Fleet Admiral Sengoku couldn't help but feel a deep sense of frustration. The World Government's decision was a despicable one. It was the Marine's responsibility, along with the World Government's, to take accountability for what had happened.
To earn the trust of the people, they should have been transparent instead of trying to cover things up. The right course of action was to pour all their resources into recapturing the prisoners who had escaped. But the World Government had chosen the most cowardly, self-serving path imaginable.
However, Sengoku knew how the World Government operated, and he realized that such a decision was probably to be expected. They didn't care about the lives of ordinary citizens; their reputation was all that mattered.
While this decision was foolish, he'd seen them make far stupider choices over the years. He had worked for the World Government for a long time and was all too familiar with their absurdity. Still, he felt he had to at least try to fight for what was right.
He immediately called Fleet Admiral Kong, but before he could even speak, Kong began to scold him. Sengoku knew he would be held primarily responsible for the war's failure.
After all, he was one of the key planners and the supreme commander, so it was impossible for him to escape accountability. The Army, which was supposed to share some of the blame, had managed to completely dodge all responsibility through some political maneuvering.
The World Government saw the Army as its true favorite, while the Marines were treated like a stepchild. Naturally, the World Government sided with its favorite, leaving Sengoku and the Marines to accept their misfortune. With a burden this heavy, Sengoku knew his time as Fleet Admiral was coming to an end.
When he was first promoted, Kong had recommended him for the position. Now that Sengoku had made such a huge blunder, Kong would inevitably be affected as well.
But Kong's scolding wasn't born out of anger over being implicated; he was simply concerned about Sengoku's fate. After all, Sengoku was his best successor.
"Once you leave office, who do you want to take over as Fleet Admiral?" Kong asked him, his tone now cautious. "Do you have anyone in mind?"
"I recommend Aokiji," Sengoku answered without hesitation. In his view, Kizaru was too apathetic, and Akainu was far too extreme. Neither of them was suitable to be Fleet Admiral.
While Aokiji was a bit lazy, he was a much more level-headed and steady leader, which Sengoku believed made him the best choice. However, whether the World Government would agree to his recommendation was another matter entirely.
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku looked at the remaining rubble of Marine Headquarters and sighed deeply. He had dedicated so many years of his life to this place; it was difficult to just let go.
Just then, a Marine ran up to him. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku," the man shouted, "Vice Admiral Garp just took off in a warship a little while ago! He said he was heading to Enies Lobby!"
A vein twitched in Sengoku's forehead. He couldn't believe Garp would go to Enies Lobby. He knew Garp was really going to Water 7 to see his grandson. That old friend of his was truly capable of anything.
To contact a Five Emperors crew at a time like this... he didn't even seem to care about the consequences. Sengoku was furious, but after a moment, he forced himself to calm down.
He suddenly realized that maybe Garp going to Water 7 wasn't such a bad idea. Although the Straw Hat Pirates were a Five Emperors crew, Monkey D. Luffy was Garp's grandson. There wouldn't be any conflict, and Garp could even have a private conversation with them.
The Marines were in a difficult position right now, and starting a fight with a Five Emperors crew was the last thing they needed.
As the most suitable mediator, Garp could perhaps pacify Luffy and convince the Straw Hats not to cause any trouble for the time being.
It was actually a good thing. With that thought, Sengoku decided to leave it be. The old man might seem reckless, but he never made a move without a reason, especially during a time like this.
Meanwhile, a Marine warship had just arrived in Water 7. The citizens were stunned and a few immediately ran off, heading for the hotel where the Straw Hats were staying.
The people of Water 7 didn't fear the Straw Hats; in fact, they greatly admired them. Many even saw the crew as saviors. Everyone in the city knew that the Straw Hats were the ones who had freely funded the ongoing reconstruction project.
Garp seemed to sense that someone was going to warn the crew, but he didn't care. He spread his Observation Haki and headed straight for the hotel. Since Observation Haki could sense powerful presences, it wasn't hard for him to find Luffy and the others.
Before the citizens could even get there, Garp had already arrived at the hotel, pinpointed the Straw Hats' location, and smashed a hole right through the wall.
"Straw Hat crew, you're here!" Garp yelled, leaping through the opening. Wearing his dog hat, he quickly scanned the room and immediately lunged for Luffy, who was sound asleep.
"You're... Vice Admiral Garp!" The Straw Hat crew instantly recognized him and didn't know how to react. A Marine's presence would normally mean a fight, but Garp was Luffy's grandfather.
Given his aggressive posture, it was clear he was only after Luffy, which left them in a state of confusion. Everyone looked to Ikki to make a decision. After all, Ikki was the only one who could truly stop Garp.
Ikki simply shrugged. "Nobody move," he said. "It's just a grandpa teaching his grandson a lesson. Besides, Luffy's not that easy to kill. Let's just watch."
With that, everyone relaxed and stayed where they were. Garp approached Luffy and punched him right in the head. "Get up, you stupid grandson!"
Luffy, who had been sleeping soundly, went flying and slammed directly into the wall, a huge lump instantly forming on his head. Everyone winced at the sight; even Ikki couldn't help but shiver. Garp's punches really hurt.
"Ouch! That hurts!" Luffy yelled, clutching his head as he woke up. "What are you doing, Grandpa! Wait, Grandpa?!"
"After causing such a huge scene, you still have the nerve to call me Grandpa? Now you're going to taste my Fist of Love!" Garp swung another punch, but Luffy was ready this time. He unleashed his own rubber fists, and soon the two were locked in a furious, hurricane-like brawl that tore through the hotel.
With no choice, everyone retreated outside. It was lucky that Mayor Iceburg had recommended a secluded hotel with very few guests; otherwise, the scene would have caused a city-wide panic.
Half an hour later, Garp and Luffy finally stopped fighting. "Hahahaha! Just as I'd expect from my grandson," Garp said, crossing his arms. "You're getting so strong!"
"Heehee, yeah! I'm really strong now!" Luffy replied confidently. "You're no match for me anymore, Grandpa!"
"What?! You little brat!" Garp shot back. "Don't get cocky! I only used less than 10% of my strength!"
"Well, I only used less than 5%!" Luffy retorted.
"Do you want another taste of my Fist of Love, Luffy?!"
"I'm not scared! I can beat you now, Grandpa!"
The two had been calm for less than a second before they were back to arguing and about to start fighting again.
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