"How could I possibly be afraid?!" Sengoku barked a hollow, angry laugh. "Right now, I wish I could teleport to Master's side! I'm only telling you to stay so we can coordinate a strategy! You need to realize that Master is a Marine Vice Admiral! He represents Marine Headquarters! If the Four Emperors want to move against him, they are moving against the entire Navy! How could I possibly let Master fight alone?!"
Hearing Sengoku's explanation, the fury on Garp's face finally receded a notch. "Then what do you want to do?"
"First, call the Three Admirals over to discuss this. We might even need to contact Mr. Kong," Sengoku said, his tone calming as he saw Garp's expression soften. However, as soon as he spoke, a knock echoed at the door. "Enter."
The heavy office doors swung open. Zephyr strode in first, followed closely by Tsuru and Gion. Behind them were the Three Admirals: Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji.
"Do you all know the situation?" Sengoku asked, his face turning grim as they gathered.
"Sengoku! Issue the orders already! We can't wait!" Zephyr spoke up immediately. "We cannot let Mr. Rowan face four Emperors at once. It's too dangerous!"
"Teacher Zephyr is right, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. This is no longer a small skirmish," Aokiji added, a rare trace of gravity on his face.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, in a situation like this, we Admirals must be the first to state our position, right~?" Kizaru maintained his habitual drawl, but his tone suggested he had no intention of backing down.
"Justice is what should prevail on the seas. How can we let those dregs act so arrogantly?" Akainu snorted, his expression lethal.
The stance of the Three Admirals was clear: at a word from Sengoku, they would deploy to the New World to back Rowan without hesitation. Such was the magnetism of the legendary Marine. If it were a typical Vice Admiral, the three would not be so uniform in their fervor. But Rowan was different; he was the Marine Godfather, a legend who embodied the very spirit of the Headquarters.
Sengoku nodded. With the Admirals' consensus, the entire upper echelon was united. Even if the Four Emperors combined were a force that the Navy couldn't easily intimidate, they would not allow the Marine's name to be tarnished! Not one of them intended to retreat.
"REPORT! News from the New World! Donquixote Doflamingo has left Dressrosa alone, and the officers of the Donquixote Family have mobilized en masse!" a communications officer shouted as he rushed in.
"REPORT! Knight of the Sea Jinbe has left Fish-Man Island, heading for the New World!"
"REPORT! Gecko Moria's silhouette has been spotted in the New World!"
Each report brought a new wave of complications. Not only were the Four Emperors moving, but several Shichibukai were also setting sail. Though the Shichibukai were technically allies under the World Government, the Marines knew their true nature—they were all, at their core, wicked pirates.
Sengoku's face darkened. The situation was spiraling into chaos. Yet, his resolve remained unshaken. Even if Rowan had become the target of the entire world, he would lead the charge to support the Old Man.
Bloop, bloop, bloop...
The Den Den Mushi on Sengoku's desk rang out. It was Kong.
"Sengoku, what's your status?" Kong's voice was stern. He clearly knew the tremors shaking the world and guessed Sengoku's intent.
"Mr. Kong, we are finalizing the plan. We are preparing to depart for the New World immediately," Sengoku replied.
"Good. I've already begun preparations on my end. No need for formal transit paperwork; just bring your men. I've already prepared the warships for you," Kong said solemnly. As Rowan's sworn brother, he would never sit idly by while the Four Emperors targeted him. Furthermore, Kong knew the Navy alone might struggle against all four Emperors. He had already tapped elites from other World Government forces to reinforce the mission.
"Understood. Once the plan is set, I will lead the fleet out," Sengoku nodded and hung up. He then turned to the room.
"Tsuru, notify the Marine Branches in the New World. Have the Branch Vice Admirals deploy seventy percent of their forces to Dachik Island to support Master!"
"Zephyr, notify the Branch bases in the first half of the Grand Line. Have them pull troops to Marineford to guard the base!"
"Garp, tell all Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals currently on missions to drop everything and head for Dachik Island!"
"Aokiji, Kizaru, Akainu—come with me. We are mobilizing every soldier currently at Headquarters!"
"Consider it done!" "No problem!" "Leave it to us!"
As the orders were finalized, everyone turned to leave. But before they reached the door, Sengoku called them back. They looked back, confused.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Is there something else?" Aokiji asked.
Sengoku took a deep breath. He stood straight and bowed deeply to everyone in the room.
"Everyone... I'm counting on you!"
Aokiji let out a sudden, hearty laugh and walked out. Before he vanished, his voice drifted back: "Arara... Mr. Rowan is Teacher Zephyr's mentor, which makes him my grand-teacher. As the legendary Godfather of the Navy, supporting him is only right. Fleet Admiral, don't think I'm doing this for you..."
"You troublesome brat..." Garp muttered, shaking his head as he left.
"Mr. Rowan isn't just your teacher!" Zephyr snorted at Sengoku, leading Ain out of the room.
"Sengoku, Sengoku..." Tsuru laughed, pulling Gion along with her as they made their exit.
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