The already tense atmosphere inside the Fleet Admiral's office lingered heavily in the air after the earlier arguments.
The sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the headquarters of Marineford, reflecting off the polished wooden floor and illuminating the grand desk where Sengoku sat with a visibly troubled expression.
The stacks of reports still waited patiently for his attention, yet the Fleet Admiral had no interest in touching them. His mind remained focused on a far more troublesome matter unfolding across the seas.
The conversation about Monkey D. Luffy had stirred both excitement and concern among the veterans gathered inside the room.
Just as the discussion began settling into a brief silence, the office door slowly creaked open.
The sound immediately drew everyone's attention.
A large figure stepped inside with steady confidence.
The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his muscular frame still imposing despite the years that had passed. His skin was tanned by decades spent on the seas, and his short purple hair framed a stern yet proud face that carried the dignity of a seasoned Marine officer.
The main attraction was the mechanical arm on his right arm.
It was Zephyr, the former admiral.
The former admiral paused near the doorway, clearly having overheard the conversation from outside.
A moment later, a deep laugh escaped him.
"Such a lively atmosphere," Zephyr said with clear amusement as he stepped further into the office. His eyes scanned the room, moving from Sengoku to Garp and then briefly toward the others gathered there.
"It seems my dear student has done something amazing."
His lips curved into a proud smile. "Had he already beaten Kaido?"
The casual question immediately caused Sengoku's eye to twitch.
The Fleet Admiral suddenly slammed his hand onto the desk with a loud thud.
"Don't you start too, Zephyr!" His voice carried a mixture of irritation and exhaustion. "I already have enough with this grandfather and grandson duo."
He pointed accusingly at Monkey D. Garp, who was still lounging comfortably on the sofa with a bag of crackers beside him.
"Please don't join in the fun."
Zephyr rolled his eyes as if Sengoku had just said something ridiculous.
"Sengoku, you've grown old," He replied dismissively. He walked closer to the center of the room and crossed his arms confidently.
"What do you know?"
A proud glint appeared in his eyes.
"I have full faith in my student."
His voice grew more animated as he continued speaking. "If Luffy really succeeds, do you understand how much the reputation of the Marines will increase across the seas?"
Zephyr began pacing slowly, clearly excited by the thought.
"Just imagine the headlines spreading across the world," He said, raising his hand dramatically as though presenting a grand announcement.
"A sixteen-year-old Vice Admiral defeats one of the Four Emperors!"
He laughed loudly, clearly excited. "Do you understand the meaning of that, Sengoku?"
The room fell silent for a brief moment as the others considered his words.
Even the usually relaxed Borsalino tilted his head thoughtfully while adjusting his sunglasses.
However, Sengoku simply leaned back in his chair with a weary sigh.
"Don't joke around, Zephyr."
His voice returned to its calm but serious tone.
"I admit that Luffy is strong," He continued. "But he is still too young."
Sengoku folded his hands together on the desk as he spoke like the experienced strategist he was.
"He has tremendous potential, but he still needs experience."
He paused briefly before adding the final point. "And his Haki… it is not yet at the level needed to fight someone like Kaido."
The mention of that name immediately shifted the mood inside the room.
Garp stopped smiling, his smile slowly disappearing from his face.
For the first time since the conversation began, Monkey D. Garp's expression turned serious.
He slowly placed the bag of crackers on the table beside him.
"Even though I don't want to admit it," Garp said with a thoughtful sigh, "Sengoku is right."
Zephyr glanced at him with slight surprise.
Garp scratched the back of his head before continuing.
"But there is one thing I know for sure." His gaze grew firm, clearly proud of his grandson. "Even if Luffy cannot defeat Kaido…"
He paused before finishing the sentence. "For Kaido to kill my grandson… it will not be simple."
There was quiet confidence in his voice.
"Luffy is not someone who will die in Wano."
The statement lingered heavily in the room.
For a brief moment, nobody spoke.
"Hmph!"
Just then, a cold snort suddenly echoed from the entrance.
The sharp sound instantly broke the silence, and all eyes turned toward the doorway.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
A tall figure stepped inside with slow, deliberate steps. The smoke curled lazily through the air as a lit cigar rested between his teeth.
His expression was stern, his gaze cold and unyielding.
It was Sakazuki, Admiral Akainu.
He walked further into the office, the sound of his boots echoing faintly across the floor.
His sharp eyes swept across the room, observing the veterans gathered inside.
For a few seconds, his gaze stopped on Garp.
There was clear tension in that look.
Sakazuki had never fully respected Garp's carefree attitude.
After a moment, he shifted his attention toward Sengoku.
"Fleet Admiral," He said in a firm, controlled voice. "You have really spoiled Luffy a lot."
The accusation hung in the air like a blade.
Sengoku frowned slightly but remained silent.
Sakazuki took a slow drag from his cigar before continuing.
"Now he has gone against orders," He said, releasing a thin stream of smoke. "And he has even gone to Wano to cause trouble for the World Government and the Marines."
His voice carried unmistakable disapproval.
In Sakazuki's eyes, discipline was absolute.
No Marine, no matter how talented, should ever act outside the chain of command.
The tension in the room thickened.
Garp leaned back against the sofa again, though his eyes had narrowed slightly. He knew that Luffy and Sakazuki couldn't stand each other, but that didn't mean they hated each other. And even though Sakazuki said these words, the cold-hearted Admiral was also a little worried about Luffy.
Zephyr snorted softly, clearly unimpressed by his old student. He could see that his student was still such a Tsundere.
Borsalino casually leaned against the wall while watching the scene unfold with mild curiosity.
Finally, Sengoku spoke again. His voice was calmer now.
"Sakazuki," He said slowly, "you are not wrong about discipline."
The Fleet Admiral folded his hands together.
"But you are forgetting something."
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting for him to continue.
Sengoku looked toward the distant horizon visible through the window.
"That boy…" He sighed softly, clearly weak against Luffy's character. "…has always walked his own path."
The room fell silent again.