Chapter 78: Wavering Belief
"So, Garp, are you telling me you intentionally let Roger escape?"
Sengoku asked loudly, looking at Garp who was sitting on a Stone and being treated for his wounds by medical personnel.
"Ara ara, I'm a wounded man right now, Sengoku, keep your voice down."
Garp said nonchalantly while being bandaged, picking his nose with his right pinky finger.
Sengoku, clearly at a loss with this version of Garp, could only say helplessly, "Do you know that this opportunity was incredibly rare? You should understand better than anyone how terrifying the potential of the Roger Pirates is! If we let them continue to roam the Sea, they could become the next Rocks! Do you understand?!"
"Roger isn't that kind of person."
Garp flicked the booger from his pinky finger aside and said seriously.
Just as Sengoku was about to say something more, Tsuru spoke up, "Alright, Sengoku, you know Garp's personality after all these years. No one can easily change a decision he's truly made. By the way, has the Casualty Report come out yet?"
Hearing Tsuru mention the Casualty Report, Sengoku felt a headache coming on. It was no exaggeration to say that the Navy had suffered significant damage in this battle. Not only were the lower-level elites heavily depleted, but even the casualty situation among mid-level officers was causing a headache.
"The elites from the East Blue are practically wiped out. While the North Blue, South Blue, and West Blue didn't suffer losses as exaggerated as the East Blue Fleet, a large Recruitment will be unavoidable after this war.
On the New World Marine Branch side, G-1's losses are still manageable, but G-5's main combat power is almost entirely annihilated. Regaining combat strength won't be easy. I plan to discuss with Fleet Admiral Kong whether to re-recruit personnel for G-5, considering G-5's methods aren't exactly good for the Navy's image.
Besides that, several other Branches have also suffered significant reductions in personnel, requiring transfers from Headquarters. So, for the New World, I intend to have Garp and Zephyr temporarily take charge.
After all, even though Rocks has been dealt with in the New World, Golden Lion Shiki, Whitebeard Edward Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, Shaki, Nicholas, Captain John, Kurozumi Siblings, and other Pirate Crews, both large and small, originally under the Rocks Pirates, will undoubtedly stir up major waves in the New World.
As for the Four Seas, little Tsuru and I will handle those."
Sengoku said, looking at Garp.
"Hey, Sengoku, you wouldn't be trying to get rid of me and Zephyr so you can take advantage and make a move on little Tsuru, would you? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."
Hearing Sengoku's words, Garp immediately looked at Sengoku with disdain, as if he had seen through everything.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
Hearing Garp's ridiculous words, Sengoku immediately punched Garp on the head.
Tsuru, however, didn't say much. She simply placed her hand on Garp's shoulder and activated her Devil Fruit Ability. Instantly, Garp's entire body, as if washed, lost its original form and became like freshly dried laundry.
"Ah, I really want to eat Senbei Crackers."
Watching his own unreliable old man, Dorag couldn't help but twitch his lips. It was just too embarrassing.
"By the way, how should Rocks be handled?"
Ignoring Garp, who was still thinking about Senbei Crackers, Tsuru turned to Sengoku and asked.
Among the Navy's top brass, Kong was a brute, Garp was a brute, the other two Admirals nearing retirement were brutes, and Zephyr was a slightly cultured brute. When you counted them, the only ones in the Navy with any brains were her and Sengoku.
"CP has already secretly transported Rocks to Holy Land Mary Geoise. After all, it's an Order directly issued by the Five Elders, and our Navy can't interfere. But it's probably for the best. If the Navy were responsible, I'd really have a headache."
As for whether Rocks might escape during the CP escort, Sengoku wasn't worried at all. He had personally witnessed CP0's methods. Rocks' limbs and bones had all been dislocated, rendering his entire body immobile except for his eyes. To prevent Rocks from causing trouble with Conqueror's Haki en route, they even used a narcotic strong enough to sedate large Sea Kings for anesthesia.
"Puru~ Puru~"
Just as Sengoku and the others were discussing the aftermath, the Den Den Mushi on Sengoku's person suddenly rang. Upon answering, the Den Den Mushi's image morphed into that of a bald man.
"Sengoku, how are things progressing on your end?"
The Den Den Mushi spoke with a condescending tone from the outset.
"We are currently cleaning up the Battlefield. Rocks has been transported to Mary Geoise by CP0. As for Silver Axe and Wang Zhi under Rocks, they were killed in action. Captain John escaped with the remaining subordinates. Whitebeard, Nicholas, Roger escaped..."
"Enough. Order all Navy personnel to evacuate immediately. You are relieved of responsibility for the situation there."
Just as Sengoku was reporting, another voice suddenly came from the Den Den Mushi, immediately ordering a full Navy evacuation.
Hearing this, Sengoku couldn't help but frown. After all, there were still many Celestial Dragons and slaves on the Island, and the remnants of the Rocks Pirates hadn't been completely eliminated. If the Navy evacuated, those Pirates...
"Sengoku, this is an Order! Have the Navy evacuate from that location! The World Government will dispatch personnel to take over your duties. You will receive ample Reward and Commendation for your efforts."
After the Den Den Mushi hung up, Sengoku glanced at Tsuru and then issued an Order to the messenger: "Order all Navy personnel to prepare for immediate evacuation!"
"Vice Admiral Sengoku, if we evacuate..."
Hearing the order to evacuate, Dorag couldn't help but speak out.
"Dorag, this is an Order."
Zephyr emphasized to Dorag.
As the Navy warships moved away, Dorag watched the continuous explosions and billowing smoke rising from the distant Island, his face grim. It was clear the World Government's order for the Navy to evacuate was to prevent them from discovering something and to facilitate a more thorough cleansing of the Island.
It was likely that besides the World Government's cleansing force and the Celestial Dragons, the slaves and Pirates remaining on that Island would all be killed.
"Is this Justice? No, this is not the Justice I desire."
For the first time, Dorag began to question whether the Navy's Justice was truly Justice at all.
Meanwhile, within Pangaea Castle in Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Inside a vast Room, five figures sat on sofas, discussing the major event that had just transpired.
"The Navy performed admirably this time."
"Indeed. Have Kong summoned. It's time to consider new Admirals. After all, the strength of those two Admirals is beginning to wane."
"This time, let us provide three Logia-type Devil Fruit to the Navy. The Sea is destined to be turbulent in the coming period, and the Navy requires reinforcement."
"What is the status of the investigations into Poseidon and Pluton?"
"There is no new information regarding Poseidon at present. However, there is some development concerning Pluton. The Nefertari family absconded with Pluton long ago. However, as they are descendants of royalty, that esteemed individual will not permit us to employ coercive measures.
Furthermore, Water Seven, where Pluton was constructed, has undergone numerous purges. Consequently, knowledge of Pluton's details is virtually nonexistent. Nevertheless, the Blueprint that vanished at the time remains missing. I suspect it remains concealed within Water Seven. The CP Department is currently pursuing this line of inquiry."
"Additionally, a Scientific Genius has reportedly emerged in Baltimore. This matter also warrants close scrutiny."
(End of Chapter)