Chapter 198: Conflict within Marines
"Damn it, why did those people suddenly go to the final land? How could this have happened? The last piece of coordinate history is clearly in our hands!"
The Five Elders are stunned. After someone reaches the final land, they begin collecting the coordinate history texts. As long as they possess even one piece, no one will be able to locate it again.
As for the permanent pointer, they dismiss it entirely. Frankly, it's utterly useless. Even with the pointer leading the way, who could possibly navigate those natural perils? It's absurd.
The creators of the World Government, in order to deter exploration, deliberately omitted a proper navigational route with coordinates. The only means of access lies within the coordinate history texts. But now, with one piece secured by the World Government, others are effectively locked out.
They never anticipated Luo Ning's arrival, his actions dredging up secrets long buried.
Just as the Five Elders remain in a daze, the inner hall's door abruptly swings open, revealing a figure standing before them.
"Im-sama!"
The Five Elders, upon recognizing the newcomer, instantly drop to their knees, a cold sweat drenching them. Why? Because of Im's very existence. But who is Im? The World Government's highest authority.
Despite wielding power, the Five Elders knew they were mere lapdogs in the face of true authority. Little did they expect Im, who rarely ventured out, to appear before them.
"The Void Century's secrets are out in the open. The seas are no longer under your casual control. Gather every last ounce of your strength! The final decisive battle is upon us!"
Im's emergence signaled a complete collapse of the World Government's foundation. Deception was no longer an option. Now, brute force was the only deterrent. Uranus, the weapon once capable of destroying entire kingdoms, would rise again to crush any who dared oppose the World Government.
The Five Elders' expressions contorted at Im's words. They understood this was Im's declaration of war, and consequently, Uranus' activation.
The news swiftly reached Sengoku and Akainu through the Five Elders. Both Marines were tasked with mobilizing all available forces.
"Are all forces assembled? It seems the final battle approaches. Will the World Government stand, or will it fall to the Revolutionary Army? This choice is agonizing!"
A sense of unease gnawed at Sengoku. He harbored a vague notion of the World Government's potential downfall. The news, coupled with the looming threat of Uranus hanging over everyone, instilled a deep fear within him. Who knew if the World Government wouldn't drag them all down in its demise?
Thus, despite his high position as former Fleet Admiral, the idea of replacing the World Government and destroying Uranus began to take root. However, duty bound him to obey his superiors. In this case, Kong had issued an order to summon all non-Marine troops.
Technically, the Marines fell under his command as well. However, their immense power made them the World Government's most potent weapon. Despite his superior rank, the Five Elders were now directly overseeing the Marines.
Upon receiving the news, Akainu likewise summoned the top brass of the Marines.
"This is a colossal mess," Kizaru sighed, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by helplessness. "Just when I was planning to goof off a bit, this situation erupts. Even Admirals like us can't be certain of survival in this grand battle."
"Sakazuki, are you truly intent on dragging the Marines into this fight? Consider the consequences!"
Despite his resignation, Sengoku remained at Marine Headquarters. After all, he'd dedicated his life to the organization, considering it his home. Everyone understood his forced resignation, so there were no attempts to oust him. Additionally, Sengoku himself remained a formidable force, and Akainu wasn't foolish enough to expel him.
However, in this critical situation, joining the war would have dire consequences for Sengoku and potentially devastate the Marines' reputation.
"This is a World Government mandate. What other options are there?"
A loyal dog of the World Government, Akainu disregarded such concerns. Orders were issued, and orders were to be followed.
"You're leading the Marines to their deaths!" Sengoku retorted, his voice heavy with disapproval. Everyone present acknowledged the truth in his words. But Akainu, the man before them, was notorious for his obedience. Disobeying orders could have unforeseen repercussions.
"The Marines' very purpose is to follow orders and quell rebellion. Sacrifice is inevitable!" Akainu countered, his anger flaring. This sparked a direct confrontation with Sengoku. Even Tsuru, known for her wisdom, remained silent, wrestling with her own internal conflict.
Akainu's leadership undoubtedly placed the entirety of Marine Headquarters at risk, a fate that contradicted the very purpose of the Marines.
While the World Government funded the Marines, their core mission was undeniably the eradication of piracy. With the Revolutionary Army controlling a significant portion of the world and powerful figures like Luo Ning emerging, sending the Marines into this conflict was a guaranteed suicide mission.
Frankly, from the perspective of the average citizen, the Revolutionary Army appeared to be the righteous force, while the World Government had become increasingly tyrannical. Tsuru, however, remained conflicted; as a Marine, she was duty-bound to obey orders.
"Enough of this pointless chatter!" Garp interjected. "If the Marines are truly embroiled in this conflict, everyone understands the gravity of the situation – life or death. Sakazuki, your unwavering loyalty to the World Government is admirable, but it doesn't resonate with everyone here.
"The Marines were never meant to be subservient lapdogs. We've made concessions in the past, and that was unavoidable. But this time, we're not facing a band of thugs. The true criminals are the World Government!
"If you choose to follow Sakazuki, then by all means, do so. But if you share my convictions, then stay with me at Marine Headquarters. I'd like to see who dares to defy me!"
Garp's declaration marked a clear division. As a member of the D family, his allegiance wasn't to the bloodline itself, but to the Marines. He refused to witness the organization he cherished being dragged down by this conflict. And so, he found himself positioned in direct opposition to Sengoku.