At the G-1 Base in the New World, the high-ranking officers of the Navy Headquarters had been arguing for days over whether the funeral of the Navy's hero, Garp, should be as grand as that of Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
The directive from Im, the sovereign of the World Government, was clear: the funeral should not be a grand spectacle.
Because Garp had died at the hands of Caesar—defeated by a mere pirate.
Im believed this had already dealt a severe blow to the Navy's prestige, both in the New World and across the globe.
To hold a lavish funeral for a loser would only invite ridicule.
Sengoku had also died, but his death was by self-destruction.
Though Caesar was still the cause, at least it appeared more dignified.
This reasoning from Im enraged the Navy's officers.
Bogard, Garp's loyal adjutant of decades, even openly clashed with the World Government's envoy, berating them so fiercely that he was subsequently taken away by the World Government's Criminal Investigation Bureau.
"Vice Admiral Garp was the pillar and backbone of our Navy! His very existence upheld the Navy's glory for decades, resonating across the world!
Half of the most vicious criminals locked away in Impel Down's Level 5 and Level 6 were sent there by his own hands!
If even a hero like him is denied a proper funeral by the World Government, it will break the hearts of countless Navy soldiers!"
Since Sengoku's death, Kizaru had undergone a drastic change in demeanor, shedding his former laziness.
Instead, he had grown increasingly radical, his actions now mirroring Akainu's ruthless style.
Now, with Garp's death, Kizaru was further devastated, his entire being radiating an icy, unrelenting chill.
Even standing within a few meters of him, those below Admiral-level strength couldn't help but shudder.
His gaze sharp and cold, he lashed out at the World Government officials before him.
"Exactly! Vice Admiral Garp was an idol to all of us in the Navy! It was because of him that countless new recruits joined our righteous cause!
Even I was deeply influenced by him. You in the World Government sit high above, untouched by the dangers of the sea. You see only his glorious achievements, but not the blood, sweat, and peril he endured time and again. A single failure does not erase a lifetime of heroism!"
Fujitora clenched his cane-sword tightly, his milky-white eyes opening wide.
The scars crisscrossing his face made his agitated expression appear almost ferocious.
He wasn't alone—the vast conference hall was filled with furious Navy officers, all glaring at the sweating officials.
Fleet Admiral Akainu had been stationed at Holy Land Mary Geoise, and his unauthorized deployment had earned him a harsh reprimand from Im.
Meanwhile, Ryokugyu had gone to Impel Down to retrieve Magellan, who had been appointed as the Navy's fourth Admiral.
This was already the third wave of officials sent by the World Government.
The previous two waves had been unable to withstand the fury of the Navy Admirals and had scurried back to Mariejois in disgrace, tails between their legs.
"Everyone, please calm down. The World Government fully acknowledges and recognizes Garp's contributions!"
The leading official forced himself to remain composed, not even bothering to wipe the sweat pouring down his forehead.
He cautiously glanced at the two Admirals standing before him before speaking again.
"After repeated deliberations, the Five Elders have decided to bestow upon Garp the highest honor—the title of Eternal Hero of the Navy. This means that after him, no one else will ever be called the Navy's Hero again.
Moreover, Garp's remains will be buried in the most revered cemetery of the Holy Land, alongside the Navy Fleet Admirals, Army Generals, and Commanders-in-Chief of the past 800 years.
Sengoku's remains were also laid to rest there. Garp and Sengoku were as close as brothers. Please do not obstruct this decision—let them rest together in the same place."
After carefully delivering his message, the official stole a glance at the expressions of the Navy officers from the corner of his eye.
Sure enough, upon hearing his words, the previously furious Navy officers gradually calmed down.
Even Kizaru and Fujitora, whose expressions had been icy, eased their imposing auras slightly, allowing the World Government officials to breathe a sigh of relief.
Kizaru and Fujitora exchanged a glance before Kizaru spoke solemnly.
"Vice Admiral Garp would surely be overjoyed in the afterlife to know he could rest beside Sengoku."
Fujitora nodded in agreement.
As Navy Admirals, they were well aware that the cemetery in Holy Land Mariejois was reserved only for the World Nobles and the highest-ranking officers of the World Government after their deaths.
Even Admirals were not entitled to a grave there.
Not long ago, after the joint military funeral, Sengoku's remains had been interred in Mariejois' cemetery.
"Then it's settled. Garp... was never one for pomp. He turned down the position of Admiral for decades. Even in death, he wouldn't want a grand spectacle. I will personally escort him to the Holy Land and let him rest there in peace."
A weary, aged voice spoke up. Everyone turned to see Vice Admiral Tsuru entering from the doorway.
Kizaru and Fujitora quickly rose to their feet.
Tsuru had been Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Garp's closest friend.
Along with Zephyr, they were all figures of the same era.
Now, these legendary figures of the older generation were falling one after another.
The only remaining survivors, aside from the long-standing Commander-in-Chief Kong, who resided in the Holy Land, were Vice Admiral Tsuru standing before them.
Tsuru nodded at Kizaru and Fujitora before addressing the World Government officials.
"Go back and inform the Five Elders that the Navy agrees. Also, keep this matter out of the papers—let it fade quietly with the wind."
...
Holy Land Mariejois, the Hall of Power.
"Are we really just handing Germa's scientific forces back to Caesar so easily? Once he perfects cloning technology, he'll become a massive threat!"
Akainu puffed on a thick cigar as he spoke to the old man seated on the sofa.
The old man with the sword snorted coldly.
"He already has Judge, Caesar Clown, and other scientists in his grasp. Whether you return those scraps to him or not, they'll eventually crack cloning technology and the Lineage Factor. It's only a matter of time."
"There's nothing to worry about. Have faith in Vegapunk. How strong can the pirates' scientific research capabilities be? They're always just playing with what we've already discarded."
"By the way, my intelligence reports that Caesar of the Beast God Pirates has left Totto Land, and his whereabouts are unknown. Earlier, that swordsman Ganzui also departed."
"This morning, Kaido and Charlotte Linlin set sail with over a dozen large ships and hundreds of pirates, seemingly heading toward the territory of the Red Hair Pirates."
Hearing this, Akainu was startled and frowned, "What are you planning?"
"Currently in Totto Land, the only high-level combatant is Katakuri. The rest, like the Sweet Commanders or the Seven Warlords of the Sea, are nothing special."
"Since they've been pressing about the Germa 66 matter, why not send your four divisions to follow them and take the opportunity to capture Katakuri!"
"As long as we seize the successor of the Beast God, we can properly deal with that audacious madman Barbarossa Caesar, who dares to openly establish something like the Pirate Council!"