Chapter 111

"Did you just say Shakuyaku?" Garp's countenance changed as the marine mentioned that Shakky was a good option for the Shichibukai. Garp did not deny her capabilities—pirates like Shakky had a bottom line, unlike most out there. But Shakky was someone he had reformed, providing her with a new life in exchange for giving up her pirate ways.

One must know that the Calm Belt was devoid of many resources, and for the Kuja tribe to survive, the best way was piracy. Despite being an island of women, they trained themselves in Haki from a young age. Shakky was one of the strongest empresses Amazon Lily had in its history.

Back then, Garp had put immense effort into changing Shakky, refraining from killing her because an entire island of people relied on the Kuja Pirates for survival. He had opted for a milder approach. But now, the World Government was smearing dirt on all his hard work by dragging Shakky back into piracy.

"Kong-san, are we now so desperate that we are even bringing back people who are reformed and asking them to kill and loot on our behalf?" Garp's voice was low, akin to a growl.

Kong looked at Garp, understanding the weight of his words. "Garp, this is not about desperation; it's about survival. The pirate age is spiraling out of control, and we need every resource at our disposal to maintain some semblance of order."

Garp slammed his fist on the table, cracking the wood. "Order? You call this order? Forcing someone who left the life of crime to return to it? Shakky has done her time. She's found a new way of life. Dragging her back into this mess is nothing but a disgrace to everything we stand for."

Zephyr, sensing the rising tension, intervened. "Garp, I understand your frustration. But this isn't just about Shakky. It's about the bigger picture. The balance of power is shifting, and we need to adapt. If we choose the right people, we can control the chaos rather than letting it consume us."

Garp clenched his teeth; his frustration was evident. "And what happens when this control slips? When these so-called warlords start abusing their power? We've seen it before. Pirates don't change."

Kong sighed, the weight of the situation heavy on his shoulders. "We will have contingencies in place. The moment any of these warlords step out of line, we will take action. This is a temporary measure until we can stabilize the seas."

One of the vice admirals, trying to ease the tension, added, "Shakky is strong and has a sense of honor. If she accepts, it might not be as bad as we fear. She could even help keep other warlords in check."

Garp shook his head, the conflict within him clear. "You're playing a really dangerous game, Kong san. This plan might buy us time, but at what cost? The line between justice and corruption is already thin. This could shatter it."

Kong placed a hand on Garp's shoulder, a rare gesture of camaraderie. "I know, old friend. But we have to play the cards we're dealt. We'll keep a close watch on all of them, especially Shakky. If anyone can ensure she stays on the right path, it's you."

Garp sighed deeply, the fight momentarily leaving his eyes. "I'm sorry, Kong-san, I cannot do this. I cannot condemn a person who has truly changed for the better and push them back into the abyss. You are asking me to go against all the values the Marines stand for, Kong-san. I'm sorry, but I can't bring myself to do this."

Kong looked at Garp, his expression softening at the earnestness in Garp's eyes. "What are you suggesting, Garp?"

"I have a humble request. If you think my years of service in the Marines are worth something, please remove Shakuyaku's name from the list," Garp pleaded earnestly.

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. The other officers were taken aback, not understanding why Garp'The Marine Hero' would go to such lengths to protect an ex-pirate. Even Sengoku and Tsuru looked puzzled. With the World Government adamant about implementing the Shichibukai policy, choosing beneficial candidates seemed to be the best strategy for the Marines.

Only Zephyr seemed to grasp the depth of Garp's request. He knew that for Garp, forcing Shakuyaku back into piracy was like forsaking the justice he had believed in all these years.

Kong sighed, rubbing his temples. "Garp, you know the situation we're in. The World Government's decision is final. We need powerful individuals to stabilize the seas. Shakuyaku is one of the best candidates we have."

Garp shook his head. "There are other ways, Kong san. There are so many ways to bring stability back to the seas. Shakuyaku has changed. She left that life behind, and pushing her back into it would be a betrayal of everything we stand for."

Sengoku, sensing the weight of the moment, spoke up. "Garp, I understand your feelings, but we need to be pragmatic. The seas are in chaos. We need strong allies, and Shakuyaku can help maintain balance."

Garp's eyes flashed with determination. "Pragmatism? Is that what we're calling it now? We can't sacrifice our principles for temporary solutions. We need to find another way."

Tsuru, who had been silent until now, leaned forward. "Garp, think about it. Shakuyaku is a powerful figure. Her presence as a Shichibukai could prevent countless conflicts. It's not just about her; it's about the greater good."

Garp clenched his fists. "Tsuru, you of all people should understand. Forcing her back into piracy is not justice. It's manipulation. It's wrong."

Zephyr, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "I support Garp. Forcing Shakuyaku back into piracy would undermine everything we've worked for. We need to maintain our integrity, even in these desperate times."

Kong took a deep breath, weighing the options. "This draft was directly sent by the Elders. The names are not suggestions; they are orders."

Garp's face fell. "Kong-san, there must be some way—"

Kong interrupted, "This is not up for debate, Garp. The elders have spoken, and we marines have our orders. Shakuyaku's name stays."

Sengoku placed a hand on Garp's shoulder. "We understand your feelings, Garp, but this decision is out of our hands. We must follow the orders of the World Government."

Garp's expression hardened. "Then we are nothing but their dogs, doing their dirty work. This isn't justice."

Tsuru sighed. "Garp, this is bigger than any one of us. We need to think of the larger picture, the stability of the world."

Garp stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "If this is what the Marines have become, then maybe it's time I reconsider my place here."

Kong's voice was stern. "Garp, we all have to make sacrifices. This is war. We don't have the luxury of idealism."

Garp looked around the room, seeing the resignation in the eyes of his fellow officers. "It seems like my words and actions hold no more value within the Marines; I guess I am no longer needed here anymore," he said quietly, turning and walking out of the room, leaving behind a stunned silence.

Just as Garp was about to walk out of the room, Fleet Admiral Kong's voice bellowed, shaking the entire meeting room. "Garp, you bastard! Step out of this room, and young Rosinante will have zero chance of becoming a Shichibukai. Mark my words. You should know that becoming a Shichibukai will guarantee his survival."

Kong had always known how to manipulate Garp. Initially, it was by appealing to Garp's sense of justice. Later, he leveraged Dragon's name. Now, he was using Rosinante's safety as a means to subdue Garp.

Garp stopped mid-step, his Haoshoku Haki bursting out like a raging sea. The very air around him seemed to vibrate with an immense, invisible force. The marble floor beneath him didn't just crack; it exploded into a web of jagged fissures that radiated outward, spiderwebbing across the entire room. The walls shuddered and groaned under the pressure, and tiny fragments of stone and dust rained down from the ceiling, threatening to collapse the entire building.

The room's atmosphere grew heavy and oppressive. The rear admirals, who had been standing confidently just moments before, found themselves struggling to remain on their feet. Some dropped to their knees, their faces pale and their eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear.

They gasped for breath, as if the very air had been sucked out of the room, leaving them drowning in Garp's overwhelming presence. A few of the weaker officers even collapsed, their consciousness stolen by the sheer intensity of the haki.

The vice admirals, though more resilient, were not immune. They gritted their teeth and clenched their fists, feeling the weight of Garp's power pressing down on them like a physical force. Sweat beaded on their foreheads as they fought to maintain their composure. The pressure in the room was like a tangible entity, wrapping around each person and squeezing the very willpower from their souls.

Even the Admirals, seasoned warriors who had faced countless threats, felt the crushing weight of Garp's haki. They exchanged uneasy glances, their instincts screaming at them to prepare for battle. For the first time in years, they felt genuine trepidation. This was not just the power of a man; it was the wrath of a legend, a force of nature that could not be contained.

Zephyr's own haki flared in response, a subconscious reaction to the overwhelming pressure. He took a step forward, placing a hand on Garp's shoulder, feeling the raw, pulsating energy coursing through his old friend. "Monkey D. Garp!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the oppressive air like a knife. "Control yourself!"

Garp's eyes, blazing with an unyielding fire, slowly began to soften as he registered Zephyr's words. The pressure in the room began to recede, and the air became breathable once more. The cracks in the floor and walls remained as a testament to the sheer power that had been unleashed, a reminder of what could happen if Garp ever truly lost control.

Fleet Admiral Kong, despite his hardened demeanor, couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear. He had seen many powerful men in his time, but Garp's display was something entirely different. It was a stark reminder of the unpredictable and uncontrollable force that lay within the Marine hero.

As the room settled into an uneasy calm, Garp took a deep breath, turning slowly towards Kong.

"How low have you fallen, Fleet Admiral?" He said, his voice steady but laden with disappointment. "Just so you know, I know my student better than you do. He would never accept becoming the World Government's dog. The only reason he served in the Marines was because of a promise he made to me. Never underestimate him. Unlike me, he doesn't have an attachment to the Marines. So I suggest you drop the notion of sending an invitation to him because you will simply be losing a Marine battleship in the process."

With that, Garp's eyes sharpened, and he left the meeting room with steady steps, leaving behind an assembly of shaken but resolute officers, a fractured floor, and the echo of his unyielding will.

Zephyr watched him go; his expression conflicted. "We need to find a way to do this right, Kong-san. Forcing Shakuyaku into this role may lead to more problems than it solves. I'm sorry to say this, Kong san, but even I cannot support this Shichibukai system." He stood up, and under the shocked gazes of the marines, an admiral walked out of the meeting.

As the Marine Hero and Admiral Zephyr left the room, the weight of the decision hung heavily on the rest of them. The path ahead was uncertain, and the choices they made now would shape the future of the Marines and the world.

As Garp walked through the silent corridors of Marineford, his memory drifted back to the face of a smiling man who had been both his greatest friend and foe. The final favor Roger had asked echoed through his mind: "Save my son, Garp!"

All these days, he had been wrestling with an internal conflict, thinking that helping save Roger's son was a betrayal to the Marines. But now he felt a moment of clarity. This was not the kind of Marine he wanted to serve. The Marines he had envisioned died long ago. Maybe his protégé Ross was always right: there is no true justice in this world.

He then mentally made up his mind to find Roger's wife and help shield her and Roger's son from the Marines and the World Government, no matter the cost. Just then, hurried footsteps echoed through the silent corridors. A slight smile lit up on Garp's face, thinking that there were still a few decent Marines.

Admiral Zephyr caught up to Garp. Neither of them spoke as they continued walking. Then Garp broke the silence as they exited the main building. "Zephyr, let the Fleet Admiral know that I will be going on a long vacation. Now, with the so-called warlords filling up our ranks, I don't think my presence is needed in the New World anymore. I intend to go back to East Blue and then maybe tour the Four Blues," Garp declared.

Zephyr knew that trying to stop his friend was not an option, as he could relate to the pain Garp must be going through. "How long?" Zephyr questioned.

"A year, maybe two. I don't want to be around when all that I believed in becomes simply a joke," Garp commented.

Zephyr couldn't help but sigh. "I don't think Kong-san would agree to such a long vacation."

"Then let the Fleet Admiral know that, in that case, he can feel free to remove my name from the Marines," Garp said, his voice heavy with resignation. Without waiting for Zephyr to add more, Garp walked away, heading to find Bogard, the only man he thought he could trust in all of Marineford.

As Garp walked through the bustling base, the memories of battles fought and comrades lost weighed heavily on his heart. Each step felt like a farewell to the ideals he once held dear. The corridors seemed narrower, the walls more oppressive, as if the very structure of Marineford was closing in on him, reflecting his own disillusionment.

As he approached Bogard's quarters, Garp felt a deep sorrow settle over him. The man he once was, the Marine who believed in true justice, seemed like a distant memory. The realization that the institution he dedicated his life to had strayed so far from its principles was a bitter pill to swallow. He knew that shielding Roger's son might be his final act of true justice, a way to atone for all the compromises he had made over the years.

Bogard looked up as Garp entered, sensing the weight of the decision his mentor had made. "Garp-san," he started, but Garp held up a hand.

"I need your help, Bogard. There's something important I need to do, and I can only trust you," Garp said, his voice betraying the heavy burden he carried.

Bogard nodded, understanding that this was not a request but a call to stand by the man who had always stood by him.