Chapter 85 Shichibukai Meeting
World Report Day 3 · Marineford · Naval Headquarters · Medical Area
The dim ward was filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant. A ray of sunlight shone through the gap in the thick curtains, making the figure on the bed look long and lonely.
Kuzan lay quietly on the hospital bed, half of his face covered by thick bandages, and the empty cuff of his right sleeve hung over the edge of the bed.
The once idle body now exudes an indescribable sense of dilapidation.
His right hand had been completely melted, and he could only use the fruit's ability to generate an ice hand to replace it.
Of those once lazy and indifferent eyes, only the left eye is now open, and the bandage under the right eye has been infiltrated by Bloodline.
There were heavy footsteps at the door.
"Click—"
The door slowly opened, and Garp's old but still tall figure appeared at the door of the ward.
He stood by the door, not saying anything for a long time, just staring at Kuzan on the bed.
The hideous scars and bandages on his body were like a heavy hammer, hitting the old man's heart.
"Kuzan..."
Garp's voice was dry and low, his eyes were bloodshot, his fists were clenched, veins bulged, and his whole body was trembling slightly.
Kuzan struggled to open his remaining left eye. After seeing who was coming, he gave a wry smile and said in a hoarse voice with a hint of relief, "Mr. Garp... you're back."
He raised his broken icy hand, trying to make a relaxed gesture, but he didn't even have the strength to raise his hand.
"never mind..."
Kuzan turned his head to look out the window. The sunlight shone on his broken face, reflecting an extremely bitter smile.
"I have to blame myself for this."
"I always thought I could use so-called 'lazy justice' to preserve some warmth and kindness... but now it seems..."
He paused, smiled bitterly and continued, "Maybe I'm really wrong."
Garp's throat choked slightly, his eyes painful. He certainly knew what Kuzan had done—
He let the Straw Hat Pirates go, let his grandson go, and ruined his own future with his own hands.
"Kuzan, I'm sorry..."
Garp whispered an apology. Even though he was a Marine hero, he looked like a guilty old man at that moment.
However, Kuzan waved his hand, his tone calm and relieved: "Mr. Garp, I also have selfish motives..."
"Just like you couldn't bear to see Luffy go to his end, I don't want to see the world become absolutely black and white."
"but..."
Kuzan's left eye stared at the ceiling, and for the first time, deep fatigue and weakness appeared in his eyes.
"Marine has changed."
"Sakazuki and Rogge's will has penetrated into Marine's bones and blood."
He paused, a rare clarity flashing across his eyes. "Old man, I advise you... not to do anything that goes against 'justice' anymore."
"I have a feeling—"
"They are uncle and nephew...next time, there will be no mercy."
The ward fell into deathly silence again.
Garp stood there, trembling slightly, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
He was silent for a long time, looking at the sky outside the window with complicated eyes at the turbulent sky.
[Marineford Shichibukai exclusive meeting room]
The heavy alloy door of the Naval Headquarters slowly closed, and an invisible oppression filled the entire hall.
Here, the world's top sea kings gather.
——The Shichibukai Council officially convenes.
Around the huge metal round table, six legendary sea overlords have already taken their seats, and the atmosphere is strange and depressing.
Dracule Mihawk sat on one side, holding his chin with one hand, his eyes as calm as dead water, and the black knife "Night" lay quietly beside him.
Bartholomew Big Bear closed his eyes and rested, as silent as ever.
Boa Hancock proudly crossed her long legs, tapping her fingers on the table, a hint of caution hidden beneath her beautiful face. (She does not interact with Luffy in this game.)
Sir Crocodile sat beside him, tapping the wine glass lightly with his golden claws, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Gekko Moria lay back in the chair, laughing sinisterly: "Hehehe... This war is really interesting..."
The most conspicuous one is Donquixote Doflamingo, who is slouched in a chair with his fingers crossed in front of his face.
A Marine Rear Admiral entered and announced, "Vice Admiral Rogge, the Xuanlin, is about to arrive."
In an instant, the originally slightly restless atmosphere suddenly condensed.
"Haha...it's finally here." Crocodile sneered, with smoke surrounding him.
Hancock's pretty face changed slightly, and she was secretly alert in her heart: "That person... is coming."
"Hehehe..." Moria laughed strangely, but she couldn't hide the fear deep in her eyes.
Bang--!
The heavy metal door was kicked open, and a murderous wind blew in.
Rogge, wearing the cloak of Vice Admiral and with an expression as indifferent as a judge from the gods, strode into the conference room.
Lei Te accompanied him, holding a seastone brass knuckle, sneering and silent;
Enel's golden pupils were slightly closed.
In an instant, no matter how arrogant the Shichibukai were, they were silenced by this overwhelming momentum.
Even Mihawk slowly sat up straighter.
Doflamingo's originally cynical smile froze, his glass-colored glasses slid down slightly, and he stared at the person who came.
Rogge walked to the main seat of the meeting, looked around, and said in a cold and direct voice:
"I just have one word."
"In this war, who among you dares to slack off——"
"After the war, I will annihilate your forces along with them, and have you accompany Whitebeard on his journey."
As soon as the words fell, it was like a thunderbolt!
The air pressure in the entire conference room suddenly dropped, as if one were in an ice cellar in an instant.
Hancock's beautiful eyes trembled slightly. She had been thinking of saying a few words relying on her beauty, but Rogge glanced at her coldly and she dared not act rashly.
"If I really said that, I would die..."
Moria originally wanted to say something sarcastic, but was suddenly silent when Rhett's cold gaze swept over him.
Crocodile's face was gloomy. The smoke cleared, and he tapped the tabletop with his claws lightly, his eyes dark.
Mihawk, who has always been the most difficult to understand, no longer seems relaxed at this moment. He presses the black knife "Night" at his side with one hand, with a rare solemnity in his eyes.
Rogge glanced around the room and continued calmly:
"As for the fathead fish that didn't come——"
"When I have time, I'll take care of it myself."
"Now put away those silly little thoughts of yours."
"Just prepare for battle."
After saying that, Rogge turned and strode away, followed closely by Rhett and Enel.
With every step he took, the murderous intent never ceased.
When the three figures completely disappeared, the air in the conference hall seemed to resume circulation.
Doflamingo took off his sunglasses, sweat breaking out on his forehead, and his throat moved slightly. "Hiya, hiya, hiya... What a terrifying guy! Is this the Marine of the new era?"
Hancock was uneasy, and unprecedented complex emotions surged in his beautiful eyes.
Mihawk picked up the glass and took a sip of wine slowly, but he didn't relax for a long time.
The prelude to war has slowly begun before their eyes - this time, no one can stay out of it.
Day 4: Marineford, Supreme Operations Conference Room
Inside the steel-forged defense hall, the battle layout that has attracted global attention has already begun.
Rogge stood in front of the huge holographic sea chart, his eyes sharp as he looked down at the simulated battlefield projection.
Behind him stood the core forces of the Serenity Hawks: Rhett, Enel, Doberman, Flying Squirrel...
A murderous aura filled the entire space, like a deep-sea storm that was about to swallow everything.
Rogge's fingers gently ran across the tactical defense plan, his tone cold and decisive:
"The Whitebeard Pirates are expected to arrive off the coast of Marineford in three days."
"With our headquarters as the core, we will deploy a triple defense circle—"
Rogge's eyes were slightly cold, and his voice was as cold as ice: "Any Pirates who break through the defense line will be killed on the spot."
Sakazuki nodded. "No prisoners will be taken in this battle. Not a single one!"
Leiter sneered, and Enel said calmly, "We have all the information in hand. Those idiots can't cause any trouble."
Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru sat on the other side. Although they had tacitly agreed that Rogge would lead the war, their expressions were still solemn.
Sakazuki slammed his fist down on the battlefield simulation platform and issued a cold order: "All troops must be in place within three hours. Any officer who retreats from the battlefield will be court-martialed on the spot!"
New World Whitebeard Pirates Moby d**k
The blue sea rolls and the war drums rumble.
Whitebeard Edward Newgate's cloak fluttered, and the huge, hideous scar on his chest seemed to be dripping with blood.
"Gulala...Ace, they actually caught him."
"Calling all! All 43 affiliated Pirates, prepare to march!"
"This time, we want to show the world—"
"Even at my age, I can still stir up the entire ocean!"
Marco nodded, "Don't worry, Dad. We will bring Ace home!"
At that moment, 43 warships of the New World's prestigious Pirates Group gathered and rushed forward through the waves, like a prehistoric monster about to tear the world apart!
[New World · Onigashima]
Kaido stood on the edge of a huge cliff, looking up at the sky and laughing, the mace in his hand burning with a violent aura in the lightning.
"Hey, hey, this is really interesting!"
"Whitebeard is going to die! Once this old man dies, the sea will be ours!!!"
The three disasters stood quietly behind him.
Jhin glanced sideways slightly: "Red Hair has already mobilized the fleet."
Kaido laughed: "Just in time! Laozi was just looking for him to hit his head again!"
"Set off!!!"
[New World · Calm Belt Edge · Red Hair Pirates]
The sun sets and the sea waves roll.
"Has Kaido's warship been dispatched?"
Red-haired Shanks stood on the deck, his cloak dancing in the wind, his expression more solemn than ever.
First Officer Beckman blew out a puff of smoke. "They're approaching our designated security zone. If we don't stop them, Kaido might show up on the battlefield and take advantage before the Summit War is over."
Shanks held the hilt of the sword with his right hand, took a deep breath, and his eyes showed a rare sharpness.
"Order—"
"Everyone assemble!"
"Prepare for a meeting... Stop Kaido if necessary!"
Shanks's eyes were like knives: "For that future...even if it costs everything, we must prevent this ocean from sinking completely."