Garp heard Tsuru's words.
He grinned, but barely had the smile reached his lips before he forcibly suppressed it.
"Hahahaha..."
"Don't talk nonsense, Tsuru. When did I look happy?"
He rubbed his nose, yet still couldn't resist glancing toward Wangchuan before quickly looking away.
"He's just a brat who doesn't know his limits, with a little ability."
Tsuru didn't expose him. She merely gave him a mild glance.
She turned her gaze back to Wangchuan, her expression returning to the calm focus befitting the Marines' chief strategist.
She fell silent for several seconds, as though repeatedly weighing that figure on the precise scales in her mind, then spoke.
"This man..."
"Has strength on par with the Admirals and the Four Emperors."
There wasn't a trace of hesitation in her voice.
"At least, judging by those two moves he demonstrated, Borsalino alone can't stop him."
"If those aren't all the cards he has."
She paused.
"Then even I can't estimate his upper limit."
Garp snorted without denying it, though his words remained stubborn.
"So what? However strong he is, he still only has two fists."
"This is Marine Headquarters, with the Three Admirals stationed here and a hundred thousand elite troops in formation. If he really dares to cause trouble, I'll be the first to take him to task."
"Really?"
Tsuru turned her head and looked him straight in the eye.
"If he really goes to save Ace."
"What will you do?"
The moment that question fell, the smile on Garp's face faded a little.
But that wasn't out of hesitation. It was because he had grown serious.
His gaze passed through the smoke toward the distant Execution Platform, and toward the figure kneeling upon it.
"I wear justice on my back."
"As a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, I can't stand