"Sakazuki, the Navy Headquarters has now decided to suspend your Admiral rank. You are to cease all current operations immediately and return to HQ at once to deliver a full report to Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
This is your suspension order—read it yourself!"Vice Admiral Tsuru stepped forward and tossed a plain white sheet of paper at Sakazuki.
This time, catching the paper, Sakazuki didn't incinerate it. Instead, he clenched it in his hand and shot a cold look toward Renji Kai and the others.
"You idiots—watch your backs! One day, I will make you pay for this!"With that veiled threat, Sakazuki stormed off the plaza.
At the same time, the three Marine Vice Admirals gathered around Tsuru.
"You three are to return with Sakazuki and thoroughly review your actions!"Tsuru said.
He understood they had reasons for defying orders, but defiance was defiance all the same—so they were expected to answer for it.
"Understood. Thank you,"Yamakaji and the others replied respectfully, then followed him from the scene.
Once everyone had departed, Garp finally stepped forward to meet Renji Kai and his crew.
By now, Renji Kai's Might Guy possession had ended—if Garp tried to hit him now, he could easily land a catastrophic blow.
However, it was clear that Garp had no intention of attacking.
Instead, he stood and calmly delivered his message.
Beside him, the trio of pirates and Bartolomeo were on high alert—Bartolomeo even reformed his barrier hand sign in case of an attack.
"The World Government has formally issued commissions to you and your crew," Garp announced. "From this moment, you are officially **one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Congratulations."Renji Kai, stunned, stared at him blankly.
Everyone else—Bartolomeo, Crocodile, Bullet—gawked in disbelief.
They had thought Renji Kai's trip to Mariejois was just bravado—never that he'd actually be granted such authority.
If he accepted, it would legally allow him to enter the Holy Land of Mariejois.
"How dare the World Government assume I'd accept this title? The Warlord system doesn't appeal to me in the least!"Renji Kai exclaimed, his voice seething.
Garp raised an eyebrow—Renji Kai was clearly denying it.
The atmosphere tensed again.
"Who does this make you, then?" grumbled Garp, clenching his fists.
Renji took a slow breath before replying resolutely:
"If I'm going to take this on, I demand a higher rank. Those other Warlords must be under my command. And I'll answer to no one."
Garp froze for a moment… then burst out laughing.
"Kid, you've got some nerve. But commanding other Warlords isn't up to me. That's the World Government's call—so are you messing with us?"
Renji fired back:
"You're just a Vice Admiral. You weren't sent here to negotiate—you were sent to deliver a message and test me. Don't act like you don't know."
Garp's expression darkened; at his side, Bullet's fist began glowing with red-black aura.
A major confrontation seemed imminent.
But Garp sighed softly and spoke again:
"If you want a higher rank from the Government and the Navy, you'll have to earn it."
Renji nodded.
"I've helped you take down plenty of pirates—including Crocodile and Douglas Bullet. I've done the Navy and the Government a huge favor.
Next, I'll destroy the other Warlords and bring them under my banner."
He paused, eyes blazing.
"But once I do, my power will be at a whole new level. Even the Navy might not be able to face me head-on."