"Ace's public execution, Sengoku!"
"..."
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, silence fell for a brief moment.
"Tap—"
Sengoku stepped forward and placed his hand firmly on his old friend's shoulder.
He didn't say a word, but Garp could feel the strength in it—the understanding, the recognition.
"..."
Tsuru placed a cup of hot tea gently in front of Garp, her eyes warm.
"Sigh..."
After a long exhale, Sengoku sat back in his seat.
The atmosphere in the office instantly shifted—from suffocating grief to the sharp, chilling aura of a storm about to sweep across the seas.
"Since it's been decided, let's begin discussing the deployment."
Sengoku interlocked his fingers, resting them on the desk, his gaze sharp.
"That old man Whitebeard is the most protective of his men. Once he hears that Ace is to be executed, his entire crew will inevitably come charging out."
"Our goal is not to repel them. Not to simply hold them off."
"But to annihilate them!"
"To erase the name 'Whitebeard' and his pirate crew from these seas once and for all!"
"Hmm..."
Tsuru nodded slightly, picking up the thread,
"Then we must first recall Sakazuki from the New World..."
"But if we do, there will be a massive gap in the New World's defenses..."
She looked at Sengoku.
"Should we consider holding the public execution at Branch G-3?"
"..."
Sengoku's brows furrowed slightly.
Tsuru continued,
"Branch G-3 is located in Paradise, far from the New World and also away from the Holy Land."
"If other Yonko crews want to stir trouble, it would take them far longer to arrive."
"..."
Sengoku fell into deep thought.
The plan was tempting.
But the price would also be great.
If they moved the execution site to G-3, it would mean the Marines would have to temporarily abandon both Marineford and their New World branches.
It would be no different from declaring to the world that the Marines were retreating from the New World.
But...
The enemies of the Marines in the future are not only pirates, but also the World Government itself.
If they could wipe out the Whitebeard Pirates while controlling casualties, that would be the best outcome.
With the Marines' current strength—himself, Tsuru, Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, and Hawke fresh from his trial at Impel Down...
Forget one Whitebeard. Even if another Yonko crew came, the Marines could handle it.
But what if...
Another one came? Or worse...
What if the Yonko came out in full force?
Just as Sengoku wavered in hesitation, Garp, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.
"I'll go."
His voice wasn't loud, but it made Sengoku and Tsuru both turn to look at him.
"I'll replace Sakazuki and hold the line in the New World."
"This..."
Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged glances, both seeing shock and relief in the other's eyes.
It was indeed the perfect solution.
Having Garp hold the New World not only solved the problem of the power gap, but also allowed him... to avoid witnessing the cruel execution scene.
"Good."
Sengoku nodded solemnly.
"If you need support, contact headquarters at once. I'll have Borsalino rush over at top speed."
"Garp..."
Tsuru's voice was full of gentle warmth.
"This isn't your fault."
"Bwahahaha—!"
"Tsuru, you're still as gentle as ever!"
Garp laughed loudly as he stood up and stretched.
"Then I'll go make preparations!"
"Those little brats in the New World better not bore this old man too much!"
He turned and strode out of the Fleet Admiral's office.
"Bang—!"
The great doors shut behind him.
In the hallway, the smile instantly vanished from Garp's face, replaced by a chilling gloom as cold as still water.
He clenched his fists tightly, murderous intent flooding from his body.
"There had better be some fool... with no eyes to see... who dares provoke this old man!"
...
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged a glance.
Tsuru was the first to speak.
"Bartholomew Kuma has already sworn loyalty. Vegapunk has modified the full control of the Pacifistas to Marine Headquarters—they can be deployed at any time."
"This time, however, there won't be enough time. After the war, Vegapunk will conduct a full upgrade and optimization for the Pacifistas."
"Updating their appearance, adding Sakazuki's magma and Kuzan's ice to their attack methods..."
"Hmm."
Sengoku nodded in agreement.
"Then what about the remaining Shichibukai, Sengoku? Do we need to summon them?"
"..."
"That brat Hawke killed too quickly—two Shichibukai slots are still empty and haven't been filled..."
"Kuma is now ours. 'Sea Knight' Jinbe has close ties with Whitebeard; he may refuse the summons, perhaps even turn against us."
"Hawk Eyes Mihawk is a lone wolf. As for the 'Empress' Hancock..."
"Hmph—"
Sengoku snorted coldly.
"Summon them symbolically. If they come, good. If not, it doesn't matter."
"The Marines no longer need such unstable external forces!"
"As for Doflamingo..."
"Once Whitebeard is dealt with, he'll be next!"
"Hmm."
Tsuru gave a small nod, agreeing with Sengoku's judgment.
"Aside from the standard garrisons at Alabasta and Branch G-3, I'll issue orders to draw elite forces from all other Marine branches."
"Good... and also, have Zephyr bring the rookies along. Let them see blood—it'll do them good."
"Place them in the second line, under protection."
"Yes, but Sengoku..."
Tsuru's tone carried a trace of worry.
"I'm concerned about Zephyr's health..."
"So am I. I mentioned this matter to Hawke before..."
Sengoku said,
"Besides urging Vegapunk to accelerate development of a special medicine, that kid gave me another solution."
"Oh?"
Tsuru's eyes brightened with interest.
"What solution?"
"There is a fruit that could help Zephyr."
"Though I don't know where that kid gets so much intel, he's been right every time."
A faint smile tugged at Sengoku's lips.
"I've already put the task on the mission board..."
"Borsalino has quite a list of assignments. Once he completes them all, plus all his accumulated rewards, he'll have enough to live a very comfortable retirement."
"So..."
Tsuru pierced straight to the heart of it.
"You've promised him a permanent Admiral rank with a leisurely post."
"Hmm."
"Sengoku, once I'm done assisting you with the deployments, I'll also head to the New World."
Tsuru's gaze turned toward the door, full of concern.
"I'll go watch over Garp..."
Sengoku looked at his partner of decades and slowly nodded.
"Alright."
"..."
All deployments were now settled.
The terrifying war machine that was the Marines had been wound tight, waiting only for the order to bare its most ferocious fangs at the world.
A war that could overturn the balance of the entire world had already begun.
Sengoku picked up the Den Den Mushi on his desk and dialed a number.
"Blu-buru-buru~"
The call quickly connected.
"Hawke."
"This is Sengoku."