"You really are a stubborn man—"
"Mr. Garp."
"Then forgive me—"
Yoriichi's cool voice reached Garp's ears, but the heavy warning in his tone did nothing to change Garp's mind.
From the moment he chose to board Starting Island with Kong and the others, Garp had already made his decision. If they could not take Tsugikuni Yoriichi away this time, then this world would have no future to speak of.
As a Marine, if he could not prevent something like this from happening, then there was no meaning in an old man like him continuing to cling to life.
If Garp and the others who had charged into enemy territory failed, an all-out war between the New Marines and Marine Headquarters would become unavoidable. Tsugikuni Yoriichi, who could withstand an assault from fighters like them, would certainly be able to lead the New Marines in inflicting massive casualties upon Marine Headquarters' active forces.
Once Marine Headquarters suffered severe damage, the World Government's control over the Four Blues would inevitably weaken greatly. It was already foreseeable that the world would fall into even greater chaos.
When the World Government's authority could no longer cover the world, all manner of monsters and demons would likely spring up like mushrooms after rain. The ones who would suffer most would probably be the people of the Four Blues, who had grown accustomed to peaceful lives.
At Marine Headquarters' internal meetings, Sengoku, Tsuru, and the other strategist-type senior officers had long analyzed the pros and cons thoroughly.
It was precisely because of such considerations that they had been able to make up their minds to move against Tsugikuni Yoriichi and his New Marines.
It was not merely for Tsugikuni Yoriichi's sake. More than that, it was to safeguard the peace and stability of this world.