Garp sat silently in his seat, eyes closed.
"It was Roger's final request to me."
Sakazuki sat across the room, arms crossed, leaning back in his chair without saying a word.
Kong sighed inwardly and asked, "Why did you choose to protect Roger's child?"
Opening his eyes, Garp spoke slowly, "The baby is innocent."
Sakazuki snorted coldly, unimpressed by his unwavering stance. "Its cursed bloodline is a sin in itself."
Garp turned and stared at him. "But the baby wasn't even born yet. Its life hadn't even begun and committed no crime. Are we sentencing it to death just because of a bloodline it had no choice in? That kind of absolute justice… I will never accept it."
Sakazuki took a deep breath. "I can't believe a Vice Admiral would say something like that. From what position do you dare say such things so righteously? The Marines? The people? Or the pirates?
"No crime, huh? If Bullet hadn't stopped Rayleigh that day, do you have any idea how many would've died because of that unborn child?"
Garp clenched his fists. "If it weren't for the surveillance, Roger would've never called Rayleigh in the first place."
Sakazuki laughed out of anger. "So you're saying I'm the one who's wrong?"
Boom!
The table in front of him was instantly smashed to pieces by his fist.
"Enough!" Kong barked and around the room, Sengoku, Zephyr, and others stood up, ready to intervene.
Inhaling deeply, Sakazuki said, "I'm fine."
He then turned and began walking away.
"Carlo!"
The man stood up from the back row.
"Here."
As Sakazuki walked off, he spoke without turning, "Have you found Dragon's trail?"
Carlo nodded. "Yes."
No one in the room knew what Sakazuki was planning when he raised his hand slightly. "Fleet Admiral Kong, I'm going to capture a traitor of the Marines. I'll bring you his head personally."
Everyone was stunned, then Garp shot to his feet, shouting.
"Sakazuki!!!"
The moment his killing intent exploded in fury, Sakazuki suddenly turned around. His own Conqueror's Haki surging out with rage.
"What are you angry about?! When it's your turn, of course you're furious! Then tell me! What of the families of the five thousand soldiers who died on Kergashi Island at Roger's hands?! Don't they have the right to be angry?! Did they not have lives?!
"Their futures were destroyed. Five thousand families torn apart! Did you ever consider whether they were innocent?! Why should they forgive the son of the one who killed their loved ones?! Innocent?! You sit on your high horse and spout such self-righteous words!"
Boom—!
Sakazuki erupted into Crimson Lotus Mode. Blazing red light and thick black smoke rolled off his body as he prepared to strike.
Garp's rage boiled over as well. He glared back, fists clenched tight.
Zephyr and Vice Admiral Morris immediately jumped in front of Sakazuki, saying, "Calm down, Sakazuki."
Sengoku also flashed forward and blocked Garp. "Don't be reckless, Garp."
Watching the situation unfold, Kong roared again, "Enough!!! Everyone, stand down!"
A wave of powerful Conqueror's Haki burst out from him and shook the room.
"Garp is temporarily suspended from duty. Sengoku, take him out of here. Sakazuki, suppress your powers. Zephyr, Morris, get him out too.
"This meeting is over. Everyone cool your heads!
"Get them out of my sight! Now!!"
The usually cheerful Fleet Admiral Kong was rarely this furious and no one dared to defy him. The crowd quickly split into two groups and pulled Garp and Sakazuki apart.
Moments later, the meeting room fell into a heavy silence.
Kong sat down, his expression finally softening as he rubbed his temples. Thinking of Garp, he muttered to himself.
"Idiot..."
Then he got up and stopped out.
* * *
Late at night, in the Holy Land of Mariejois.
Tossing a sheet of paper onto the table before him, Nusjuro said, "The inheritor of the Pluton blueprints has been identified."
Saturn picked it up and scanned it. "The world's greatest shipwright, huh. Hiding in plain sight. He even built ships for Roger, and only got exposed because of the purge. Capture him."
He too threw the document on the table casually, showing he didn't really care.
They knew the truth. What could truly threaten them was the completed weapon itself. A blueprint alone meant nothing. And even if someone could understand it, building it would waste too much time and resources. Besides the World Government, no one had the means to create it.
Capturing him was just something to do. A distraction at best.
Warcury spoke next, changing the subject. "What do you think about the report Kong submitted?"
Mars replied, "Strip Garp of his Hero title. Trying to protect Roger's child. As expected, all those with D in their name are the same."
Nusjuro added, "Let's keep it among the top brass for now. The fallout from Roger still isn't clear. It's not the time for drastic moves. Wait a year or two and observe. Also, Sakazuki did well this time. Find an opportunity to promote him to Admiral, then when the time comes, announce the stripping of Garp's title."
The rest nodded in agreement.
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
Orders were sent out quietly across the world...
* * *
Late at night. Marine Headquarters Port.
Garp sat alone on the stone steps, looking out at the sea.
Sengoku and Tsuru walked over carrying three bags of donuts. They sat down beside him and handed him one.
Taking it silently, Garp tore open the wrapper, and bit into a donut. After chewing a few times, he stopped.
"Sengoku. Tsuru. Did I really make a mistake...?"
Sengoku paused for a few seconds before responding, "I don't want to discourage you, but in this case, Sakazuki wasn't wrong. Roger's evil bloodline can't be allowed to survive in this world."
Tsuru offered a comforting voice. "You were manipulated by Roger. This isn't your fault."
Garp chuckled softly. "How kind of you, Tsuru."
Then he stared blankly at the ocean.
Only the quiet sound of the three eating could be heard on the empty port. When they finished eating, the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon.
Standing up, Sengoku said, "Maybe… you should visit Kergashi Island. See the people whose lives were ruined by Roger."
Garp gazed at the rising sun.
"Kergashi Island..."
* * *
The next day. A small internal meeting was held once more.
Garp's punishment was officially announced and his Hero title was revoked, though the news wouldn't be made public yet. The man himself would be suspended for six months, pending further review.
Kong looked at Garp. "Any objections?"
Garp shook his head. "None."
The fleet admiral nodded. "Meeting adjourned."
As everyone got up to leave, he called out to Sakazuki. Once the room emptied, he said, "Sakazuki, have a seat. You handled this matter well, and your contributions these past years haven't gone unnoticed. We held off on promotion because of your age, but it's about time. Within the next couple years, we'll find the right chance to promote you to Admiral."
Sakazuki let out a short laugh. "Is that so? I'll look forward to it."
Kong chuckled. "You never change."
Then he hesitated for a moment, and brought up something else. "About Dragon. Well... how do I put this. That kid grew up here at HQ. One way or another..."
Sakazuki smiled calmly. "Don't worry, Fleet Admiral. I spoke out of anger. I never really intended to do anything to him."
After all, he was still very useful.
Kong gave a nod, exhaling in relief. "Good. Sorry you had to deal with all that."
Sakazuki shook his head. "It's nothing. All for justice."
* * *
At the Enies Lobby.
The tall, thin chief judge Jorge stared at the secret order from the Five Elders.
"Shipwright Tom, huh… Someone! Prepare the Judicial Ship!"
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