"Saint Ross, I apologize for Garp's actions in South Blue."
Sengoku bowed slightly and lowered his head toward Saint Ross.
He and Garp had been friends since they first joined the Marines. Over the years, they had become close friends who could rely on each other for support.
The incident involving Garp's appearance on Baterilla Island did not end with him taking Jass away; Ross would not let go of such an opportunity to damage Garp's reputation.
News of Garp's attack on a mother and the abduction of her child had spread throughout the entire Marine.
Sengoku and Tsuru, Garp's close friends, were subtly informed of the reasons behind his actions.
To be honest, even though Sengoku knew that Garp could be a bit unpredictable at times, he never imagined that Garp would go to such extremes.
Previously, Garp had endangered a large number of pregnant women and children in South Blue, and now he had suddenly appeared and taken Roger's son. Even Sengoku didn't know what Garp was trying to do.
But there was nothing he could do; they were best friends, and he was the only one who could handle the mess his best friend made.
"That matter isn't a big deal, but Ace's identity is rather special. Did the Marines make any contingency plans?"
Ross looked at Sengoku. Since the other party had brought it up specifically, he was bound to use it as an excuse to make a fuss.
Garp and he could never be on the same side. Since they would be enemies sooner or later, it would be better to kick him out of the Marines first, so that it would be easier for him to take action.
"We've already made contingency plans. Garp assured me that when Jass reaches the appropriate age, he'll be allowed to join the Marines," Sengoku said without batting an eye.
There were no contingency plans in place, and he didn't even know where Jass was.
However, it was true that Garp had made a promise to him, but Garp's promises were best taken with a grain of salt; he hadn't kept them more than a few times so far.
If Jass had lived an ordinary life, Sengoku probably wouldn't have pursued the matter with the World Government. The real fear was that Jass might follow Roger's path and want to become a pirate.
"Garp's guarantee? His son, Dragon, has renamed the Freedom Fighters Force the Revolutionary Army. Revolutionary Army—listen to that name, who are they trying to overthrow?"
Ross looked at Sengoku with a half-smile. Some people kept their word, while others dared to spout nonsense.
Garp was usually a frivolous person, but if it was something serious and he agreed to it, he might remember it for a lifetime.
But this was a promise to get Jass into the Marine Corps. He believed Garp would train a Marine officer, but he was better off believing that all the Celestial Dragons were good people.
"Naturally, it's the Revolutionary Marines. Pirates are rampant these days, and Dragon is a righteous person who wants to eliminate pirates and bring peace to the world. That's only right."
After saying this, even he himself was somewhat skeptical.
When Dragon left the Marines, he had practically declared his opposition to the World Government.
But there was nothing he could do; after all, Dragon was Garp's son, and he had to help him if he could.
"Since Great Admiral Sengoku has vouched for me, I can rest assured. I will convey your words to my grandfather truthfully."
Ross said with a smile, as if he didn't mind Sengoku's nonsense at all.
Since he was so biased towards Garp, why was he even trying to win him over?
After talking with Sengoku, Ross understood the other party's position very well.
If the matter didn't involve Garp and the others, Sengoku could stand with him. But if it did involve Garp and the others, even if he didn't betray the Marines, he might still have biased opinions.
There were still a few years before the current Fleet Admiral was promoted, and the exact time would be determined by Saint Saturn.
Since Sengoku wanted to be able to please both sides, he should just be a good admiral and not dream of becoming Marine Fleet Admiral.
Instead of making Sengoku the Fleet Admiral, it would be better to give Sakazuki a few years to accumulate experience before making him the right person.
Alternatively, they could simply transfer Zephyr back to the capital and make him Fleet Admiral, which would be perfectly legitimate.
In any case, Ross had already given up all hope for Sengoku.
They simply had different perspectives, nothing more.
After finishing their conversation, Sengoku left with a sullen face.
Although Ross didn't explain it very clearly, he was known as the 'wise general' Sengoku, so he could easily see what the other party meant.
Sengoku was eager to be promoted to Fleet Admiral, and no one in the entire Marine was more qualified than him.
But with just one word from the Five Elders, all his hopes would vanish.
Sengoku was well aware of this, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything against his conscience.
Some things, in the end, were above power.
...
The rest of the journey was uneventful, and the ship arrived at Tigrana Island without any major incidents.
Although Ross and his group weren't the last group, they arrived quite late.
"Have the Five Elders not arrived yet?"
Gion glanced around at the surrounding ships and whispered a question to Ross.
Zane was still in charge of management in the Jaygarcia District, and all the trivial matters around Ross had fallen on Gion's shoulders.
"The most crucial people always show up last; they don't come by boat." Ross shook his head.
After all, they were the Five Elders. Although they had seen them many times, their entrance was definitely different from theirs.
He would definitely have to pretend like that someday.
Who didn't like to show off their talents in front of others?
"Teacher Zephyr sent word that Garling and Saint Shamrock are on Figarland's ship. Shall we go and pay them a visit?" Gion asked in a low voice.
She didn't understand the etiquette among the Celestial Dragons, and the Marines didn't teach these things either, so she had to learn some in a hurry.
Logically speaking, as an elite member of the Jaygarcia family, Saint Ross should have gone to visit Saint Garling.
After all, Garling was the commander of the Knights of God, second only to the Five Elders in status.
"If my grandfather hadn't come, I definitely would have gone. But since he's coming, then I don't need to go." Ross shook his head.
Even among the Celestial Dragons, strength was paramount.
However, to squeeze into this circle, one must first have the identity of a Celestial Dragon.
Now when he went to see Garling, they inevitably exchanged sarcastic remarks.
Just talking wasn't really that interesting.
If he had the strength of Roger or Garp, he would definitely have to stand on Saint Shamrock's head to talk to Garling; that would make it feel real.
If he didn't have the strength now, it was better not to go.
Anyway, once the Celestial Hunt was over, he wouldn't be the one who lost face.
What was the situation on Tigrana Island?
Ross looked up at the island not far away.
The island covered a large area; you couldn't see the end of it at a glance.
However, according to feedback from the ability to hear the sea, Tigrana Island was roughly a rectangular island measuring 20 kilometers by 30 kilometers, with a total area of approximately 600 square kilometers.
"The natives of Tigrana Island are called the Tora Clan. They have 10 settlements scattered throughout the island. Each settlement has an average of 5,000 people, and the strongest person in each settlement has at least the strength of a Rear Admiral of the Four Seas, while the strongest person's strength is close to that of a Vice Admiral of the headquarters," Gion explained.
As Ross's deputy this time, she had memorized all the information before she came.
"Rear Admiral of the Four Seas? Vice Admiral of the Headquarters?"
Ross was somewhat surprised that such a small island as Tigrana Island had so many experts.
But upon closer reflection, he realized it was normal.
Not all strong individuals ventured to the Grand Line; many remained in their homeland.
Besides, the North Blue wasn't the future East Blue; there were plenty of pirates here with bounties exceeding 100 million. Any island without some strength would have been wiped out by pirates long ago.
...
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