Chapter 103: The Unspoken Decree
The silence in Pangaea Castle's grand hall was absolute, a physical weight pressing down on everyone present. The decree from the Five Elders had been issued, and its implications were staggering. Figarland Garling stood frozen, the murderous aura that had once cloaked him now compressed into a cold, hard knot of humiliation in his chest. When Saint Jaygarcia Saturn spoke, the other Elders did not need to voice their agreement. Their silence was consent.
Saturn's authority in this matter was clear, a side effect of his current standing among the Five Elders. Ironic, then, that he could never have imagined the man who would eventually replace him as the God of Science and Defense would be the very source of his current vexation: the troublesome Major General standing before him.
Under the collective, unyielding gaze of the Marine leadership, Garling's white-knuckled grip on his sword finally loosened. There was no other path. Even a Celestial Dragon must bow to the rules set by the highest authority among the Celestial Dragons. For now, Garling's status did not permit him to defy a direct order from the Five Elders.
"I… apologize for today's events," Garling forced out, the words tasting like ash as he addressed Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Chief of Staff Tsuru. The act of apologizing to his supposed inferiors was a galling, unprecedented defeat.
But the discomfort was not over.
"Commander Garling is indeed adaptable, capable of accomplishing great things when necessary!" Jock Ian's voice cut through the tension, cheerful and sharp as a razor. "Your vision would be even more powerful if your aim were better. Isn't it us, the Marines of Sabaody, who should be accepting this apology? There's no need to direct it solely at the leadership here. Please, right this way, Commander Garling. There's no trouble at all!"
With that, Ian stepped back into the line of his cadres, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Jock Ian, you little devil!" Garling snarled, his rage rekindled. He had suppressed his disgust to offer the apology, and now Ian was mocking him, twisting the knife.
"I'm right here, I'm ready. Apologize," Ian said, his tone shifting from playful to deadly serious. "To me… and to my comrades."
He wanted to make it brutally clear to Garling that this was not about saving face for the top brass. This was for the soldiers on the front lines, the ones who truly bled and died. The so-called "servants" and "ants" were the ones who would receive his humbled words.
"That's right," Sengoku boomed, seizing the opportunity Ian had created. "We old men didn't do anything of note. It's these young people who fought and risked their lives. It is precisely because of them that 'order' was restored. They are the ones who deserve the apology!"
The entire Marine contingent stood in silent agreement, their collective will a tangible force demanding Garling's final submission.
"Ian… everyone of the Sabaody Archipelago…" Garling gritted his teeth, the words dragged from the deepest well of his pride. "I apologize for today's events."
Having spoken the unforgivable, he could no longer bear to remain. He turned on his heel and stormed from the conference room, his exit a silent admission of his crushing political defeat. This time, the Five Elders did not stop him.
"Jock Ian," Saint Saturn's voice rasped, shifting the room's focus. "Today's immediate matter is concluded. However, according to our intelligence, the Human-Human Fruit you consumed has awakened, has it not? What new abilities have you gained that allowed you to rival a Knight of God? Here and now, you will provide a clear explanation of your awakened powers."
Ian had anticipated this. The "inquiry" was over, but the "debriefing" was just beginning. He knew the Five Elders had no prior records of a Human-Human Fruit awakening like his. He needed to be vague, to stick to the basics.
He listed three changes, all observable and fitting for a generic Zoan awakening: First, the gigantification of his combat form, which they had witnessed. Second, a massive increase in raw strength and speed, surpassing even that of ordinary giants. Third, a significant boost to his recovery ability and stamina, giving him a feeling of boundless energy.
Aside from the gigantification, it was a standard Zoan awakening report. He made no mention of the flame-wreathed clouds, the finer sensory control, or any other unique aspects of his transformation.
The discussion then turned to Marshall D. Teach. Ian described the pirate's ability to transform into a giant black "boar," carefully omitting any mention of the Dark-Dark Fruit's true nature. He was the only living soul who knew the full details of that fight, and he intended to keep it that way. This way, when Skylark's new power eventually surfaced, it wouldn't immediately draw a direct line back to this incident. He also emphasized that Teach had confessed to forming his own crew, the Blackbeard Pirates, neatly severing any direct, official blame from Whitebeard for the Celestial Dragon's death.
Finally, Saint Saturn delivered the true surprise, a move Ian suspected was the Elder's own and not fully discussed with his peers. "Jock Ian, prior to your arrival, the five of us deliberated. Your capabilities are being wasted stationed solely at Sabaody. The Yonko Kaido's forces have been relentlessly attacking our New World branches. We have decided you are to take command of the G-7 branch in the New World. There, you will coordinate with Admirals Akainu and Kizaru to contain Kaido. Should an opportunity arise… a breakthrough from Wano Country may be considered. You may request any additional resources you require."
A ripple of shock went through the Marine leaders and Ian's own cadres.
Ian, however, remained calm. He had been observing the Five Elders since his arrival. They had not discussed this among themselves in his presence, nor had they mentioned it to Im-sama. This was likely Saturn's own gambit, a testament to his current influence. He was throwing Ian into the heart of the storm, against the very emperor he had provoked by killing Jack.
"That is perfectly acceptable," Ian replied without hesitation, meeting the concerned gazes of Sengoku and Garp with a confident look. "Our tour at Sabaody is concluding. A new assignment in the New World is the logical next step. To have the support of Admirals Akainu and Kizaru is a privilege. I am happy to serve."
He had survived the inquisition, humbled a Knight of God, and now he was being handed a promotion and a suicide mission all at once. The game was escalating, and Jock Ian, the Sea King, was more than ready to dive into deeper, more dangerous waters.
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