Sengoku fell silent for a moment after hearing Fleet Admiral Kong ask for his opinion. Then, with a heavy tone, he began:
"Much as I hate to admit it, the Marines have lost control over the New World—especially the latter half. Given our current strength, we're simply incapable of intervening in the battles being waged among its rulers. So my recommendation is this—"
He paused briefly, his voice deepening.
"Withdraw the Marine guerrilla units stationed in the New World. Pull back our defensive line. Concentrate our forces around Fortress G-5. Deploy Admiral-level combat power to fortify the region, and prepare for possible raids by those major pirates from the New World…"
"And then what?" Kong frowned. "We just hole up and hide? Is that it?"
"It's not about hiding." Sengoku replied. "It's about waiting for the right time, waiting for the next generation of Marines to rise. With our current power, we simply can't wipe out the monsters dominating the New World."
"That said, we won't just sit around and do nothing either. If one of those pirates slips up—if there's an opening, we strike. We take out whoever we can, whenever we can."
Sengoku, the "Buddha" of the Marines, laid out his strategy with calm precision. Kong furrowed his brows, considering the plan.
"…Then that's what we'll do. Go find Tsuru later and refine the proposal with her. Once it's ready, we move forward."
"As for Admiral-level personnel stationed in the New World… I'll have to rely on you and Garp. We simply don't have a third Admiral-tier fighter left at Headquarters." Kong admitted, his voice tinged with frustration.
But before he could finish that thought, Garp leaned forward on the Fleet Admiral's desk with a wide grin on his face.
"Kong, old pal! Got a favor to ask."
"…What now?" Kong's eyes narrowed suspiciously. He knew Garp all too well, his successes were as legendary as his troublemaking. With his thick skin and reckless streak, Garp was a walking headache.
"Just a small thing." Garp said with a sheepish chuckle. "I'd like to take a six-month vacation to visit Dragon back in the East Blue."
"SIX MONTHS?! Absolutely not! Don't even think about it!"
Kong shot to his feet, eyes bulging with disbelief. The Navy was already critically short on top-tier strength, and this lunatic was asking for six months off?! Was he insane?
"Calm down, Kong! Look, I'll take the hit—I'll settle for three months. How's that?"
Garp waved his hand as if he were doing everyone a great favor. Kong clenched his jaw so hard it sounded like grinding stone.
"No means no! Not even a day!"
"Okay, okay, two months."
"Still no!"
"Alright, alright—one and a half months!"
"Dream on!"
"One month and fourteen days!"
"Keep dreaming—!"
…
The Fleet Admiral and the Vice Admiral circled the desk like haggling fishmongers, bickering and bargaining. After rounds of intense (and comedic) negotiation, the two finally reached a compromise: Garp was granted twenty days of leave.
Still, Garp whined about how stingy Kong was, while Sengoku—watching from the side—could only gaze with thinly veiled envy.
He wanted a vacation too.
He was exhausted. Even ten days… no, even five days off felt like a fantasy to him.
With the top-level strength at Headquarters reduced to just himself, the burden on Sengoku's shoulders was crushing. If he rested, what would happen to the Marines? Who would protect the civilians?
There was no such thing as peace without sacrifice. It only seemed peaceful because someone was carrying the weight behind the scenes.
And Sengoku—Buddha Sengoku was that burden bearer.
"If I don't go to hell, who will?" the saying went. He had taken on the name of Buddha. That meant he also had to shoulder the Buddha's responsibilities.
With the discussion mostly wrapped up, Garp suddenly recalled something amusing. He chuckled and turned to Kong.
"By the way, Kong, wanna hear something funny? Pfft—Sengoku… he's a dad now! Hahahaha!"
"…He's a father? Who's the mother? I never heard Sengoku was seeing anyone."
Kong looked at Sengoku in surprise.
"Tch. Who says you need a partner to have a kid?" Garp scoffed.
"…No partner, but he's got a child? Wait… is this some Devil Fruit power at work?" Kong muttered to himself.
Listening to the nonsense from the two, a vein twitched on Sengoku's forehead.
What were they even talking about?!
First a mystery lover, then a Devil Fruit? These two had wild imaginations.
"Devil Fruit… having kids! Pffft—Kong, that's hilarious!" Garp burst out laughing.
"GARP! Shut it!"
Sengoku had finally had enough of Garp's brainless jokes. Before Garp could say anything else insane, he turned to Kong and clarified, "It's not like that. On the way back, I took in a child. His name is Rosinante, I adopted him as my son."
"Ah, I see! That makes sense. Damn it, Garp, you really led me off track. In that case, I've got no plans tonight. I'll come by your place and meet the little guy."
"Wait, what? My place? But I've got documents to review tonight…"
"Documents can wait. I'm giving you half a day off. I'll swing by this evening, bring Z and Tsuru too. Let's throw a welcome party for young Rosinante!"
"A party? YES! Sengoku, I want rice crackers, donuts, and MEAT!"
Garp's eyes practically turned into heart shapes. The D family's obsession with parties was on full display.
Actually, it wasn't hard to imagine. Just picture Luffy's face when he hears the word "banquet," and you'd understand exactly how Garp was feeling right now.
"Ugh… Kong, I really have important documents to handle—ah, forget it. One night won't kill me. Fine. Tonight, my place it is."
"Great! Then I better go pick out a gift for Rosinante. It's my first time meeting the boy, I can't show up empty-handed!"
"Same here!" Garp said excitedly. "Even though I already gave him the Calm-Calm Fruit, that was just a first-meeting gift. Now I need a party gift!"
As Kong and Garp happily left to prepare, Sengoku stood there, expression dark.
Why do they seem more excited than I am? I'm the one who adopted him…
SIGH...
He decided he'd better head home and let Rosinante know what was coming. After all, with so many unfamiliar guests arriving at once, the little guy might get overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, Rosinante was being led through the base by Sengoku's adjutant, Kalit. They skirted the main Marine Headquarters complex and arrived at the residential area located behind the central building.
This was where the families of senior officers lived. All officers promoted to the rank of Captain or above were assigned a residence in Marineford, and their direct family members were allowed to stay with them.
It was considered a core benefit of serving in the Marines. After all, Marineford was one of the safest places in the entire world. Housing family here meant peace of mind.
Of course, no place was truly without risk. Z's own family had once been killed by pirates—not at Marineford, but when they visited the Sabaody Archipelago for shopping.
"Rosinante, look—this is Admiral Sengoku's home. It's yours too, from now on."
They crossed two streets and arrived at the heart of the residential district. Kalit pointed to a traditional-style courtyard residence, elegant and old-fashioned.
(End of Chapter)
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