Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Ruins
Navy Headquarter, Marineford!
At this time, the island that once stood as a symbol of justice has been completely reduced to ruins. Only a few sailors responsible for the aftermath remain, cleaning up the battlefield. In order to prevent any chain reactions caused by the war at Marineford, all the agencies of the Navy Headquarter have been relocated overnight to the Navy G-1 base in the New World.
"Karp, I have submitted my resignation to the World Government. Although I recommended Kuzan as the next Admiral, the World Government seems to prefer Sakazuki," Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha said, gazing at the devastated Marineford.
The site stirred complex emotions in his heart. Here, he, Garp, Zephyr, and other old comrades had devoted their lives to the cause. But now, everything was in ruins. The Naval Headquarter, once a beacon of justice, had been utterly destroyed. This was the most humiliating event in his tenure as Admiral of the Navy and perhaps the most disgraceful moment in the history of the Navy itself. The justice the Navy stood for had faced unprecedented provocations and blows.
"Is it Sakazuki? Although he's lost an arm, given how much he hates Shiro now, he's probably determined to claim the position of Fleet Admiral," Garp said, his expression slightly more relaxed than Sengoku's.
The destruction of Marineford weighed heavily on him, but the survival of both his grandsons made the situation somewhat bearable. As for the position of Fleet Admiral, if Sengoku lost it, so be it. It was never something he cared for anyway.
"Hey, I used to think that when Shiro fully matured, the Navy would enter an unprecedented golden age, possibly even influencing the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. But who would have thought that Shiro would become the Navy's enemy—the strongest Rear Admiral, now a traitor who nearly destroyed the entire Marine Headquarter on his own. What a ridiculous turn of events!" Sengoku sighed, looking at the massive handprints scattered across Marineford.
When Sengoku first learned the full details of Shiro's "Declaration" at Marineford, he was shocked. Shiro had said things that few in the world would dare to utter. No wonder so many Navy soldiers defected to follow him. His words resonated even with Sengoku, a veteran of the seas.
But that was where the admiration ended. As a Naval Fleet Admiral, Sengoku understood the terrifying power wielded by the World Government. Although Shiro had grown remarkably strong, he was still far from being a match for the World Government and the Navy.
Money was essential for forming a powerful force capable of surviving under the weight of the World Government. Even the Navy existed only because it was funded by the World Government. And Shiro? Even if you added the Amazon Lily Kingdom, how much wealth could he amass? Especially now that the Amazon Lily Kingdom was listed as a priority pirate nation.
So, while Shiro possessed immense personal strength and even had 30,000 elite sailors following him, if he couldn't pay his forces, how long could they possibly last?
"Let's go, Garp. We need to head to the G-1 base for a Naval meeting. The World Government has ordered us to discuss how to place bounties on Shiro, Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach, Fire Fist Ace, Straw Hat Luffy, and other extremely dangerous pirates of the new generation."
"Ah? Sengoku, you're not serious! That kid Luffy isn't even in the same league as Shiro!"
"Stop talking nonsense, damn you, Garp! If you hadn't gone easy on them, the Navy wouldn't have suffered so much in this war!"
Holy Land Mary Geoise!
At this time, in the city that holds the highest authority in the world, the Five Elders were having a major discussion in their conference room.
"The most urgent task now is to find out exactly what kind of ability the young man named Shiro possesses and report it immediately."
They were furious when they heard about Marineford!
"Hmph, the Navy lost so miserably."
"Don't panic. The operation against the Amazon Lily Kingdom has already begun. Without significant financial backing, that brat Shiro won't be able to do much in the short term. We have time to deal with him!"
"Sengoku's resignation has been submitted by Kong, and there are two candidates for the next Fleet Admiral: Akainu and Aokiji."
"It doesn't matter who becomes the Fleet Admiral. In any case, the sea has been too calm recently. It's time to start a major purge!"
With that, the meeting between the Five Elders concluded, setting the tone for a storm that would soon sweep across the entire sea!
Grand Line.
Amazon Lily Kingdom.
Once a closed-off nation, Daughter Island is now in chaos! Explosions and the sounds of battle fill the air. The Kuja Pirates, known as a fighting nation, are facing an unprecedented disaster. The kingdom's treasury and other key locations have become the main battlegrounds.
"Where are Hebihime-sama and Shiro? Damn it! I knew that kid Shiro was a disaster waiting to happen, and now it's come true!" Gloriosa, the former Empress, commanded the kingdom's guards in battle while anxiously questioning Marigold and Sandersonia.
Not long ago, after much difficulty, they finally managed to contact Shiro and the Empress, but neither has returned to help. The situation on Daughter Island is looking grim.
Just last night, a large number of CP organizations suddenly appeared in the empire. Led by CP0 agents, they launched attacks on all the important locations in the Amazon Lily Kingdom. The empire has suffered massive damage and losses, and still, there's no sign of the Empress, the empire's ruler.
However, the World Government would never attack Amazon Lily without warning. If this is happening, there can only be one explanation: Hebihime-sama has lost her status as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and has been targeted by the World Government. And the reason for this can only be Shiro!
Thus, Gloriosa almost immediately blamed Shiro for everything. She regretted not doing everything in her power to stop Hebihime-sama's affection for Shiro! Like a stormy love, Shiro's presence in Hebihime-sama's life was the most beautiful poison in the world. And this time, that poison might destroy the entire empire!
High above on Daughter Island, the CP0 team leader overseeing the mission was observing the situation.
"Captain, all the targets in the Amazon Lily Kingdom have been destroyed. Let's leave as soon as possible. If the Pirate Empress and… Shiro return and block our path, things could go very badly for us!"
"Shiro? That young Naval traitor is really as strong as the intel suggests? Even Akainu lost an arm to him!?"
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