Holy Land Mariejois — Hall of Authority
The Five Elders sat together, the atmosphere heavy as ice.
"An unprovoked assault on World Nobles—the Marines must give Mariejois an explanation," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said coldly."In any case, Gern must be handed over!!"
"That's easy to say," Saint Topman Warcury narrowed his eyes,"but the real problem is… the Marines' internal stance is extremely delicate right now."
"Hmph!" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn slammed his cane down hard."Are the Marines trying to rebel?! Have they forgotten who they are?!"
"And what if they haven't?"Saint Marcus Mars spoke slowly, his tone measured."Do you even understand the current situation?If the Marines truly refuse to hand him over, what can we do?Go to war with the Marines?"
He paused, eyes sharp.
"The Marines are no longer what they used to be.There are plenty of monsters among them now."
"And more importantly…"His gaze deepened."We need to figure out who is standing behind Gern.Or rather—whether he's been pushed forward by the Marines as a test, a form of resistance against our Seven Warlords system."
Silence fell.
Because they all realized an even more serious reality—
Right now, the Marines truly couldn't be touched.
Especially with Zephyr, Garp, Sengoku…and even the next generation—Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino—along with Gern himself—
Among all these top-tier Marine forces, not a single one had voiced support for the World Government.
"Since that's the case…"Saint Ethanbaron V. Nasujuro finally spoke, his voice glacial."Notify the God's Knights.Have Figarland handle it."
"If the Marines won't act, then we will.No matter the method, we must respond."
"Even if we take a step back…""At the very least, the Marines must hand over that Mink adjutant—Lipo Hope—to appease the Roswald family's fury."
He slowly rose, his gaze sharp as a blade.
"Otherwise…""the World Government's dignity will be completely lost."
...
Holy Land Mariejois — Figarland Family Palace
Golden sunlight streamed through stained glass, scattering across the luxurious carpets.
Figarland Garling Saint sat calmly in a high-backed chair, long fingers tracing the rim of a goblet.The red wine inside was dark as blood.
He lifted his eyes slightly, looking down at the CP0 agent kneeling on one knee before him, a cold curve forming at the corner of his lips.
"So…""The Five Elders want me to personally go and invite that 'Heaven-Shaker' Vice Admiral?"
His voice was low, tinged with amusement.
"Yes, my lord," the CP0 agent replied respectfully from behind his mask."However…" He hesitated."I am concerned that the Marines may—"
"Concerned?"Garling Saint let out a soft laugh."Are you questioning the authority of the World Nobles?"
"I would never dare!"The agent bowed immediately."It's just that Heaven-Shaker's connections within the Marines are extremely extensive.If they refuse to hand him over—"
Bang!
Garling Saint smashed the goblet onto the gilded table.Red wine splashed like blood across the white marble floor.
"The Marines are nothing more than watchdogs of the World Government."
He rose slowly.With a sharp clang, the jeweled Western sword at his side slid halfway from its scabbard, cold light reflecting off his icy profile.
"For eight hundred years, not a single Marine has dared defy the will of the Celestial Dragons."
"Y-Yes…" the agent stammered."In any case, the Five Elders' meaning is that if the Marines refuse to hand Gern over,they must at least surrender his Mink adjutant, Lipo Hope, to calm the Roswald family."
"Heh."
Garling Saint chuckled softly, draining the wine in one gulp before setting the glass aside.
The sword at his waist slid halfway free once more, its chill gleam illuminating his stern face.
"A mere Marine Vice Admiral…worthy of my personal intervention?"
The CP0 agent said nothing.
Garling Saint walked to the window, gazing down at the splendor of Mariejois. His eyes gradually grew colder.
"But since he dared lay hands on Celestial Dragons,""he must pay the price."
He turned, gaze sharp as a blade.
"Tell the Five Elders—I will personally escort 'Heaven-Shaker' to the Hall of Authority,so they can witness with their own eyes the fate of those who offend the World Nobles."
With that, he raised his hand.
Clang—!
The sword was fully drawn, its tip pointing straight toward the direction of Marineford.
(As a side note: in the author's opinion, Figarland Garling Saint is pure, unfiltered evil.Anyone idolized and elected by a group of psychotic Celestial Dragons is, by definition, nothing good.)
...
Marine Headquarters — Fleet Admiral's Office
Kong sat alone behind his massive desk.
Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting broken shadows across his hardened face.
In his hand was a freshly delivered secret order, his knuckles faintly pale from the pressure.
A Den Den Mushi lay quietly on the desk, still echoing with the Five Elders' cold voices from moments ago—
"The God's Knights have been deployed.Figarland Garling Saint will personally handle this matter."
Kong slowly closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling.
"That kid…""He really knows how to pick his timing."
The Seven Warlords system had only just been announced.The Marines were already simmering beneath the surface.
And now, Gern's punch had shattered the fragile balance between the Marines and the World Government.
Kong opened his eyes, his gaze landing on a photograph atop the desk—
A group photo from an old Marine promotion ceremony.
Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino stood beside him.Gern stood next to Zephyr, a faint, unreadable smile at his lips.
In truth, Kong liked Gern.Otherwise, he wouldn't have limited himself to verbal reprimands every single time.
As Fleet Admiral, with his long-term vision, Kong understood better than anyone—Sakazuki and Gern, together with the others, were the foundation upon which the Marines would face the future.
"Zephyr…"Kong let out a bitter smile."Your disciple really knows how to make you proud."
He rose and walked to the window, looking down at Marineford's harbor.
Warships were lined up in perfect order.Soldiers trained relentlessly, sweat pouring down their bodies.
This was the fortress of justice.The heart of the Marines.
And now, the sword of the God's Knights was pointing straight at it.
Kong drew a deep breath, his fist tightening unconsciously as the weight of the Marines' fate settled on his shoulders.
"They bypassed me to announce the Seven Warlords system…""And now they're trying to pressure me directly."
His eyes followed the soldiers drilling below, each resolute figure embodying the Marines' unyielding will.
"This…""…is the justice we protect."
His fingers dug into the window frame, leaving deep indentations.
Suddenly, Kong spun around, his boots striking the floor with sharp authority.
He grabbed the communicator, his voice exploding across Marineford like thunder:
"All units, attention!Three days from now, the World Government will dispatch the God's Knights—Figarland Garling Saint—for a 'friendly exchange'!"
His voice echoed everywhere—from the harbor to the fortress, from the training grounds to the mess halls.
Every Marine froze.
"During this period, Marine Headquarters Admiral Zephyr, Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp,Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, and—"
He deliberately paused.
"—Vice Admiral Gern Reginald Sigmar,are to suspend all external missions. Mandatory leave."
Kong's gaze swept outside the window, where countless Marines had already begun gathering in the central plaza on their own initiative.
A grim, iron-blooded smile spread across his face.
"Everyone present in Marineford that day—three days from now, assemble at Marine Headquarters Central Plaza!"
"Let us welcome this 'distinguished guest'…""…with the grandest ceremony possible!"
He slammed the communicator down, his roar shaking the air.
"Let those high-and-mighty bastards see for themselves—what a true fortress of justice looks like!Do you understand?!"
"UNDERSTOOD!!!"
The response erupted across Marineford like a tidal wave.
Kong watched the boiling mass of Marines below, resolve flashing in his eyes.
"Let me see…""whether your so-called divine blade is sharper—"
"—or whether the will of the Marines is stronger."
"Come, Garling Saint…"he muttered coldly."Try coming here to take my man—I swear to God, I'll make sure you don't walk out of Marineford alive."
Outside the Fleet Admiral's office, Marine officers straightened instinctively.
After days of escalating public opinion, everyone understood—
This wasn't just a "welcome ceremony."
It was a war—one that would decide the dignity of the Marines themselves.