Sengoku's words hit Garp like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing his fury in an instant.
As a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters, Garp had turned down promotions to admiral many times, but that didn't mean he was ignorant of the Navy's darker side. He knew better than anyone the kind of dirty, shameful things the Marines had done at the World Government's bidding.
But because Garp was the symbol of Marine justice—the Hero of the Navy—Kong and Sengoku had always kept him out of the filth.
A legend couldn't be tainted; a spotless hero was the only kind of man who could serve as the shining example for every generation to look up to.
And there were many such examples.
The most obvious was Aokiji, who openly idolized Garp—his courage, his charisma, his unshakable sense of "justice."
Yet if this crisis in Water 7 wasn't resolved properly, the Navy would drown under a tidal wave of global condemnation.
The scandal would stain them forever.
Even if they created ten more "Heroes of the Navy," none could ever wash that darkness away.
Seeing Garp's anger finally subside, Sengoku let out a small sigh of relief. He clapped a hand on his old friend's shoulder.
"So you understand, Garp… whoever came up with this plan—someone who could, in such a short time, find a way to preserve both the Government's honor and the Navy's reputation—that person is a true genius."
"A 'win–win genius,' huh?" Garp muttered, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "Sengoku… what happened to your sense of justice?"
Before Sengoku could answer, Garp bent his knees and shot into the air, using Moonwalk to speed toward Water 7.
"Garp! Where are you going?!" Sengoku called after him. He couldn't afford to lose Garp now—he was one of their strongest assets in the fight against the Golden Lion.
"To protect the only justice I still believe in," Garp shouted back without turning around.
He kicked off again, faster this time, vanishing into the distance and leaving Sengoku far behind.
Watching Garp's fading silhouette, Sengoku knew exactly where he was headed—straight to Water 7, to protect the civilians.
Because if the Golden Lion dropped those floating islands, hundreds of thousands would die in an instant.
—
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Garp's name echoed across the Marine ranks. His charisma, his reputation, his sheer force of personality—he was adored by nearly everyone in Headquarters.
Aokiji and the others all turned their gaze toward him as he landed on a high platform overlooking the city.
"Listen up!" Garp shouted down at the Marines below, voice booming with power. "Protect this place—no matter the cost!"
"For justice!"
"For justice!"
"For justice!"
As Garp's cry rang out, every Marine in Water 7 roared in response. Their voices thundered through the city, echoing across the rooftops.
And the citizens—terrified moments ago—felt something stir in their chests. Warmth. Hope.
They believed, deep down, that Hero Garp would protect them.
—
Through the vision snails hidden on the Government agents stationed in Water 7, the Five Elders—and Bryan—watched the entire scene unfold live.
"Still the same as ever," the blond elder said with a faint smile. "He hasn't changed a bit."
"What can we do? That kind of romantic heroism still has far too much sway over the young."
"Without him, the Navy would've lost its image long ago. Still, it's pathetic that they rely on one old man to hold it up."
"Bryan, what do you think?"
The question was tossed casually his way.
Bryan sat beside the pool, taking a towel from a waiting maid. He wiped the water from his body leisurely before replying in his usual calm, detached tone.
"I think it's fine. Maybe the Golden Lion gets away—but recruitment this year will go a lot smoother. Every kid touched by Garp's brand of heroism will line up to join the Navy…"
"Those young men and women inspired by love and justice will pour into the Navy's ranks," Bryan said with a faint smile. "Of course, the biggest winner in all this isn't the Navy—it's the World Government. They could use a little positive press to polish their image and restore the faith of the people."
"You're right," the blond elder replied after a pause. "The World Government does need a reputation boost."
The Five Elders exchanged thoughtful looks. They couldn't deny it—over the years, scandals and corruption had steadily eroded the Government's credibility. Across the world, more and more people viewed the great institution not as a beacon of order, but as a decaying husk, rotten from the roots.
"And since the Navy let the Golden Lion escape," Bryan continued smoothly, "Headquarters will have to answer for it anyway. That makes this the perfect opportunity to reshuffle the internal ranks a bit."
A sly curve tugged at the corner of his mouth. "So I suggest appointing Vice Admiral Chaton as the new superintendent of the Naval Academy—and recall Zephyr to Headquarters."
The Five Elders immediately caught the implication. Chaton was one of Bryan's closest allies.
The blond elder chuckled. "Bryan, already reaching for influence over the Naval Academy? Isn't that a little too eager?"
Bryan didn't bother to hide his ambition. "Perhaps—but this is the perfect chance to weaken the dove faction, don't you think?"
—
As for the battle at Water 7, the Golden Lion never noticed that the Pluton blueprints he received were fakes. But before retreating, he lifted his power over the floating islands, letting them crash toward the city below—not out of carelessness, but as a deliberate act to sow chaos.
He wanted to make sure the Navy couldn't chase him—and to announce to the world that the Golden Lion had returned, bringing fear back to the seas.
Thankfully, Garp stood ready with Aokiji, Burning Mountain, Momonga, and the Giant Vice Admirals.
Garp shattered the massive islands one after another with his iron fists; Burning Mountain, Momonga, and the other swordsmen sliced the debris into smaller fragments; and the giants, shielded by Aokiji's enormous frozen barrier, did their best to defend the city and its people.
The destruction was contained—but the cost was the Navy's strength. With Garp, Aokiji, and several key officers focused on protection, Zephyr, Sengoku, Tsuru, Akainu, Onigumo, and Doberman failed to capture the Golden Lion.
Water 7 survived. The Golden Lion escaped. And the World Government was furious.
Someone had to take responsibility.
"Zephyr," Fleet Admiral Kong said heavily, "you're to return to Headquarters for reassignment."
"What?"
Zephyr slammed his hands on Kong's desk, voice shaking with anger.
"Transfer me if you want—but why in the hell is Chaton being made superintendent?! Kong, do you have any idea what kind of man he is? He's in league with Bryan—they're both disgraces to the Navy! You'd destroy the future of our recruits by letting that man run the Academy!"
"That's enough, Zephyr!"
Even a mud statue has limits to its patience. Kong, already caught between placating old comrades and enduring the Five Elders' criticism, finally snapped.
"If you hadn't let the Golden Lion escape in the first place, Bryan wouldn't have had the chance to profit from this mess!"
"What are you saying? Bryan—what does this have to do with him?" Zephyr froze, staring blankly.
Sengoku, standing nearby, clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles whitened.
"So it really was Bryan's doing… We thought suspending him would cut him off from any credit, that he'd fade quietly into the background. Instead, this whole fiasco made him—the perfect double-win for the Government and for himself."
He gritted his teeth, the wooden armrests of his chair splintering under the pressure.
"Of course! Who else but him could've come up with a plan that cunning, that ruthless, that perfectly timed?"
Zephyr, utterly bewildered, turned to Sengoku.
"Sengoku, what are you talking about? I don't understand a word of this."
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