Akainu had originally wanted to bring up his earlier suggestion—using the Sorbet Kingdom as leverage against Bartholomew Kuma. But the moment he heard that the Holy Knight Order would personally move against the Aratatsu Pirates, he chose to remain silent.
The Holy Knights, composed of the elite of the Celestial Dragons, were proud and arrogant beyond reason. If he dared offer advice, they would likely sneer and humiliate him.
No one gave orders to the Holy Knights. Not even the average Celestial Dragon could dictate their actions.
Aokiji, Kuzan, also stayed quiet. He was perfectly fine with the Holy Knights handling the Aratatsu Pirates—so long as the Navy didn't have to do it themselves. The Navy was already stretched thin fighting other pirates; they couldn't afford to let the Aratatsu Pirates consume all their resources.
Besides, Souta Kiryuu—the so-called "Desolate Dragon"—was a government experiment gone wrong. Since the World Government had created this monster, it was their responsibility to deal with him.
"Given the Navy's disastrous performance this time, all bonuses and vacations for the year are hereby revoked. Furthermore, I, Aokiji, and Kizaru will all have our pay docked for a month."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's cold announcement echoed across the chamber. He and Kuzan didn't care much, but Kizaru's already sour expression only deepened, wrinkles creasing his face. Still, there was nothing he could do but accept the punishment.
This time, he hadn't slacked off. The Aratatsu Pirates simply moved too quickly; by the time he reacted, even Kizaru's speed wasn't enough to catch them.
As the meeting dispersed, Sengoku ordered Monkey D. Garp to remain stationed permanently at Navy Headquarters, to prevent another sudden assault by the Aratatsu Pirates.
He even canceled all of Garp's vacations for the following year. Furious, Garp nearly punched Sengoku right then and there.
After all, his trips back to the East Blue weren't for leisure—they were to train his grandson. Sengoku had already criticized him for failing to raise Ace properly. Now that Garp was focusing on Luffy, Sengoku was taking even that away from him.
Next year, Luffy would turn seventeen. Without his leave, Garp wouldn't be able to keep an eye on the hotheaded boy who shouted day and night about becoming Pirate King.
Impossible!
That was unacceptable!
Garp resolved to fight Sengoku tooth and nail. There was no way he would allow Luffy to set out to sea as a pirate.
And so, the endless cycle of quarrels between the Fleet Admiral and the Hero of the Marines began anew.
The Holy Land: Mariejois
High above the Red Line, in the heart of the Holy Land, Im-sama was furious.
The Five Elders had failed to keep Vegapunk under control. Because of their incompetence, the Mother Flame project had stalled, and the power source for the Celestial Dragons' "National Treasure" might be delayed for countless more years.
For centuries, it had been rare to find a scientist of Vegapunk's caliber—someone who had eaten the Brain-Brain Fruit and gained wisdom centuries ahead of his peers. Im had placed hope in him. With Vegapunk, the Mother Flame project might finally succeed.
And now this disaster.
In recent days, the Five Elders had spent countless hours kneeling in the Void Throne's hall, begging forgiveness.
The order for the Holy Knights to fully mobilize had not been for vengeance. It had been Im's command.
Even the deaths of Celestial Dragons Charlemac Saint and Jaygarcia Saturn's protégé, Zabith Saint, were not enough to justify the Knights' total deployment. But the loss of Vegapunk was.
"You've caused us far too many problems, Saturn."
The Holy Knight Commander, Figarland Garling, strode into the Five Elders' chamber, his crescent-shaped hair gleaming as the sword at his hip clinked against his armor.
"I did not expect that insect of an experiment to reach such heights," Saturn muttered, his face dark. Souta Kiryuu's defiance and even Zabith's death hadn't shaken him much. But losing Vegapunk—and earning Im's wrath—was humiliation beyond measure.
"The destruction of Enies Lobby has hindered my work as well," said Topman Valkyrie, the Elder of Law. His tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp. "Our CP9 agents investigating the blueprints of Pluton have failed. If Souta Kiryuu has uncovered them, the situation becomes dangerous."
"With Vegapunk in his hands, uncertainty grows," Valkyrie continued. "Everything is at risk."
"They haven't openly purchased resources from the underworld," said Finance Elder Nusjuro, gripping the Supreme Grade Sword First Kitetsu. The blade radiated killing intent as his golden spectacles flashed coldly. "But it's possible they're cooperating with the Revolutionary Army for supplies."
"Indeed," added Marcus Mars, the Elder of Environment. "The Aratatsu Pirates have captured many Devil Fruit users. With Vegapunk's artificial Zoans and the 'Green Blood' serums, they could mass-produce ability users. That is far more dangerous than even the Four Emperors."
"Shall we strike at Bartholomew Kuma's homeland, the Sorbet Kingdom? Or Vegapunk's homeland, Baldimore?" suggested Shepherd Ju Peter, the Agriculture Elder, his face devoid of expression.
"If we strike Baldimore, Vegapunk will surely turn fully against us," Saturn cautioned. He was a scientist himself and knew he could not match Vegapunk's genius. The Mother Flame required Vegapunk's brilliance to complete.
"Hmph! Enough stalling," Garling snapped, his voice cold as steel. "If we can't find Souta Kiryuu's lair, we'll force him out. I've decided—we strike the Sorbet Kingdom. Kuma will reveal himself."
His eyes burned with contempt. "That Buccaneer slave dared defy the Celestial Dragons, dared to steal the prize of the Paw-Paw Fruit meant for his master. He'll regret it. I'll see him suffer a fate worse than death."
None of the Five Elders objected.
Thus, the plan was set—the Sorbet Kingdom would be targeted.
Garling swept his cloak around him and left the chamber, already preparing to summon the Holy Knights. They would crush Kuma, draw out Souta Kiryuu, and turn the Sorbet Kingdom into nothing more than a Celestial Dragon's private playground.
Another "Cleansing" would begin.