Chapter 245

Marineford, Grand Line

Marineford was gripped by a suffocating silence, one that carried the weight of the tremendous loss that had struck the heart of the Marines. The deaths of over forty thousand Marines in a single, devastating blow had sent ripples of shock and anger throughout the ranks.

But worse than the body count was the death of Admiral Zephyr, a man whose name commanded respect and reverence from nearly every elite Marine that had ever trained under him. He wasn't just a symbol of strength—he was a mentor, a father figure to countless Marines, now taken from them in an instant.

The tension in the meeting room was thick, the gravity of the situation etched on the faces of the highest-ranking officers of the Marines. Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat at the head of the table, surrounded by his admirals and vice admirals—Raylene, Hazard, Tsuru, Borsalino, Sakazuki—and every officer of importance was present.

But none more imposing in this moment than Vice Admiral Kuzan, who stood wrapped in bandages, his wounds from the recent clash with an unknown assailant still fresh, though nothing compared to the rage burning inside him.

With a flick of his wrist, Kuzan tossed the crumpled World Times newspaper onto the table, the front page screaming accusations that sent a shiver down the spine of every Marine in the room.

"Is this true, Sengoku-san?" Kuzan's voice was low but simmering with barely controlled fury. His cold glare fixed on Sengoku, as if daring him to deny it.

"Tell me this isn't true."

Everyone had heard the rumors—whispers of how Admiral Zephyr had been a target, not just in this recent catastrophe, but from years ago, when his family was marked to be killed in what was now suggested to be a World Government-sanctioned attack. The betrayal stung deeper than any physical wound could.

Sengoku's face remained tight, his eyes heavy with guilt. He met Kuzan's eyes but couldn't muster the strength to argue.

"The warning came too late, Kuzan," Sengoku said, his fists clenched beneath the table, knuckles white. "We managed to evacuate most of our forces—"

"Most?!" Kuzan's fist slammed into the table, cracking it under the weight of his strength. "We lost nearly forty thousand men, Sengoku! And they didn't even know why they died!" His voice rose with each word, fury bubbling over, his haki flaring for a brief moment.

"And what about the people of the Sorbet Kingdom? Since when do the Marines slaughter innocent people like livestock?"

Sengoku flinched at the accusation, his heart sinking, but before he could respond, another voice cut through the tension.

"Those people were no longer innocent, Kuzan," Sakazuki's voice was cool, almost indifferent. He sat at the far end of the table, his arms crossed as if this was just another briefing.

"They were criminals—colluding with revolutionaries. They were declared enemies of the World Government. Our job is to execute justice, Kuzan. Absolute justice. Our protection doesn't extend to those who conspire against us."

The room tensed as Sakazuki's words hit the air like a hammer.

Kuzan's eyes flared in a cold, burning rage. "You bastard," he growled, voice barely human, before raising his arm, which began to crystallize with ice.

"Shut your mouth, Sakazuki." The entire room felt the temperature drop as Kuzan unleashed his power, frost spreading from his fingertips toward Sakazuki's side of the room. The air crackled, freezing in an instant, as the ice shot out like a jagged spear of wrath.

Sakazuki was prepared. His magma-infused body flared to life, the molten heat meeting Kuzan's ice head-on. Steam hissed and swirled as the two opposing forces collided, the sheer pressure of their power forcing the other officers to brace themselves.

"Kuzan!" Sengoku's voice boomed across the room. "Enough!" His haki rippled outward, silencing the clash of ice and magma with the weight of his authority. "This isn't the time for us to fight among ourselves!"

Kuzan's eyes remained locked on Sakazuki, his chest heaving with barely restrained fury, but he relented, letting the ice recede. Sakazuki's lava simmered down as well, though his stoic expression never faltered, showing no remorse for his cold, calculating words.

Just then, the tense silence of the room was broken by a knock at the door. A Marine officer entered hastily, bowing deeply as he approached Sengoku, his face pale with urgency. He leaned in to whisper to the Fleet Admiral, but the senses of the high-ranking officers—each one adept at using Haki—picked up the words with ease.

"*A ship from the Holy Land has docked at Marineford, sir. One of the Five Elders is here.*"

The room went utterly still.

Even Sengoku's eyes widened in surprise. The Elders, the highest authority in the World Government, rarely ventured out of Mariejois. Their presence here could only mean one thing: judgment was coming.

Kuzan, standing at the edge of the room, clenched his fists tighter. The truth was unraveling, and the web of deceit that the Marines had become ensnared in was suffocating. He didn't just feel betrayed by the World Government—he felt betrayed by his own ideals. The death of Zephyr, the Sorbet Kingdom's slaughter, and the truth behind it all were pushing him toward a precipice he feared he might soon fall from.

"One of the Elders..." Kuzan muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with raw emotion. His eyes flickered toward Sengoku one last time, silently begging for answers. But none came.

As the massive World Government ship docked at Marineford, the imposing figure of Elder Ju Peter stepped onto the port, flanked by four CP0 agents who maintained a respectful distance behind him.

Elder Ju Peter, one of the highest authorities in the world and a Celestial Dragon, scanned the once-proud Marine headquarters with a critical eye. The grim atmosphere of Marineford was palpable, a somber shadow cast over the entire island in the wake of the recent tragedies.

Ju Peter took a deep breath, his sharp gaze sweeping across the sprawling complex before him. "How long has it been since I last stepped into Marineford?" he whispered to himself, his voice tinged with a rare hint of nostalgia. But the memory of such trivialities had long since faded; for a man who stood at the very pinnacle of the world, such details were insignificant.

As he continued to observe his surroundings, his advanced observation Haki detected several presences quickly moving toward the port. A frown creased his otherwise calm demeanor. Is this how they welcome a superior? He thought, his irritation barely concealed. Despite the ominous mood in Marineford, Ju Peter expected proper respect—especially as a Celestial Dragon who was accustomed to unwavering deference.

The port felt like a graveyard, a stark contrast to the bustling hub it usually was. But to Ju Peter, all those lives lost in the recent events were nothing more than numbers—sacrifices that had served their purpose.

Unlike the other Celestial Dragons, however, Ju Peter was shrewd enough not to openly display disdain for those beneath him. He knew the power of perception and chose to keep his contempt masked, especially when it served his interests.

Soon, Fleet Admiral Sengoku arrived, followed by Admiral Hazard, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and Vice Admiral Sakazuki.

The group moved with urgency, aware of the delicate situation they were about to face. Under normal circumstances, a grand parade would have been arranged to welcome someone of Ju Peter's stature, but the current state of Marineford made such an event unthinkable.

Sengoku was silently grateful that a mob hadn't formed to protest the arrival of one of the very people responsible for their suffering.

Sengoku approached the Elder with a short, respectful bow. "Elder, we would have arranged for a grand ceremony if we had known you were coming," he greeted, his tone measured and diplomatic.

Ju Peter acknowledged the bow with a mere nod, his eyes cold and calculating. "I'm not here for pleasantries, Sengoku," he began, his voice devoid of warmth. "The recent failures of the Marines have deeply disappointed us. I am here personally to set things straight within Marineford."

His words cut through the air like a blade, leaving no room for misunderstanding. To him, everything that had transpired—the chaos, the deaths, even the loss of Admiral Zephyr—was the fault of the Marines. The blame was theirs to bear, and Ju Peter had come to ensure they understood that.

Sengoku's fist clenched at his side, anger boiling beneath his composed exterior. Every fiber of his being wanted to challenge the Elder's accusations, to defend the actions of the Marines who had fought and died, but he knew better. A single word from Ju Peter could spell the end of the Marines as they knew it. He swallowed his pride and forced himself to remain calm.

"Despite receiving an early warning," Ju Peter continued, his tone dripping with condescension, "you allowed this disaster to unfold. You lost tens of thousands of Marines, and even more disgraceful, you let one of your Admirals die. This is nothing short of pathetic."

Ju Peter's gaze wandered as he spoke, his eyes taking in the changes that had occurred in Marineford over the years. His casual reprimand stung like a lash, each word a reminder of the failures that haunted the Marines. Sengoku, Tsuru, Hazard, and Sakazuki stood in tense silence, their jaws set, their pride wounded, but none dared to speak against the Elder.

The group walked towards the main building, Ju Peter leading the way as if he owned the place. And, in a sense, he did. The Celestial Dragons were the true rulers of the world, and Ju Peter was one of their most powerful. His presence was a reminder that, no matter how strong the Marines were, they were still pawns in a much larger game.

As they reached the entrance to the main building, Ju Peter paused, turning to face Sengoku directly.

"You, Sengoku, were chosen to lead because of your supposed wisdom and strength.

Yet here we are, facing one of the greatest losses in Marine history under your watch. I suggest you take a long, hard look at your leadership before more 'mistakes' are made."

Sengoku's expression remained neutral, but inside, he felt a mix of shame and anger. He knew the Elder's words were meant to strip him of any remaining dignity, to ensure that he understood his place. The truth was, despite all his power and responsibility, he was still subservient to the whims of those who truly held power in the world.

Within the meeting room, tension hung thick like a storm cloud. Elder Ju Peter now occupied the main seat, his presence an ominous shadow over the gathering. Behind him stood the CP0 agents, motionless and stern as sentinels, their expressions hidden behind featureless masks.

Despite the room being filled with the highest-ranking officers of the Marines—pillars of justice within the organization—few had ever found themselves in the same space as an Elder, let alone one who represented the highest authority within the World Government.

The tension was palpable, and open hostility simmered just below the surface, yet Ju Peter seemed unconcerned. His gaze swept across the room, cold and calculating, fully aware of the animosity directed towards him. But if any dared to step out of line, he would not hesitate to make an example of them.

Vice Admiral Kuzan was at the breaking point, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. The urge to lash out surged through him, but Admiral Hazard, standing nearby, subtly shook his head.

"Don't," the gesture warned. "Not now. Not here." Normally, an elder had no need to meet with the Marines directly. Orders passed through the Fleet Admiral were obeyed without question, just like the directive that led to the slaughter of an entire island.

But today was different. Today, the Elder was here in person, and his mere presence turned the atmosphere suffocating.

Elder Ju Peter's gaze finally settled on Fleet Admiral Sengoku, who sat at the opposite end of the table, his usual composed demeanor strained under the weight of the Elder's scrutiny.

"Tell me, Sengoku," Ju Peter began, his voice cold and cutting, "what have you done regarding that slanderous newspaper you were ordered to deal with? The World Times is spreading lies that are causing global unrest, yet here you all are—gathered in one place, twiddling your thumbs like children. Do you want the Marines to be disbanded? It wouldn't take long for us to dissolve this pathetic excuse of a force and create one that would truly uphold the order of this world."

Sengoku took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. "Sir, the losses to the Marines were significant, yes," he began, his voice steady though laced with underlying frustration.

"But we succeeded in taking down Golden Lion Shiki and Charlotte Linlin—two of the most notorious pirates who were dubbed the Emperors of the New World. Along with them, many other notorious pirates from the New World were also captured or killed."

Ju Peter's eyes narrowed, his expression betraying a flicker of disdain. "That was no thanks to you, Sengoku," he interrupted sharply.

"If the Marines were competent, we wouldn't have had to resort to using a weapon of such magnitude. We lost twenty-three Celestial Dragons during that native hunting competition. So tell me, how are you going to take responsibility for that? Weren't the Marines tasked with providing security for the event? How, then, were pirates able to infiltrate the island so easily?"

The Elder's words were a stinging rebuke, twisting the narrative to place the blame squarely on the Marines' shoulders. Kuzan, who had been silently fuming, could no longer contain himself. He slammed his fists on the table as he stood, his eyes blazing with fury. "Are you saying it's all the Marines' fault?!" His voice echoed through the room, filled with indignation.

Admiral Raylene, who had been silently seething, finally spoke up, her voice dripping with sarcasm and contempt.

"From the reports, it was World Government ships that broke away from the blockade, allowing the pirates to enter the island. And the newspaper clearly tells us what kind of games the World Government is playing."

Her eyes narrowed as she looked directly at Ju Peter, barely restraining her disdain. She wanted nothing more than to throw her Marine jacket to the ground and walk away from this farce, but she had made a promise to Garp—a promise she intended to keep, no matter how much it cost her.

The room fell deathly silent as a sudden explosion of power erupted from Ju Peter. His Haki surged through the room like a tidal wave, catching everyone off guard. Even Sengoku, who had faced the Elders before, was overwhelmed by the sheer force of it.

The air grew heavy, and the walls seemed to close in as the oppressive weight of the Elder's presence bore down on them all.

Kuzan staggered, his breath hitching as he struggled to withstand the pressure. Raylene's nails dug into the table, her jaw clenched in defiance even as sweat trickled down her brow. Every Marine in the room felt it—a crushing, suffocating force that made their knees buckle and their wills falter.

The Elder's power was far beyond anything they had ever encountered, a stark reminder of the vast gap that separated them from the true rulers of this world.

Ju Peter's gaze bored into Admiral Raylene, a silent warning burning in his eyes. "Remember your place," that gaze seemed to say. "And remember who holds the real power here."

"Sir," Sengoku finally managed to say, his voice strained but resolute, "the Marines will continue to uphold justice and maintain order. We serve the World Government, but we also serve the people of this world. That is a duty we will not abandon."

Ju Peter's expression remained inscrutable, but the oppressive force of his Haki gradually receded, leaving the room in a heavy silence. The tension remained, thick and unyielding, but for now, the immediate threat had passed. The Elder leaned back in his chair, his cold eyes still fixed on Sengoku.

"See that you don't forget that, Sengoku," Ju Peter said, his voice a low, dangerous murmur. "For your sake—and the sake of your precious Marines."

"Boom...!!!"

The sound of the explosion reverberated through the meeting room, a thunderous crash that shook the very foundations of Marine HQ.

Just as Elder Ju Peter was about to disclose the true purpose of his visit, the door to the meeting room was obliterated, blown apart with a force that sent debris flying in every direction.

Splinters of wood and metal shot through the air as the entrance was reduced to rubble. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as everyone in the room froze, their senses overwhelmed by the sudden, violent intrusion.

Before anyone could fully register what had happened, a figure moved through the smoke and dust—faster than any of the elite Marines could react. In an instant, the figure barreled through the center of the room, the air around them crackling with raw power.

Tables and chairs were torn asunder as the figure's momentum carried them forward, straight toward Elder Ju Peter. The speed, the precision, the sheer force—it was overwhelming.

The fist that followed was a sledgehammer of fury, aimed squarely at the Elder's chest. Ju Peter, despite his calm demeanor, had honed instincts that few in the world could match.

Even so, the attack was so sudden, so brutally powerful, that it left him with no choice but to defend himself. His arm shot up, coated in the black sheen of advanced Haki, just in time to intercept the blow.

The impact was cataclysmic. The collision of two titanic forces sent a shockwave ripping through the room, shattering windows and causing the walls to tremble and collapse. The enite building splintered beneath the force, and the air itself seemed to vibrate with the residual energy of the strike.

Yet, even with his formidable defense, Elder Ju Peter was not prepared for the sheer magnitude of the punch.

His feet skidded back, digging into the floor as he was propelled across the room, but it wasn't enough to stop the momentum. The Elder was sent hurtling backward, crashing through the reinforced walls of Marine HQ as if they were made of paper.

Stone and steel crumbled around him as he was launched outside, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake, the building itself groaning under the assault.

For a moment, the room was engulfed in a stunned silence. The Marines, some of the most powerful warriors in the world, stood in shock amidst the noe destroyed room, their eyes wide with disbelief at what they had just witnessed.

The CP0 agents, usually the epitome of composure, were momentarily paralyzed, their minds struggling to process how they had failed to react to such an attack. These were the guardians of the World Government's secrets, the elite among elites, and yet they had been caught flat-footed, unable to protect the Elder from the assault.

Vice Admiral Kuzan's heart pounded in his chest as he slowly turned his gaze to the source of the chaos. The dust and debris began to settle, revealing the figure standing amidst the ruins of what had once been the meeting room. His eyes widened as recognition dawned on him.

It was Garp.

*****

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