The Gathering Storm

The atmosphere in Fleet Admiral Akainu's office was stifling. The smoke from Akainu's cigar mingled with the palpable tension emanating from the faces of the assembled high-ranking Marine officers.

Kizaru, with his usual relaxed smile, fiddled with a Den Den Mushi, while Ryokugyu, leaning in a corner, lazily chewed on a blade of grass.

Fujitora, eyes closed, seemed to meditate in silence. Garp, with clenched fists, stared at the newspaper lying on the table, his face flushed with anger. Tsuru, with her serene expression, watched the scene with concern.

"Damn it!" Akainu roared, slamming his fist on the table. "How dare Morgans publish such garbage?! This is a betrayal of the Navy!"

"Ara ara, Akainu-san, don't get so upset," Kizaru said in his slow, sing-song voice. "After all, the truth always comes out, don't you think?"

"Shut up, Borsalino!" Akainu snapped. "This is not a game. The reputation of the Navy is at stake. And Sengoku's life!"

A deathly silence fell over the room. The death of Sengoku, a hero of the Navy, was a devastating blow to everyone present.

"The World Government has decided to take action!" Akainu announced, his voice resonating with authority. "We cannot allow Hashirama and the Revolutionary Army to continue challenging our power."

Garp, his eyes burning with determination, stood up. "I'll take care of Hashirama! I'll avenge Sengoku, no matter the cost!"

Tsuru, with a worried expression on her face, joined Garp. "I'll go with you, Garp. We can't leave this matter in the hands of the young ones."

Akainu looked at them with a mixture of respect and frustration. "Garp, Tsuru, I appreciate your bravery, but the World Government has other plans. Their main target is Sabo and the Revolutionary Army."

Garp frowned, clearly disappointed. "What about Hashirama? Are we going to let him get away with what he did in Marineford?"

Akainu sighed. "The World Government has decided to wait and see. They want to know the extent of Hashirama's power after his resurrection. Once we have a clear assessment of his strength, we will take action."

"Action?" Gion, the vice admiral with black hair, asked with an expression of disbelief. "What kind of action?"

"The World Government believes that Hashirama can be used as a weapon," Akainu replied coldly. "A weapon to eliminate the most dangerous pirates in the New World."

A murmur of surprise went through the room. The idea of using Hashirama, a man who had proved capable of destroying Marineford, for their own ends was terrifying.

"This is madness," said Tsuru, her voice trembling with indignation. "How can we trust a man who has already proven to be a threat to the whole world?"

"We have no choice," Akainu replied coldly. "The World Government has made a decision, and we must obey."

When Akainu finished speaking, a heavy silence fell over the room. Garp, his face pale, opened his mouth to speak, but the words stuck in his throat.

His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. His grandson had achieved the unthinkable by defeating Kaido and ascending to the throne of the Four Emperors. But now, with the return of Hashirama, Kaido's former captain, Luffy's fate seemed uncertain.

The idea that the World Government would use Hashirama to eliminate the most dangerous pirates, including Luffy, filled him with anguish. Garp had always believed in the justice of the Navy, but now....

"I... am tired," Garp murmured, his voice barely audible. "I'm going to rest for a bit."

He got up from his chair and left the conference room, leaving behind a trail of silence and concern. Everyone present understood the internal conflict that Garp was going through. Even Kizaru, with his usual carefree attitude, realized the gravity of the situation.

Akainu shook his head, sighing. "That Mugiwara brat has always been a headache. Now, with the threat of Hashirama, his fate seems sealed."

Tsuru, with a sad expression on her face, looked towards the door where Garp had left. "Garp has always been a man of principle. I'm afraid this situation is tearing him apart."

"The meeting continues," Akainu said, his voice firm and authoritative. "We must focus on the matters at hand. Let's discuss the exposure of the Seraphim and the 24-hour monitoring of Revolutionary Army communications."

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