Chapter 437: The Pirate King's Crew
Sengoku's firm support sealed the plan.
With his endorsement, the other admirals nodded in agreement.
"Good. Then it's decided. We proceed with this strategy!"
Marshal Kong slapped the table, his previous weariness swept away.
But Tsuru added calmly,
"Marshal, we have another pressing issue — we don't have enough troops. I propose the World Government authorize a Global Marine Draft, with the goal of increasing Marine Headquarters' elite force to over 100,000 soldiers to confront this so-called 'Great Pirate Era.'"
Her words shocked the room.
A force of 100,000 elite marines…
If Marine HQ had that kind of strength, what pirate could stand against them? They could sweep across the seas.
The admirals' eyes lit up, faces flushed with anticipation.
Kong, however, was stunned.
Even at its peak, Marine HQ had no more than 20,000 elite soldiers — and Rockefeller Sharo had slaughtered over half of them. That massacre was why Garp had once lost control of his rage.
Still, seeing the hunger in everyone's faces, Kong nodded.
"I'll submit a request to the Gorōsei (Five Elders) — let's prepare for a major Marine expansion."
The room cheered quietly.
No Marine officer would object to strengthening their forces.
But in truth, Kong sighed internally.
100,000 elite troops? That was optimistic. The best they could realistically hope for might be 50,000, and even that would be a stretch.
After all, the World Government had long suppressed Marine Headquarters. Their reach was vast — not only Marineford, but countless Marine branches across the world. The New World alone now had only a few bases left near the Red Line. Still, the first half of the Grand Line and the Four Seas were tightly secured by countless Marine bases — like stars scattered across the ocean.
This was why the World Government was reluctant to let the Marines grow stronger.
Sengoku noticed the concern in Kong's expression and sighed softly. He understood.
Then, trying to shift the topic, he said:
"Marshal, after Roger's execution, something unusual happened in Loguetown. One pirate's appearance caused several others to escape."
"Oh? What kind of pirate could escape from you lot?"
Kong frowned.
Sengoku took out a photograph.
A man in a clown costume, bright red nose, bizarre and striking.
Garp blinked.
"Isn't that the brat from Roger's ship?"
This revelation stunned the room.
A crewmember of the Pirate King?
"Yes," Sengoku confirmed. "Buggy the Clown, a former member of the Roger Pirates. He'd been hiding in the shadows during the execution, but afterward rallied many pirates under the name of the Pirate King.
Among them was Crocodile — the infamous Sand Crocodile who lost one arm fighting Whitebeard and fled. After his escape, he encountered Douglas Bullet, the so-called 'Demon's Heir' and vice-captain of the Rockefeller Pirates. The two fought to a draw."
Sengoku had ordered intel gathering after hearing that Akainu and Aokiji together had failed to apprehend that group. What they discovered shocked him.
As he relayed the report, the other admirals stared at Crocodile's old bounty: a mere 80 million berries.
"There's no way someone that dangerous is worth only 80 million!"
One admiral blurted out in disbelief.
Tsuru cast a cold glance his way.
"He hadn't committed many atrocities before rising to fame. After the fight with Bullet, he attacked a few Marine vessels and returned to the first half of the Grand Line. That's why his bounty wasn't raised yet."
Embarrassed, the admiral quickly fell silent.
Sengoku continued.
"There's also another: the Marine Hunter, Dracule Mihawk — a swordsman active in the first half of the Grand Line, known for challenging other swordsmen. Since many of our Marines are swordsmen, he's gained this reputation by targeting them specifically."
He produced another bounty poster.
The man on the poster had piercing, hawk-like eyes.
Every swordsman in the room felt a chill run down their spine.
Kong scowled. "A pirate who hunts Marines? The audacity!"
But Sengoku wasn't finished.
"According to reliable information, this Mihawk may be connected to Rockefeller Sharo."
The room froze.
Rockefeller Sharo — the world's greatest swordsman, captain of the Rockefeller Pirates, one of the Four Legends of the New World.
Every Marine in the room had suffered at his hands at some point.
If Mihawk was tied to him…
"That connection was inferred from Akainu and Aokiji's brief skirmish. Both sensed Sharo's presence in Mihawk's aura. And there was a known encounter between Mihawk and the Rockefeller Pirates at Whiskey Peak. There's likely more we don't know."
Sengoku looked at Kong.
Akainu and Aokiji both nodded in agreement.
In that moment, every Marine turned serious.
Buggy's identity alone had been a shock.
But with Crocodile and Mihawk backing him, the threat had become alarming.
They could not allow this group to grow unchecked. Another Roger Pirate Crew could rise.
"Issue bounties! Place a top-priority warrant on the Buggy Pirates and those two combatants!"
Kong ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
Tsuru took over the task.
"Buggy the Clown — crewmember of the Pirate King. Tentatively: 500 million berries."
Kong thought for a moment before giving a conservative figure.
They couldn't allow Buggy to get too cocky.
Tsuru nodded.
It was just right — high enough to reflect his identity, without admitting Marine failure. He hadn't made a name publicly yet, but being Roger's crewmate alone justified a 500 million bounty.
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To be continued...
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