Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office at Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Sengoku slammed a document onto the desk, his face livid. "Seizing the World Government's heavy industrial island by force! He's openly declaring war!"
"Now, Sengoku, calm down." Kizaru sat nearby, leisurely sipping his tea. "Young Lorne isn't someone we can afford to provoke lightly with the strength he has now. Go after him? Who's going? Me? Oh, that would be truly terrifying~"
Aokiji sighed and leaned back on the sofa. "Oh my, the experiments on Titan Island went against the Marines' justice to begin with. By destroying that place, Lorne did us a favor and took out the trash."
"A deserter is a deserter!" Akainu snorted, a trace of killing intent flashing in his eyes. "His very existence is the greatest insult to justice! If we don't eliminate him, what becomes of the Marines' authority?!"
Garp sat to one side, eating Senbei and roaring with laughter. "Hahahaha! That brat Lorne sure moves fast! I've had enough of Titan Island for ages. Good on him for taking it!"
Sengoku roared, "Garp! Shut your mouth!"
The scene shifted back to the Fearless Fortress.
Deep beneath the fortress, the atmosphere outside the armory doors was tense.
"Bakel, what's the situation inside?" Lorne walked down the passage with Kuina, looking at the Marines guarding the entrance.
"Captain, a group of remaining CP agents and a few wanted pirates they hired have retreated into the innermost Ammunition Depot." Bakel pointed at the thick iron doors ahead. "They have a large quantity of high explosives. They say if we dare storm the place, they'll detonate the entire armory and blow half the island sky-high."
"Detonate it? They'd need the chance first." Lorne sneered and strode up to the iron doors.
He took a deep breath. Golden light