Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Perched atop the Red Line, separating the first half of the Grand Line from the New World, this elevated city stood as the absolute seat of the World Government.
It was a short journey from Marineford, yet for Sengoku, the distance felt immeasurable.
He had rushed to the Holy Land immediately after receiving the summons. Now, passing through the gilded, imposing gates, he forced himself to look straight ahead. He pretended not to hear the muffled, anguished cries of slaves drifting from the depths of the complex. With a heavy internal sigh, he lowered his head and followed the familiar path toward the center of supreme power, the council chamber of the Gorosei.
Standing before the luxurious, towering palace, a conflicted expression crossed Sengoku's face. He rubbed his temples, a headache already blooming behind his eyes.
He had a fair idea of why the Gorosei had called him.
They were going to grill him about Zephyr.
It came as no surprise that the World Government had received news of Zephyr's "retirement" so quickly. Marine Headquarters might be a direct subordinate of the Government, but Sengoku knew all too well that the Gorosei had planted their own eyes and ears within the ranks.
As for Zephyr... was retirement ever truly an option? Garp might have believed it was the best path, but for the World Government, the only safe retirement for a man with Zephyr's knowledge was death.
But how could Sengoku stand by and watch his old friend die?
He had prepared himself. He would endure their scolding, swallow his pride, and plead for Zephyr's life. As an old friend, it was the only card he had left to play.
Steeling his resolve, Sengoku took a deep breath, composing his features into a mask of seriousness. He knocked on the heavy doors.
"Enter."
The voice dripped with authority. Sengoku exhaled sharply one last time, pushed the doors open, and stepped inside.
The Gorosei were waiting. Five pairs of eyes locked onto him instantly, radiating judgment.
Before Sengoku could even offer a greeting, Saint Topman Warcury, distinguished by the large birthmark on his forehead, snorted coldly.
"Look at the mess your Marines have made," Saint Warcury barked. "Sengoku, you have disappointed us greatly."
'As expected.'
Sengoku suppressed a sigh. Without hesitation, he adopted an apologetic posture, bowing his head in contrition.
"I accept full responsibility for this matter. I am deeply sorry."
"Sorry?" Saint Warcury's voice rose. "You have the nerve to stand there and offer apologies? The Marines are becoming utterly incompetent. Can you not handle even such a simple task?"
The Elders were furious. The tension in the room was suffocating.
Sengoku kept his head low, his voice steady but humble. "While I regret the outcome, given that things have reached this stage, I implore the World Government to simply let him leave."
The room went silent.
The five men exchanged glances. 'Does this man know what he is saying? Let him leave?'
He actually had the audacity to come here and beg for the release of that East Blue Overlord? The atmosphere in the room shifted from anger to dark menace.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, his white curly hair framing a face twisted in scowl, slammed his cane against the floor. "Nonsense! Sengoku, do you have any idea what you are asking?"
"I do!" Sengoku looked up, meeting their gazes with newfound determination. He couldn't back down now. "Furthermore, the World Government must accept some fault for pushing the situation to this point!"
The air in the chamber seemed to freeze.
The Elders could no longer contain their disbelief. Even the long-bearded Saint Marcus Mars and the bald, sword-wielding Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who had been watching silently, frowned in shock.
"The World Government's fault?"
"Sengoku, have you forgotten who you are?"
"Are you trying to lose your position, Fleet Admiral?"
Not only did he dare to question them, but he also had the gall to shift the blame? Was he still asleep?
Saint Warcury's expression reddened, his presence emitting a terrifying pressure. "Do you believe we are making things difficult for you without cause?"
"I..."
Sengoku felt a tremor of genuine fear. Were they truly this angry? Yes, Zephyr's situation had encountered a few hiccups, and the Neo Marines had caused trouble, but the New World hadn't been destroyed. Surely, letting an old man retire wasn't worth this level of hostility?
But he had to stand firm.
The Elders, meanwhile, stared at him with a mix of fury and disappointment. To think the Fleet Admiral would defy the highest authority for the sake of a mere pirate.
The two sides stared at each other, an impassable wall of misunderstanding between them.
Then, they spoke at the same time.
"Can't the Government just show mercy to Zephyr? He has abandoned his plan and only wishes to retire!"
"What exactly is your relationship with that East Blue Overlord, that you would risk your rank to defend him?"
Silence crashed back into the room.
Sengoku blinked. The Elders blinked.
"Mock?" Sengoku asked.
"Zephyr?" Saint Warcury repeated.
"What are you talking about?" Saint Warcury scowled, leaning forward. "When did we mention Zephyr?"
"We... weren't discussing Zephyr?" Sengoku's confused look returned. "I assumed the World Government was refusing to let him retire and had ordered his elimination."
"I think I see what has happened." Saint Nusjuro, the bald swordsman, adjusted his glasses. "What is the status on Zephyr's end? Did you not carry out the order to eliminate him?"
"Zephyr's faction encountered a... complication," Sengoku explained quickly, sensing a lifeline. "He has abandoned his radical plans and intends to retire to the East Blue with a student to live out his remaining years in peace. I simply hoped the World Government would grant him that mercy."
"Stop wasting time on that fool," Saint Saturn interrupted impatiently, tapping his cane again. "If the man no longer threatens to destroy the New World, let him rot. We are discussing the East Blue Overlord!"
*This sea cannot tolerate such arrogance.*
*Slap.*
Saint Saturn threw a dossier onto the table.
"What exactly are the Marines doing?" he demanded. "You haven't managed to catch a single pirate from the weakest sea? I am beginning to think you don't want this job, Sengoku!"
Sengoku stood stunned. He had been bracing for a death sentence for his friend, and instead, he was being yelled at about a rookie pirate?
He picked up the intelligence report, bewildered.
What had this "East Blue Overlord" done to garner the personal attention of the Gorosei?
He scanned the document.
*Gasp.*
Sengoku's eyes widened. He stared at the paper in disbelief.
This... this kid was insane.
Whatever the World Government strictly forbade, this guy didn't just do it, he advertised it.
And he didn't just break the taboos; he announced his intentions to the entire world. What was his goal? Did he look down on the Marines? Did he think the World Government was a joke?
Sengoku's face turned a shade of livid purple. "My apologies. This is indeed a grave oversight on the part of Marine Headquarters. However..."
His tone turned grave. "The Mock's strength is not to be underestimated. He has successfully evaded both Garp and Kuzan multiple times. Even Aokiji admitted the man is dangerous."
"Even an Admiral acknowledged him?"
"Does a pirate fresh out of the East Blue already possess the strength to rival an Admiral?"
"Marine Headquarters has become too lax if you cannot even secure the East Blue!"
"Still... we cannot ignore him. He has already entered the New World."
The Elders murmured among themselves, throwing the occasional barb at the Marines incompetence. Finally, the blond Elder, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, fixed Sengoku with a hard stare.
"Regardless of the difficulties, Marine Headquarters must capture or eliminate Mock immediately. We sense that this man will become a plague upon the era."
"He seeks the Pirate King's throne, the Laugh Tale, the Will of D, and the research of true History," Saint Ju Peter listed the crimes with disgust. "If he is not a scourge, who is? Even Roger was not this brazen in his arrogance. We will not allow another Roger to rise. He must be erased."
"Understood," Sengoku nodded sharply. The gravity of the situation was undeniable. "I will make the arrangements immediately."
He turned to leave, desperate to escape the suffocating room.
"Hmph."
A scoffed stopped him in his tracks.
"Although our anger today was directed elsewhere, do not think this excuses your behavior," Saint Warcury's voice was like ice. "Know your place, Sengoku. If you question us again, you will be stripped of your rank."
"And as for that fool Zephyr," Saint Saturn added, "if he wishes to live in the East Blue, let him stay there. But if he sets foot on the Grand Line again... he dies. Now, get out."
"Yes, sir."
Sengoku exited the chamber, cold sweat clinging to his forehead.
Only when the heavy doors clicked shut did he finally exhale, his shoulders sagging. A bitter smile tugged at his lips.
"I really was a bit too impulsive back there," he muttered to himself.
To think he had worked himself into a panic over Zephyr, only for the true target to be that East Blue rookie. He glanced down at the intelligence report in his hand again as he began the long walk back to the transport.
He had to admit... Mock was absurdly arrogant.
But as he walked, the bitter smile shifted into something genuinely amused.
"Zephyr..." Sengoku shook his head, looking at the ceiling of the passageway. "You are one lucky bastard."
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