“Mama!
Mama!
Something terrible has happened!”
Charlotte Perospero came running toward Charlotte Linlin at full speed, a lollipop still in his mouth.
In his left hand was a newspaper.
His face was filled with panic.
“Didn’t I tell you not to disturb me while I’m eating?”
“Perospero, don’t think being my son will save you!”
Big Mom impatiently set down her dessert and turned toward the comparatively “tiny” Perospero.
Anyone could tell that if her mood worsened even slightly, she might rip away his soul and kill him without hesitation.
Gulp.
“M-Mama, it’s really bad!”
“Look at the newspaper!”
Despite his fear, Perospero still handed over the newspaper.
If he delayed reporting this matter, he would end up dead anyway.
As the eldest son, it was his responsibility to deliver such news.
Of course, if Katakuri were the one doing it, things would probably go much more smoothly.
After all, Katakuri was much stronger.
Big Mom stared at him deeply before reaching out and taking the newspaper.
However, the moment she read its contents, even the dessert in her left hand fell to the floor.
Her eyes widened.
She stared at the article in disbelief.
Her expression froze completely.
As one of the remnants of the Rocks Pirates, she understood better than most just how terrifying that man was.
And now…
He had left the Marines?
“Ma-ma-ma-ma!”
“So the remnants of the old era are starting to stir as well!”
Big Mom suddenly stood up and spread her arms wide, laughing wildly.
After thinking it through, she realized this was a heaven-sent opportunity.
Three of the Yonko were already moving toward the Grand Line.
As one of the Four Emperors herself, how could she possibly be absent?
She wanted the Pirate King’s throne too!
“Perospero!”
“Notify the children!”
“We depart immediately for Marineford!”
“We’ll participate in this world war!”
“Katakuri will lead the force.”
“Smoothie and Cracker are coming as well.”
“As for Snack, he’ll stay behind and guard Totto Land.”
Big Mom continued laughing as she issued order after order.
Casually grabbing a handful of cake and stuffing it into her mouth, she strode toward the exit.
…
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
At this moment, the Five Elders sat upon luxurious sofas.
Yet none of them looked calm.
“Garp has left the Marines.”
“He’s even abandoned the title of Marine Hero.”
“Damn it.”
“We never expected the execution of Fire Fist Ace to create such a massive disturbance.”
“The remnants of the old era refuse to stay buried?”
“Good.”
“We’ll cleanse them all at once.”
“Whitebeard.”
“Kaido.”
“Red Hair.”
“Three of the Four Emperors are already in motion.”
“And now Garp as well.”
“Although the Marines are merely the World Government’s public face, that face must remain glorious.”
“I agree.”
“Approved.”
“Agreed.”
Within moments, the five old men reached a unanimous decision.
Not one of them considered the possibility of defeat.
In their eyes, these were merely a group of pirates and an aging Marine.
Nothing worth worrying about.
Yet at that very moment, a CP0 agent entered the room.
Walking before the Five Elders, his expression remained solemn.
“Report.”
“Former Marine Hero Garp has arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.”
“At present, Dark King Rayleigh, Admiral Kizaru, and the Warlord Bartholomew Kuma are all there.”
“Oh, and his grandson as well.”
“Pirate Super Rookie Monkey D.
Luffy.”
After delivering the report, the agent lowered his head and remained silent.
Like an emotionless killing machine.
In truth, that was exactly what he was.
CP0 agents had been trained from childhood.
Their minds contained only one thing—
Absolute loyalty.
“What?”
“Garp went to the Sabaody Archipelago?”
The bald, birthmark-faced Elder abruptly rose from his seat.
He could no longer remain calm.
During such a sensitive period, Garp’s appearance there clearly indicated he had ulterior motives.
And whatever he was planning, it certainly wasn’t good news for the World Government.
“Is he meeting with Dark King Rayleigh?”
“An alliance between two legends?”
For the first time, all Five Elders lost their composure.
The news hit them like a hammer.
If two monsters of that caliber joined forces, Marineford would become far more troublesome.
Garp’s resignation had already exceeded their expectations.
His destination was even more shocking.
The five exchanged glances before looking toward the CP0 agent.
The sword-bearing Elder spoke.
“How far has Vegapunk progressed?”
“The Seraphim Project.”
The agent pondered for a moment.
“Approximately sixty-seven percent.”
“At most, no more than seventy-five percent.”
“Deploy the Seraphim.”
“If it’s Garp or Rayleigh, kill one of them.”
“Inform Vegapunk that this is an order.”
“He is not permitted to refuse.”
After speaking, the Elder fell silent.
The others voiced no objections.
After countless years working together, they had developed perfect understanding.
The suggestion immediately received unanimous approval.
In their eyes, the Seraphim represented a new era.
If the technology proved successful, mass production would be possible.
This was also an opportunity to test their combat capabilities.
To determine whether they could truly replace the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
“Yes.”
“I’ll notify Vegapunk immediately.”
The CP0 agent bowed and departed as quickly as he had arrived.
“That damned Garp.”
“Who would’ve thought he’d use a move like this?”
“That would be troublesome.”
“Reviving the glory of the Roger Pirates?”
“We will never allow it.”
“Inform Kizaru.”
“Coordinate with the Seraphim.”
“Eliminate Garp and Rayleigh at the Sabaody Archipelago.”
“Approved.”
“I agree.”
“Approved.”
…
Grand Line.
Waters near the Sabaody Archipelago.
The Dog-Head Warship sailed steadily across the sea.
“Mr.
Garp, we’ve arrived.”
“Your grandson Luffy assaulted a Celestial Dragon not long ago.”
“Admiral Kizaru should have just reached the island as well.”
After a full day of travel, they had finally arrived from Marineford.
At this point, the warship no longer carried any Marine insignia.
Aside from its military appearance, it looked like an ordinary vessel.
Understanding the entire situation, Bogard approached Garp.
His expression remained as serious as ever.
The face of a strong man, with the faint upward curve of his lips.
“Mm.”
“Tell everyone to remain on standby aboard the ship.”
After issuing the order, Garp leapt into the air and landed directly on the island.
His white cape fluttered in the wind.
And on the back of that cape, the word Justice was gone forever.
Bogard followed closely behind.
His reason for coming to the Sabaody Archipelago wasn’t simply to see Luffy.
Helping his grandson avoid a beating was merely a side objective.
His true purpose was to meet Shakky.
Rayleigh’s partner.
The intelligence broker.
And the reason was Blackbeard.
As a transmigrator, Garp knew far more than anyone else.
Viewing Blackbeard from an omniscient perspective made him seem increasingly bizarre.
Especially that pirate flag.
Three skulls.
What did it represent?
Every clue suggested that Marshall D.
Teach was far from normal.
There were secrets hidden within him that nobody knew.
Before the coming Marineford War, killing him in advance certainly wasn’t a bad idea.
Especially now.
Because the war that was approaching would likely be even larger than in the original timeline.
His departure from the Marines had weakened the Marine side considerably.
The advantage they once held no longer existed.
That was a burden weighing thousands of tons.
Since the storm had already begun…
He might as well eliminate hidden dangers beforehand.
Blackbeard was despicable.
A true pirate through and through.
If that man started plotting from the shadows during the war, things could become troublesome.
Garp raised his head.
His gaze settled on the largest mangrove tree nearby.
A massive number was carved into its trunk.
Area 24.
What a coincidence.