Inside a towering Tenshukaku at Marine Headquarters, the air was thick with tension.
Around the huge conference table, rows of Marine officers in their "justice" cloaks sat ramrod-straight, faces grave.
Fleet Admiral Kong, presiding at the head, broke the silence in a gravelly voice:
According to our latest intelligence, Rocks has taken his Pirate Crew's main force to Elbaf. His goal: to win over the Giant king—Harald!
What?!
Gasps rippled through the room; every officer looked stunned.
Many present had served alongside Giant Vice Admirals and knew too well the terror of their strength—a fully trained adult Giant is, at minimum, comparable to a Marine Rear Admiral.
Worse, the Giant Race lives for three centuries, letting them remain at peak combat power far longer than any human. They are a true strategic asset.
That mustn't happen! Sengoku slammed both fists on the table and shot to his feet, voice iron:
Once Harald joins him, the might of the Giants combined with the monsters already in the Rocks Pirates will eclipse the Marine!
It won't just tip the balance of the seas—it will shake the very foundations of the World Government!
Ahhh… Kong exhaled, rubbing his furrowed brow.
I know the danger better than anyone. But Elbaf lies deep in the heart of the New World.
With all those Great Pirates blocking us, the Marine can't reach Elbaf in time; our hands are tied.
Damn pirates—damn Rocks! Sengoku punched the desk again and dropped into his chair.
Are we supposed to sit here and watch Rocks do as he pleases?!
That's why I summoned you, Kong swept his gaze across the officers.
We need a plan—some way for the Marine to break this deadlock.
The room fell silent; brows knitted, yet no one saw a way past the distance and the odds.
Then a faint, undignified sound cut in. In the corner, Garp was digging in his nose, a dark speck visible on his fingertip.
With a flick, the object arced neatly into Sengoku's thick black afro and vanished.
Uh-oh—this is bad, Garp's heart lurched.
Almost at once, a vein bulged at Sengoku's temple. He turned slowly, face storm-dark, and fixed Garp with a murderous glare.
Fleet Admiral, he said through clenched teeth,
I believe Vice Admiral Garp may have… a rather unique 'insight' to share.
Kong raised an eyebrow. Normally he ignored their spats, but past meetings had shown Garp's hunches often hit the mark.
Garp, let's hear it.
Huh? He-he-he… Garp scratched the back of his head and stood with a sheepish grin.
Well, I really don't have—
Oh? Kong's eyes narrowed. Someone seems to have rather a lot of leave piled up.
Exactly! Sengoku piled on.
Very well. If that someone doesn't produce a decent idea, all his leave this year is canceled.
No! My Windmill Village—my vacation! Garp howled inwardly, brain racing.
Uh, Fleet Admiral—
He tried to stall,
Can we confirm Rocks and Harald have already struck a deal?
Not yet. But Harald might not refuse next time. Kong answered.
A flash of inspiration struck.
I say we report it to the World Government!
Kong's brow lifted. Elaborate.
He had overlooked that option; orders always flowed downward, and every request he'd ever submitted had been denied.
Garp pressed on:
The Government has CP agencies that specialize in infiltration and sabotage. Let them wreck the talks!
And after seven centuries of rule, the World Government must have hidden aces.
A Harald-Rocks alliance threatens their own foundation—they won't sit idle.
Kong considered, then nodded. That angle… opens a new path. Very well, proposal accepted. I'll contact the Gorosei. Your leave stays.
Yes! Garp punched the air and shot Sengoku a smug look.
Sengoku rolled his eyes. The bastard slipped through again…
Vice Admirals Tsuru and Zephyr ignored the circus entirely.
If there's nothing else, dismissed. We'll await further orders. Kong declared.
Bang!
The door burst open; Garp darted out first, Sengoku close behind, fists flying.
Garp, you bastard! Quit flicking boogers at me and stand still!
Who, me? Prove it! Besides, your head already looks like an old booger!
Outside, Garp's yells, Sengoku's roars, and the thud of exchanged blows echoed down the corridor.
Tsuru watched them go and shook her head with a wry smile.
Wait! Kong suddenly called after the departing officers.
Silence fell inside, though outside Garp's triumphant whoops and Sengoku's bellows rang clear:
Can't catch me! Nyah-nyah!
What did you say? Great Buddha Palm!
Agh!
Smash!
Waa—Sengoku, you're serious? Take this—Galaxy—
Kong's complexion turned livid.
Tsuru hid a chuckle. Fleet Admiral, was there something else?
Kong exhaled sharply, fighting down his temper.
Yes. Concerning the Government-Affiliated Nation of Dressrosa at the frontier of the New World: this year's Supernovas have reached the Sabaody Archipelago and will soon pass Fish-Man Island into the New World. Their king is requesting Marine escorts.
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