Chapter 436: The Navy's Next Strategic Move
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Marine Headquarters – Marineford!
The heavy atmosphere was unmistakable as Sengoku, Akainu, Aokiji, and other admirals returned from Loguetown.
Their expressions were grim.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! The Marshal wants to see you in his office for a meeting!"
A messenger ran up and saluted.
"Understood."
Sengoku nodded and glanced at the men behind him.
"Let's go. Time to report in."
He led the group toward the Marshal's office, with Akainu and Aokiji following close behind.
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When they arrived, Sengoku knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Marshal Kong's deep voice responded.
Sengoku immediately sensed the mood wasn't good.
He pushed open the door—inside, everyone's faces were just as heavy.
Even Zeff, Garp, and Kizaru were present.
Kizaru's return was especially unusual. Ever since the Rockefeller Pirates, led by Rockefeller Sharo, attacked Punk Hazard, the World Government and Marines had panicked. They relocated the science division and stationed CP0 elites to guard it. But after those agents were dispatched to pursue the Roger Pirates, CP0 had thinned out drastically, and the science unit was placed under Marine jurisdiction—with Kizaru assigned to oversee it.
"Marshal!"
Sengoku entered the room and saluted. The other admirals followed suit.
"Enough with the formalities—sit down."
Marshal Kong waved his hand. He was clearly not in the mood.
Once they were seated, the meeting began.
"Sengoku, give us a detailed report on Loguetown."
While Marine HQ had received partial information, they were largely in the dark after Sengoku cut off the Den Den Mushi video feed. Only Kong might've known a bit more—but certainly not as much as Sengoku.
"Yes, sir!"
Sengoku stood and reported the entire incident in detail.
When he reached the part about Roger's final words, the officers in the room immediately furrowed their brows.
Every person present was at least Vice Admiral level—none of them were fools.
They quickly realized that Roger's so-called last words weren't a whim—they were a calculated provocation.
Kong, sitting at the head, listened with a deep frown.
When Sengoku finished, the room fell silent.
Then, Tsuru (the Vice Admiral Strategist) stood up.
"Marshal, this just arrived from the Four Seas. The situation is worse than we thought."
She handed Kong a folder.
Kong opened it.
His heart skipped.
Even with prior assumptions, the reality far exceeded his worst predictions.
"The Four Seas have fallen into chaos already?"
He looked at Tsuru, shocked.
"Yes, sir. The number of people going to sea as pirates is much higher than what's reported. Many regions haven't even been counted yet."
She responded gravely.
Kong leaned back in his chair, defeated.
Kill pirates, more appear. Kill more, and still more rise.
For the first time, Kong looked lost.
"Marshal, pull yourself together! The Navy still needs your leadership!"
Tsuru said firmly.
Kong closed his eyes and massaged his temples.
Then, he passed the file down the table.
"Everyone, read this. We need ideas. The Navy is at its most dangerous moment yet."
His voice held a tired helplessness. For someone who'd been in charge for decades, this was rare.
Sengoku took the file, flipped through it—and his heart began pounding.
After reading, he passed it to Zeff.
Then, turning to the Marshal:
"Marshal! The Navy is at a crossroads—we must—"
"Wait until everyone has spoken," Kong interrupted.
Sengoku nodded and held back, but his words had already shaken the others.
What kind of crisis made Sengoku call it a matter of life and death?
One by one, the officers read the file—and each fell silent in disbelief.
When the folder returned to Kong, he asked:
"Everyone finished? Speak your thoughts."
"Marshal," Sengoku said immediately, "We must act quickly. The Four Seas cannot be allowed to fall into anarchy!"
"Agreed!" Akainu added, his voice firm. "I request permission to gather all available forces and fortify the Grand Line's entrance! Crush those pirates before they enter!"
His murderous intent was almost tangible.
Even Aokiji didn't object—the report's numbers were too staggering.
In just a few days, countless people had gone to sea to become pirates.
They needed to show the world that being a pirate meant death.
But Kong shook his head.
"No. The Navy can't afford to focus solely on the Grand Line. Don't forget—those sea emperors in the New World are still watching. Even if we gather our forces, how many do we have? What about the Four Seas? Do we just abandon them?"
Though such action might deter pirates temporarily, the greed of pirates would never stop.
They would swarm the Grand Line like moths to a flame.
And the Navy would bleed.
Then, unexpectedly, Tsuru spoke.
"Marshal, I believe… we should turn a blind eye to those entering the Grand Line."
Everyone froze.
If not for Tsuru's decades of respect, someone might've already objected.
Kong frowned.
"What's your reasoning?"
Tsuru explained calmly:
"Our foundation is the Four Seas. If we want to control the pirate tide, we must fight them at the source. But their numbers now vastly exceed ours. Completely cleansing the Four Seas is impossible. So, to stabilize the situation—we need to herd pirates into the Grand Line."
"Once they're inside, we drive them into the New World. That's already the pirate kingdom. Especially with the three great pirate crews reigning there. Instead of fighting everyone ourselves, let's let the pirates kill each other."
As she finished, her eyes flashed coldly.
Everyone stared at her.
Then, their eyes sparkled.
It was a brilliant plan.
Even Kong sat up straight, energized.
"Well? Thoughts?"
Sengoku turned to the others.
There was a long silence.
Then Sengoku raised his head.
"I support Tsuru's strategy."
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To be continued...
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