The Price of a Wrong Guess

He's waiting for us to guess wrong.

After Shanks finished speaking, no one on deck immediately responded.

Luffy's fist froze in mid-air, the gold stripes on the edge of his Straw Hat still gleaming.

Nami grabbed his wrist.

"Don't press any buttons randomly, Shanks said to wait a moment."

Luffy looked at the four options displayed in the Sky Screen.

"But what if he goes and attacks Lumi and the others?"

Robin flipped through the Old Map projected from the Sky Screen, his fingertip hovering over the steps on the outer ring of the Holy Land site.

"The location of Garling Station can be adjusted to move to three different battlefields, or it can remain stationary."

Zoro frowned.

"This question asks about the target most likely to be attacked personally."

Sanji kicked a knight aside and casually pushed the retreating woman toward Shakky.

"So he can get the answer by simply making us think he's going somewhere."

Usopp lay prone below the tower, holding his slingshot and looking towards the Main Gate.

"What can we do? The countdown on the Sky Screen is still going on."

On the outer ring of the Holy Land, Garling's blade hung low beside the steps.

He didn't go towards the Scrap Platform, nor did he go towards the Sabaody exit.

He only looked at Shanks.

"Red-Hair, you've learned to make others hesitate for you."

Shanks raised his hand and pressed it against his still-bleeding palm.

I've learned not to leave the answers to bloodlines.

Garling said.

You will choose the wrong one.

Shanks asked.

Which one would you like me to choose?

Garling's blade lightly touched the ground.

You already have the answer in your heart.

Upon hearing this, Luffy immediately shouted.

Shanks, he's lying to you!

Shanks did not look away.

"I know."

Akainu stood in front of the screen at Marine Headquarters, his face grim and hard.

"Staff, analyze Garling's movement path."

The communications soldier hurriedly reported back.

"The shortest distance is from the outer ring of the Holy Land to the exit of Sabaody, but the witnesses at the Scrap Platform are of higher value. The evidence chain at the Old Archive is currently protected. If Garling himself takes action, he may prioritize cutting off Red-Hair's sources of interference."

The Sengoku period began.

"Don't just consider the distance."

The crane looked at the screen.

"Garling is the commander-in-chief; if he takes action personally, his objectives must include command and control."

Garp sat in the back, tapping his fingers on the back of the chair.

"I think he wants to cut off the Red-Hair."

Akainu didn't turn around.

"Reason."

Garp said.

"He's standing too upright."

The Sengoku frowned.

What kind of reason is that?

Garp raised his eyes.

"The person going to put out the fire will turn their feet first, but his feet didn't move."

Only ten seconds remain on Sky Screen countdown timer.

On the Scrap Platform, Sabo listened to the analysis, holding a water pipe horizontally in front of him.

"Mr. Xiong, what do you think?"

The bear stood protectively in front of Bonney and Lumi.

"If Garling wants to kill the witness, the Knights are enough to hold us back."

Bonney gritted her teeth.

"So he needs to deal with Shanks first?"

Lumi was hugged by Dr. Eve and asked softly.

Will the red-haired uncle die?

Mia hugged the file box tightly.

"Won't."

Dr. Eve saw her.

How did you know?

Mia stared at the Sky Screen.

"Because he hasn't finished answering."

At the exit of Sabaody, the four knights were blocked by Luffy and his crew.

Shakky pushed away the last group of elderly people and called back.

"Luffy, don't let them get near the tower."

Luffy replied.

"Leave it to me."

Nami asked urgently.

"Answer the questions first!"

Luffy looked at the options, his hand hovering in mid-air.

Shanks!

Shanks spoke.

Choose C.

Benn Beckman frowned.

Are you sure?

Shanks said.

He wants me to choose D.

Luffy paused for a moment.

"He's not going to the Old Archive?"

Robin understood immediately.

"D is a trap. The core of the Old Archive evidence chain has been sealed. If the answer is D, Sky Screen will shift its protection focus back to the Old Archive, creating gaps in the Scrap Platform and Sabaody."

Akainu spoke in a deep voice.

"Marine Headquarters chose C."

The dragon also spoke.

"The Revolutionary Army chooses C."

Luffy pressed down.

"C!"

Shanks looked at Garling.

I choose C.

The golden lettering on the Sky Screen descended.

[Answer submitted.]

[Correct answer: C.]

[Figarland Garling's primary target: Red-Haired Shanks.]

[Reasons: Cut off the remote interference source, reclaim the Knights' command chain, and rebuild the Branch Judgment.]

Luffy breathed a sigh of relief.

You guessed right!

Garling raised his sword at that moment.

Shanks draws his sword.

Benn Beckman raised his gun at the same time, Yasopp pulled the trigger on the mast.

The Sky Screen siren sounded.

[Additional public review.]

[Garling's Branch Judgment against Red-Haired Shanks was unsuccessful.]

[However, Garling can initiate Commander-Level Battlefield Suppression.]

Shanks said.

"They've arrived."

Garling stepped down the stairs, his blade slicing through the air, and the Sky Screen was filled with white light for half a breath.

On the deck of the Red Hair Pirates, Shanks raised his sword to catch the slash that came from afar, and the ship slid several feet to the side.

Lucky Roux crashed into the railing.

"Can you fight through the Sky Screen?"

Benn Beckman pulled the trigger.

The bullet was sent into the outer ring of the Holy Land by the Golden Light, and was deflected by the back of a knife in front of Garling's shoulder.

Garling said.

"Sky Screen gave you a cable, and you gave me one too."

Blood trickled down the hilt of Shanks' arm.

That's perfect.

Luffy was getting anxious.

Can I come over?

The words immediately appeared on the Sky Screen.

[Straw Hat Luffy hasn't subsided; cross-platform integration is not recommended.]

Nami grabbed him.

"See? I don't recommend it!"

Luffy is dissatisfied.

"It's just a suggestion."

Sanji turns around and roars.

"If you dare run now, Nami will beat you up, and so will I."

Zoro blocked the knight's lance with a single strike.

"Clean this place up first."

Over at the tower, Usopp hit the Main Gate panel with a bullet.

"I can't open it, this thing is locked."

Robin's arm emerged from the wall and reached behind the control box.

"It has three layers of clasp."

Nami looked at the key book.

"Ka Mi Er's keybook has a number."

Ka Mi Er heard this from outside the Old Archive wall and immediately shouted.

"The Main Gate on the east side is the third group of the old transport line, key code 79. Don't enter it wrong, or it will be blocked."

Usopp was sweating.

Why didn't you say so sooner?

Ka Mi Er coughed twice.

"You didn't ask either."

Koby blocked a knight's path and turned to shout.

"Mr. Usopp, I'll buy you some time."

Tashigi used the back of her knife to knock the other man's gun handle away.

"Quick."

On the Scrap Platform, the three knights began to advance.

Silver Helmet looked at the Sky Screen and said, his tone filled with anger, "That's the correct answer."

"The commander-in-chief has convinced their judgment, yet you have still made the right choice."

Sabo smiled.

"Because you're too good at killing witnesses; they're already familiar with you."

Bonney raised her hand.

"Stop talking nonsense."

The bear raised its paw, Pressure Cannon ripped off the metal sheeting at the edge of the platform, forcing the two knights to separate.

The Little Bear stood in front of Lumi.

"Protect, Lumi."

Lumi tilted her head back.

"Thank you, Little Bear."

The Little Bear was a beat behind.

"Thank you, received."

Dr. Eve hugged Lumi and backed away.

"This child is still learning to speak."

Mia stared at the lock on the file box.

"I also have something to say."

Sabo turns his head.

"Now?"

Mia nodded.

"The file box contains a Medical Department order signed by Garling."

Bonney's eyes widened.

Why didn't you say so sooner!

Mia hugged the box tightly.

"I only knew it was a dispatch from the Knights, I didn't know he would come in person."

The words immediately appeared on the Sky Screen.

[Evidence of a connection to Figarland Garling was detected.]

[Whether the Medical Department order will be made public.]

Garling looked up from the outer ring of the Holy Land.

Shanks saw it too.

"Mia, go public."

Mia's finger trembled slightly on the lock before she pressed confirm.

"Public."

[Evidence being uploaded.]

Garling's blade deflected, and his second slash was no longer aimed at Shanks.

It turned to the Scrap Platform.

Shanks's face darkened.

"Benn Beckman."

Benn Beckman fired.

Yasopp's bullets followed closely behind.

Two bullets, aided by the Golden Light of the Sky Screen, struck the edge of the slash, yet were still sent flying by the aftershocks.

The bear raised its paw.

Bonney, step back.

Bonney picked up Lumi and lunged backward.

Sabo's flames surged, slashing long marks into the iron plate, and the file box slipped from Mia's arms.

The Silver-Helmed Knight reached out to grab it.

The Little Bear rushed over and hugged the box.

"Little Bear!"

Lumi cried out.

The Little Bear was kicked in the chest by the knight, but it still pressed the box down beneath it.

"Evidence, protection."

The bear's expression changed.

"Let it go."

The silver-helmeted figure bowed its head.

"Can machines steal evidence?"

Bonney raised her hand.

Its name is Little Bear!

The Golden Light from the Sky Screen enveloped the Little Bear and the file box.

[Medical Department order uploaded.]

[Signed by, Figarland Garling.]

[Content: The underage adaptation sample Lumi, was handed over to the Knights' main team.]

On the outer ring of the Holy Land, Garling looked at the Scrap Platform for the first time.

Shanks spoke.

"So, what you really wanted wasn't to kill her."

Garling sheathed his sword half an inch from its sheath.

"Red-Hair, you're still too slow to guess."

The red text on the Sky Screen lit up.

[The Lumi handover command is still in effect.]

[The Holy Knights may retake the enemy according to the old order.]

The Silver-Helmed Knight bent down, his palm facing towards Lumi.

Red Mark appeared on the cooling pipe connector on Lumi's chest.

Dr. Eve screamed.

"Lumi's old collar is responding!"

Bonney hugged Lumi even tighter.

"No one can take her away!"

At this moment, a new question popped up in the Sky Screen.

[Urgent Q&A]

[How to repeal Lumi's Old Transfer Order.]

[A, Defeat the knight on the scene.]

[B, Destroy the original Medical Department Original Transfer Order.]

[C, Lumi herself publicly refused to hand it over.]

[D, All of the above must be true.]

Garling's voice came through the Sky Screen.

"Red-Hair, do you still dare to let your child testify on this question?"

Lumi's little hands clutched Bonney's collar, her face pressed against her shoulder.

She looked up at the Sky Screen, and her lips moved slightly.

"I dare."