"Yoh~ How scary~"
"You always show up wrapped in bandages, young man. Is that some kind of special hobby?"
Marine conference room.
Kizaru passed by Griffin's seat, stopped, leaned on the back of the chair, and bent down to get closer.
Griffin leaned away slightly with a hint of disgust. "I think having something wrapped around my face is more friendly for you all, especially for you, Borsalino-sama."
"Uh..."
Kizaru's face fell. "So cold, I'm really hurt~"
Beside them, Kuzan propped his chin and spoke slowly. "He went to fight Teacher Zephyr as soon as he came back and got beaten up."
"Tsk tsk, quite brave. I heard Teacher Zephyr has been researching Seastone Gauntlets lately. Looks like he got beaten pretty badly~"
Griffin turned his head away and snorted. "At least I can still sit here for the meeting. He's probably lying in a hospital bed."
"Teacher Zephyr never attends these meetings anyway, didn't you know?"
"Speaking of which... I still remember vividly the first time I met young Griffin three years ago."
Kizaru patted Griffin's shoulder with a smile. "You did it, truly remarkable!"
...
As they chatted, Marine officers gradually filed into the conference room.
Last time, Griffin had sat in the corner of the conference room without saying a word.
Despite his mere Rear Admiral rank, he now sat next to Admiral Kuzan.
None of the Vice Admirals found this strange, not even the Giant Vice Admiral who had previously disliked Griffin.
...
Sengoku didn't bother with dramatic late entrances. He glared at Kizaru, who was still swaying around. "Go sit down properly! Don't act like a monkey, you're a Marine Admiral!"
Kizaru raised his hands in surrender. "Getting angry already? So scary~ Sengoku-san~"
He wasn't angry before...
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku looked at Akainu.
Aside from sometimes being too extreme, you're actually the most normal one among this bunch...
Thump—Thump—
Akainu lightly tapped the table, meeting Sengoku's gaze. "I lost two warships, ninety-seven artillery batteries, and four hundred seventy-two soldiers at Hachinosu Island. I want half of the allocated funds this time."
...
Did I order you to mobilize the entire force to capture Hachinosu Island! What economic value does that place even have!
Why didn't you listen to me back then, and now you have the nerve to ask me for funds!!
Sengoku took a deep breath, feeling the immense weight of the Fleet Admiral's position.
...
"Speaking of Hachinosu Island... since we've already captured it, there's no reason to give it back to the Pirates."
On the other side, Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke.
There was no formal opening ceremony. When those in the highest seats began speaking, the meeting was effectively underway.
In theory, all officers had the right to speak during the meeting, but most were only there to listen and execute orders.
The power of decision-making always rested with the few.
...
"If we're to build a Marine base there... it can't be linked with other bases. Hachinosu Island is too deep in chaotic territory."
The director of the Crime Investigation Bureau, Black Horse Tenma, spread out a map of the Grand Line and pointed at Hachinosu Island's location.
"Not to mention maintaining the sea routes, future supplies alone—just the initial construction would be a massive expense."
...
Vice Admiral Tsuru smiled faintly at him and said slowly:
"Any additional costs should be itemized in a quote for the World Government. Remember to overcharge a bit—demand the best equipment. They'll pay."
Whenever the Marines hold major meetings, CP agents are always present to observe and record proceedings, and may participate when necessary.
This time, the agent in charge was Lucci.
...
During the battle at Hachinosu Island, his Awakened Fruit Form was displayed in such a way that the World Economic Journal failed to recognize him as the once-in-eight-centuries prodigy from Enies Lobby, instead referring to him as a certain leopard-type ability user.
The World Government understood perfectly well what this meant.
Although he had failed to protect Miya, his demonstrated strength and loyalty in the fight against Kari had earned him a promotion to commander of CP9.
Perhaps before long, he would join CP0, the unit directly serving the Celestial Dragons.
Lucci took a step forward.
"To say such things right in front of me, Vice Admiral Tsuru—are you pretending I don't exist?"
Aside from Griffin, Lucci maintained a cold, expressionless demeanor even toward Akainu, showing no trace of warmth.
Vice Admiral Tsuru's smile remained unchanged. "Sir Lucci, have you forgotten what lies there?"
"Kari, a criminal the World Government despises above all others, is still frozen near Hachinosu Island!"
"We have no choice but to establish a base there."
"Having Rear Admiral Griffin stationed at the Hachinosu Island base is the most suitable arrangement."
With that, she turned to Kuzan:
"Admiral Kuzan has inspected the site. Rear Admiral Griffin's abilities are fundamentally different from his own. Acting recklessly could undermine Griffin's efforts."
"So... that will be Rear Admiral Griffin's station. I believe it's perfectly reasonable to request better equipment. Don't you agree?"
...
Lucci took a step back.
"Reasonable."
"In the report, be sure to request the latest weapons and equipment. The threat Kari poses is too great—only Griffin can completely prevent any possibility of his escape."
...
"Am I going there?"
Griffin thought for a moment. This might actually be for the best. If he were the one overseeing Kari, it would be easier to manipulate the situation.
Though he'd have to apologize to Lucci later—Kari's prison break was bound to happen eventually.
...
...
"Indeed... as Vice Admiral Tsuru said, even if Hachinosu Island's location is unfavorable, we must hold it."
Tenma continued tracing lines on the map. Hachinosu Island's position, connected to the G-1 base, was like a long sword thrust into Pirate territory.
He looked at Griffin. "Rear Admiral Griffin, holding that location might be even more difficult than capturing it."
"Tell us what support you need, and we'll do our best to provide it."
Griffin stroked his chin with one hand while lightly tapping the table with the other, pausing briefly.
"I need to mobilize my old forces from the West Sea and select some officers from headquarters."
"Give me one large warship, three medium warships, one Seastone Hull Warship capable of sailing the Calm Belt, four..."
...
"Stop!"
Sengoku quickly raised his hand. If Griffin kept going, the Marines' budget for the year would be completely depleted!
"We'll discuss that later, at least after the Five Elders approve the additional funds."
"For now, let's talk about..."
"The public execution of the Red Hair Pirates!"
The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds.
Crunch—
Garp's hand, holding a donut, froze. "Uh... why has everyone gone quiet? You're making this old man feel awkward..."
"Garp! Get out!!!"
...
Of course, Garp didn't leave. Sengoku took a deep breath and continued.
"We all know very well that Shanks is the only former member of the Roger Pirates still active on the seas. His existence carries symbolic weight for this era."
"Publicly executing him will greatly enhance the Marines' deterrence, suppressing those with restless ambitions."
...
"But this is also a risky move."
Sengoku said gravely, "Roger's former crew members are likely to launch rescue operations. We need to be prepared for battle and must not repeat the Shiki incident."
Shiki...
Mentioning this name was a sore point for Marine Headquarters.
At that time, the headquarters was undermanned, allowing Shiki to run rampant and kill countless Marines.
Since then, Marine Headquarters had established a rule that no matter the circumstances, at least one Admiral-level officer must remain stationed.
...
"Rayleigh and the others probably wouldn't go that far, right? Even that Red Hair kid is a captain of his own ship now."
Garp finally put away his donuts, showing some respect for the meeting.
"It's better to be safe than sorry, especially for an event that will be broadcast worldwide."
"However..."
Sengoku's gaze sharpened, "If they dare to come, we'll make sure they never leave!!"
...
...
As the meeting concluded, Sengoku called out to Griffin.
"Let me make this clear—none of my demands can be reduced. If there's no money, go ask the higher-ups for it."
Sengoku didn't respond to that, instead saying solemnly:
"Griffin... the Five Elders wish to see you. Immediately."
The expressions of Garp and others who hadn't left yet changed slightly.
...
Griffin was momentarily taken aback, then smiled faintly.
"So I finally get to meet my most respected Five Elders... I'm looking forward to it."
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