Chapter 7

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007: Interrupted Meeting at Naval Headquarters, Sengoku: North Blue, Something Big Has Happened!

Two days later, seagulls flitted across the sky above Marineford, the Naval Headquarters.

A meeting was underway, critical to the fate of the Marine government and the future of the world.

Around the large oval table sat sixteen Naval Headquarters Vice Admirals, two Marine Admirals, the current Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Chief of Staff Officer Tsuru, and others. The top brass of the Marines were all present.

The gravity of the situation was palpable. An ordinary person in this room would surely tremble at the imposing aura emanating from the conference room. This small room held nearly all of the Marines' highest combat power: the formidable Vice Admirals, the world government's esteemed Marine Admirals, and the Fleet Admiral—the highest authority in the Marines.

Their assembly underlined the importance the Naval Headquarters placed on the Whitebeard Pirates.

But just as strategic suggestions were being presented, Sengoku received an urgent order from the World Government, forcing a temporary suspension of the meeting. Confused glances were exchanged among the senior officials.

"...Fleet Admiral Sengoku? What has happened?"

"Something urgent must have occurred to interrupt such an important meeting."

Vice Admiral Momonga, with his rough-looking countenance, stared at the door and scratched his head.

Vice Admiral Onigumo, sitting next to him, nodded. Yet, his thoughts lingered on the earlier discussions.

The execution of Fire Fist Ace, the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, would likely provoke a reaction from them. The plan was to use Ace's execution as bait to eliminate the Whitebeard Pirates in one strike. As a precaution, a proposal was made to call upon the Shichibukai. As lawful privateers, it was their time to serve the Marines' needs.

Many, including Onigumo, agreed with the proposal. It was now a matter of coaxing these typically haughty Shichibukai into cooperating with the plan.

Thinking of these Shichibukai sent a chill down Onigumo's spine.

Not long after, Sengoku returned to the conference room.

"Fleet Admiral."

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

Seeing Sengoku's return, everyone readied themselves to push their proposals forward. However, the unexpected occurred.

Sengoku had entered with a heavy countenance, distinctly darker than when he had left.

His glare stopped everyone in their tracks, lingering on the Vice Admirals concerned with the Whitebeard Pirates.

After a moment of silence, Sengoku declared, "The meeting is temporarily canceled."

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, about the strength of the Whitebeard Pirates... Wait, canceled?!"

"What happened?!"

Startled, the room fell into disarray. The news was baffling. The meeting canceled?

"Hey, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, what happened to interrupt the meeting?"

Vice Admiral Dalmatian, a scar-laden Marine, stood, his disbelief evident. A proponent of the Buster Call and of a similarly hawkish stance as Onigumo, he had hoped to use the Whitebeard Pirates' familial bonds against them.

But now, Sengoku had suspended the meeting.

This made Dogman extremely uncomfortable, eager to know what had happened.

The meeting that was the top priority of Naval Headquarters had been abruptly and temporarily interrupted.

"What happened? Sengoku?"

Not far away, Vice Admiral Tsuru looked puzzled and glanced at Sengoku.

Sengoku heard the question.

His already grim face grew darker. Instead of answering immediately, he scanned the room — faces filled with doubt surrounded him.

Sengoku held out a document he had just obtained from outside the conference room. His face sank slightly, and he slowly opened his mouth to say, "There's something big going on in the North Blue."

North Blue?

The name of that Sea of Chaos, which Grand Line Naval Headquarters were less familiar with, suddenly popped up.

The Marine executives present were mostly confused.

North Blue.

In their impression, North Blue had always been synonymous with the most chaotic sea in the world. Pirates, mafia, family forces, constant wars between kingdoms — any one of them was a headache.

It could be described as a very troublesome place.

Even so, what on earth had happened to North Blue to justify abruptly interrupting this extremely important meeting?

The final result of this meeting would affect countless people outside.

But even so, Fleet Admiral Sengoku had still chosen to temporarily interrupt the meeting!

A group of Vice Admirals and others wore faces of disbelief.

And in the conference room's Vice Admiral corner, Flying Squirrel heard the name 'North Blue'.

He couldn't help but suddenly remember a 'little thing' from two days ago that he hadn't taken to heart.

Even then, he never thought it would be about Bai Ye. After all, he was a retired veteran. Even if Bai Ye disobeyed orders and left his identity as a Marine, what could he do by himself?

And at that moment, Sengoku spoke.

"It's the Heavenly Gold... it's been hijacked."

"What? Heavenly Gold?!"

"Are those guys from North Blue crazy?!"

"Someone is eyeing the heavenly gold meant to be paid to the Celestial Dragons?"

Hearing this, the faces of many Vice Admirals in the conference room changed drastically.

Flying Squirrel's first thought was that a lunatic had appeared in North Blue.

Heavenly gold was well known; it was the tribute that the World Government member countries paid to the Celestial Dragons every year.

And things associated with the world's nobles...

Whether in the four seas or the Grand Line, almost anyone with a bit of sense understood the consequences!

But a bad premonition welled up in Flying Squirrel's heart. If it were only the heavenly gold...

"Sengoku, if it's just the heavenly gold, wouldn't the World Government personally issue orders to you?" asked Crane, with a solemn look on her face.

Hearing this, the shocked group of Marine Vice Admirals couldn't help but widen their eyes.

Could it be...

Has something worse than the hijacking of the heavenly gold happened to North Blue?

Feelings fluctuated in his heart, and many eyes in the conference room couldn't help but focus on Sengoku.

Sengoku felt their gazes upon him.

Then, with a solemn face, he nodded amid the unstoppable fluctuations in everyone's hearts.

Gritting his teeth, he added, "That's right... the most troublesome thing for North Blue isn't the Heavenly Gold, but the youngest son of the Sainte-Rose family who was on that ship."

The youngest son of the Sainte-Rose family?

Wait...

"Holy"? This appellation...

Everyone heard the words.

"Could it be?!"

"My God, a Celestial Dragon?!"

Immediately, all Marine Vice Admirals who reacted subconsciously inhaled sharply.

Then, a crazy thought flashed through their minds.

Someone in North Blue had truly gone mad!

Daring to target the heavenly gold was almost equivalent to provoking the World Government!

And to add a Celestial Dragon to the mix...

Possibly even a future heir to a family of Celestial Dragons...

Even the present Marine Vice Admirals, who had experienced numerous incidents, couldn't help feeling a little shaken.

What kind of madness had taken hold in North Blue...

Who dared to make such a crazy move?