Sengoku stared intently at Rojen, remaining silent for a long moment.
He was assessing the raw power surging through Rojen's body at that moment. The force of his earlier strike hadn't been overwhelming, but it was far from weak. To force Sengoku back three steps, that level of aggression rivaled a casual blow from the Golden Lion.
Could the Marines' Headquarters withstand a war against someone of the Golden Lion's caliber? And what if Garp, who seemed to have some connection to this man, held back during the battle?
It wasn't that Sengoku distrusted his comrade, but Garp's unpredictable nature made him unreliable.
The worst-case scenario was that negotiations would fail, Rojen would be defeated, and he would escape.
As for Rojen's companions standing on the other side, Sengoku considered them a minor concern. Ever since their arrival, they had been under the Marines' control.
Wearing his Marine cap and with a stern, icy expression, Sakazuki led a large contingent of Marines, rapidly closing to within thirty meters of Jason and his group.
After coldly surveying Jason's party, Sakazuki issued a detached command: "Stand your ground and await orders. No rash moves!"
"Yes, sir!" The Marines tightened their grips on their weapons, their eyes fixed on the group ahead.
This scene immediately changed the expressions of Jason and his companions.
"Prepare to break through at any moment!" Jason murmured.
The others behind him nodded solemnly. Chaporos, however, looked up to the heavens, tearless. He was just a victim! Why did it look like he was being treated as an accomplice to these people?
"Rojen, the Marines will not yield to threats. State your terms." Sengoku finally relented.
The two sides were currently in a delicate balance, neither daring to initiate hostilities.
"I'll hand over Zephyr. You let us leave. That's all," Rojen said calmly, patting the gourd at his waist.
"Not enough!" Sengoku narrowed his eyes and shook his head in refusal.
"My leverage is Admiral Zephyr and combat power rivaling Golden Lion's. Even if we fought, I might still lose, but I'm not foolish enough to engage you in battle." Rojen chuckled softly, glancing at the Marines gathered in the distance.
"The other Marines are innocent, and I have no desire to shed unnecessary blood!"
This statement outwardly expressed Rojen's reluctance, but it carried an implicit, bloody threat.
As expected, Sengoku and Garp both tensed at his words.
Could the Marines afford further losses? The answer was unequivocally no. Dealing with Golden Lion had already pushed them to their limits, costing them too many elite fighters. Though they had captured him and claimed victory, it was a victory they could barely sustain. If such a crisis were to recur, the Marines might not be able to withstand it.
"If we fight, none of your comrades will escape!" Sengoku said coldly, taking a deep breath.
For the first time, he realized how formidable this man was—even somewhat despicable.
Using Marines far weaker than himself as leverage was hardly honorable, but it was undeniably effective.
"Two Admirals are critically injured, and the Marines' Headquarters has been destroyed. We demand an explanation, and the world demands an explanation!" Sengoku's voice was now firm and resolute. "Your companions may leave this time, but you... You must stay!"
Rojen's heart skipped a beat at those words. He knew all too well the consequences of staying.
The stench of death washed over him, and he clenched his right fist.
But in an instant, he was laughing again.
"Zephyr's life for my companions' safety today."
"Not enough!" Sengoku shook his head.
"Not even the life of one of your Admirals is enough to save them?" Rojen countered.
"The Celestial Dragons also demand an explanation!" Sengoku declared gravely, pausing before adding, "Admiral Zephyr's life can secure their safety today, but they will still meet their end!"
"The Celestial Dragons, the world, the Marines—once they've set their sights on someone, there's no escape!"
Rojen's pupils constricted, acknowledging the truth in Sengoku's words.
The world isn't so simple! Under the weight of overwhelming power, if an organization truly wants to crush you, even fleeing to the ends of the earth won't guarantee your survival. The World Government and the Marines, no matter how weakened, are still far beyond the capabilities of a fledgling pirate crew to withstand.
"So, Admiral Zephyr, and the lives of all these Marines at Headquarters... would exchanging them for my crew be enough?" Rojen exhaled and repeated his question.
Sengoku gave Rojen a long, penetrating look before asking in a low voice, "Have you made your decision?"
"What's there to decide? If they live, I live!" Rojen laughed, his peripheral vision catching Jason and the others watching anxiously from behind.
He didn't want them to fight again. Against the Marines' extermination campaign, the outcome was inevitable.
Conversely, if it were just him alone, he was confident he could escape Impel Down.
If the Golden Lion could do it, why couldn't he?
As he had said earlier, his only concern was for his comrades.
"You will be sent to Impel Down, not executed. This is the Marines' admiration for your dedication to your comrades," Sengoku said sternly.
"Hahaha, do you really think I can't escape?" Rojen laughed heartily.
Garp watched Rojen's current state, wanting to speak but holding back, finally sighing. He wanted to tell him that Impel Down, since its establishment, had imprisoned countless great pirates, yet none had ever escaped.
"Your comrades may leave. Their crimes will be borne by you alone," Sengoku continued.
After a brief exchange, both sides reached an agreement, finalizing the terms.
Rojen wasn't surprised. From the moment he decided to negotiate, he had already anticipated this outcome.
The only difference was that he wouldn't die! This could be considered the best possible outcome. Because he was undying, he still had hope.
He still had 600 million beli remaining in the system. After entering Impel Down and fulfilling his promises and agreements, perhaps this 600 million beli would bring a surprise to the Marines and the entire world!
"I'll bear the weight of everything! But you must ensure that from this day forward, none of what happened before will be held against them!" Rojen declared in a deep voice.
"I promise you!" Sengoku replied.
Regardless of the young man's past actions or true identity, Sengoku couldn't deny being moved by the resolute sacrifice of his own mental well-being for his comrades.
The world was never short of heroes. The Golden Lion possessed immense power and astonishing boldness, daring to assault the Marines' Headquarters, but he could never be considered a true hero. His actions were driven by selfishness, serving only his own ambitions. He lacked the genuine courage and selfless fearlessness that defined a hero.
Roger, on the other hand, was a true hero. He ignited the Golden Pirate Age! Sengoku never expected that Roger's younger brother would also embody such heroic qualities.
To protect his companions, Rojen had chosen to face everything alone!
This upright, magnificent, and fearless demeanor was deeply inspiring, evoking genuine admiration.
'This is what a true man should be!'
(End Of This Chapter)
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