Chapter 28: Sengoku and Garp — The Marines Are Shocked
"The Celestial Dragon was struck."
"That's a World Noble."
"That guy's insane—he hit a Celestial Dragon."
"They stand above everything—so much as a hint of disrespect brings the World Government's punishment."
"Admirals will chase him down."
"This island is about to explode."
"Run!"
The kneeling crowd panicked and scattered, desperate to flee this place of trouble at once. Satan's nerve was too great—he had hit a Celestial Dragon.
"Ding. Wrath detected. Absorb or not."
"Absorb."
"Ding. Gained 500 Wrath. Randomly converted to +50 Strength."
"Wrath? Not approval for Pride?"
Satan's lip curled with disdain. He had thought his actions should align with Pride. The Celestial Dragons were the very image of arrogance, and his words and deeds were more arrogant still. Yet all he received was the commoners' wrath. This world was truly rotten—trampled by Celestial Dragons and too cowed to resist. Beating a Celestial Dragon should have been cause for celebration—yet it was only wrath.
"You… you dare hit me. You're dead."
Saint Charlos placed a call.
Marineford.
Under the World Government's banner stood Marine Headquarters. High walls. Austere halls.
In an office, a burly man with frog-like spectacles, a long chin beard braided into a twist, and a seagull-topped cap rubbed his head.
"Truly a troubled season.
"After the Straw Hat kid challenged Enies Lobby, now someone's hit a Celestial Dragon."
His face was all authority. This was Sengoku, Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters—the Navy's supreme commander. The strategist known as Sengoku the Buddha.
"Terrifying, really—someone struck a Celestial Dragon.
"I'm curious what kind of reckless fool he is."
In Sengoku's office, a man in a yellow suit smiled lewdly, as if hitting a Celestial Dragon wasn't a grave crime but a rather amusing affair. This was Kizaru, Borsalino—the Pika Pika no Mi user, one of the three Admirals. Each Admiral embodied the Navy's highest combat power. Because a Celestial Dragon had been attacked, the top brass had to move.
"Kizaru, be serious.
"A Celestial Dragon was attacked—we must dispatch an Admiral to assist.
"Who's posted at Sabaody Archipelago right now?"
Sengoku's expression hardened. He disliked the Celestial Dragons too, but they were the World Government's face. If they couldn't even be protected, how would the Government preserve its authority?
"He hit a Celestial Dragon—he's already run, right.
"At our speed we still wouldn't make it in time," said a man in a red suit, violence radiating off him. This was Sakazuki—Akainu—the Magu Magu no Mi user, one of the three Admirals.
"Looks like I'll have to go," Kizaru drawled. "I heard Vice Admiral Garp took scheduled leave to Sabaody not long ago. Perhaps we can ask him to act."
The speaker was casual, but the listener was not.
"Buru buru, buru buru."
Sengoku dialed Garp on the Den Den Mushi.
"Yo, Sengoku. I'm on vacation."
Garp's careless voice came through.
"A Celestial Dragon was attacked," Sengoku said bluntly.
"Oh? Who's got guts like that—hit a Celestial Dragon. I admire him," Garp laughed. He'd long wanted to hit a Celestial Dragon himself. But in that uniform, he had to protect them. Even if it chafed, he endured.
"You're at Sabaody Archipelago, aren't you," Sengoku probed.
"I'm not." Garp hung up.
"That scoundrel—he's definitely at Sabaody," Sengoku muttered, face dark. Knowing Garp, he had already guessed his location. He called again.
"Garp, vacation's over. Hang up on me again and I'll cut your donuts."
Sengoku laid down the threat.
"Sengoku, safeguarding Celestial Dragons' dignity is a job for Admirals, isn't it. I'm just a small vice admiral, not suited to this. If I step in, they might think we're slighting them," Garp said, picking his nose.
"Idiot, it'll take us too long to arrive. You're closest to the scene—stop the offender. Kizaru is heading there now. Do the job right and you get three months of donuts," Sengoku said.
"Fine. Leave it to me," Garp laughed. In his eyes, Celestial Dragons were nowhere near as important as donuts. He was also very curious—who dared hit a Celestial Dragon. The world was about to change.
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