Chapter 240: How Frightening
Marine Headquarters, Marshal Office.
Garp sat on the sofa in the Guest Area, arms crossed and a serious expression. If one ignored the slowly rising snores and the snot bubble gradually inflating from his nose, he would undoubtedly be seen as exuding a powerful presence.
Because of Garp's appearance, even Kuzan standing behind him felt a bit awkward.
On the other side of the sofa sat Tsuru, holding a Teacup.
And standing behind Tsuru was Issho, who already had his own Code Name in the Navy.
Similarly, standing behind Sengoku were Sakazuki and Borsalino, both of whom were also pillars of the Navy's future.
"This time, Holy Land Mary Geoise was attacked, and Celestial Dragons were kidnapped. The World Government wants our Navy to give an explanation. What do you think, Sengoku?"
Kong glanced sideways at Garp, who was sleeping on the sofa, and then turned his gaze to Sengoku.
"Explanation? What explanation!?"
Sengoku sat on the sofa and said stiffly.
"This whole thing is the Celestial Dragons' fault! They didn't even consult the Navy before taking action. They arrested someone and threw them into Impel Down via Justice Island. This kind of provocation against a Great Pirate, without any communication with us, where does that leave the Navy!? Now that something's happened, they want an explanation from us? Are they out of their minds!?"
Sengoku was in a terrible mood. For the Navy, every Great Pirate on the Sea was a key monitoring target. After all, these guys were like walking disasters, capable of causing immense destruction if one wasn't careful.
Originally, Nicholas wasn't considered a major threat by the Navy. After all, his territory hadn't expanded much in a long time. Compared to the Big Mom Pirates, who were frantically expanding from their base in Totto Land in the Totto Land Sea Area, and Kaido, who relied on his thick hide to cause trouble everywhere, Nicholas's threat to the Sea was on a completely different level.
And yet, this 'stable' guy was directly provoked into causing trouble by those Mary Geoise fellows.
"Sengoku, control your emotions." Tsuru placed her Teacup on the table and said calmly. Clearly, even Sengoku, known for his Buddha-like wisdom and composure, was being driven to fury by his pig-headed teammates.
"You know Nicholas isn't one to just stay quiet. This Celestial Dragons incident just gave him an excuse. Now, we need to figure out how to resolve this. Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, and Issho, do you have any good suggestions?"
Tsuru finished speaking and looked at the four. It was clear that Navy Headquarters intended to focus on developing these four.
Sakazuki's eyes were as cold as a winter wind, and he said in a deep voice, "We will never tolerate acts of Sin..."
"Alright, I get your point." Sakazuki hadn't finished speaking when Kong, sitting in the Fleet Admiral position, waved his hand to indicate he understood. He was actually quite satisfied with Sakazuki, considering him a qualified soldier, but even Kong, who was said to be all muscle and no brain, found his rigid personality a bit incomprehensible.
Sakazuki's meaning was clear: there was no point in talking to Pirates, just fight them.
But the problem was, even setting aside the Celestial Dragons' safety, was Nicholas really that easy to kill? While the Navy's current Strength was unprecedentedly powerful, the Pirates weren't pushovers either, especially the Pirate King Roger, who was currently nowhere to be found.
He was an even greater hidden danger. If the Navy went to war with Nicholas, and Roger suddenly appeared and rallied the Pirates on the Sea, things would get very interesting indeed.
Borsalino, who was trimming his nails with nail clippers, suddenly felt a gaze sweep over him. He stopped his Action and said, "I think Ms. Tsuru makes a lot of sense."
As Kizaru spoke, the Atmosphere instantly chilled.
Veins bulged on Kong's forehead. "Borsalino, you haven't been listening to a word, have you?"
"Creak." Just then, the Office door was pushed open, breaking the awkward Atmosphere.
Marineford, Navy Marshal Office.
Kong sat upright behind his desk, hands clasped and resting on his chin, solemnly watching the three CP0 members standing before him.
"Tap tap." Sengoku beside him tapped his fingers on the Documents on the table a few times, veins appearing at the corners of his eyes, and said in a deep voice, "So, this is the World Government's Order?"
"..." If it weren't for their Masks concealing them, Sengoku would surely see the extremely unpleasant expressions on the faces of the three CP0 members.
They never liked dealing with these Navy guys, and yet this task had fallen to them.
"This is an Order from the Five Elders. You must ensure the safety of Saint Sommerfield." The leading CP0 member said in a deep voice.
Although he knew the Navy wouldn't attack him, the oppressive Atmosphere in this small Office made him feel like he was facing the Five Elders.
That straight and proud Form, shrouded in white robes, seemed to hint at a slight bow for a moment. After all, facing a room full of Top-Tier Powerhouses from the Sea, lowering your head wasn't shameful.
Besides, this wasn't outside, and there weren't many People. It was rare to see CP0 looking so defeated, but Sengoku wasn't happy at all.
From the moment Nicholas kidnapped the Celestial Dragons, the Initiative was firmly in his grasp.
"That guy is practically a lawless Man. He even dared to attack Holy Land Mary Geoise. To guarantee the 'Celestial Dragons' safety'... who dares to make such a promise!?" The Atmosphere in the Office suddenly turned heavy.
The CP0 members, under the Gaze of the Big Shots present, felt sweat beading on their foreheads beneath their Masks.
"The Five Elders have already issued an Order. All departments under the World Government will unconditionally cooperate with the Navy's Action."
Hearing these Words, Sengoku sighed and picked up the Den Den Mushi that had been delivered from Impel Down, sitting on his desk.
Without the slightest hesitation, he dialed the Number on the Den Den Mushi in his hand.
A moment later, the Phone Call connected.
"Beddyk?"
As soon as Nicholas spoke, Sengoku immediately said in a deep voice, "Nicholas, how dare you do this...!?"
Hearing these Words, the three CP0 members instantly panicked. If you questioned him like that, Saint Sommerfield might be killed right away!
"Sengoku, you didn't call just to say that, did you? You should know this wasn't my provocation. Are you saying I should do nothing when my People are arrested by you? What do you take me for!? I'm not your Subordinate!"
The Den Den Mushi, bearing a slight resemblance to Nicholas, opened its mouth and transmitted Nicholas's Voice.
Sengoku's expression hardened. He lowered his gaze to the Den Den Mushi and said, "What you've done is undoubtedly an act of war against the World Government. You don't actually think you can stand against the World Government, do you?"
The Den Den Mushi on the other end remained silent for a moment.
After a few breaths, Nicholas's Voice came from the Den Den Mushi again.
"How frightening."
"You don't think threatening me with a few Words will scare me, do you? Seriously, if you actually frighten me, who knows what irrational Things I might do."
(End of Chapter)