บท 137: Chapter 136: The Movements of the Great Sea
Marine Headquarters,
Located on the island of Mariejois, behind the Red Line.
This island served as the endpoint of the first half of the Grand Line, not far from the Sabaody Archipelago. It was one of the three major strongholds of the World Government, alongside the nearby Judicial Island and the secluded Enies Lobby.
However, compared to the Judicial Island controlled by the CP organization and the protected Enies Lobby, Marine Headquarters was an outright military fortress. It had top-tier Marine admirals and powerful forces stationed there at all times.
It could be said that this was where the world's most elite combat forces gathered, without a doubt!
Even though the "Holy Land" Mariejois was located behind Marine Headquarters on the Red Line, it was still not as combat-oriented as the latter—at least, not openly.
"This damn brat..."
In a spacious and austere office, a burly middle-aged man adorned in the cape of a Marine Vice Admiral held a piece of intelligence in his hand. He rubbed his temples as wrinkles started to appear on his forehead.
"Garp, why are you muttering to yourself?"
The office door swung open, and a tall, imposing female Marine wearing the cape of a Vice Admiral walked in.
She had a head of forest-blue hair tied into a ponytail that hung down behind her. Although she was nearing her fifties, she still exuded charm, showing few signs of aging.
Marine Vice Chief,
Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"It's that damn Dragon!"
Garp wore a face filled with anger as he waved the paper in his hand.
"He's been gone for over a year, and he can't even send his old man a message to let me know he's safe."
"Today, I suddenly received information from the channel he left behind before about 'Seven Warlords' involvement in drug trafficking... Don't let me catch him, or I'll rearrange his face!"
"Don't complain, Garp. Dragon is a grown man now, and he has his own path to follow."
As she spoke, Vice Admiral Tsuru, who was both authoritative and gentle, approached and casually snatched the intelligence from Garp's hand.
"Proof that 'Seven Warlords' Gecko Moria is extensively cultivating poppies and spreading drugs?"
"That's right,"
Garp rubbed the wrinkles forming on his forehead. At his current age, he was in the prime of his life. Taking down the mere 'Seven Warlords' was a piece of cake for him. However...
"On one hand, Gecko Moria is still one of the 'Seven Warlords' recognized by us, the Marines. We need to gather evidence... Even if we obtain evidence, we'll still need to seek the approval of the Fleet Admiral."
"On the other hand, Roger is on the move!"
Garp looked up at his good friend sitting across from him. Garp, Kizaru, and Tsuru had all joined the Marines at the same time, forming a close-knit trio.
"If I'm not mistaken, Roger is preparing to challenge the 'Pirate King' throne!"
"This is troublesome,"
Vice Admiral Tsuru, while thinking, furrowed her brow.
"While there are many powerful individuals on the seas, there aren't many who truly have the qualifications to contend for the 'Pirate King' throne."
"Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard, is one such individual. But we all know that Whitebeard values his 'family' on his ship the most and is not interested in the position of Pirate King."
Edward Newgate, the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates, a user of the Gura Gura no Mi fruit's powers, was so formidable that he was known as the "World's Strongest Man."
However, what he truly desired was his "family."
Therefore, Whitebeard was currently traversing the seas, searching for his "sons," and many people secretly referred to him as playing "house" with pirates.
"Have some tea,"
While Vice Admiral Tsuru analyzed the situation, Garp got up to pour a cup of clear tea for his friend.
"Bartholomew Kuma, also known as the 'Red Baron,' is another one. But who would have thought that the terrifying 'Baron of the Red' is actually... well, in the words of young people today, socially awkward."
Bartholomew Kuma, the self-proclaimed "Tyrant of the Red," was one of the Seven Warlords and possessed the abilities of the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi fruit.
"'Red Baron' Bartholomew Kuma is also one of them. But who would have thought that the dreaded 'Baron of the Red' is actually... well, in the words of young people today, socially awkward."
Bartholomew Kuma, known as a man who could match an entire top-tier pirate crew on his own, possessed the innate Color of Observation Haki and even had the ability to read other people's memories. Coupled with his pet, the pen-shaped 'Pacifista' named 'Pacifista,' which consumed the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Tanuki, he could materialize 'illusions' of those from whom he had extracted memories.
These illusions not only possessed the abilities of the 'original' Devil Fruit user but also mimicked their thought patterns, memories, personalities, and combat techniques perfectly!
If it weren't for the fact that the 'illusions' lacked Haki, the Red Baron could singlehandedly dominate the entire sea.
Even without relying on his pet 'Pacifista,' the Red Baron himself was a top-tier combatant, wielding an umbrella named the 'Silent Garden.' He had defeated countless formidable opponents, making him an undisputed top swordsman!
"Then there's 'BIG MOM' Charlotte Linlin,"
When it came to this top female pirate, Vice Admiral Tsuru couldn't help but shake her head.
"She's busy having babies, apparently planning to use her 'children' as the core of her pirate crew. It's just..."
It left people speechless!
In any case, this top female fighter spent most of her time in "confinement," and she didn't seem like someone who could contend for the Pirate King's throne.
"Originally, 'Golden Lion' Shiki was also a strong contender for the Pirate King's throne,"
Speaking of Shiki, Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at Garp.
Over a year ago, he had tried to force Roger into joining his "Golden Lion Pirates," but he had been mercilessly beaten by you and Admiral Sengoku. His massive pirate crew had nearly crumbled, and he himself had suffered severe injuries.
Now, he had retreated to his base, lifted thousands of meters into the sky using the powers of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi.
"I've heard that among the remnants of the Rocks Pirates, there's a young man named 'Kaido' who's quite impressive. But I don't know where he's hiding right now; he's probably busy building his forces..."
After finishing, Vice Admiral Tsuru picked up the teacup on the table in front of her and took a gentle sip.
As for the remaining figures like the 'Sword Saint' King Dritz and Captain John, either they were preparing to retire or they had fallen out of favor...
When counting the powerful individuals on the sea, there were only the Roger Pirates left who had the potential to challenge for the Pirate King's throne!
Is it the right time, or fate?
"You've analyzed it thoroughly, so I'll be keeping an eye on Roger in the meantime."
Garp sighed. He had been chasing the Roger Pirates all over the world, sometimes as enemies and sometimes as friends.
From the standpoint of a "friend," he was happy that Roger was preparing to seize the Pirate King's throne. However, from the standpoint of the "Marines," if Roger really became the Pirate King...
"When the time comes, he could rally all the pirates of the sea with a single call. Who knows..."
Facing Garp's shining eyes, Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly shook her head.
"Unite all the pirates of the sea?"
"It's not that easy!"
"Even if Roger does become the 'Pirate King,' do you think that people like 'Whitebeard,' 'Red Baron,' 'Golden Lion,' 'BIG MOM,' and the others will willingly follow his lead?"
"Let's say,"
Vice Admiral Tsuru put down her teacup and looked earnestly at the middle-aged man in front of her.
"Can you guarantee that Roger won't become another Rocks? Or, to be more direct—"
"Do you think that even if all the powerful individuals on the sea unite, they can defeat... that person?"
That person,
These three words caused the entire atmosphere in the office to freeze.
Most people, and even most kings, might not know that behind the Celestial Dragons stood a truly "invincible" individual! This was also the real reason why the Marines' high-ranking members, who harbored a sense of justice, hadn't "risen in rebellion." Otherwise, with Garp's personality, he would have long pounded those fat pigs in the Holy Land into minced meat!
"I..."
Garp opened his mouth but couldn't find the words to reply.
After all, he had witnessed the power of "that person," and even someone like him, a "Marine hero," couldn't last more than a few moves against him. Even if all the strong individuals on the sea united...
"Phew,"
"Anyway, I'll keep an eye on Roger."
"No matter what he plans to do, it absolutely must not harm the billions of ordinary people on the seas."
"If 'that person' gets angry, wiping out nations and islands is child's play for her, after all, she possesses the legendary 'Celestial Dragons'!"
...
"Don't dwell too much on this heavy topic,"
Vice Admiral Tsuru picked up the intelligence report from the table.
"As for the issue with 'Warlord' Gaimon, I'll handle it."
Though Vice Admiral Tsuru appeared to be just an "ordinary" vice admiral, her strength was unquestionable. While she might not be considered one of the top-tier individuals on the sea, dealing with a 'Warlord' posed no problem for her.
"All right, you take care of it."
Originally, Garp had planned to assign this matter to his "rookie" Kuzan to handle, but since Tsuru had the time, it was naturally better for her to handle it.
"With you handling it, I'm sure it will be in good hands."
"Just thinking about that brat Dragon contacting me for the first time··· it makes my blood boil!"
"It may not necessarily be Dragon who contacted you,"
Vice Admiral Tsuru, as the Marine's "Chief of Staff," could be said to be the person with the richest sources of information on the high seas. The Marines spread throughout the entire sea, and even the CP organization, were her "eyes" and "ears."
"If I'm not mistaken, it should have been the 'Donquixote Family' that contacted you."
---
Sweets Island,
"Contacting the Marines?"
"That's right,"
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Rosinante explained to the others.
"When you're in this world, what's most important?"
Of course, it's...
Being able to fight!
In this world, as long as you can fight well, you can overcome any obstacle.
But everyone has their weak moments. Even the natural-born monster Charlotte Linlin once joined under Rocks. Whitebeard, the world's strongest man, also started as a "rookie sailor" on someone else's ship.
"Many times, connections are just as important."
Have you not seen that when the Straw Hat Pirates invaded Enies Lobby, they called upon the Buster Call?
The result was five Vice Admirals from the Marine Headquarters spectating, with specific orders not to let any officer below the rank of "Lieutenant Commander" participate in the battle.
On the other hand, the Admiral Momonga, who was the climax of the "Buster Call," rode past on his bicycle, looking like a retired senior officer who was "calm and composed."
It could be said to be the most lackluster "Buster Call" in history!
The reason? It was all because Marine hero Garp had rushed over in a hurry, holding a high-pitched megaphone and shouting:
"Luffy, I'm your grandpa!"
Called for pursuit, but actually for protection.
Then there was the time at Sabaody Archipelago when they encountered Vice Admiral "Light-Speed" Kizaru. Despite his reputation for "lightspeed" kicks, he took forever to pose with his leg, all because the Straw Hat Pirates had someone "backing them."
So, sometimes, it's necessary to rely on connections.
"Our family has a good relationship with 'Monkey D. Dragon' in the North Blue. I used his channel to transmit the intelligence about Gaimon planting drugs to the 'Marine Hero' Garp. I believe Marines will arrive soon."
After finishing, Rosinante spread her hands.
"We are law-abiding merchants,"
"When we encounter difficulties, seeking help from the Marines is only natural!"
...
Makes sense.
Although the bandaged group of people wanted to say this, as "seafaring merchants" operating on the fringes of legality, they generally avoided dealing with the Marines subconsciously.
"Vivi, Vivi, Vivi!"
Doflamingo held a glass of red wine in one hand and pushed his red sunglasses with the other.
"Of course, we'll use the Marines or any other force to our advantage!"
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(End of this chapter)
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