Marine Headquarters.
In the banquet hall, the long square table was laden with delicacies and fine wine. The Shichibukai meeting was about to begin.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, dressed in a formal Marine uniform, sat at the head of the table.
Sengoku had never liked presiding over Shichibukai meetings. In his eyes, the Shichibukai were basically heinous human trash, the sort of eyesores that irritated him on sight.
Most Marines shared that view.
However, the atmosphere of this Shichibukai meeting was vastly different from the previous ones.
"Senior Sengoku! Think it over again?"
"Wouldn't it be simpler to just execute Teach?"
Garen sat beside Sengoku, continuously offering suggestions with even more enthusiasm than a Marine strategist.
"What if Whitebeard really rescues that villain who killed a Celestial Dragon? Where would the World Government's authority and dignity be then?"
"By then, there might be countless pirates following his example!"
"..."
Unable to endure the harassment any longer, Sengoku could only put on a stern face and answer in an official tone.
"This is a decision by Marine Headquarters. It cannot be changed lightly!"
Though helpless, Sengoku could not bring himself to dislike Garen, this meddlesome Shichibukai.
As a model Shichibukai, Garen had an excellent reputation among the Marines.
Moreover, Garen got along well with Onigumo, the leading figure among the Hawks, and Garp, the leading figure among the Doves. He had even fought side by side with Admiral Blue Pheasant as a trusted comrade.
Thus, over the past few days, Garen, a Shichibukai, had somehow become universally popular among Marine officers at Marine Headquarters.
"Sigh..."
Garen's mouth had gone a little dry from talking, so he casually picked up his tea and drained it in one gulp.
Just as Garen set his cup back on the table, Hancock, seated beside him, eagerly