"Garp, that old bastard, actually dared to talk about me like that behind my back. A Cunning Old Fox, am I? Next time, I'll show you just how cunning I can be!" The thought that Garp had probably said similar things more than once made Sengoku's gaze increasingly dangerous.
Seeing Sengoku's dark expression, Kong could only offer a silent prayer in his heart. Garp! I've let you down this time. Next year, I'll definitely remember to burn incense for you!
There was no helping it. Though he was the Fleet Admiral, he was still afraid Sengoku might play dirty. A big shot like Sengoku was simply not someone he could afford to provoke.
"Ahem. Since you intend to wipe out those pirates, which forces from Marine Headquarters are you planning to deploy?" Kong swiftly changed the subject.
Sure enough, once Sengoku entered work mode, he quickly cast aside his distracting thoughts and analyzed the matter calmly. "If Zephyr and I also head over, those pirates may misjudge the Marines' resolve to establish a foothold in the New World. If that provokes their defiance, the losses would outweigh the gains."
"Therefore, I'm thinking of sending Sakazuki and Borsalino as reinforcements. With Kuzan and Dragon already there, such a lineup would give us a strong chance of wiping out the Whitebeard Pirates completely, even if a full-scale war truly breaks out!"
Kong nodded thoughtfully. "Though Garp is unreliable in trivial matters, he has always been dependable when it counts. With him leading Dragon and the others, there shouldn't be much of a problem with this war."
"What puzzles me, though, is Sakazuki's request." Kong stroked his M-shaped beard and asked in confusion, "While I was recovering from my injuries, I did hear quite a few rumors about this recruit named Longinus. But