Garp's words plunged the office into silence.
The Revolutionary Army's leader was, after all, his son; blood is thicker than water.
If anything happened during the battle, it would be hard to guarantee that Garp wouldn't be swayed by emotion.
The current situation had not yet reached a point where an all-out effort was absolutely necessary.
In the silence, Tsuru smoothed things over:
"Garp's position is indeed sensitive; letting him go might instead cause unnecessary suspicion."
Garp burst out laughing:
"Suspicion? When have those old geezers ever trusted the Marines? Forget it, no more talk. I'm requesting a vacation!"
His cloak whipped up a strong gust as he strode out without waiting for Sengoku, leaving only the words, "I'm going back to the East Blue to see my grandson."
Borsalino glanced enviously; he also wanted a spontaneous vacation.
Though he tried to minimize his presence, Borsalino was one of the most powerful in the room. His failure to become Admiral was due to laziness; in strength, he was on par with one.
Sengoku gave a look that said "none of my business":
"Borsalino, you'll act with Kuzan!"
Borsalino leisurely twirled his nail clippers:
"Oh, how scary Mary Geoise is very dangerous right now"
Sengoku's veins bulged; just as he was about to urge him, Kuzan stood up:
"Let's go. The sooner we deal with it, the sooner we can return to sleep."
"Eh~ How troublesome" Borsalino grumbled, but adjusted his uniform cuffs.
As they reached the door, Sengoku called:
"Remember, prioritize the safety of the Celestial Dragons."
Aokiji paused, responding faintly without turning:
"Understood."
Kizaru's figure dissipated into golden light. Aokiji pushed open the door, letting cold wind rush in.
"Hey, young Kuzan!"
Garp's voice came from outside:
"Don't push yourself too hard; it's not worth it for those pieces of trash."
Aokiji did not answer, merely waved, pulled down his eye mask, and stepped away.
Inside, Sengoku sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.
On a small sailboat between Mary Geoise and Marineford, only two people were aboard.
Eneru sat on the mast, holding an apple.
No longer the scrawny figure Black first saw, after nearly five years of training, Eneru had been reborn, subtly echoing the God of Sky Island.
Mumbling as he brought the apple to his mouth:
"Why aren't they here yet? How much longer do we wait?"
"Don't rush" Lafitte replied from the deck, eyes closed, voice unhurried.
"Whatever's meant to come will come Instead of worrying about that, worry if you can withstand an Admiral later"
Eneru's eyelids twitched at Lafitte's sing-song tone. Despite years together, he never got used to it. Every time he heard it, he wanted to punch him.
They were here on Black's orders.
Originally, Eneru was to eat the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, become an Emperor of the Sea, and, if necessary, tie down an Admiral.
But plans changed. The Revolutionary Army's attack was accelerated due to Christopher and Garin's conflict.
If missed, no matter Black's enticement, the Sweating King would remain unshaken.
Additionally, Black had more women around him, so the Rumble-Rumble Fruit would never fall to Eneru.
Charlotte Linlin inadvertently helped by tying down Akainu in Totto Land.
Eneru and Lafitte the hidden cards still had room to maneuver, obstructing Marine support for Mary Geoise.
Expecting them to stop Kuzan and Borsalino seemed unrealistic, yet Kuzan would come, Borsalino might not.
It was normal for an Admiral to attend such a major event, but which Vice Admiral might follow was uncertain.
Clearly, they encountered the unluckiest scenario.
Even so, Kuzan and Borsalino had their personalities.
Since Ohara, Aokiji doubted Marine justice and had grown lazy. Many World Government decisions did not align with his sense of "justice."
Borsalino? He would rather not go.
Which was safer face Lafitte and Eneru at sea, or go to Mary Geoise and face unknowns? For him, neither posed true danger.
But if he could get paid by putting on a show at sea, why die in Mary Geoise?
Under the Gorosei's eyes, how much acting would that require?
"Look, I wasn't unwilling to go, I was stopped!"
"Two guys I've never seen before, how scary."
Probably something like that.
When Eneru's Observation Haki detected two figures the sea in front of Kuzan had frozen into a path. Kuzan leisurely rode his bicycle.
Borsalino followed closely, looking around, in no hurry.
When Eneru saw the Marines, Kuzan and Borsalino noticed him as well.
Are you kidding? Borsalino's Observation Haki was insane. Despite overwhelming light bullets and Law's submarine maneuvering, he remained untouched.
As they approached, Borsalino pushed up his golden sunglasses:
"Two young men, could you please move aside? The situation in the Holy Land is dire"
He pointed at Aokiji:
"Our Admiral is anxious"
Lafitte stood, bowing slightly:
"Apologies for obstructing you~ But my purpose is to stop you two Marine gentlemen"
"How troublesome~"
Borsalino feigned distress:
"In that case I'll just defeat you two first~"
"Enough!"
Eneru jumped from the mast, staff slamming the deck:
"Can you two please talk properly?!"
Kuzan, still on his bicycle, actually nodded in agreement. Not just Eneru, even he felt like punching them in the face.