Marineford, headquarters of the Marines. The setting sun bled across the horizon, casting a dim, crimson glow over the island, now stained with the aftermath of war. The once-thriving Marineford lay in ruins, its proud buildings reduced to rubble and shattered walls. The prosperity of the past had vanished like fleeting clouds, leaving behind a landscape of devastation.
Corpses of Marines were carried from every corner of the island and laid out in orderly rows across Oris Plaza. The sheer number was staggering, enough to make one's scalp crawl. Families of Marines, hearing the war had ended, rushed back to Marineford, desperate to confirm the safety of their loved ones—husbands, fathers, sons... But what they found was a grim reality.
Instead of warm embraces, they were met with cold, lifeless bodies. The air in Oris Plaza was thick with the sounds of weeping, sobbing, and wailing, an unrelenting tide of grief. Even among the surviving Marines, many wept openly. No one scolded them for their tears. The war had been too brutal, too devastating, and the psychological scars it left were indelible.
For those who survived, relief mingled with sorrow. In a slightly dilapidated residential building, a meeting between Kong, Sengoku, and Tsuru was still underway. Tsuru placed the documents she had been reviewing on the table and sighed softly.
"According to preliminary reports," she began, "we've lost two thousand three hundred Marines, with another one thousand two hundred wounded. The death and injury subsidies alone will cost us hundreds of billions of Berries."
She paused, then continued, "The engineering unit reports that seventy-eight percent of Marineford's buildings are damaged. The island's foundation has significant safety issues and requires reinforcement. Rebuilding Marineford will essentially mean constructing a new island from scratch. The material costs will also run into the hundreds of billions. Accurate figures will take another day or two to finalize."
Tsuru's voice grew heavier. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Marines are facing a serious problem. We're out of money."
Sengoku sat in silence, absorbing the weight of her words. Tens of billions of Berries would have been manageable for the Marines, but hundreds of billions? That was a different matter entirely. In the past, securing such funds would have required Sengoku to personally visit Holy Land Mary Geoise and seek approval from the Gorosei. But now, with the Gorosei and Mary Geoise gone, who could he turn to?
"Regarding the funds..." Kong broke the silence, his voice weary. "Our only option is to appeal to the World Government member nations for financial aid. But the problem is, the tenryuubito tribute was just collected this year. I doubt they'll be willing to part with more money so soon."
Sengoku's expression was troubled. He adjusted his glasses and let out a deep breath, leaving the rest unsaid. Kong and Tsuru understood. The tenryuubito tribute demanded by the Celestial Dragons was no small sum. Even wealthy nations struggled under its weight, while poorer countries often faced tragedy each year when the tribute came due. Now, with the Marines suddenly asking for additional funds, the kings of these nations would face a difficult choice.
To give, or not to give. That was the question.
It is a considerable burden even for some wealthy and powerful nations, let alone poorer ones, where paying the tenryuubito tribute often leads to tragedy. Now, with the Marines pleading for aid, those nations would face an impossible decision.
Given the current state of the World Government and the Marines, securing financial aid remains possible, though the process will undoubtedly be fraught with complications. Various disputes over interests and political compromises will inevitably arise, and the Marines will find themselves constrained in numerous ways under these external pressures.
At this thought, the three of them exchanged glances, their expressions a complex mix of emotions that were difficult to decipher. "Lieutenant General Sephiroth," came Rosinante's voice from outside the door, hesitant and strained, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the others are in a meeting. They've given strict orders that no one is to enter unless summoned. So..."
Inside the room, the sudden interruption caught their attention. Sephiroth turned to see Rosinante, clad in a Vice Admiral's cape, standing at the entrance of the modest residential building, his gaze fixed on the door. With a faint smile, Sephiroth replied, "Then would you be so kind as to inform them? I have matters I'd like to discuss with Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the others."
Rosinante had used his Calm-Calm Fruit ability to create a silence barrier around the building, ensuring that even someone with Observation Haki as advanced as Sephiroth couldn't overhear the conversation inside. "This..." Rosinante hesitated, scratching his head with a troubled expression.
Just then, the door swung open from within. Both men turned to see Sengoku, dressed in a white suit with the Marshal's cape draped over his shoulders. "Sephiroth," Sengoku said, his sharp eyes sweeping over the lieutenant general, "what is it you wish to discuss with me?"
As he spoke, Sengoku's gaze lingered on Sephiroth's waist, noting the absence of his twin swords. A clone, Sengoku realized. Years ago, he had learned of Sephiroth's ability to create clones, and it had answered many questions he'd long pondered. "What I need to discuss isn't something that should be spoken of out here," Sephiroth said with a light chuckle. "Are you sure you want me to say it here?"
Sengoku stepped aside without hesitation, gesturing for Sephiroth to enter. Once the door closed behind them, Sephiroth's eyes flicked to Kong and Tsuru, who were already inside. With a knowing smile, he asked, "Garp isn't here? By the way, how do you plan to handle him?"
Kong's voice was low and grave as he answered, "Garp publicly killed a CP0 agent on the battlefield. That act is tantamount to open betrayal of the World Government—a grave offense. We cannot ignore it. He's currently detained in the Marine Headquarters' holding cell and will soon face a military court for trial and conviction."
Sephiroth's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Convicted of what crime? Just shoot him!" he exclaimed, his tone dripping with feigned disbelief. "Let me tell you—I've already thought of a plan. Why not go all out? Announce that in seven days, Monkey D. Garp will be publicly executed at Marineford. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army leader, and Straw Hat Luffy won't stand idly by. And Gol D. Ace, who just escaped? He'll undoubtedly return to save his grandfather.
We can use this opportunity to lay an inescapable trap, ambush them from all sides, and stage Marineford War 2.0!"
Kong: "..."
Sengoku: "..."
Tsuru: "..."
"Sephiroth," Sengoku said, his cheek twitching slightly in irritation, "did you come here just to spout nonsense?" The truth was, none of them had a solid plan for dealing with Garp, and Sephiroth's proposal, while audacious, was far from helpful.
The incident's nature and consequences were too grave to ignore. Even accounting for their history, the most they could do was sentence Garp to life behind bars. Besides, if the old man somehow broke out midway? That wouldn't be their problem. Execution? Out of the question. And the idea of another Marineford War? Utter nonsense.
Sephiroth watched as the trio's expressions darkened, their unease palpable. He shrugged, a hint of resignation in his tone.
"Alright! No more jokes! Let's be straightforward," he said, his voice cutting through the tension. "Name your price. I want to buy the entire Marines."