With Sal's departure, only a few pirates remained in Whitebeard's hometown. Ivankov had already left, and Crocodile had departed last night. That arrogant former Shichibukai never considered an alliance with Sal from the start to the end. Truly, he was like a sand crocodile in Sal's memories.
Hancock had left that morning. She urgently needed to return to Amazon Lily to deal with a mountain of tasks.
However, during their brief meeting, they managed to reunite after a long separation and indulged themselves over two nights together. For some reason, Hancock was especially passionate last night, like a fire igniting a man's desires, and in the end, she nearly drained Sal completely.
Upon waking up in the morning, Sal found that Hancock was already gone, leaving with him a dull ache in his back. No wonder his body couldn't withstand it.
But let's put this little detail aside.
So now, only a few notable pirates remained on the island: Ace, the second division captain, and also one of Luffy's two brothers . It seems Luffy plans to inform his scattered companions through newspapers and give them two years to train before regrouping.
The conflict at the height of the war showed him that his strength was insufficient to roam the New World.
Ace, on the other hand, is troubled with questions: how to resurrect his mother, how to meet her afterward, how to perceive her, how to communicate with her?
…
In the Holy Land Mariejois, the main base of the three armed forces, a stern old man sat in his place. The man, exuding an aura as weighty as a mountain, was the commander-in-chief of the entire army, Kong Gang.
The entire room sank into depression, seemingly infected by the mood of the former Fleet Marshal. Even the massive fish swimming behind the glass feared his aura.
Suddenly, this aura vanished, and Kong Gang clasped his hands in front of him and sighed.
"Sengoku, since you and Garp both wish to retire, I can only agree. However, the retirement of two pillars of the fleet will inevitably cause a significant stir at sea under the current circumstances.
"So, you can only retain your military rank and step back, helping train the new generation of the fleet, like Zephyr. Right now, we truly need the new generation to take on the mantle of 'justice.'
The two veterans sitting opposite, Steel Bone Sora and Garp relaxed while eating donuts.
"Don't worry, Brother Kong. We currently have three Admirals to take our places. They also have Momousagi and Kake. And I will always keep an eye on Roger's movements. If necessary, I'll join the battle myself."
"Garp, you bastard, forget what you want."
Steel Bone kong shifted his gaze from Garp to Sengoku. He knew that breaking Garp's stubbornness was very difficult. Even as Fleet Admiral, he tried his best but could never change the stubborn nature of that guy. He became the last admiral.
"Sengoku, some of the prisoners who escaped from the sixth level of Impel Down are legendary pirates. You must not be careless during the final transfer, or one reckless act could become a significant threat."
Upon hearing about the escaped prisoners from Impel Down, Sengoku also frowned. Among the escapees from the sixth floor of Impel Down are not only powerful individuals like the Evil King and the giant San Juan wolf...
Although their power is comparable to or even greater than the Seven Warlords of the Sea, they still don't compare to those guys."
The real monsters are the Red Count, Patrick Redfield, Douglas Barret, and others. These monsters are no weaker than the three Admirals.
"Brother Kong, I will send more people to investigate and find the location of these criminals as soon as possible. As for the future successor to the position of Marshal, I recommend Kuzan."
"Kuzan? A good choice, but Sengoku, you must understand that the position of Fleet Admiral is not decided by just the two of us. The Five Elders must approve it. What is Sakazuki doing now?"
Sengoku felt a headache when Sakazuki was mentioned. The impact of turning into a woman on Akainu was indeed serious.
"Sakazuki has been endlessly chasing pirates for several days now."
"Let it be so. Sakazuki was originally a very good candidate for the position of Marshal... After the war, the fleet suffered too many losses. Your proposal to increase funding and recruit soldiers from all over the world has been approved. However, recruitment can only be carried out by the new Marshal."
"I understand... I hope the World Government decides on the new Marshal quickly, the situation can't be prolonged."
Sengoku understood the World Government's concerns. The world-wide recruitment should happen as soon as possible. However, he, the former Fleet admiral, cannot conduct it; otherwise, there would be significant changes in the fleet's ranks and positions, preventing him, the former Marshal, from placing his people in key roles.
Moreover, this task will pave the way for the new Fleet admiral and establish his authority, removing all obstacles from his path. Nonetheless, Sengoku still felt a bit concerned. Could Sakazuki truly refuse the position of Marshal?
From his observations over the past few days, Sakazuki, in female form, had become more paranoid.
In the midst of their detailed conversation, with Garp eating his meal and otherwise unoccupied, the arrival of one of the marines disrupted the usual order.
"Report, General kong, Marshal Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp. A message has arrived from a person who knows the secrets of the Whitebeard Pirates, stating that the situation in the New World is about to change."
The mention of Whitebeard caught the attention of all three.
Had the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates changed? Although Whitebeard had perished, intelligence suggested that Roger was in Whitebeard's hometown.
Hopefully, it's not the worst possible scenario.
Sengoku took the file and opened it.
His face grew increasingly grim.
Finally, containing his emotions, he passed the file to kong.
Garp, as soon as he heard about Roger, also approached, full of curiosity, to take a look.
The large meeting room was silent, and ultimately, it was Steel Bones kong who broke the silence.
"He has united the remnants of Whitebeard to create a large fleet. Even the world destroyer Brynnid has joined his fleet. Dark king Rayleigh has returned to his youth, the cross likely resurrected, the Sal Pirates..." What do you think about this, Sengoku?
"A new Four Emperors has emerged, and they might be the strongest among them. I never imagined that the ones to benefit from the war I orchestrated would be Roger and Blackbeard."
At that moment, Sengoku felt a sense of loneliness. Garp was consumed with thoughts of rejuvenation and resurrection of the dead.
The old soldier, who had always been indifferent, muttered to himself with mixed feelings.
"Roger, is this your plan for a return?..."
The New World, Whitebeard... No, now it's the Outer Island of Saar's Territory, Cron Island, constantly engulfed in flames, resembling a fiery hell.
At this time, not far from the island's shore, a massive giant lay in the water, half-submerged. He looked relaxed, as if bathing in a hot spring, occasionally letting out a loud roar.
"It hurts, a fish bit me," roared the giant.
This was Sanjuan Wolf, while the rest of the Blackbeard Pirates sat on the shore, continually complaining about their so-called comrade.
They were upset because the pirate ship they sat on was an ordinary one, ravaged by a natural disaster.
Blackbeard casually drank wine, ordered his men to check if their target had arrived, and then addressed a woman locked in an iron cage:
"Indeed, they are so clumsy and unreliable, don't you agree, Jewelry Bonney?"
The weary and battered beauty glared viciously at Blackbeard.