Chapter 188: Marine Meeting

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Byakuya and Issho deliberately lingered at the port to wait for Aokiji. 

When Aokiji arrived and spotted Byakuya, he quickly approached, giving him a hearty pat on the shoulder. 

"Well done, kid! The situation in the Dressrosa Kingdom was handled beautifully!"

Byakuya shook his head, replying, "It's not over yet. The true outcome won't be determined until after this meeting." 

Aokiji nodded in agreement, fully aware of the importance of the upcoming conference. 

Like many other Marine officers, Aokiji also supported the abolition of the Shichibukai system.

Turning his gaze to the man beside Byakuya, Aokiji asked, "And who might this be?"

"This is Issho. He's currently assigned to the G-5 branch as a Marine Rear Admiral," Byakuya explained. 

"His strength is comparable to yours, Aokiji."

Hearing this, Aokiji's eyes widened slightly in surprise. 

Comparable to his strength? Before Aokiji could respond, Issho humbly interjected, "Byakuya, my friend, you're exaggerating." 

"My strength is far from comparable to an Admiral's. Please don't take his words too seriously, Aokiji."

But with Byakuya speaking so highly of Issho, Aokiji wasn't about to take Issho's humility at face value. 

Smiling, he said, "Since Byakuya speaks so highly of you, Issho, there's no need for formalities between us." 

"That said, it seems a waste for someone of your calibre to remain a Rear Admiral."

Issho replied with a gentle smile, "I didn't join the Marines for rank or status. Byakuya understands this well."

Byakuya nodded, adding, "That's right. Issho joined the Marines because he, too, wishes to see the Shichibukai system abolished."

Aokiji's respect for Issho grew even more after hearing this. 

Their conversation flowed naturally as the trio entered Marine Headquarters, talking casually to the mess hall for lunch. 

Their camaraderie didn't go unnoticed, drawing the attention of many onlookers.

Despite Issho's Rear Admiral uniform, the fact that he shared such an easy rapport with Aokiji and Byakuya—who was often referred to as the "fourth Admiral"—left a strong impression. 

His quiet demeanour and blindfolded appearance only added to the air of intrigue surrounding him.

The next day, at noon, the much-anticipated meeting finally began. 

Perhaps learning from past experiences, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had arranged for a larger meeting room, with enough chairs to seat all attendees comfortably. 

Normally, a Rear Admiral like Issho wouldn't qualify to attend such a high-level conference. 

However, Byakuya had personally requested Sengoku's approval for Issho to participate.

Sengoku, having heard from Zephyr about Issho's immense strength—said to rival that of the current Admirals—readily agreed. 

This led to the unusual sight of a lone Rear Admiral among a room full of Vice Admirals and Admirals.

Byakuya couldn't help but recall how, during a previous meeting, he had also attended as a Rear Admiral amidst higher-ranking officers. 

Seeing Issho now, he felt a sense of déjà vu.

As the start of the meeting drew near, most of the Marine officers had already arrived, per Sengoku's strict punctuality rules. 

Byakuya noticed Vice Admiral Garp sitting opposite him, chuckling to himself for no apparent reason. 

Curious, Byakuya asked, "Vice Admiral Garp, what's got you in such a good mood?"

Garp burst into hearty laughter. "Ha ha ha! My grandson Luffy is joining the Marines today! Isn't that great news?"

Byakuya froze for a moment. Luffy? Joining the Marines? Was Garp confused, or had he hit his head recently? 

Strangely, the others in the room didn't find this surprising. They quickly joined in to congratulate Garp.

"Congratulations, Vice Admiral Garp! The grandson of the Marine Hero—he's bound to become an Admiral someday!"

"Like grandfather, like grandson!"

"Looks like we've got another rising star among the new generation, alongside Byakuya."

Garp's grin widened as he basked in the compliments. 

Byakuya, however, suppressed a smirk. Knowing the truth from the reports of his agents, he resisted the urge to burst Garp's bubble. 

Instead, he joined the others in congratulating him, thinking, Laugh while you can. 

When Luffy's bounty poster is plastered across Marine Headquarters, I'll be looking forward to seeing your reaction.

Unbeknownst to Byakuya, someone else in the room had been stealing glances at him. 

Among the few women qualified to attend such a meeting, only two stood out: the seasoned Tsuru and Vice Admiral Gion, a candidate for Admiral. 

Gion, observing Byakuya's lively conversation with Garp and Aokiji, thought to herself, Why doesn't he seem as aloof as usual today?

Sitting nearby, Tsuru noticed Gion's frequent glances and teased her with a knowing smile. "Interested in Byakuya? Should I speak to Zephyr about arranging a match?"

Gion, ever composed, brushed it off with a smile. "I'm just curious about him. It's not what you're thinking, Tsuru-senpai."

With a sage expression, Tsuru replied, "Curiosity is often the beginning of something more, you know."

"Tsuru-senpai, please! I'm ten years older than him."

"And? With how young you look, most people would think you're his age if you didn't say anything."

"Tsuru-senpai!" Gion blushed, her composure briefly breaking.

"Alright, alright," Tsuru relented, though she couldn't resist adding, "I'm just saying, if you're interested, don't hesitate. A man like Byakuya won't stay single for long."

Meanwhile, seated nearby, Vice Admiral Kaji—who had unsuccessfully confessed to Gion over a hundred times—watched the interaction with growing frustration. 

Staring at Byakuya, Kaji thought bitterly, What does this guy have that I don't? 

Aside from being more handsome, younger, stronger, more promising, and… Damn it! Never mind!

As the lively atmosphere continued, the room fell silent when the doors suddenly opened. 

Sengoku entered, his face grim, followed by three figures in pristine white suits, each wearing distinct masks.

Byakuya exchanged a look with Aokiji. Both recognized the attire immediately. CP0. Great.

Sengoku's tone was neutral but carried a hint of underlying tension. 

"These three representatives from CP0—Reini, Reishi, and Reigo—are here on behalf of the World Government."

The hierarchy within CP0 was evident. Despite three chairs being provided, only Reini sat, while the other two stood respectfully by his sides.

Those familiar with Sengoku could detect the suppressed frustration in his tone.

The Fleet Admiral had already had a tense exchange with the CP0 agents before the meeting.

Before Sengoku could formally begin, Reini broke the silence, his tone laced with disdain. 

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it seems the Marines' discipline leaves much to be desired. This meeting room feels more like a noisy marketplace than a professional gathering."

Had this comment come from Sengoku, it might have been acceptable. 

But coming from Reini, it was an obvious provocation, one that instantly soured the mood in the room.

Admiral Akainu, known for his fiery temper, shot a glare at Reini, his hostility evident. 

Though he hadn't been part of the earlier chatter, Reini's remark had insulted every Marine present.

Undeterred by the tension, Reini continued, "Especially that loud laughter—I could hear it even before entering the room."

"It's hard to tell if this meeting is meant to be a proper discussion or just an opportunity for Marine officers to socialize."

Before attending the meeting, Reini had received vague instructions from the Gorosei. 

During the conference, they were to adopt a haughty attitude to emphasize their status as representatives of the World Government, ranking above the Marines. 

This was the reason Reini tried to assert dominance the moment they entered the room.

However, as soon as Reini finished speaking, Garp stood up, looked down at Reini with his nose high, and began cracking his knuckles. 

"It was me laughing earlier. Do you have a problem with that?"

Reini was momentarily dumbfounded by Garp's threatening gesture. 

If it were any other vice admiral confronting him, he would have berated them without hesitation. 

But this was Garp—the Marine hero who had taken down the Rocks Pirates and chased Pirate King Roger across the Grand Line. 

Crossing him would surely lead to a world of pain, and even if he got beaten up, there would be no recourse.

Faced with Garp, Reini remained silent and reluctantly backed down. 

The awkward tension in the room immediately turned to quiet snickers, and a few Marines even laughed openly.

Sengoku calmly remarked, "Garp, sit down. You're scaring the poor guy."

Sengoku's words were laced with sarcasm, which didn't go unnoticed. Garp let out a dismissive snort and sat back down. 

With the disruption seemingly quelled, Sengoku officially opened the meeting. 

But everyone present could tell that the discussion was unlikely to go smoothly—after all, the primary agenda was deciding whether to abolish the Seven Warlords of the Sea system.

The discussion started with both sides presenting the pros and cons of the Warlord system. 

The Marines had prepared extensive reports detailing its numerous drawbacks. 

Just the actions of Crocodile and Doflamingo alone were enough to showcase the severe dangers the system posed.

Even so, there were examples of Warlords who had benefited the World Government, like Bartholomew Kuma, who willingly became a test subject for Dr. Vegapunk's weapons research.

Byakuya, however, knew that Kuma was a Revolutionary Army operative, and his compliance was likely part of a larger Revolutionary strategy. 

Of course, Byakuya couldn't bring this up during the meeting. 

Regardless, the harm caused by the Warlord system far outweighed any benefits. 

It had sullied the Marines' reputation and brought undue suffering to the World Government's allied nations.

As the debate progressed, it became increasingly clear that the Marines had the upper hand in arguments. 

Crocodile and Doflamingo's heinous deeds were undeniable, and no amount of rhetoric from Reini could obscure the facts.

Realizing this, Reini decided to merge two points in an attempt to sway the discussion: 

"The existence of the Seven Warlords effectively neutralizes seven powerful pirates with catastrophic potential." 

"These are individuals with the strength to rival entire nations. In critical moments, they can also be mobilized as a force to aid the Marines and the World Government." 

"Isn't that an undeniable benefit to the Marines, the Government, and the seas as a whole?"

It was then that Issho, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. 

"Even if we have the authority to summon the Warlords in times of need, there is no guarantee they will act in our favor." 

"In fact, at critical moments, they are more likely to betray us. Should they defect during a battle, it would create even greater chaos for the Marines." 

"The risks far outweigh the benefits."

Issho's words struck a chord with the Marines present, who nodded in agreement. 

Even Byakuya couldn't help but silently applaud Issho's reasoning. 

After all, the betrayal of certain Warlords during the Paramount War had proven that they were anything but reliable allies.

Reini was left speechless by Issho's rebuttal but soon noticed the rank insignia on Issho's uniform: Rear Admiral. 

Seizing this as an opportunity, Reini sneered, "This is a high-level meeting between Marine leadership and the World Government."

"What right does a mere rear admiral have to speak here? Get out!"

This blatant insult angered every Marine present. After all, they had all started from lower ranks and worked their way up. Reini's condescension struck a nerve.

Before Sengoku or anyone else could respond, Byakuya slammed his sword, onto the table with a sharp crack, drawing everyone's attention. 

His gaze turned icy as he glared at Reini and said coldly, "If you don't want to keep that tongue of yours, feel free to keep talking."

The room's atmosphere instantly froze as a wave of killing intent swept over everyone. 

The air seemed to shimmer with a faint crimson hue, as if soaked in blood, sending chills down everyone's spines.

The Marines were shocked by the intensity of Byakuya's murderous aura. 

It was a testament to his power, confirming his reputation as the "fourth admiral."

Some even wondered how many lives he had taken to emanate such a terrifying presence—one that even surpassed Admiral Akainu's infamous bloodlust.

Reini, whose strength was comparable to that of a junior admiral, felt utterly paralyzed under Byakuya's oppressive aura. 

It was as if an invisible blade was pressed against his neck, ready to decapitate him should he utter another word.

Seeing Byakuya's actions, Issho felt a surge of warmth. He knew Byakuya was defending his honor. 

Still, to avoid escalating the situation further, Issho gently said, "Vice Admiral Byakuya, let it go. The primary focus of this meeting is the abolition of the Warlord system."

Hearing this, Byakuya withdrew his killing intent but left the sword on the table as a silent warning. 

The atmosphere in the room eased slightly, though the Marines' awe for Byakuya only deepened.

Even with the tension subsiding, Reini noticed a shallow cut on his neck. Blood trickled down, staining his white suit. 

The realization that Byakuya had inflicted this wound without even drawing his blade left him utterly shaken. Meanwhile, Garp, observing the scene, chuckled inwardly. 

With Byakuya's strength, even if I train Luffy, there's no way he can surpass him. How will Luffy ever compete for the position of Fleet Admiral at this rate?

If Byakuya had heard Garp's thoughts, he might have laughed and said, Your grandson can be Pirate King, and I'll be Fleet Admiral. No conflict there, old man.

Sengoku, on the other hand, rubbed his temples in frustration. This brat again. He's making a scene, and guess who has to clean up after him? Me!

Even Gion, watching Byakuya's display, found herself captivated. Her heart whispered, Yes, this is exactly the kind of man I imagined him to be.

With the room still subdued, Sengoku finally broke the silence. "Reini, if you have nothing else to say, we'll proceed with abolishing the Warlord system."

Reluctantly, Reini muttered, "If we abolish the Warlord system, won't these pirates run amok, causing even greater harm to the seas?"

Byakuya responded calmly, "If any of them cause trouble, I'll personally hunt them down and eliminate them." His words left no room for debate.

Reini stammered, "N-no further questions."

And with that, the meeting concluded—efficiently and with a clear outcome, thanks to Byakuya's unwavering resolve.

<End Chapter>

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