While the Straw Hat crew remained inside Laboon's body and dove 10,000 meters under the sea…
The Sabaody Archipelago was still in chaos.
Between Area 12 and Area 13, because of the power of Luffy's Gura Gura no Mi, a terrifying ravine several hundred meters long had opened.
The marines who rushed over gathered at the site. Many of them put on diving suits and, under the command of an officer, leapt into the waters one after another.
"Hurry, find Admiral Sakazuki!"
The Rear Admiral who had been following Akainu quickly commanded his subordinates.
Those with Devil Fruit abilities who fall into the sea become completely powerless, and even an Admiral will die if not rescued.
Losing an Admiral would be a major disaster for the current Navy.
Deep beneath the sea—
The crushing water pressure pressed down on Akainu's body.
The pressure itself was nothing; with his physique, he had no fear of that. But the helplessness of his body made it difficult for him to escape.
"Someone… hurry!"
His eyes widened, silently waiting for rescue.
Blood dripping from the corner of his mouth attracted the Sea Kings one after another.
A massive beast rose slowly in the darkness, revealing a row of terrifying teeth as it opened its mouth to strike at Akainu.
---
Area 28, Lawless Zone.
Rayleigh had taken Shakky to hide there.
On the shore, Rayleigh took a deep breath.
"I'm too old for this crap."
Shakky lit a cigarette and exhaled:
"Now your hideout's exposed and my little bar's destroyed. I wonder if Luffy's safe."
"You shouldn't worry about him." Rayleigh shook his head. The boy was far stronger than he was.
Shakky smiled and said:
"Why don't you go hide at Amazon Lily? I can't stay here for now, and it's been ages since I've seen Hancock. Rayleigh, I'll prepare a boat!"
---
Marine Headquarters.
The base, destroyed in the war, was now being rebuilt in an orderly manner.
Construction sites stretched everywhere, and marines had become little more than construction workers.
A little distance away from the worksite, inside a temporary office—
Bang!
Zephyr slammed his palm on the desk and said in disbelief:
"Sengoku, what is the meaning of this!?"
"What are you talking about, Zephyr?" Sengoku looked puzzled.
"I heard the government decided to create a new Warlord of the Sea. Is that true?"
Seven years ago—
Zephyr had taken his students out to sea for training, but they were ambushed by a pirate.
All of his beloved students, except two, were killed, and he himself lost his right arm in that battle.
Seven years later—
Now that pirate was to become a Warlord?
Zephyr could not accept it. Furious, he stormed off to confront Sengoku.
Hearing his words, Sengoku remembered and fell silent.
After a while, he finally spoke:
"That's just a rumor. No final decision has been made."
Why was that news leaked? That was supposed to be confidential!
Given Zephyr's popularity in the Navy, Sengoku could easily imagine that some of his disciples had secretly told him.
After all, even the current three Admirals had been trained by Zephyr.
Most of the Vice Admirals had to call Zephyr "teacher."
"Don't take me for a fool, Sengoku! There are three open Warlord positions. Won't they only announce it once all three are filled?"
Zephyr's anger flared.
"How long will that take? A week? A month? A year? As long as someone has power, anyone can become a Warlord?"
"Calm down, Zephyr." Sengoku also had a pounding headache. He said helplessly:
"This is a decision made by the higher-ups. We have no right to interfere."
It was the Five Elders who decided who would gain the title of Warlord.
Knowing this, Zephyr grew even angrier.
He glared at Sengoku for a moment, then took a deep breath, turned, and left the temporary office.
Not long after he left, Garp walked in.
"Garp… what happened to you?" Sengoku asked wearily.
"Akainu went to Sabaody Archipelago, didn't he?" Garp asked in a deep voice.
Then silence hung in the air.
"You want to wipe out Luffy's crew at Sabaody no matter the cost?" Garp's expression was complicated.
"Sengoku, yesterday you asked me why the Five Elders take Luffy so seriously, didn't you?"
"…Forgive me, Garp. I asked a foolish question." Sengoku apologized.
There was no need.
He had already guessed.
"Just now, news arrived from Sabaody that Straw Hat Luffy repelled Akainu and headed for the New World. During the battle, he used the power of a second Devil Fruit—the Gura Gura no Mi!"
A person can only have one Devil Fruit ability. That is a fundamental rule.
But today, someone broke that law.
Sengoku could only think of one possibility—
The fruit Luffy originally possessed, the one that let him transform into that white form, must have a special power that allowed him to wield the ability of a second fruit.
That alone would explain why the Five Elders were so desperate to kill him at all costs.
And not only Sengoku thought this way—Garp did too.
"Sorry, Sengoku, for causing you so much trouble."
Garp looked at his old friend with a relieved smile.
He pulled out a letter from his pocket and set it on the desk.
"This is my letter of resignation. Please, don't stop me."
Sengoku's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Garp… are you abandoning justice?"
"Sengoku, justice is something that exists objectively. It won't disappear just because a person's identity changes, nor will it be defined merely by wearing a Marine uniform."
Leaving those words calmly behind, Garp laughed and walked away, tears of laughter spilling from his eyes.
"Farewell, Sengoku!"
When he disappeared from the office, Sengoku still hadn't recovered.
He stared blankly at the resignation letter on the desk, completely lost.
The Hero of the Marines, Monkey D. Garp—
For decades, he had served at Marine Headquarters, making countless contributions, and had refused promotions to Admiral countless times. Now, at 76 years old, he had resigned from his post as Vice Admiral and left the Navy!
"Garp…"
Sengoku buried his face in his hands, exhausted.
He couldn't even ask him to stay.
Garp walked out of the office with a sudden sense of relief.
When his position clashed with family, Garp had been torn, not knowing what to do.
But when the Five Elders gave the order to "kill Straw Hat Luffy at all costs," he finally made his decision.
Justice will not vanish. Even if he discards the uniform, he is still himself and can still act as he wills.
The core of the conflict was not his position, but a life-or-death struggle between the World Government and the Sun God.
"Garp."
Suddenly, a voice came from beside him.
"Zephyr?" Garp laughed.
"What's wrong? You've got a grim face. Constipated? You're getting old, you need to take better care of yourself."
"…."
Zephyr's face was solemn.
Before the three Admirals—Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru—the most powerful in the Navy had been himself, Garp, and Sengoku.
Among the trio, Marine Headquarters had the highest prestige.
He was a former Admiral, Sengoku later became one, and Garp had always refused promotion, claiming he wasn't free.
"I heard what you told Sengoku," Zephyr said calmly. "You're really leaving the Navy?"
"Here to persuade me to stay? Forget it. I've already made up my mind."
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."