Sengoku also calmed down upon hearing this. He cast his gaze toward the "involved parties" in the room—those who had previously clashed directly with Takero.
"Tell me... what kind of guy is that Takero, exactly?"
Kuzan was the first to speak, his tone more solemn than ever before. "Powerful. The feeling I got was... overwhelmingly powerful. In front of him, I fell in just a few moves. I was almost... completely defenseless."
Zephyr found this somewhat unbelievable. He knew Kuzan's strength better than anyone. "I've also fought that guy before. While he's strong, it didn't seem to be to the point of being completely unbeatable, did it? Logically speaking, I'm older and lack stamina. As long as he doesn't transform into that special 'Giant Ape' state, with the strength of you youngsters, dealing with him should be easier, right?"
Upon hearing this, Kuzan's expression became even more serious. "That can only mean one thing, Zephyr Sensei. That guy... in just a few short years, his strength has, once again, had an... extremely terrifying leap in improvement."
Vice Admiral Tsuru felt a bone-chilling coldness deep within her after hearing this. A monster who is young, already unfathomably strong, and is constantly growing stronger at an inconceivable speed. And such a person has, astonishingly, become an enemy of the Marines. It's simply too terrifying.
Sengoku also felt a headache coming on. 'How can such a guy be defeated?'
Just as the atmosphere once again fell into silence and solemnity, Kizaru, however, weakly raised his hand and offered his "unique" opinion. "Um... Fleet Admiral. If you ask me, why do we have to bother with him?"
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting!" Sengoku fumed. "We are the Marine! That guy is the World Government's highest-level wanted criminal!"
"But," Kizaru continued, "He's wanted only because of some messed-up things the World Government itself caused. What direct relation does that have to our Marine? He doesn't steal, he doesn't rob, and I've never heard of him actively harming civilians."
If Doflamingo had heard this, he would surely have said, 'Speak for me.' But unfortunately, he couldn't know about the Marine High Command's closed-door meeting, and Kizaru continued to express his thoughts.
"In fact... under the management of his 'Golden Group,' the entire North Blue is now orderly, and the pirate and crime rates have dropped significantly. He's simply... more like the 'Marine' than we are."
At these words, everyone in the room simultaneously exchanged glances. Then, from each other's eyes, they all saw a hint of... awkwardness. Thinking about it carefully, it seemed that was actually the case. They, the Marine, painstakingly uphold justice. Yet, they were not even as good as a wanted "criminal"? If this got out, people would laugh their heads off.
Seeing this, Kizaru continued, fully implementing his "lying flat philosophy." "Anyway, we can't beat him. That guy himself doesn't do anything truly bad. At most, it's just that those old geezers in the World Government find him an eyesore. Since that's the case, then let him develop on his own. If anything happens, let the World Government figure out how to solve it themselves."
As the saying goes, when the thought of lying flat arises, the world suddenly widens! No wonder that kid Borsalino is so used to lying flat; this feeling is so wonderful!
Sengoku's thoughts instantly cleared! That's right! You, the World Government, caused such a huge mess yourselves, so why should we, the Marine, clean up your messes again and again?! Although we, the Marine, are also under your World Government's jurisdiction, this is just too much!
Thus, Sengoku made a wise decision that would change the future direction of the Marine. "From now on, as long as that 'Golden Group' doesn't actively do anything bad that harms world peace... we, the Marine, when we encounter them, will... leave them alone!"
"What about... the Gorosei, if they issue another order?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked worriedly.
"Hmph." Sengoku snorted coldly and said indifferently, "The facts have already proven it. We, the Marine, simply cannot defeat that monster named Takero. Unless those old geezers of the Gorosei truly disregard the stability of the entire sea and decide to mobilize all the Marine in the world to subjugate him alone. Then... I'll have nothing to say."
Everyone in the room thought about it and indeed agreed with this logic. So, they all expressed their consent.
Garp slowly stood up. "Alright, since there's nothing else, then this old man will take a vacation and go see his adorable grandson."
Sengoku: "..."
"Get... out... now!"
The Oracle of Imu
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land Mary Geoise, in the deepest part of Pangea Castle, hailed as the "Pinnacle of World Power."
Inside a vast, empty, yet supremely majestic hall.
The five "World's Highest Authorities" who usually dictate the fate of the entire world—the Five Elders (Gorosei)—were now kneeling on one knee in an extremely humble posture before the giant 'Empty Throne' that symbolized the "King of the World." Their faces no longer showed the usual aloof indifference with which they regarded all living beings as ants. Instead, every one of their faces was filled with reverence.
Time, within this terrifyingly silent hall, seemed to have frozen.
It was unknown how long passed. Finally... a figure, without any warning, emerged directly as if from the void. It was a mysterious figure, completely shrouded in a dark robe, whose face could not be seen.
She, as if no one else was present, directly sat upon the 'Empty Throne,' which was supposed to remain 'vacant' forever. Then, she slowly raised her head and looked down with emotionless eyes at the five rulers prostrate at her feet. Her gaze was as if she was looking at... five slightly stronger ants. [Examples of the mysterious Imu and the Five Elders who secretly rule the world are provided in the ranking file, citing them as Tier 7: Divine Rulers & Cosmic Arbiters 1].
The Gorosei below remained silent. But from their slightly trembling bodies and the fine cold sweat constantly seeping from their temples, it was clear how nervous they were at this moment!
Finally, the figure on the throne spoke. Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable authority.
"...Imu already knows."
Just one sentence made the Gorosei below tremble violently and uncontrollably again!
"Regarding that one, called Takero..."
"...the 'variable.'"
The figure on the throne paused, seemingly deep in thought.
Then, she slowly delivered her final... 'oracle.'
"...Nothing... to fear."
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