Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Magma Boy
Although Sengoku gave the order, Smoker didn't intend to listen. He asked why, but Sengoku told him to just follow orders, which Smoker found unacceptable.
Because of the matter of Arlong and Colonel Mouse, Smoker investigated the situation of Cocoyashi Village thoroughly.
Coupled with the information obtained when the prisoners were handed over, Smoker could naturally judge that Cocoyashi Village was the victim.
Now Sengoku wanted him to control a group of victims, and for no reason.
In the original book, taking credit for letting Luffy and others go had already disgusted Smoker greatly, but it hadn't touched his bottom line.
This time, however, it did. Ordering him to control civilians was the equivalent of constantly trampling on Smoker's justice.
So this time, Smoker directly disobeyed orders, even swearing at Sengoku directly. Then, hanging up the phone bug, Smoker was already prepared for his punishment.
But after that, there was no further news from Sengoku.
"He is a person with a strong sense of justice, even if his strength is a little weaker, he is still a talent"
Tsuru also commented on Smoker after listening.
"That's right, there aren't many people who dare to yell at me on Den Den Mushi. This kid really has a sense of justice. Although I can't say anything about it publicly, I asked people from other Marine branches to go there."
Sengoku didn't plan to hold Smoker accountable, after all, it was their mistake to speak out about it.
Although Sengoku didn't intend to actually harm the people of Cocoyashi Village, he only planned to use them as leverage against Luo Ning. However, Smoker found such actions unacceptable.
"Don't resort to such methods unless absolutely necessary. You should understand that!" Tsuru said sternly.
"Of course I understand! I've dealt with situations like this more than you," Sengoku retorted. "He knows very well that once a moral line is broken, the consequences are dire. A Marine with no bottom line is far worse." But in this case, his hands were tied.
***
Time flew by. Before Luo Ning reached the Marine rendezvous point, Garp also arrived.
Garp couldn't interfere or criticize Sengoku's decision. After all, Luo Ning's intent to attack the Celestial Dragons was a thorny issue. Sengoku, representing the World Government, couldn't simply stand by and watch the Celestial Dragons get hurt. The Marines, unfortunately, were caught in the middle.
A day after Garp's arrival, Luo Ning's warship finally approached the Marine interception point at a leisurely pace.
"Quite the spectacle," Luo Ning remarked to the jailer officer beside him, "Aren't you guys afraid of dying?"
"We are afraid," the jailer officer admitted, "but we have no choice. We knew the consequences when we received the order. Disobeying would have brought even worse repercussions."
"True, it's tough to refuse a direct order," Luo Ning said, showing no intention of harming the jailers.
"Ice Age!"
The second after he finished speaking, the sea was instantly frozen, transformed into a land of glaciers.
The battlefield had been created. Knowing that seawater was useless against Luo Ning, Aokiji aimed to eliminate their weakness – the sheer number of Marines. With a solid foothold, the battle would be much more convenient.
"How considerate, preparing such a nice battlefield!"
Luo Ning jumped off the warship directly. The Marine executives on the other side disembarked one after another. All were high-ranking officials – Vice Admirals, Admiral's alternates, Admirals, and even Sengoku himself.
"A glorious lineup! Quite the special welcome ceremony," Luo Ning said, his mood unfazed by the display of power.
"Such a formidable force, it's enough to strike fear"
That, of course, had to be Kizaru. As soon as he spoke, he managed to irritate everyone around him.
"Just a bluff!"
Akainu scoffed dismissively. Of course, that was just bravado; he wasn't arrogant enough to believe himself significantly stronger than Aokiji and the others. Even Aokiji's formation couldn't faze him completely, it was just talk.
"Isn't this the famed Admiral Akainu? You cut quite a handsome figure back then in Ohara, attacking civilians"
The sight of Akainu spurred mockery from Luo Ning. He initially held Akainu in high regard for being a resolute soldier, someone who wouldn't play politics.
But what he truly despised about Akainu was his complete lack of morals.
Several other people have their own definitions of good and evil, and Akainu's perspective aligns with the World Government's. Anyone labeled a criminal by the World Government becomes a target for Akainu's ruthless elimination, regardless of their actual actions.
Luo Ning was deeply disturbed by Akainu's attack on Ohara's civilians.
Honestly, if it weren't for Ohara, Luo Ning would consider Akainu the most morally sound of the three Admirals. Even Akainu's underhanded tactics during the Summit War were understandable; in war, kindness towards the enemy is a liability. Therefore, Akainu's actions during the Summit War were beyond reproach. In fact, Aokiji and the others were the ones who caused problems with their naivety.
Luo Ning's words sent a jolt through the Marine executives who were aware of the incident. Akainu's attack on Ohara's civilians had been covered up, but it had shaken the faith of many Marines in their organization's justice. It took considerable effort to quell the unrest, and some soldiers who participated in the Buster Call even opted to desert the Marines entirely.
Thankfully, the news was successfully suppressed. Newer Marines remained oblivious to the event, believing it to be a forgotten relic of history. Luo Ning's sudden revelation ripped the scab off the old wound.
"Great Eruption!"
Akainu, the perpetrator of the deed, felt compelled to take immediate action. This incident was a stain on his reputation, even if he himself didn't view it that way. Even among the hardliners, it was rare to find someone who would directly target civilians.
Akainu could no longer contain his anger. The mocking tone and the resurfacing of past accusations shattered his composure. He unleashed a colossal magma fist towards Luo Ning.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone