One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 205: Resignation

"Marshal! I want to resign from my position as an admiral!"

Zefa gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and finally spoke the words.

The entire room fell silent. Even Garp stopped eating his donut.

He knew Zefa was in pain, but he never expected him to take such a drastic step.

"What?! No! I absolutely do not accept this!"

Marshal Kong was stunned for a moment before slamming the table in anger.

Sengoku immediately chimed in.

"Zefa! You know how desperately we need combat power! The navy is already stretched thin—do you understand what losing an admiral would mean?"

"Exactly! Zephyr, Garp has already refused promotion to admiral. We're barely managing with just the current leadership. If you leave, how can Sengoku maintain peace on the seas alone?"

Tsuru added urgently, trying to persuade Zefa.

Zefa clenched his fists. Their words weighed on him.

Becoming an admiral had been his lifelong dream. But after what happened to his family, he was exhausted—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

"Marshal, there's no need to persuade me. My decision is final. I'm tired. The death of my family changed everything. I no longer have the heart to fight for this so-called peace."

Zefa took another deep breath. His voice was firm.

The pirate he had spared had taken everything from him.

Now, at forty-something, strands of gray had appeared in his once-purple hair.

"Zefa! You coward!"

Kong's voice boomed.

"Don't you want revenge? Yes, the pirates who killed your family are dead. But there are thousands more just like them, waiting to be eradicated. You have a responsibility—to yourself, to justice! And now you tell me you're tired?!"

His sharp eyes were filled with disappointment.

Zefa didn't respond. He simply stood there, silent.

Kong's chest rose and fell heavily as he exhaled through gritted teeth.

"Forget it! Go back and think about this carefully. Give me your final answer later!"

Zefa nodded, stood up, and silently walked out of the room.

Once the door closed behind him, Kong turned to the others.

"What do you think about Zefa's resignation?"

Sengoku and Tsuru remained serious, but Garp—who had been unusually quiet—finally spoke up.

"No! I absolutely disagree! If Zefa leaves, I'll have even more work to do. I'm not dealing with that!"

His blunt words made the others expressionless.

Garp had been acting more and more carefree since the fall of the Rocks Pirates. But as frustrating as he was, they all knew he was right.

"Sengoku?" Kong asked.

Sengoku sighed. "I agree with Garp—Zefa cannot leave. The current situation on the seas is already unbalanced. If Zefa resigns, it will tip further in favor of the pirates."

Tsuru nodded, crossing her arms.

"Shiki, Whitebeard, and Charlotte are becoming more active. Whitebeard's forces are expanding as he recruits 'sons' from everywhere. Charlotte just killed Bondi Wald and is drawing in more swordsmen by the day. And Shiki… he's treating the kingdoms he controls like a new world government, forcing them to pay him tribute for protection."

She paused, then continued, "If we lose an admiral now, the power balance will completely collapse."

Kong slammed his fist on the table.

"Damn it! What does Shiki think he's doing?! Setting himself up as another World Government?!"

The room fell silent.

Everyone knew Shiki's ambitions. But acknowledging them only added to their frustration.

Kong sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.

"We need to stop Zefa from leaving. The navy cannot afford to lose him right now."

Sengoku, Tsuru, and Garp nodded.

"Understood," they said in unison before leaving the room.

Kong sat back in his chair, exhausted.

"Being a naval marshal is really frustrating…"

---

As the three walked through the Marine Headquarters, the only sound was the snap snap of Garp munching on senbei.

Sengoku sighed. "We need to talk to Zefa separately. Maybe one of us can get through to him."

Tsuru nodded. Garp kept eating.

"I'll go first," Sengoku said.

He knocked on Zefa's door.

A hoarse voice replied, "Come in."

Sengoku entered.

Tsuru and Garp waited outside, but after only a few minutes, Sengoku came out.

He shook his head.

Tsuru frowned, then entered next.

Again, she came out shortly after, looking equally troubled.

Now both of them turned to Garp.

The old marine casually chewed his snack and stared back at them.

"Your turn," Tsuru said.

Garp sighed, stretched, and strolled inside—still eating.

Sengoku held his forehead in frustration.

"I don't have much hope for this."

Tsuru crossed her arms. "Me neither."

Minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty.

Unlike the others, Garp took his time.

Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged a glance, feeling a sliver of hope.

Finally, Garp came out, stretching his arms and smiling.

Sengoku jumped up. "Well?! Did Zefa change his mind?"

Garp smirked and shook his head.

Sengoku's temple twitched.

"Then what the hell were you doing in there for so long?! Don't tell me you were just eating senbei!"

Garp blinked innocently.

"Ah! Sengoku, how'd you know? Were you eavesdropping again?"

His exaggerated reaction only made Sengoku snap.

"BUDDHA'S PALM!"

A golden glow flashed.

BOOM!

Garp went flying, crashing into the wall, leaving a crater in the shape of his body.

Nearby marines rushed over, confused.

"What happened?!"

"Nothing," Tsuru sighed. "Just another day in Marineford."

---

Read up to 20 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin

[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]

*Thank you*