The Problem Was Serious

"I don't know the specifics either! I'll go ask at the Five Elders' office—"

After hesitating again and again, Kong decided to ask the other four Five Elders.

He had no choice.

Garp had practically been brought up under his guidance. He did not want this matter to create an irreparable situation.

Besides.

Garp held an extremely important position in the Marines. It would not be an exaggeration to call him a symbol of faith and a standard-bearer.

If Garp did something foolish because of Straw Hat, it would affect the entire Marine force.

"I'll leave it to you, Fleet Admiral Kong."

Sengoku inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. With Fleet Admiral Kong stepping in, this should be settled.

"Sengoku, immediately send Tsuru to Water 7 in case Garp does something irrational."

"Wait for me to pull some strings in Mary Geoise first."

"Tsuru has already gone."

"Good."

"If Garp's grandson is released this time, make sure Garp keeps a close eye on him."

"If he still insists on being a pirate, then send Garp and his grandson to Impel Down together to live out their retirement.

"His son leads the biggest rebel army, his grandson has become a pirate, and he himself is a thorn in the Marines' side. Are those three generations cursed or something?"

"Yes, sir!!!"

Sengoku nodded heavily. He completely understood Kong's helplessness and anger right now.

Because he felt the same way.

The Den Den Mushi call ended.

Kong sat in his office for five minutes. Once he had gathered himself, he took a deep breath and headed out, taking some time to reach the office of the highest authority.

"Kong? What is it?"

Inside the office.

Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, and Saint Warcury, the Warrior God of Law, were seated behind their desks approving government affairs.

Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, the Warrior God of Agriculture, sat on the sofa. A Den Den Mushi was on the coffee table in front of him, and he was listening to a report from a government department.

Unexpectedly, Saint Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, was not in the office.

"Lord Saint Nusjuro, Lord Saint Warcury, Lord Saint Ju Peter.

"Not long ago, I received word that Lord Saint Mars captured a young pirate named Monkey D. Luffy, also known as Straw Hat, in Water 7."

"This boy is the biological grandson of Marine Hero Garp. Since he is still only a child, he merely made a mistake in a moment of carelessness and went to sea as a pirate..."

Kong first bowed to the three Saints, then got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

As a subordinate.

Deceiving those above, concealing things below, and speaking in circles were major workplace taboos.

In Kong's view.

Straw Hat was just an insignificant child, perhaps going through a rebellious phase.

With a little maneuvering, it should not have been a big problem.

At the Five Elders' level, they most likely would not even notice or care.

But before he could finish, Saint Ju Peter, who had been sitting on the sofa listening to a government report, suddenly interrupted him and hung up the Den Den Mushi.

"Kong, do not interfere in the matter of Straw Hat!"

"We know that Straw Hat is Monkey D. Garp's grandson."

"If I remember correctly, Revolutionary Army leader Monkey D. Dragon is Garp's son!

"Now his grandson has become a pirate too. If not for Garp's past service, do you think he could still be a Marine vice admiral?"

"A child? A child would not be chosen by that fruit!"

"But..."

Watching Saint Ju Peter's face gradually turn cold, Kong's heart sank.

The situation seemed far more complicated than he had imagined.

"Kong, our tolerance has limits. If Garp develops thoughts of rebellion because of Straw Hat, then Impel Down will be his final destination."

"The government can always create another Marine Hero."

"I hope you, Sengoku, and the Marines will not let personal matters affect official business! Do you understand what we mean?"

Saint Ju Peter's tone grew increasingly severe. His final sentence was practically a warning to Kong.

"Understood!"

"Do not disappoint us. You may leave!"

"Yes, sir!"

Kong's expression had become exceptionally grave.

He opened his mouth, intending to plead for mercy, but when he met Saint Ju Peter's utterly emotionless eyes, he could only bow and leave the office with heavy steps.

"Garp, what disaster has your grandson caused? Don't do anything foolish."

Outside, Kong looked up at the clear blue sky. Deep in his eyes were solemnity and worry.

As well as doubt.

Three minutes later.

Kong informed Sengoku of the situation, and Sengoku immediately realized the gravity of the matter.

He promptly called Tsuru again, repeatedly instructing her to keep a close watch on Garp.

"I understand!"

Upon the vast, boundless sea, a warship sailed forward under full canvas.

Tsuru stood at the bow, looking at the Den Den Mushi in her hand. Her wrinkled face shifted between light and shadow.

The Den Den Mushi call ended.

She rubbed her temples, wondering what exactly Garp's grandson had done.

Not only had he drawn the Five Elders' attention, but he had even made one of them personally intervene.

They had now made it clear that they would not hesitate to take down Garp.

Even Fleet Admiral Kong's plea had been useless.

"Vice Admiral, what's wrong?"

Seeing Tsuru's troubled expression, a female rear admiral approached her worriedly.

"It's nothing. Increase speed toward Water 7—"

"Yes, ma'am."

Pururururu~

Tsuru continued dialing Garp's Den Den Mushi number, but there was still no response.

This was not the first time she had called.

She had been dialing nonstop ever since leaving Marineford, but the call had never connected.

It was not just Tsuru. After Kong left the Five Elders' office and finished speaking with Sengoku, he had also been calling.

So had Sengoku.

But the three of them had called more than ten times, and not a single call had gone through.

"Kill them!"

"Only by rising up can we win freedom! The people deserve equality and freedom!"

"Everyone, charge! Under the Revolutionary Army's leadership, we will definitely win!"

"Capture the Saint Dorea royal family—"

"Fight for freedom! Fight for equality!"

South Blue.

The Saint Dorea Kingdom had been consumed by smoke and war.

After years of planning, the Revolutionary Army had officially launched its campaign to overthrow the Saint Dorea Kingdom's regime yesterday.

Faced with the Revolutionary Army's assault, along with commoners who had joined the war in pursuit of freedom and equality, the royal army suffered defeat after defeat.

Before long, the Revolutionary Army had stormed into the royal capital.

"Mr. Dragon, the king of the Saint Dorea Kingdom and several members of the royal family are fleeing toward the eastern coast."

Inside a hidden command post.

Terry Guildeo, the Revolutionary Army's intelligence control officer, wore a bear-shaped helmet and had a cigarette clenched between his lips as he reported to Monkey D. Dragon.

That was right.

Dragon had personally come for this operation to overthrow the Saint Dorea Kingdom's regime.

Not only had Dragon come in person, East Army commander Belo Betty and deputy East Army commander Ahiru were also present.

The two commanders, one primary and one deputy, were personally leading the charge outside.

Under the power of Belo Betty's Paramecia-type Pump-Pump Fruit, Revolutionary Army soldiers and civilians alike charged fearlessly as though pumped full of adrenaline.

"Make sure those cruel bastards are captured, then hand them over to the people of the Dorea Kingdom who have suffered under their oppression for so long."

Dragon's eyes were cold as he looked through reports detailing the unforgivable crimes committed by the Dorea Kingdom's royal nobles.

Abusing the people.

Misusing torture.

Trafficking organs.

Collecting taxes for the next fifty years.

Some had even eaten infants.

Not to mention casually turning others into slaves, wantonly slaughtering people, and countless other atrocities...

"I'll give the order immediately."

Terry Guildeo took a deep drag on his cigarette, nodded, and left the command post.

Pururururu~

The moment Terry Guildeo left, the Den Den Mushi in Dragon's pocket began to ring.

The instant he answered it.

Dragon's fierce face changed dramatically.

"What? Luffy was captured in Water 7 by one of the Five Elders, Saint Marcus Mars, and a Celestial Dragon named Saint Germain Sumer?"

"They'll escort him back to Mary Geoise tomorrow?"

The Den Den Mushi went dead.

Dragon's heart sank.

One of the Five Elders, Saint Marcus Mars, had personally descended to capture Luffy.

Was it because of him?

Still, this was a good opportunity to test the Five Elders' true strength.