One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 500: A Major Move at Marine Headquarters (Part 1)

The world was moving forward on its original trajectory.

Within Marine Headquarters.

A secret meeting that would determine the state of the world was in progress.

Garp, who had returned from the East Blue; Sakazuki, from the South Blue; Kuzan, from the West Blue; Tsuru, from the North Blue; as well as Sengoku, who was stationed in the New World to monitor the three Emperors; Zephyr, who was instructing the new recruit training camp; and behind them, hundreds of officers sat to the side.

They all sat upright and listened intently to the latest orders from Fleet Admiral Kong.

"The goal of this meeting is to return to the New World and reclaim the territory our Marines have lost."

Kong pointed to the map of the New World on the projector and said in a deep voice.

Everyone looked at the Fleet Admiral with solemn expressions.

No one had expected the Fleet Admiral to be so audacious.

"Fleet Admiral, now is not the right time for the Marines to enter the New World!"

As someone who had been stationed in the New World for a long time, Sengoku was very familiar with the power it now held, which was far greater than it had been a decade ago.

It wasn't just the new generation of the Marines that had grown.

The new generation of pirates was also constantly emerging.

Marco, Jozu, and Vista of the Whitebeard Pirates; Katakuri, Cracker, and Smoothie of the Big Mom Pirates; Esdeath, Caesar, and Tesla of the Rockefeller Pirates.

These new generations of pirates were continually making a name for themselves.

For the Marines to reclaim the New World was an almost impossible task.

But Kong couldn't be bothered with that anymore.

He knew very well that he only had a few years left in his position as Fleet Admiral. If he didn't take action, he would become the first Fleet Admiral in the history of the Marines to lose territory since its establishment.

This shame would follow him for the rest of his life, and that was something he would not allow.

Hearing Sengoku's words, Kong waved his hand dismissively.

"Sengoku, there's no need to persuade me. Today, our Marines possess fifty thousand elite troops, over a hundred Rear Admirals and Vice Admirals, and top-tier combatants of the younger generation like Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino. We also have veteran officers like you, Garp, and Zephyr. Furthermore, I will personally take action. The Marines already have more than enough combat power. There is no need to endure any longer. The Four Blues are now peaceful, and the number of pirates setting sail has dropped to a level that the branches can handle. There's no reason for Marine Headquarters to continue holding back.

"Remember, it's not just our Marines who are growing; the pirates are growing as well. We cannot give them any more time to develop. This battle must be fought. We must show the World Government and the people of the world that our Marines have enough power to suppress the seas."

Thump!

Kong slammed his fist on the table.

Hearing the Fleet Admiral's passionate words, most of the Marine officers present became fired up, wishing they could charge into the New World the very next moment to reclaim their lost land.

"The Fleet Admiral is right! We Marines can't endure this any longer. We must settle things with those pirates in the New World."

In an instant, dozens of people stood up and shouted.

"Fleet Admiral, what is the World Government's response to this?"

Sengoku didn't believe the World Government would be unaware of the Fleet Admiral's reckless move.

In Sengoku's view, the Fleet Admiral had gone mad. Entering the New World now, wasn't that courting death?

He didn't know why the Fleet Admiral was acting this way, but he had a vague premonition.

Kong looked at Sengoku, his eyes perfectly calm.

"The Five Elders have already approved my proposal and authorized the Marines' counterattack against the pirates of the New World."

Kong's words sent a shock through Sengoku's heart.

"This! How can this be...!"

Before he could finish, his foot was kicked.

It stopped the words Sengoku had left unsaid.

Sengoku glanced at Tsuru without leaving a trace.

Tsuru just shook her head slightly.

Sengoku instantly fell silent.

He knew that this matter was no longer up for discussion.

He could only lower his head.

"Yes, sir!"

Seeing Sengoku agree, Kong breathed a sigh of relief.

As the undisputed next Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Kong didn't want any discord between them.

"Let's use this meeting to discuss how to deal with these three great pirate crews in the New World. As for the date of dispatch, let's set it for the first of next month," Kong said to the crowd.

Then, documents were distributed.

Everyone looked at the documents in their hands and fell into a heated discussion.

After the meeting ended.

Sengoku walked out, fraught with worry.

Tsuru followed beside him.

"Tsuru, why did you stop me just now?" Sengoku asked impatiently.

"The Fleet Admiral won't listen. The New World was lost under his command, and he feels he must reclaim it. Don't forget, the Fleet Admiral is getting old," Tsuru said, staring straight ahead with a deadpan expression.

Sengoku's face contorted in pain upon hearing this.

This was a complete gamble, a gamble with the Marines' achievements of the last five years. If the Marines lost to the pirates of the New World, the world would descend into chaos once again.

Leaving aside Sengoku's inner turmoil.

In Pangea Castle in Mary Geoise, on the Red Line, a fierce argument was breaking out in the meeting room of the Five Elders.

"Why did you agree to Kong's attack on the New World pirates? Are you not aware of the Marines' current strength?" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn demanded, gripping his Shodai Kitetsu as he questioned Saint Marcus Mars.

"After so many years of increasing the Heavenly Tribute, the Marines' strength is now sufficient to enter the New World," Saint Mars said, looking at the agitated Saint Saturn.

"You!"

Saint Saturn pointed at Saint Mars's nose, at a loss for words.

"Besides, this operation was proposed by Kong himself. Why would we, the World Government, disagree? What if it succeeds?" Saint Mars said, taking a sip of tea.

"You! Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You are condoning a Marine failure! As long as the Marines' strength is greatly diminished, you can push for your so-called Seven Warlords of the Sea system. Have you considered the consequences if you fail? How will you answer to Lord Imu?"

Saint Saturn pointed his sword-wielding hand at Saint Mars and roared, even bringing up Lord Imu's name.

Upon hearing this, Saint Mars instantly sat up straight, his expression turning serious.

"Saint Saturn, don't forget that this was the Marines' own request. I wasn't the only one who agreed!"

Saint Mars's words made the other three members of the Five Elders look awkward.

They all turned their heads away, avoiding Saint Saturn's furious expression.

Saint Mars had wanted to introduce the Seven Warlords of the Sea system to recruit some pirates from the high seas to become enforcers for the World Government, or more accurately, a force for those among the Five Elders who had no military power.

After all, the duties of the Five Elders were clearly divided.

Each was responsible for a different domain.

But the temptation of power was not so easily resisted. Ever since Saint Mars proposed the Seven Warlords system, the eyes of the other two Elders without military authority had lit up instantly.

To reasonably control a force of their own—it seemed very possible.

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