Chapter 60: The Aftermath and an Unexpected Summons
Garp was practically standing on the table, pointing a triumphant finger at Ian. "Look! This is my apprentice! Did you see that? He killed a mammoth! A Calamity!"
After a short, stunned silence, Sengoku rose from his seat, his expression unreadable. "Ian," he began, his voice measured, "so you realized Conqueror's Haki Infusion during the battle, and then used it to kill Jack of the Beasts Pirates. Is that correct?"
Ian nodded, adding a carefully crafted layer of justification. "To be precise, he forced me into a corner. I didn't know that final punch would kill him. I just wanted to use all my strength to stop him from causing any more destruction. He was too strong. I was fighting for my own life, so I didn't dare hold back."
It was the perfect spin.
"Ian," Sengoku continued, shifting to a more formal tone, "as a Major General, you are aware that engaging the core cadres of a Yonko requires prior authorization from Headquarters. Why didn't you report the situation as soon as you received the intelligence?"
This was the expected reprimand, the necessary adherence to protocol from the Fleet Admiral. Ian was ready.
"At that moment, Marshal, my subordinates and I were only thinking about rescuing civilians as quickly as possible. We didn't consider anything else," Ian explained, his voice earnest. "Lives were on the line. Letting a monster like Jack run rampant for even one more minute could have meant dozens more casualties, countless innocent families shattered."
He had prepared for a protracted debate on rules versus morality. But then, Sengoku's demeanor shifted unexpectedly.
"Ian," he asked, his tone suddenly gentle, "are you satisfied with the speed of your promotion?"
Ian: "???"
Has the old goat changed his tune?
This curveball completely threw off Ian's prepared script. "The promotion speed is... satisfactory," he answered, choosing his words carefully. "It's rare for someone my age to reach the rank of Major General. I know it's thanks to the support and opportunities given to me by the leadership at Headquarters. I'm very grateful."
Inner thoughts: It's too slow! I should be an Admiral by now!
Sengoku nodded, a look of paternal satisfaction on his face, before returning to his stern composure. "Good. You will return to your base by ship and continue your garrison duties. Tomorrow morning's newspapers will report the death of Jack, a top officer of the Beasts Pirates."
Before anyone else could react, Garp shot to his feet. "Sengoku, what are you saying? Reporting Jack's death and sending Ian back to Sabaody? Do you think Kaido will just sit back after losing a Calamity? You're sending Ian out to face Kaido's wrath alone? To face an entire Yonko crew?"
No one stopped Garp's outburst. He was voicing the undeniable truth. Once the news broke, Kaido would be on the warpath, and Ian, stationed at Sabaody, would be a sitting duck.
Sengoku remained calm. "And what would Kaido want with Ian?" he countered smoothly. "Ian fought a desperate battle against Jack on Sabaody and was severely wounded. Wasn't it our Admiral Kizaru who arrived just in time to save Ian and finish off Jack?"
A profound silence fell over the room.
Kizaru, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened up, his sunglasses glinting. "Ah? Marshal... you can do that?"
The strange turn of events in the meeting had completely surpassed Ian's expectations. He didn't personally care if the world knew he had killed Jack; in fact, keeping it secret suited his purposes better. Marshal Sengoku's maneuver was simple: to protect Ian, he was shifting the credit—and the blame—for Jack's death onto Admiral Kizaru. Given their respective power levels, it was a plausible story. And if Kaido sought revenge, his target would be the entire Marine organization or its New World branches, not a single Major General.
The latter part of the meeting involved strategic deployments: sending Admirals Akainu and Aokiji to the New World branches nearest to Onigashima, ready to respond with targeted strikes if Kaido made a move, avoiding an all-out war for now. It was a two-pronged strategy from Sengoku to protect Ian and control the escalating situation.
Exiting the Conference Room.
Ian looked up at the Marine flag fluttering high above Headquarters. It seemed... this place wasn't as bad as he had thought?
"Jock Ian."
A powerful, gravelly voice came from behind. Ian turned to see a massively built man with a red rose pinned to his lapel walking towards him with an air of immense authority.
Admiral of the Marine Headquarters, Akainu, Sakazuki.
Throughout the entire meeting, Akainu had not spoken a single word to Ian. They had never even met before. Ian was puzzled by this sudden summons after the fact.
"Admiral Akainu," Ian said, his tone questioning. "Do you have instructions for me?"
"Follow me," Akainu stated coldly, his stern face giving nothing away. It didn't seem like this would be a pleasant conversation.
Garp and Aokiji had remained in the conference room with Sengoku, planning the New World strategy. Akainu, however, had not only left but had sought out Ian. Was he angry that Ian's actions had caused trouble? Was he going to personally reprimand him?
This is still Marine Headquarters, Ian reasoned. If Akainu wants to vent, he can only yell. He can't actually do anything here.
Ian followed Akainu's brisk pace down a corridor and into a building. They arrived at a door which Akainu opened, gesturing for Ian to enter. It appeared to be an office—Akainu's office, judging by the pot of red roses on the desk, matching the one on his coat.
"Take a seat," Akainu said, his tone serious but not overtly hostile. Ian had no idea what this was about, but he sat down, his mind racing, ready for whatever the formidable Admiral had to say.
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