Chapter 35: The News
Garp isn't worried. He knows Luo Ning isn't a horrible criminal or crazy person. If Luo Ning was, he wouldn't have just beaten up Onigumo before. They all would be left there in Impel Down.
Besides, how would they even know? They can't control what happens in East Blue anyway, so why worry about it?
"That's right! And him letting them send these messages back must be because he's letting them do it on purpose!"
Sengoku knows for sure that Luo Ning must be letting them send these messages back. Otherwise, there's no way they could send clear messages.
Garp's point made sense, so Sengoku didn't bug him anymore. Honestly, Sengoku really wished he had Garp's life now.
Garp doesn't have a big job right now, so he can do whatever he wants.
In fact, Sengoku is even lazier than Garp. After he quit being fleet admiral, this guy became a real slacker.
***
Like that, time flew by. Morgans found out some things through his spy in the Marines, but Sengoku warned him before he could tell anyone.
Even though Morgans was brave, he didn't want a real fight with the Marines. The war at Marineford was different. Sengoku and the others showed everything live, so the news couldn't be hidden. But news about Luo Ning could still be blocked.
After the warning, Morgans chickened out. Messing with the Marines wouldn't end well. So his big story just turned into a small riot at Impel Down, and it was shut down fast.
There was a fight between Luo Ning and the Marines, but nothing major happened inside Impel Down. The news about Luo Ning got blocked too, with the Marines putting a gag order on it.
"Morgans isn't an idiot, he knows not to pick a fight with the Marines"
Luo Ning wasn't surprised by the news. The World Government lets Morgans run his newspaper because it suits them. They could easily replace him if they wanted. Keeping things under their control is always best.
Everything is quiet again. The Marines haven't bothered Luo Ning anymore.
Of course, Luo Ning knows Sengoku will attack him if he finds a weakness.
Luckily, Sengoku will never find one. It's not like Luo Ning has none, but they're well hidden. This isn't an Anime where he can just announce them. He's not going to be a big bad villain and reveal everything, so the chances of his weaknesses being exposed are basically zero.
Even if the Marines knew The Visionary's weakness, it wouldn't change anything.
Luo Ning isn't fighting the Marines or the World Government yet, but that time will come. Just not now.
Bored after skimming the news, Luo Ning tossed the paper aside.
***
News travels fast, and the Five Elders caught wind of the situation. Based on Sengoku's report, they decided it wasn't worth messing with Luo Ning right now.
The Five Elders aren't petty warmongers. They prioritize the World Government's benefit, even if it means working with pirates like the Shichibukai. The Marines, despite their self-proclaimed justice, are ultimately a tool of the World Government, financially reliant on them.
So, while the Five Elders called off any immediate action against Luo Ning, they did deploy agents from CP to gather more intel on him.
By the way, Sengoku and the others took care of the corrupt Marine in Luo Ning's old village.
Even after the incident, Sengoku dispatched four Vice Admirals across the four seas to form inspection teams and root out corruption within the Marines.
***
On East Blue's side, Garp is ashamed to go. In fact, Garp knows very well that he can simply leave this matter to Smoker. As for himself, he can just head home and see his precious grandson.
Sengoku naturally knows what Garp will do, but he has no recourse. Even if he doesn't agree, Garp will leave quietly at that time. Instead of letting this old man pester him further, it's better to send him to East Blue.
And now that Luo Ning is also heading towards East Blue, it's good for Garp to keep an eye on things.
Shanks was the only one who seemed to care. He's been trying to calm things down on the seas lately. Makes you wonder if he has some kind of deal with the Five Elders. Acts like the ocean's peacekeeper, that guy.
Worrying all day long, Luo Ning's brain felt like it was melting. Maybe it was because he had too much free time, but whatever the reason, he just didn't like Shanks.