The news of Creed's bounty spread, sending the whole world into an uproar.
A 2 billion bounty?! What did that mean?
It was a bounty on the level of a Yonko!
Even the top officers of the Yonko crews usually only had bounties a little over 1 billion. For example, Katakuri's was 1.057 billion; Jack's was 1 billion; Queen's was 1.32 billion…
This meant the World Government had officially recognized Creed's strength as being on par with a Yonko!
Not only did bounty hunters and assassin organizations go wild, but other pirates were also fired up.
Whoever took Creed's head wouldn't just claim the fortune—it would bring fame throughout the New World, possibly paving the way to becoming the Fifth Emperor!
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's office.
"Bang!"
One of the doors was kicked open, slamming into the wall behind Sengoku.
Garp stormed in, face filled with fury, glaring at Sengoku's troubled expression.
"Smack!"
He slammed the bounty notice down on Sengoku's desk.
"You'd better explain this to me clearly, or we're done being friends!"
Garp's rough breathing and bulging veins showed just how furious he was.
"Marine traitor!"
Those four words were the most disgraceful, most damning label possible!
Though Creed hadn't been in the Marines for long, the merits he had achieved in those few short years were nearly at the level of an Admiral!
If not for his young age, he might have already been considered a candidate for Admiral.
And now, the World Government had branded him a traitor?!
What a joke!
Sengoku understood Garp's rage. After all, unlike Dragon, who stirred up revolutions everywhere against the World Government, Creed had always been Garp's most prized hope for the Marines' future.
Garp had entrusted his dream of the "soul of the Marines" to Creed, believing he could one day shoulder the weight of the Navy and restore peace to the seas and the Grand Line.
But today, all that was shattered.
For an aging man like Garp, few things could be more painful.
"Garp, sit down, don't rush. There must be some misunderstanding!" Sengoku said, frustrated.
He had only just received word from Commander-in-Chief Kong himself. The World Government had given no further explanation, only saying that Creed had offended the Celestial Dragons, causing a massive disaster, and that the Marines must fully cooperate in hunting him down.
"Bang!"
The other door was also kicked open, crashing into the opposite wall of Sengoku's office.
This time it was Admiral Zephyr.
"Sengoku, you'd better explain. It was you who ordered Creed recalled from the New World, and yet somehow he ended up at Mary Geoise!"
Zephyr's sharp gaze bore into Sengoku, making cold sweat bead on his forehead.
"Forget it, Zephyr. He won't tell us anything useful. Let's go straight to Commander Kong."
Garp turned to leave.
"Humph." Zephyr snorted coldly and followed.
"Wait!"
Sengoku hesitated, then followed them out.
He thought to himself: a Marine Hero, a Marine Teacher, and the Fleet Admiral himself—perhaps together they could plead Creed's case before Kong?
But deep down, Sengoku knew the chances were slim.
If Creed had truly angered the Celestial Dragons, then even the Commander-in-Chief might not be able to protect him.
After all, the Celestial Dragons were the true rulers of this world. They held sway over the World Government itself, and even the Commander-in-Chief ranked beneath the Five Elders…
"Humph! If you hadn't come with us, our friendship would be over! And when I get back, I'd beat you up too!" Garp grumbled as Sengoku caught up.
"Creed is my proudest disciple, the Marines' future! Even if it means offending the Celestial Dragons, I, Zephyr, will not back down."
Zephyr's cold words made Sengoku's face darken.
"Zephyr! Don't say such reckless things!" Sengoku snapped.
In the New World, aboard the Moby Dick.
Whitebeard read the day's newspaper while drinking.
Soon, he let out his booming laugh.
"Marine traitor! Bounty 2 billion! This Creed is really something! Gurararara!"
Beside him, Marco frowned. "Pops, that's enough. You've already had two bowls today—you can't keep drinking."
He was worried about Whitebeard's health, especially since the doctors had just warned him yesterday not to drink during treatment.
"By the way, what of Creed's G-K Branch?" Whitebeard asked, recalling something.
Not long ago, Jack had led forces to wipe it out.
"I heard Jack suffered a heavy setback there. He was stopped by the Vice Commander of G-K, a man named Fujitora, who sank all the ships with meteors. But the fight left both sides badly wounded."
"Also, at G-K, there's a female Colonel named Ain, and a young dragon named Falkor. Both wield lightning powers. Aside from Fujitora and Jack, their brilliance shone brightest in that battle."
"In fact, if not for Ain and that lightning dragon, G-K Branch wouldn't have held. Jack had brought several powerful officers…"
"Ain is Creed's adjutant. She often travels with him. Their relationship is very close…"
"Oh, and Pops—rumor has it Creed used his Ope Ope no Mi in Mary Geoise to swap the heads of some Celestial Dragons with dogs."
Marco knew Whitebeard was particularly interested in Creed, so he had gathered as much news as possible.
"Human heads on dog bodies? Gurarara! Well done, Creed! Those arrogant trash, too proud to even breathe the same air as us—this form suits them perfectly!"
Whitebeard laughed heartily again, lifting his bowl for another drink.
"There's more. Queen, upon hearing of Jack's defeat, is already leading a fleet toward G-K Branch…" Marco reported, watching Whitebeard set his bowl down.
Whitebeard fell silent for a moment, then said:
"Queen is quite the figure. But he always strikes when others are weak. Marco, take men and intercept him. I won't allow G-K Branch to be destroyed."
Marco froze briefly, then nodded. "Understood, Pops. I'll go at once."
He strode to the ship's bow and shouted to the fleet:
"Pops has ordered it! Intercept Queen! First, Fifth, and Sixth Divisions, follow my command!"
His voice rang out strong, audible for miles.
"Yes, Commander!"
"Fifth Division Captain Vista, acknowledged!"
"Sixth Division Captain Blamenco, acknowledged!"
Three resounding replies followed.
"Selected divisions, veer left! Break formation!" Marco commanded.
The pirates aboard the Moby Dick and its fleet grew restless with excitement.
"No way! We're really going after Queen? This is insane!"
"It's been too long since we clashed with Kaido. I almost missed it."
"Kaido's been bragging nonstop lately, calling himself the New World's strongest Emperor."
"Hah! He's no match for Pops. Some 'strongest Emperor' he is."
"Still, defeating Kaido is one thing—killing him is another!"
"Commander Marco! Can I join in?! Fighting Kaido always fires me up!"
"Count me in too!"
In an instant, the whole Moby Dick erupted in eager voices.
(End of Chapter)
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