Marine Headquarters, hospital.
In the topmost floor's special care ward, two towering men lay side by side, their bodies covered in wounds—hardly a single patch of intact skin left.
Tubes and medical instruments were plugged all over them.
They were none other than Sakazuki and Kuzan.
If not for the advanced medical capabilities of Marine Headquarters—and the fact that Vegapunk had just sent over a newly upgraded batch of medical equipment—the two of them would've been in far graver danger.
Even so, though they were no longer in critical condition, their injuries were so severe that they could only lie in bed, half-dead, barely managing to chat.
For two people who had always been like fire and ice, this was, in some sense, the greatest punishment imaginable.
"Huff… huff… This time we really lost completely, huh." Kuzan's laugh rasped like a bellows; after all, there were still a few holes in his chest that hadn't healed properly, making it difficult to breathe.
"We're Admirals, yet we were nearly taken out by Michael, that guy."
"That's because from beginning to end, you completely misjudged Michael's strength," Sakazuki's voice was unusually weak. He couldn't even hold his beloved special-issue cigar between his lips.
"I'm different. I knew from the start that Michael was a freak, so my injuries are lighter than yours."
"What's the point of being less injured? You still got hauled into surgery the same as me. You're lying here like a corpse just like me, aren't you?" Kuzan tried to curl his lips, but the motion tugged at the wound on his neck, making him wince in pain.
"Tch! Damn, that hurts… But I still don't get it—Garp-sensei fought too, didn't he? How come his injuries are so light? I heard he just bandaged himself up and went home to sleep."
"Do you even need to ask? What's your relationship with Michael, and what's Garp's relationship with him? Garp was your teacher once. You don't know his temperament by now?"
Sakazuki's words left Kuzan speechless.
Come to think of it… he was right.
Though Kuzan was somewhat familiar with Michael, could they really be called close?
Not at all.
He hadn't even interacted with Michael as many times as Sakazuki had.
Still, the thought made him sigh.
"I thought it was a fight to the death, but turns out, it was just a favor between old friends."
"Hmph. Whether it was a death match or a favor, the fact remains—we were too weak."
After saying that, Sakazuki closed his eyes and fell silent.
Kuzan turned his head with effort to look at him, eyes filled with suspicion and scrutiny.
He wasn't blind.
During that battle, though he had been the first to fall, before losing consciousness he had clearly seen…
Sakazuki and Michael—talking.
Not the kind of verbal clash exchanged mid-battle, but an actual conversation.
It had only stopped when Garp suddenly interrupted them with a mighty "Galaxy Impact."
It was brief—but there was no mistaking it.
Sakazuki… Sakazuki…
Just what kind of game are you playing with Michael?
"What are you staring at me for?"
"I'm just wondering if the great Admiral Akainu, after being defeated by a younger Vice Admiral, is going to bite his tongue in shame."
"If you've got that much energy, maybe let the doctors and nurses check if Michael knocked something loose in your brain."
"You damn fire mutt!"
"…Ice chicken."
Soon, the special ward once again echoed with the familiar sound of Sakazuki and Kuzan's bickering.
Outside the ward, Sengoku stood by the window, next to Garp, who was covered head to toe in bandages, his head wrapped twice over.
Hearing the quarrel inside, Sengoku couldn't help but smile for the first time in a while.
"They really never shut up… After suffering injuries that severe, they still have the energy to argue."
"If they can argue, it means both their bodies and minds are starting to recover—and might even get back to full strength," Garp said, still holding a bag of rice crackers, though eating a bit slower than usual.
"After this battle with Michael, maybe some of the tension between them will finally ease up."
Sengoku turned toward him.
Although Garp's injuries weren't as bad as Sakazuki's or Kuzan's, considering his age, they were still quite serious.
And the one responsible for all this…
Was his adopted son.
The one he had placed the most hope in.
The one he believed would one day lead the Marines forward.
It had all happened too suddenly.
So suddenly that Sengoku hadn't even had time to feel… grief.
"You took some serious injuries yourself. Didn't Rouge and the kids worry?"
"The three brats are fine—their hearts are big. Seeing me standing in front of them alive and kicking, they didn't worry much. It's Rouge, that girl—she's been so anxious she hasn't slept properly for days." Garp sighed.
"But now that Michael's disappearance and dismissal from the Marines are public knowledge… instead of worrying about me, she should be worrying about Michael's sister and nephews."
At those words, Sengoku's head started to ache.
"Don't bring up that name right now!" he snapped, rubbing his temples in frustration. "That bastard… how the hell did he end up joining the Revolutionary Army?!"
"I can't say I'm surprised. Michael's always been… different from ordinary people." Garp patted Sengoku on the shoulder, smiling faintly.
"From his attitude toward the Celestial Dragons to how he viewed the World Government—anyone who really knew him could tell… him joining the Revolutionaries was unexpected, yet inevitable."
"You think I don't know that?" Sengoku shook his head. "From the start—when he took down those slave traders, to his stance during the Fishman Island agreement against the Celestial Dragons and the Government, to his attitude toward the Five Elders, and his actions on Enies Lobby… he's always stood opposite the World Government. And no matter what, the Marines are a subordinate arm of that Government. Him leaving—it was only natural."
Garp looked at Sengoku, listening to the man known as the embodiment of "Justice Above All" utter such dispirited words, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Michael, Michael… even if your plan's been kept from Sengoku, this must have hit him hard.
You'll owe him one hell of an apology later.
For now… I'll give you a hand.
"Since you already see things that clearly, then let me say one more thing."
"Sengoku, have you ever considered—making the Marines truly the guardians of everyone on the sea, instead of continuing to serve as the World Government's lapdogs?"
Sengoku snapped his gaze toward Garp—only to find that the usually carefree old fool was staring back at him with eyes full of gravity and sincerity.
The last time Sengoku had seen that look on Garp's face…
Was when they decided to execute Roger.
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