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The negotiations began upon the scorched desolate island.
The two sides sat ten meters apart, their eyes filled with seriousness and vigilance.
Clearly, from this moment onward, the formerly harmonious and unified relationship between the Marines and the World Government had completely vanished.
Even if they continued cooperating in the future, it would become a very different kind of relationship.
The Gorōsei understood clearly where the newly appointed Fleet Admiral Sengoku's confidence came from.
It was none other than the Marines' overwhelming military power.
And Kojin was an indispensable part of that power.
"Kojin must be handled by us." Warrior God of Justice Topman Warcury spoke first in a deep voice.
"That is absolutely impossible!" Before Sengoku could even respond, Garp had already shouted decisively.
"Since we've decided to negotiate, there's no need for anyone here to pretend ignorance. The things Kojin has done previously are likely known not only by us, but by all of you as well." Topman Warcury said calmly.
Sengoku's expression remained unchanged as he sat cross-legged on the ground.
"And everyone here also clearly understands his monstrous physique. Therefore, we intend to use unique and effective methods to imprison him."
Topman Warcury continued.
"Kojin is a newly appointed Marine Admiral. Therefore, we will never agree to hand him over to you!" Sengoku finally spoke, his tone calm, but his attitude unquestionable.
The Gorōsei frowned.
If Kojin could not be handed over to them, then what meaning did this entire operation even have?
"The crimes he committed are already worthy of death. I hope the Marines understand that the only reason he is still alive right now is because of his unique physique." Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro said coldly.
"You can't kill him. And you don't dare kill him either, isn't that right?" Sengoku suddenly said with a faint smile.
The moment those words left his mouth, the Gorōsei's expressions grew even uglier. The fact that Kojin had suffered defeat today was already an extremely rare outcome.
It had only been achieved through exhaustive preparation combined with a sneak attack.
They could not guarantee there would ever be another opportunity like this. Without question, after today, Kojin would become even more cautious and never again leave behind the slightest opening.
The negotiations instantly fell into a deadlock.
The Gorōsei wanted to take Kojin away and supervise him personally. But clearly, the Marines would never allow that.
"The world cannot tolerate the continued existence of a man like Kojin! And we absolutely will not stand by and watch his subordinates grow stronger and stronger! Sengoku, there is something you need to understand."
"That is, both he and the forces under him will eventually become a threat that even the Marines cannot ignore!"
Topman Warcury said heavily.
Sengoku's expression remained calm, offering no response.
He was waiting for the other side's final decision so he could choose the outcome most beneficial to Kojin.
"Handing Kojin over to you isn't impossible." Suddenly, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter spoke.
Everyone's eyes immediately turned toward him.
"But he can no longer appear before the world, nor can he continue moving freely across the seas. Send him to Impel Down. Build a prison cell exclusively for him. And this matter will be handled by your Marines."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said slowly.
Hearing this, Sengoku's eyes narrowed slightly. He carefully considered the feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of the proposal.
After a long silence, he frowned.
"Kojin is a newly appointed Marine Admiral! We cannot imprison him in Impel Down as though he were a criminal. That would become a humiliation for the entire Marine organization!"
Sengoku declared firmly, his attitude completely unwavering.
The Gorōsei frowned once more.
"The Marines' bottom line is this… Kojin will disappear from the world for a period of time and will no longer publicly appear."
Sengoku continued.
"We require him to remain in Impel Down!"
After exchanging glances and silently discussing the matter, the Gorōsei replied in a deep voice.
They also clearly understood that Kojin could never be imprisoned forever.
As long as a single mistake was made and he found an opportunity, it would result in a disaster that swept across the entire world.
The best method was, in truth, to restrict his freedom.
"…Agreed."
After thinking for a moment, Sengoku nodded.
In his heart, he believed this was probably the best possible outcome.
Exchanging glances with Garp, Tsuru, Zephyr, and the others beside him, Sengoku spoke again in a solemn voice.
"Hand Kojin over to us. The matters that follow will be handled by the Marines. As a Marine Admiral, no matter what mistakes he has made, he should be judged internally by the Marines themselves! Not personally dealt with by the five of you like this."
By the end, his tone had turned icy cold, openly expressing his anger and dissatisfaction without concealment.
Today had been an incredibly important day.
Yet the World Government had actually joined forces with a newly appointed Admiral to ambush and attack another Admiral.
The Gorōsei remained expressionless as they looked down at the restrained Kojin.
"And what is your opinion?"
Kojin sneered but did not answer.
"You do not have the right to choose. Because if you refuse, then in the very next moment, your subordinates in the West Blue, and the G-1 Base itself, will be completely wiped out by the Holy Knights." Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said coldly.
Kojin's pupils contracted as he stared at the five old men before him.
"Even a monster like you has weaknesses. You are not truly free, Kojin." Marcus Mars sighed softly.
"I admit my carelessness and defeat. I am willing to accept the outcome of your negotiations."
After a long silence, Kojin finally spoke coldly.
Without a doubt, this had been the most disastrous battle Kojin had faced since arriving in this world, and also the greatest crisis he had ever encountered.
If Sengoku, Garp, and the others had not intervened, the consequences would have been unimaginable. And this battle had also struck him like a heavy hammer, completely waking him from the inflated arrogance and overconfidence he had developed not long ago.
"I'm still far from being strong enough to ignore the entire world. The power I possess is still far too weak!"
This battle had awakened Kojin, leaving his emotions complex and difficult to describe.
But he understood one thing very clearly…
He was still weak.
So weak that even the combined sneak attack of the five elders and Sakazuki had been enough to push him into such a miserable state.
"From now on, I'll devote myself to training. I'll use every possible method to become stronger!" Kojin thought silently, his eyes gradually sharpening.
The "Creator" in Mariejois possessed unfathomable strength, perhaps even greater than his own.
The world was still enormous and he himself was still weak.
An immortal physique did not mean invincibility. Kojin did not become discouraged because of this defeat, nor did he feel despair.
Life had never been smooth sailing. Like the beating of a heart, there would always be rises and falls.
All he needed to do was acknowledge failure, reflect upon it, and become stronger.
"You are a smart man. We believe you will honor your promise." Marcus Mars nodded slowly.
The five elders retreated several steps. Then, in the next moment, Topman Warcury took out a Den Den Mushi from his robe and dialed a call directly in front of Kojin.
"Saint Figarland Garling!"
The name alone caused everyone present to narrow their eyes.
"The operation is temporarily suspended."
"Oh?"
"So you failed?"
Saint Figarland Garling's voice echoed from the Den Den Mushi.
Kojin's eyes darkened.
The other side had planned everything perfectly. While capturing him, they had also prepared methods to threaten him in advance.
"Failed?"
"That wouldn't be entirely accurate. One could say we achieved partial success."
"Remain on standby. We will contact you again later."
Topman Warcury replied calmly.
Then the Den Den Mushi call ended.
Garp stepped forward and helped Kojin up. When he saw the chains piercing through Kojin's body and his severed arms, his eyes turned red.
"Kojin… We'll be watching you. You'd better honor the agreement reached in today's negotiations!" Topman Warcury said coldly.
A faint curve appeared at the corner of Kojin's mouth, his eyes icy cold.
The Gorōsei stared deeply at him one final time before turning and leaving. They were not worried that Kojin, Sengoku, or the others would violate the agreement. Because doing so would benefit neither side.
It was true that both parties had concerns and reservations.
But if either side broke the agreement, they would inevitably suffer severe consequences.
The World Government represented the world itself… And that world was an alliance of more than three hundred nations.
Such a colossal force was fully capable of destroying the Marines and rebuilding them from scratch.
But that would be a case of destroying a thousand enemies while suffering eight hundred losses themselves.
Unless absolutely necessary, even they were unwilling to pay such a price.
"Kojin... Are you alright?"
Only after watching the five elders and Sakazuki depart did Sengoku finally turn his gaze toward Kojin.
The wounds caused by the Seastone chains piercing through his body, along with his severed arms, were horrifying to behold.
Even Sengoku felt his heart tremble.
It was difficult to imagine that Kojin could still remain alive in such a state.
"I'm fine. In fact, I've never felt better." Kojin grinned.
The arrogance, pride, and self-inflation within him had all disappeared. In their place stood someone far calmer and more clear-minded.
"As long as you die once, your injuries will fully recover, correct?" Garp asked in a deep voice.
Kojin nodded.
Then he smiled again.
"But this time… I don't intend to heal these injuries too quickly."
Sengoku, Garp, and the others all looked at him in confusion. But Kojin offered no explanation, merely lowering his head slowly. The pain and wounds covering his body would constantly remind him of the mistakes he had made today.
And they would also drive him to become even stronger in the future.
Supported by Kuzan and Borsalino, Kojin boarded the battleship and slowly sat down.
"You will be sent to Impel Down. The result of the negotiations must be carried out." Sengoku said heavily.
Kojin's expression remained calm as he nodded.
"But as the Marines' newly appointed Admiral, we will not allow you to enter as a criminal. You will enter Impel Down under the identity of an Admiral stationed there."
Sengoku let out a soft sigh.
Kojin nodded once more.
This was likely the best solution Sengoku could devise.
It satisfied the Gorōsei's goal of restricting Kojin's freedom while also preserving both the Marines' dignity and Kojin's honor.
Garp's expression was heavy as he patted Kojin's shoulder and let out a deep sigh.
"Your injuries…" Sengoku hesitated.
"Just send me to Impel Down. These wounds are nothing." Kojin replied calmly.
Sengoku stared at him with a complicated expression.
Kuzan and Borsalino also stepped forward to say their farewells, their faces solemn. Everyone present understood what kind of place Impel Down truly was. Once someone was sent there, regardless of status, it was little different from becoming useless.
And as for how long Kojin would remain there… Or when he would ever come out…
No one knew.
(End of Chapter)