Why the Interest?

Spandine was the first to rise and express his gratitude. "CP9 will never disappoint Saint Sanming! Just give the order, Saint Sanming, and we—" As he loudly professed his loyalty, he cursed inwardly. He had never expected that idiot Garp to steal the first chance to speak up. Who said Garp was stupid? That guy was not stupid at all!

Miming suddenly cut in and asked, "Was Nico Robin captured in the end?"

Spandine's face instantly darkened, and he nearly fainted. How could he be asked about the most embarrassing matter in front of everyone? CP9 had so many agents, yet they had failed to catch a little girl for years. It was CP9's greatest disgrace.

"Not yet..." Spandine looked at the mocking gazes around him and practically wanted to die.

"Report to me separately later on everything you know about Nico Robin." Miming did not seem to care and showed no intention of reprimanding him. This meeting was going incredibly well.

Kong was somewhat surprised. "Why is Saint Sanming interested in Nico Robin?"

Miming grabbed a roast chicken. "Because... mmmph mmmph... you get it, right?"

The veins on Kong's forehead bulged. What did he mean, he got it? And what was with everyone sitting down and eating just because he was supposed to give a speech?

"Ah, let's get serious... Everyone eat, don't be shy..."

As Miming continuously stuffed roast chicken into his mouth, he said, "About how the Holy Land will be set on fire a year from now... Mm-hmm... Who is the headquarters' chef?"

Many people put down their food in shock. Could it be that the chef was the arsonist?!

"This roast chicken is really exceptionally delicious. Mm-hmm..." Miming had already finished two chickens.

Kong practically wanted to strangle him, but he could not. The other man was a Celestial Dragon, and quite possibly the successor painstakingly groomed by the Gorosei. He might even become Kong's superior one day.

The chef escaped disaster, and everyone present continued eating.

Sengoku chewed slowly and elegantly while studying Saint Miming before him. This truly was the most unusual Celestial Dragon to appear since the Donquixote Family. However, this Saint Miming was unlike Saint Homing from before. His background was even more illustrious, and it appeared that he had undergone some training and possessed considerable strength. That meant Saint Miming could act without restraint, because the other Celestial Dragons could not beat him.

But whether this would be a blessing or a disaster for the Marines, no one could say.

Sengoku was extremely cautious by nature, so he quickly switched into a mode of eating more and speaking less.

Black Arm Zephyr was the same. In the previous incident, Hina and Domino, being women, had suffered some grievances. Yet afterward, commendations had actually arrived, honoring both them and him. He did not particularly care for recognition from the Celestial Dragons, but it was solid merit when it came to promotions.

This pleasant surprise had made Zephyr view Saint Miming with considerable goodwill.

He had heard that there were good Celestial Dragons, but he had never seen a living one.

Afterward, they had worried for a long time, afraid that some nauseating aftermath would follow. Yet nearly two years had passed without Saint Miming causing any harassment, and he even seemed to have put himself through special training.

"Admiral Zephyr, could you spare some time to guide me... crunch crunch." Miming swallowed his fifth chicken. "I'm very interested in joining the Marines!"

"Pfft—!" Every Marine present sprayed food, and some even shot food out of their nostrils.

"Hey, what's that? A chicken wing?" Miming clearly saw the tip of a chicken wing poking out of Zephyr's nostril.

Zephyr calmly pulled the chicken wing from his nostril, put it back into his mouth, and began chewing again, completely unaware of what he was doing. What had he just heard? A Celestial Dragon wanted to join the Marines? This was no ordinary joke.

Sengoku kicked Zephyr under the table, the corner of his eye twitching.

Garp pointed at him. "Zephyr, that's disgusting!"

Zephyr came to his senses, his face full of panic. "Ah, I dare not accept! The Marines... are meant to be loyal to the World Government. How could Saint Sanming join the Marines? No, absolutely not!"

Marshal Sengoku had just breathed a sigh of relief. Zephyr had some quick wits after all. If a Celestial Dragon entered the Marines and started ordering people around, who would they be supposed to listen to?

At that moment, Garp stood up with a chicken drumstick in hand. "Why not? It's great! I approve! How about I take responsibility for training him..."

Sengoku nearly went mad. Not even eating could keep your mouth shut!

Sengoku rushed over and grabbed Garp by the neck. "You don't get to speak! Sit down! This is outrageous!"

Garp protested, "I've never fought a Celestial Dragon before. What a great opportunity! I can finally fight a Celestial Dragon openly..."

Sengoku's face turned green. "Shut up!" He had actually said what was in his heart! Sengoku knew that was what he had been planning!

Everyone around them suddenly understood. A chance to beat up a Celestial Dragon—of course it was Garp. No matter how they thought about it, this was simply courting death!

Spandine's mouth fell open. After recovering his senses, he immediately shouted, "Guards! Arrest the treasonous Garp!"

Kong was already close to going mad. The situation had spiraled so far out of control that he had lost all face.

"Ah, quiet down!" Miming suddenly slapped the table. "Right, it's time to discuss serious business. Serious business. You lot, let Vice Admiral Garp go."

The room fell silent. Everyone pricked up their ears and stopped chewing.

Miming said, "A year from now, within two years, someone will invade the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, setting fires and killing people everywhere. I dreamed it in a dream. That's all." For once, there was nothing in his mouth, and he spoke with exceptional clarity.

Kong hurriedly said, "Everyone was gathered today precisely to discuss countermeasures."

Miming stood up. "I absolutely trust everyone present. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Huh?" Kong thought. There was no detailed intelligence at all. "Saint Sanming, there should be many more details. Could you describe them as thoroughly as possible?"

"Describe what? It was just a dream. I forgot most of it after waking up." Miming looked impatient. "Besides, who died, who killed whom—what does that have to do with me? Those five old geezers, I already said it was only a dream! As long as no rebels can kill their way to me, what do I care if anyone else dies?"

"It concerns the safety of the Holy Land, Saint Sanming. Please trouble yourself to provide a few more details..." Kong did not know why he was being so pathetic. He had originally not taken it seriously and had planned to brush Miming off, but Miming was being even more perfunctory than he was.

"There were flames everywhere. Lots of people were setting fires and killing people all over the place. Nearly every area of Mary Geoise was ablaze, and quite a few idiots died too."

That meant Celestial Dragons had been killed in the dream! Many people realized the gravity of the situation and exchanged glances.

Miming cleanly washed his hands of responsibility. "You discuss it. I'm going back to eating."

At that moment, Kong felt that this meeting was truly difficult to hold.

"Then let us begin discussing countermeasures." Kong organized his thoughts. "Based on the intelligence..." Can this even be called intelligence? "A major incident involving the invasion of Mary Geoise will occur within one to two years. The enemy is unknown. Their numbers are numerous, and their strength is likely considerable. It may be related to the Revolutionary Army. They will employ a strategy of setting fires everywhere, attacking gaps in the defenses. Saint Sanming, is that correct?"