This was just one small reflection of the world.
Scenes like this were playing out everywhere.
The matter spread like wildfire across the seas, shaking the oceans.
In the New World…
"Gurararara!"
A massive ship shaped like a skull—the Whitebeard Pirates' ship.
At this moment, Whitebeard held a newspaper in his hand. Reading the news, his trademark laugh rumbled out: "So that brat Crocodile lost too? Gurarara, Garp has a fine grandson! The new generation of the seas is growing rapidly. Marco, your era seems even more exciting than ours!!"
"Gurarara! In my era, neither Garp nor Sengoku could stop me and Roger. I hope your era will surpass the Marines even more."
"In that case, Garp, that old fellow, seeing his grandson suppressed by my sons, would surely lose face. Gurarara…"
On Red-Haired Shanks's ship, Benn Beckman looked at the newspaper. His eyes widened with surprise. "That kid has already grown this much? To think he defeated a Warlord…"
Shanks sipped his wine quietly, his eyes serious. Indeed, he had underestimated him. Even Crocodile was not his match.
At this pace, in just a year or two, that boy would be able to step into the ranks of the top powerhouses—perhaps even clash with Mihawk.
The fall of a Warlord sent ripples across the sea.
But in the eyes of the truly strongest, this was not particularly impressive. After all, a mere Warlord was nothing to them. What caught their interest was the fact that the victor was Garp's grandson.
Countless top-tier powerhouses across the seas found the news intriguing.
The seas would not remain calm.
Garp, who had captured countless pirates over the years, was the Navy's hero—but also the pirates' greatest enemy.
The Iron Hero…
Now his grandson was stepping into the spotlight. And with this, the boy was bound to face enormous challenges.
If he lacked invincible conviction, he would be crushed by the weight of the world.
But if he had that unshakable faith, then perhaps he would stand tall—until the day the true titans appeared.
An undying will… a future shining bright.
In any case—
This incident spread throughout the seas, fermenting endlessly.
It grew wilder by the day. Two days later, it had captured the attention of the entire world, becoming the biggest event of the year.
Crocodile, who had held the title of Warlord for over ten years, had been defeated.
The Warlords, to the world, were dogs of the World Government—scorned by pirates, yet never fully trusted by the Marines either.
This time, Crocodile had been defeated by a Marine Rear Admiral. The entire world was shocked, and countless pirates mocked both the World Government and the Warlords.
"Hahaha! A pirate, yet serving as the Government's dog—one of the Seven Warlords. But they never treated you as one of their own!"
"Exactly. The moment they're displeased, they'll beat you down without hesitation."
"Click your tongue, what a dog's fate. Please your master, and you get a bone. Displease them, and you get beaten!"
"This is the World Government and the Marines for you. Crocodile guarded the Grand Line entrance for over a decade, crushed countless rookies—snuffing out who knows how many potential great pirates. And in the end, they threw him away just like that."
"Yeah. After all those years of service, so many contributions—and now his life and death are uncertain."
Pirates everywhere mocked the Government and the Warlords.
The truth was bitter.
The Warlord system had been established to counterbalance the Great Pirate Era that Roger started. Strong pirates were used to keep other pirates in check, with the Government granting them legitimacy to plunder.
The Marines and the Government could then sit back and watch them fight, dog against dog.
Each Warlord was useful during their tenure.
But now, after more than ten years without incident, the system finally suffered a betrayal.
Pirates across the seas sought to exploit this, driving a wedge between the Warlords and the Marines.
Many Warlords themselves were dissatisfied with the Government.
And with each passing year, the new generation of pirates only grew stronger.
Now, with Marine Rear Admiral Creed defeating Crocodile, things had become even more chaotic.
At Marine Headquarters, Marineford…
Sengoku sat in his office, feeling like his head would explode. The criticism from pirates was bad enough, but even the people of Alabasta were denouncing the Marines for attacking their so-called hero.
What nonsense! Since when was a Warlord a saint? Yet Crocodile had somehow become Alabasta's "guardian deity."
In the uproar, trust in the Marines and the Government was plummeting.
"You see what your grandson's done now? Why did he have to go fight Crocodile?!"
Sengoku roared at Garp, who was casually munching on rice cakes on the sofa.
"Hahaha! As expected of my grandson. Even Crocodile wasn't his match."
"That's my prized disciple," Zephyr added, grabbing a rice cake with a grin.
Looking at the two, Sengoku felt like he was about to burst a vein. Was this their focus?!
If you had the strength, fine—go pick a fight with Whitebeard or Kaido for all I care!
But why a Warlord?!
Normally, only if the World Government deemed a Warlord guilty of unforgivable crimes would their title be revoked and a new bounty issued.
But Creed had stormed in, dismantled Crocodile's entire base, and beaten him down.
This was outright provocation!
"Contact Creed immediately!" Sengoku barked.
"Can't reach him. His Den Den Mushi seems broken," Garp said, crunching on another rice cake.
Sengoku felt his skull would split. Truly Garp's grandson—just like Garp himself, always stirring up disasters, and always leaving Sengoku to clean up the mess.
And this family was worse than ever. Dragon was already the World Government's greatest enemy. Now this.
He clenched his teeth, furious. This whole family was born troublemakers!
Little did he know, Garp had another grandson—Luffy—dreaming of becoming Pirate King.
If Sengoku knew, he might just pin Garp to the floor and beat him senseless: "How the hell are you raising these kids?! Each one worse than the last!"
Rubbing his temples, Sengoku sighed in frustration.
An aide entered.
"Who's closest to Alabasta right now?" Sengoku demanded.
He had to send someone to find Creed, get the details, and cover up the mess.
But by the Warlord system's rules, no Marine bases were allowed near their territories.
"Admiral Akainu is on the Grand Line. He'll pass through Enies Lobby, then the Gates of Justice, on his way back to HQ," the aide reported.
Sengoku thought for a moment, then nodded. "Send Akainu there immediately."
"Yes, sir." The aide left.
Zephyr raised a brow. "Hey, Sengoku, isn't that a bit risky?"
Sengoku rubbed his forehead. "We don't have a choice. Only he's close enough. The others won't make it in time."
"…Let's just hope it doesn't come to a fight."
…
(End of Chapter)
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