While the hawks and doves within the Navy were at each other's throats, the city of Water 7 was already drowning in fear and chaos.
Spandam's brutal intervention had turned the panic into outright madness.
Across the world, the World Government's administrative offices were in a frenzy—Den Den Mushi calls ringing non-stop, officials shouting orders, reports flying in from every sea.
But inside the Small Garden of Mariejois, it was as if none of that existed.
The Five Elders and Bryan were soaking leisurely in a pool, basking in the warm summer sunlight, cigars between their fingers and wine on the table.
As for the crisis in Water 7—not a single one of them mentioned it. Even though Darso had been running in and out of the garden like an anxious ant on a hot pan, the Five Elders remained perfectly calm.
The blond elder removed the towel from his face and asked casually,
"Bryan, if you were Fleet Admiral of the Navy, how would you resolve this situation?"
Bryan replied without hesitation, "I'd launch a Buster Call, wipe out Water 7 along with the threat. One strike, clean and final—no loose ends, no lingering danger."
The blond elder chuckled approvingly. "Efficient, ruthless, and straightforward—just like Akainu. But I believe you can come up with something even better, something cleaner."
"Better?" Bryan exhaled a cloud of smoke from his cigar. "You mean a method that minimizes casualties—and leaves me blameless?"
"Exactly."
The bald elder with glasses removed his spectacles, polishing the lenses as he spoke slowly, "Water 7 isn't O'Hara. We're not talking about a small island town here—it's a major city with hundreds of thousands of people. If that many die, the public backlash will be enormous. And once public faith in the World Government falters…" He smiled faintly. "Well, you're a clever man, Bryan. I don't need to spell it out."
Bryan nodded slightly—he understood perfectly.
If this were a remote place like O'Hara, the Government could simply issue a Buster Call, erase it, and call it a day. But Water 7 was a major economic hub.
If the Government slaughtered an entire city here, it would have to bear the blame. Public trust would crumble. Some member nations might even secede from the alliance—and without them, the World Government would eventually collapse.
On the other hand, if they didn't use the Buster Call, they would have to negotiate with the Golden Lion.
But capitulating to a pirate would destroy their prestige just the same.
And if the Golden Lion really got his hands on Pluton's blueprints… the world itself could burn.
The goat-bearded elder spoke, his tone measured but firm.
"Bryan, think of a way out. Consider it a test. If you truly wish to rise higher—to wield real power—then you must learn how to handle crises like this."
Higher power…
Bryan narrowed his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
The Five Elders saw that smile and exchanged knowing glances.
As expected—no profit, no effort.
The man wouldn't lift a finger unless there was something to gain.
After a brief pause, Bryan said,
"It's actually simple. We stage a performance. Pretend we're cooperating—make it look like we're searching for the blueprints. Then we hand the Golden Lion a forgery. I refuse to believe that brute has the wits to tell real from fake."
"A performance… and a fake blueprint?"
The Five Elders pondered for a few moments, their eyes glinting. Then they all looked at each other—
and smiled.
The curly-haired elder in the brimmed hat burst out laughing.
"Bryan, we truly didn't misjudge you. Your future won't end with the Navy. This is the kind of thinking that—"
"—our promise to you."
Bryan smiled faintly and replied, "Then I look forward to moving in here myself one day."
—
"What? You're saying we'll fool the Golden Lion with a fake blueprint?"
When Fleet Admiral Kong relayed the Five Elders' decision to Garp and the others, every senior officer was stunned.
"Whose idea was this?"
Even Sengoku's shock was plain to see. The plan sounded deceptively simple—but it was, in truth, a masterstroke.
"Will that even work? What if the Golden Lion realizes the plans are fake?" Aokiji muttered uneasily.
"No—it will work." Sengoku's fists clenched tightly. Whoever had conceived this scheme—this bold, flawless deception—had to be a genius. If such a person were within the Navy, they would surely bring about a new golden age.
"The most effective plan… but I don't understand why," Aokiji said, frowning.
Sengoku didn't answer right away. There was no time to explain in detail.
"Garp," he ordered sharply, "stall the Golden Lion. Buy us some time—just a few hours will be enough. I'm sure he'll agree to wait if you press him."
"I understand. I'll talk to him."
With that, Garp leapt skyward, using Moonwalk to ascend toward the clouds where the Golden Lion hovered, ready to negotiate.
"Burning Mountain," Sengoku barked next, "get the shipwrights of Water 7 to dig up old drafts—any discarded blueprints with flair or creativity. If they can't find any, have them draw some up immediately."
"Creative scrap drafts—understood!"
Burning Mountain took off at once.
"The rest of you, spread out across Water 7. Search every shipyard, every shipwright's home. Make it look real—convincing. We're putting on a show for the Golden Lion."
"Yes, sir!"
Under Sengoku's command, Marines fanned out across the city, feigning a desperate search for the legendary blueprints to Pluton.
From above, the Golden Lion looked down upon the chaos with a triumphant sneer.
"See that, Roger? Even the mighty Navy bends beneath my power!"
—
Back aboard the flagship, Garp returned to report, his expression grim.
"Will this plan really work?" he asked, voice heavy with doubt.
Sengoku nodded. "Once the Golden Lion gets the fake blueprints, we strike immediately. Even if he escapes, it won't matter. And if he takes the plans and still destroys Water 7, then the blame will rest solely on him. The World Government will be free of responsibility—they'll have done everything possible to save the city. Either way, the Government loses nothing. They don't appear to yield to him—they simply outsmart him."
Garp's eyes widened, fury building in his chest. "Wait—if I'm hearing you right, this plan isn't meant to save the people of Water 7 at all! It's just to protect the Government's image and pride!"
Sengoku sighed inwardly. He'd expected this reaction.
"Garp," he said gravely, "if we don't follow this plan, then there's only one other option—"
He met Garp's blazing eyes head-on.
"—the Navy will have to execute the Buster Call ourselves."
If you Enjoyed Reading
Visit my p@treon for more chapters
Advance 80+ Chapters Available
patreon.com/c/silentRonin