Who Can Save Them

I choose them.

Lumi's voice was still hoarse from crying, but she stood in front of the windshield and didn't hide behind the Little Bear anymore.

Garling's gaze swept across the Sky Screen and landed on the Scrap Platform.

"A minor's testimony cannot determine a protector's eligibility."

Lumi hugged her coat tightly, glanced back at the children, and then turned back.

"Then I'll say it again, I'm Lumi, and I don't choose you."

The Little Bear raised its hand.

"S-Bear, record, Lumi, not selected, Garling."

Bonney almost burst out laughing. She put her injured hand on the bear's arm and looked up at the Chief Adjudication Platform.

"Did you hear that? Even Little Bear can remember testimonies better than you."

Garling pressed his finger against the disc, and the third question finally appeared in its entirety.

[Third instance trial at the Chief Adjudication Platform]

[Trial Question: Can a person whose identity is in dispute act as a temporary protector in a crisis of evidence destruction?]

[A. No, pirates, Revolutionary Army, disobedient naval personnel, and those who modify weapons are all ineligible.]

[B. This can be undertaken solely by the navy, with other factions withdrawing]

[C. Can be chosen by the individual, but requires ratification by the Throne afterwards]

[D. The Throne can be chosen by the protected individual, witnessed by multiple parties, and cannot be ratified or revoked by any party involved.]

Upon hearing Luffy immediately raised his hand.

"D!"

This time, Robin didn't stop him, only reminding him, "Don't rush into the Sky Screen, keep your coordinates stable."

Luffy pressed his Straw Hat to his chest, the old index pattern gleaming between his fingers.

"I know, choose D. The person being rescued has the final say."

Zoro looked around at the evacuees.

"I heard you. Tell me who you want to choose."

Sanji handed a child to the mother, then turned and kicked away the Holy Land guard near the alley entrance.

"Don't choose for them. Anyone who dares to interrupt, I'll kick their teeth out."

Nami picked up her pen and the sea chart.

"Those willing to be escorted by the Straw Hat Pirates, stand here; those willing to go with the Marines, go to Koby's side; those willing to wait for the Revolutionary Army to pick you up, state your names. No one can fill them out for you."

Usopp was sweating profusely, clutching a stack of temporary signs.

"One at a time, don't write the names crookedly, but it's okay if they are, as long as Sky Screen can understand them."

Koby stood under the naval flag and, hearing some of the evacuees hesitate, took the initiative to step back.

"You don't have to choose the Navy; choosing it won't affect the protection marker."

Tashigi glanced at him.

"What you said will also be recorded by the Chief Adjudication Platform."

Koby nodded.

"That's even more true."

Marineford, Akainu stared at option B, his expression growing increasingly grim.

"It wants to turn all the rescue efforts into a naval takeover, and then have the Holy Land order the navy to hand over the people."

The crane nodded.

Therefore, option B cannot be chosen.

Sengoku looked at Akainu.

"You must acknowledge the temporary protection granted to pirates and the Revolutionary Army."

Akainu pressed his palm on the table, causing the cracks to spread outwards.

"I acknowledge the right to choose witnesses."

Garp grinned.

That's a strong statement.

Akainu didn't look at him.

"Marine Headquarters, select D. Witnesses have priority in choosing their own options. The Navy cannot forcibly take over."

The staff officer paused on his notebook, then continued writing.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral."

At the Revolutionary Army Headquarters, Long looked at Lumi in the Sky Screen.

"Revolutionary Army, select D. All squads, listen to my command. If a witness chooses the Navy or the Straw Hat Pirates, they must not be detained."

Emporio Ivankov wiped the tears from his face.

"Understood. The child will go with whoever he wants to go with."

On Future Island, Vegapunk looked at item D and suddenly dragged an old document into the notice board.

Hina asked, "What did you send?"

"The Pacifista agreement states that the bear has no choice; today is the perfect time to eliminate it."

When the bear heard its name called, it looked down at Bonney.

Bonney looked at him too.

Who do you choose?

The bear answered without hesitation.

I choose Bonney.

Bonney's eyes welled up with tears, but she wouldn't back down.

That's not what I'm asking you right now.

The bear pulled her slightly behind him, shielding her.

"This has always been my answer."

Garling looked at them; the cracks on the back of his hand bearing the Main Unit Seal were still bleeding.

"Bartholomew Kuma, you are classified as a modified weapon and have no right to act as its protector."

Vegapunk immediately pushed the documents onto the Sky Screen.

[The Old Pacifista Personality-Deprivation Protocol]

[Marked as an illegal control protocol by Sky Screen]

[The relevant mandatory clauses have been lifted]

Bonney pointed to the line of text.

"Look carefully, it's been deactivated."

Kizaru chimed in.

"I can testify too; I was there when it was lifted, and I was so exhausted I almost couldn't stand up."

Sabo looked at Garling.

"You're going to use scrap paper to interrogate people?"

Garling did not answer. He raised his knife and drew a line on the disc. The Red Mark bypassed item D and then wrapped around the names of witnesses such as Lumi and Dan.

Robin's expression changed.

He is attacking the act of choice itself.

A new notification then popped up on the Sky Screen.

[Warning: The Chief Adjudication Platform may question whether the witness was coerced into choosing the witness.]

[Further verification needed: Whether the protected individual made the choice while in a state of freedom]

Lumi was bathed in red light, and the children around her shrank back, but she reached out and pulled them behind her.

I wasn't forced.

Garling said, "You're surrounded by pirates, Revolutionary Army, and defector weapons."

Lumi looked up and replied, "I was surrounded when you were standing at the door with a knife."

The Scrap Platform fell silent, and then Mia was the first to burst into laughter, a laugh tinged with tears.

"Records, Lumi's testimony, the source of coercion is Saint Garling."

Dr. Kaven raised his hand.

"I testify that the Straw Hat Pirates were not on the Scrap Platform before the children made their choice, the Revolutionary Army did not restrict their movements, and Mr. Kuma and Bonney consistently demanded that the children be evacuated first."

Dr. Eve continued, "I testify that Lumi was Name-Capture Order and Blood Adjudication after refusing to submit to the Holy Land."

Dan also spoke at the exit of Sabaody.

"I also testify that no one forced me to choose them. When the Holy Land came with knives, I didn't even dare to say my name."

One of the workers then shouted, "I choose the Straw Hat guy. He stood in front of me and didn't even ask how much I was worth!"

Another person shouted, "I choose Koby, but he said I don't have to choose the Navy."

"When I chose the Revolutionary Army, their first question was whether I could leave."

"I choose Mr. Bear; he saved the child."

The voices grew louder, and the Golden Light from the Sky Screen recorded each testimony. The Red Mark on the Chief Adjudication Platform began to recede.

[Verification passed for free choice]

[Answer: D]

[Temporary Protector Status Established]

[The parties involved in the Throne have neither the right to ratify nor the right to revoke it.]

The third ring of patterns on the Chief Adjudication Platform beneath Garling's feet shattered, and fragments of red light fell along the edge of the disc. His hand, which was holding the knife, was cut open by the backlash, and blood dripped onto the ground.

Sabo didn't miss the opportunity, and the pipe, still burning, slammed into Garling's shoulder.

"Is the trial finished?"

Garling blocked with his sword, his body sliding backward out of the Old Wing entrance. The Chief Adjudication Platform disc did not stop, but instead, a fourth ring of black patterns rose from the ground.

Shanks' face darkened.

There's still one trial.

Benn Beckman asked, "Isn't the Chief Adjudication Platform supposed to preside over three trials?"

Shanks stared at the circle of black lines.

"Normally, there are three trials. The black stripe is an addition to the Throne; the trial doesn't examine what they did."

Robin continued the conversation.

"Examine their very existence."

The Sky Screen alternates between black and red.

[The Throne-Stamped Review]

[Core of the trial: Are the participants a threat to global stability?]

[If the determination is valid, the Chief Adjudication Platform can initiate the removal of group markers.]

Bonney shielded Lumi behind her, while the bear placed its paws in front of Bonney.

Luffy's face darkened completely as he looked at the word "Clear" on the Sky Screen.

"It's going to kill someone."

Garling looked up, blood dripping down his jaw and onto his collar.

"Now, the judgment begins."