accentuated by her pink blouse.

"Vice Admiral Tokikake, codename: Brown Pig."

Tokikake, nicknamed Brown Pig, had a less fortunate appearance. His scruffy yellow outfit and traditional geta sandals gave him the look of a rustic farmer.

Sakazuki continued introducing his officers:

"Vice Admiral Momonga. Vice Admiral Doberman. Vice Admiral Strawberry. Vice Admiral Dalmatian. Vice Admiral Bastille…"

The introductions were lengthy and detailed. Leiva silently speculated whether Sakazuki was intentionally showcasing the Navy's leadership to bargain for better terms during their reorganization under the Empire.

With the introductions complete, Leiva gestured subtly toward the fortress behind them.

"Sakazuki, shouldn't you invite me inside? We have much to discuss regarding the restructuring of your forces."

"You're right. Please, follow me," Sakazuki said, extending his arm in invitation before leading the way.

"Alfred, bring a squad to accompany me. The rest will remain here."

"Understood, my lord!"

Leiva and his retinue followed Sakazuki into the naval headquarters. Along the way, the surrounding Marines watched in tense silence, many visibly uneasy at the sight of the towering Astartes warriors.

Once inside the conference room, Sakazuki guided Leiva to a seat directly across from him.

At the center of the room, the Navy's emblem—a seagull carrying scales—remained prominently displayed. However, the black five-pointed cross symbol of the World Government was still present as well.

Leiva raised his right hand, bearing the Teigu, [Black Marlin].

"Torrent Spear."

Swoosh—Slash!

A high-pressure stream of water materialized out of thin air, erasing the World Government's emblem in an instant without leaving so much as a scratch on the table itself, a testament to Leiva's precise control.

As the water receded, Leiva manipulated the remaining bloodstains from the slain CP0 agents. Using intricate hand movements, he skillfully traced a new design on the table's surface: the crimson emblem of the Imperial double-headed eagle.

The room fell silent, many Vice Admirals instinctively gripping their weapons. Even the hardened Rear Admiral Doberman hesitated.

"Stand down! Sit."

Sakazuki's commanding voice cut through the tension, compelling his officers to lower their arms and resume their seats.

"The World Government is no more. Now, we must decide the Navy's future. Thoughts?"

No one spoke. The room was steeped in an oppressive silence.

Finally, Vice Admiral Momonga broke the stillness.

"Sakazuki, if the World Government's fall is confirmed, I see no issue with changing allegiances. Our resources will only last three months."

Vice Admiral Tsuru was the first to speak, her expression calm but grave.

"Without a strong central government to provide military supplies, an organization of the Navy's scale cannot sustain itself independently," she said.

How strong was the World Government? Few could confidently answer that question.

To stand unshaken for eight centuries on this world certainly meant there was an unassailable reason behind it.

Yet, despite such a foundation, the World Government had been utterly annihilated by the Empire in mere days.

This...

Though this was ostensibly a meeting, the Navy truly had no alternatives. Surrendering to the Empire was the only viable option. Becoming pirates and resorting to plunder was unthinkable. As for joining the Revolutionary Army? That was even less likely—they were far too small to absorb the Navy's might.

What they failed to grasp was that if they chose not to surrender, they would be purged to the last man. In the Empire, there was room for only one kind of people: those who belonged to it. For all others, only death awaited.

The sound of fingers tapping the table drew everyone's attention back to Leiva, who had interlocked his fingers and rested them on the tabletop.

"A wise choice," he said, his voice calm but edged. "If you had chosen to resist, orbital cannons from my fleet would already be raining down upon this fortress."

"You!"

Leiva's words caused several officers—hawks and doves alike—to rise angrily from their seats.

"Sit down! If you defy me again, get out!"

Gulurgle.

A faint scent of sulfur filled the room as magma began to bubble subtly from Sakazuki, silencing the room.

"Boldness. Not bad. If you were all cowards, I would have no respect for you," Leiva said, entirely unperturbed, his posture unchanging.

"Now, tell me your terms of surrender—or any questions you may have. Consider this the courtesy extended to those who know when to bow."

One voice cut through the tension—deep, calm, and unexpected.

"The God-Emperor and Creators they speak of—what is their connection to the so-called Celestial Dragons, descendants of the creators?" Issho asked.

Leiva glanced at Issho with slight disapproval but allowed him to finish. Sakazuki also turned to Leiva, adding to the question.

"Leiva Legion Commander, the troops stationed on Sabaody Archipelago and the Red Line appear different from your own. Are they not part of your command?"

Leiva's mouth curled into a cryptic smile.

"Noticed the differences in livery?" he asked, cutting Sakazuki off mid-sentence. Receiving a nod in return, he explained:

"The conquest of your world falls under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Legion, Blood Angels, commanded by Sanguinius."

"As for me, I belong to the Third Legion, Black Templars, a strategic support force. Our Empress, it seems, has grown impatient, so I was dispatched with a contingent to oversee and expedite the campaign."

"The Empire—our Sacred Selene Empire—is a divine kingdom ruled by Her Majesty the Empress. As for your so-called Celestial Dragons…"

Leiva sneered, recalling the grotesque descriptions in his subordinates' reports.

"A band of grotesque, bloated degenerates. Descendants of gods? Them?"

He shook his head in disbelief, muttering under his breath, "If Her Majesty ever learns that such creatures claim kinship to her bloodline, she would undoubtedly be appalled."

Sakazuki, intently focused, repeated the critical terms Leiva had used.

"'This world's conquest campaign,' 'Ninth Legion, Blood Angels,' 'Her Majesty,' 'oversee and expedite.'"

His gaze bore into Leiva.

The unfamiliar forces, the alien battle tactics, the technology leagues beyond anything on this world… All of it coalesced into a single, unthinkable conclusion.

"You're not of this world," Sakazuki said firmly.

"Ah, a keen observation."

Leiva's smirk widened as his eyes gleamed with a faint purple-red light.

"Commander Sanguinius has avoided large-scale orbital bombardments to spare your beautiful yet fragile world excessive damage. Our true fleet hasn't even entered your atmosphere."

Then, abruptly, Leiva leaned forward.

"Enough questions. Now, give me your answer—will you surrender?"

"We surrender!"

"Oh?"

Leiva's brow arched slightly.

"That was quick," he remarked.

"Because we have no other choice," Sakazuki replied flatly. "Even with the resources of the seas, the Navy cannot hold out indefinitely. Hunting Sea Kings would only delay the inevitable."

After a few seconds of silence, Sakazuki rose from his seat. He removed the naval cap he had worn for decades, walked over to Leiva, and handed it to him.

"While a surrendering force has no right to make demands, I still hope the Empire will treat the Navy with fairness. As for me, I don't care. Let me continue to exterminate pirates, and I will serve without complaint."

Leiva accepted the cap, rising to meet Sakazuki's gaze.

The gesture was one of respect. In Sakazuki's determination, Leiva saw a reflection of his younger self, before he had been betrayed and disgraced.

"The Empire rewards loyalty," Leiva said, examining the cap. "Your request is already outlined clearly in the Empire's Surrender and Integration Directive."

He paused, then added, "Though your mission may soon be redundant."

"Redundant? What do you mean?"

Sakazuki's voice hardened, and sulfurous fumes began to rise from his body once more.

"Because pirates are about to be wiped out. Sanguinius has already launched the final encirclement operation against the New World."

"I see."

The magma receded as Sakazuki silently processed the revelation. Then, his gaze turned solemn.

"Leiva Legion Commander, may I have an audience with… Her Majesty?"

Leiva's eyes narrowed slightly, studying Sakazuki. After a moment of deliberation, he retrieved his crystalline communication device.

"Her Majesty, this is Leiva. I seek an audience."

Meanwhile, in the Empress's palace within the capital city of the Sacred Selene Empire, a vast and awe-inspiring metropolis…

In the projection before her, Sanguinius's forces were shown advancing across the Grand Line, their golden and red armor glinting in the sun. Pirates fled in terror, their morale breaking at the thunderous roar of bolter fire and the vicious whirr of chainswords.

"Nearly finished," Selene mused, her voice calm and melodious. "Leiva's finally showing some enthusiasm… Hmm. Let's see what Alyssa is up to."

The screen shifted to an underwater vista, revealing the vibrant, coral-studded expanse of Fish-Man Island.

"Fish-Man Island?" Selene murmured. "She's gone all this way… Is she seriously hunting mermaids?"

Beep, beep, beep…

The sound drew her attention to a shimmering purple-red crystal cube vibrating softly on her desk.

"Judging by the signal pattern… It's Leiva."

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