The New World, the island formerly known as G-1.
After the World Government lost Marineford during the Summit War, the Marines were forced to evacuate and relocate to this island, establishing their new headquarters here.
As it had only been a little over ten days since the war ended, the construction of the new Marine Headquarters was not yet complete. The high-ranking Marine officers had to work out of the original G-1 base buildings.
At this very moment, within the new Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku was reviewing several reports submitted by his subordinates.
The contents of these reports were varied.
For example: Proposed personnel transfers and position adjustments within the Marines.
Another example: Feedback on the various disturbances that had erupted across the world following the Summit War.
And yet another: The movements of certain pirate crews, and a proposal to recruit the captain of the Blackbeard Pirates as a new Warlord of the Sea!
Sengoku felt dizzy, his vision blurry from exhaustion. The hair at his temples had grown noticeably whiter. Clearly, the pressure he had been under since the war ended was immense.
By now, he had lost count of how many times the thought of retiring and dumping this mess onto someone else had crossed his mind.
However, at this critical juncture, it was obvious that even if he wanted to run away, the World Government wouldn't let him!
Furthermore, selecting a new Fleet Admiral would take time. Among the three Marine Admirals, aside from the lecherous Kizaru who claimed he was too old and uninterested, Kuzan and Akainu had been locked in a stalemate, neither yielding.
Lately, Sengoku had been constantly weighing which of the two was more suitable.
Of course, the appointment of the new Fleet Admiral wasn't his decision as the current one to make. At most, he could offer a suggestion to the World Government; the final decision rested with those five old bastards!
When will I finally be able to enjoy my retirement properly? Sengoku put down the documents and let out a soft sigh.
It was then that he noticed Garp had somehow entered his office and was now devouring his special rice crackers!
Seeing this, Sengoku's face darkened.
Why did he ever choose to become this damned Marine Fleet Admiral? Look at that old rogue Garp—how carefree and content he was!
Feeling irritated, Sengoku stormed over, snatched the rice crackers from Garp's hand, and roared, "Garp, you bastard! Those are mine!"
Garp gave an embarrassed laugh. "What's the big deal? We've known each other for so many years. Yours or mine, isn't it all the same?" As he spoke, he reached out again to grab the crackers back from Sengoku, nearly provoking a brawl right there in the office.
Just as the two highest-ranking Marines were scuffling over snacks like children, suddenly—
"Re—report, Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Something terrible has happened!"
Hearing the voice from outside the door, Sengoku's expression changed. He immediately regained his usual aloof Fleet Admiral composure and called out sternly, "What happened? Come in and report!"
As for Garp, completely unconcerned with matters of face, he simply snatched the rice crackers back from Sengoku and continued munching away, a smug and irritating grin plastered on his face.
This bastard…
Sengoku barely restrained himself from rushing over to pummel him.
The Marine who had come to report hurried in, clutching a newspaper in his hand, his face tense. "Admiral! The latest newspaper! The Revolutionary Army and the Ninja Guild have jointly announced major moves!"
At the mention of the Revolutionary Army and the Ninja Guild, not only did Sengoku's face change, but even Garp, who had been acting frivolous, instantly became serious.
They immediately huddled over the newspaper to read. With just one glance, both of them drew a sharp breath.
The Revolutionary Army Takes Up Residence in Marineford!
The Ninja Guild Announces a World Conference, Inviting Nations from Across the Globe to Attend on Sabaody Archipelago!
Either of these events alone would be enough to shake the world to its core.
Now, with both happening simultaneously, Sengoku and the others knew, without even needing to investigate, that the entire world must be in an unprecedented uproar.
Looking closer, they saw that the so-called World Conference announced by the Ninja Guild was actually being held jointly with the Revolutionary Army!
"The Revolutionary Army... The Ninja Guild!" Sengoku's face darkened. He slammed his fist on the table. "As expected, their ambitions are vile!"
Then, he suddenly remembered that the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon, was Garp's son. His anger flared even hotter, and he directly yelled at Garp, "Garp! It's your damn family causing trouble again!"
Garp had also been deeply shocked by the news initially. But upon hearing Sengoku's yell, he snapped back to reality, picked his ear nonchalantly, and said with an air of indifference, "Yeah, yeah, I know. That's all you ever say."
"You...!" Hearing this, Sengoku nearly lost his composure completely.
Just then, Vice Admiral Garp walked in through the door.
She also held a newspaper in her hand, clearly already aware of the news.
Seeing Sengoku on the verge of fighting Garp, she didn't need to guess what had happened. She quickly spoke up, "Alright, Sengoku! Getting angry at Garp won't help now. The most urgent matter is to figure out how to deal with this situation!"
Sengoku finally released Garp from his glare and turned his attention back to the newspaper on the table.
He suddenly shook his head and said, "I can't handle this matter. I don't even have the authority to handle it! Whether it's deciding to hold the World Conference early this time, or the previous decision to cede Marineford, both were decisions made by the Five Elder Stars. Now that this has happened, they should be the ones to lie in the bed they made and figure it out!"
Having said that, he simply sat down on the sofa, adopting the posture of a retired old man. "I'm about to retire anyway. Why should I worry myself over this?"
Garp burst into loud laughter. "Well said!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru, however, could only sigh helplessly. "Wanting to retire at this critical juncture... I'm afraid those above will never agree."
"Let them do as they please! I'm done with this! They can handle it however they want!" Sengoku declared, picking up the rice crackers and starting to eat them himself.
Garp, shameless as ever, scooted over, insisting that Sengoku share a few with him.
Naturally, the two of them started bickering again.
Watching the two of them carry on like this, Tsuru could only let out another soft sigh. Her aged, somewhat blurry eyes looked out the window towards the vast sea, a deep sense of uncertainty clouding her gaze.
Where was the future headed?
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T/N:
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