"Oh, Kong."
A youthful, amused voice echoed through the Den Den Mushi.
"I am Shirogai Yamikuro. Speak. What is it you want?"
"Shirogai, I will be direct," Kong replied in a deep, steady voice. "A major event will soon take place in Mariejois, the region where Marineford is located. The World Government hopes that you will not involve yourself in this matter."
"You are forbidden from entering the area where Mariejois is located."
"Oh?" Shirogai responded with faint amusement. "That sounds rather distant, considering that I am, at least in name, a Marine."
"So you are telling me, this so-called Navy Chief Instructor, not to involve myself in the major event that is about to occur in Mariejois?"
As he spoke, Shirogai's lips curved into a teasing smile.
"It is fine. If something major happens at Marineford, then simply summon me, this Vice Admiral, to protect it."
…
Kong's mouth twitched.
Summon you, a Pirate whose strength surpasses the Four Emperors, to protect Marineford?
You have not actually started believing you are part of the Marine faction, have you?
If you truly stood on the side of the Marines, then the Whitebeard Pirates would hardly be a threat at all.
Unfortunately…
Kong sighed inwardly, though his tone remained calm and unchanged.
"You will soon understand what is coming. As compensation, the World Government is willing to fulfill several of your demands."
"What is this?" Shirogai scoffed lightly. "A pacifier to stop me from causing trouble?"
He stared at the miniature Den Den Mushi with a more serious gaze, then smiled again.
"You trust me that much? You think that if I promise not to go, I truly will not? That is rather naive, is it not?"
"The World Government trusts your character," Kong said solemnly.
Those words would have made countless pirates burst into laughter.
Trust the character of a pirate?
How utterly absurd.
Even Kong himself felt uncertain as he said it. Yet his thoughts drifted to the judgment of the Navy's great staff officer.
"As long as Shirogai agrees not to intervene in the upcoming war, he will absolutely not go back on his word."
Tsuru had spoken with absolute confidence.
…
Kong had not expected her to place such firm trust in the integrity of a pirate.
…
After the public execution of Portgas D. Ace was confirmed, the Marines convened an emergency meeting.
During the conference, Tsuru clearly laid out the current situation.
"The other Four Emperors are unlikely to act due to their past battles and conflicting interests, but we must still remain on high alert."
"However, the greatest danger lies with a Vice Admiral we recently appointed."
"The de facto Fifth Emperor, Shirogai."
The Marines did not fully conceal his true identity. While the lower ranks remained ignorant, the Vice Admirals and higher officials were fully aware of the truth.
They understood that this so-called ally was, in reality, a terrifyingly powerful pirate forced into an uneasy partnership.
A solemn expression settled over Tsuru's aged face.
"If Shirogai truly chooses to intervene, the Marines have no spare force capable of restraining him."
"A young and vigorous Fifth Emperor with unfathomable power."
"Combined with the old Four Emperors, the World's Strongest Man, Whitebeard."
"And the overwhelming might of the Whitebeard Pirates."
"No one can predict what kind of catastrophe will unfold."
…
Fleet Admiral Sengoku frowned deeply.
Tsuru's concerns mirrored his own.
Logically speaking, Shirogai had no reason to help Whitebeard. In fact, a pirate of his level should welcome the fall of the old Four Emperors to make space for his own rise.
Yet logic had never applied to Shirogai.
A man capable of wielding multiple Devil Fruit powers already defied reason itself.
All known rules twisted when they were applied to him.
And Sengoku knew one more dangerous truth.
Straw Hat Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and a close companion of Shirogai, and Ace, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, were sworn brothers.
With such ties, the possibility of Shirogai entering the war could not be dismissed.
"Then why do we not send troops to eliminate him before the announcement?" a naive Vice Admiral suggested.
"Rejected," Tsuru replied calmly without even looking at him.
"But…"
The Vice Admiral refused to give up and turned toward the three Admirals for support.
…
The Admirals remained indifferent.
One slept lazily beneath an eye mask.
One gazed idly into the distance.
The last calmly smoked a cigar while reviewing documents.
…
The officers who had once fought Shirogai exchanged helpless glances.
This man truly does not understand.
If the Marines were capable of threatening Shirogai, would they have needed to shamelessly appoint him as Navy Chief Instructor?
The ignorant Vice Admiral could only retreat in silence.
"Why not just ask him directly?" Garp said casually as he slurped noodles. "Why sit here thinking so hard?"
"That kid hides plenty of schemes," he continued, "but he is no scoundrel who breaks his word."
"Unlike the World Government, which lies as naturally as breathing."
…
The senior officers clasped their hands, gazed at the ceiling, and pretended not to hear the Hero of the Navy openly slandering the government.
"If he says he will not interfere, then he unquestionably will not interfere."
Garp drained his bowl, slammed it down, and stood up.
"Garp, where are you going?" Sengoku asked wearily.
"Hahaha, this old man is going to Impel Down to see whether my grandson has been bullied by you lot."
Without turning back, Garp strode out of the room, laughter echoing behind him.
…
Sengoku sighed heavily.
He understood Garp's pain, masked as laughter.
Originally, Sengoku had hoped to keep Garp out of this tragedy.
But the World Government had overruled him.
Facing the full might of Whitebeard, how could they afford to leave such a powerful warrior unused?
Even knowing the tangled relationship between Garp and Ace, the order was given.
Vice Admiral Garp would guard the execution platform.
Sengoku knew exactly what the World Government believed.
That the Hero of the Navy would never allow personal emotions to endanger the Marines.
He was noble.
And noble people were always the most convenient tools.
Guard your adopted grandson.
Watch him be executed.
Watch him die with your own eyes.
"Fools!" Sengoku suddenly cursed aloud.
…
The Vice Admirals stared at him in confusion.
…
The three Admirals reacted at once.
Aokiji lifted his eye mask slightly.
Kizaru's wrinkled face twisted into a strange smile. "How truly frightening."
Akainu snorted coldly, his gaze still fixed on his documents.
Sengoku's voice deepened with iron resolve.
"The Marines do not have the strength to contend with another Emperors-level powerhouse."
"Let the World Government handle the negotiations with Shirogai."
"We will focus solely on defeating the Whitebeard Pirates."
____
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