The air seemed to freeze inside the strategic conference room at Marine Headquarters.
Kong's question was like a massive stone dropped into a tranquil lake, sending ripples across its surface.
Gern's answer drew a flicker of approval from Sakazuki, but Garp's fierce objection abruptly tightened the atmosphere again.
"Vice Admiral Garp." Gern tilted his head slightly, his calm gaze settling on the Navy Hero.
"I'm not questioning Roger's resolve.
But Golden Lion is no ordinary pirate. His ambition could swallow the entire New World.
If Roger is forced to compromise... even temporarily, that would be the worst possible outcome for us."
"Hmph! You just want to use this chance to start taking missions again!"
Garp knew all too well why Gern had chosen this moment to speak up.
After all, Gern had been punished the previous year for taking unauthorized action against Roger, leaving him stuck leading rookies on escort missions for an entire year.
At the thought, Garp snorted loudly and slammed his fist onto the table, making the teacups jump.
"You're underestimating Roger! That man would never bow his head!"
"Gern, Garp is right." Sengoku pushed up his glasses, their lenses reflecting a cold gleam.
"After so many years of fighting him, we all know Roger's character.
But your concerns aren't unfounded, either.
Golden Lion does, after all, have the power to force anyone into submission right now." Sengoku took a neutral stance, acknowledging some merit on both sides.
After all, aside from Gern, who knew the plot and understood the eventual outcome of the Edd War as though watching from a god's-eye view,
none of them could judge what would happen. They could only speculate, and judging by speculation alone,
the Flying Pirates' grand fleet under Golden Lion was overwhelmingly powerful.
That was the truth, too... without