When Jake returned from Windmill Village, the smile on his face was so pronounced that anyone could tell something good had happened.
Rosinante looked at Jake and asked with a smile.
"Seems like things went well? Did Red Hair agree to our cooperation proposal?"
"Yeah, it took some effort. Mostly because that guy's curiosity was overwhelming—he kept pressing me for all sorts of irrelevant backstory."
"Hahaha, doesn't that make him more trustworthy? By the way, Sengoku-san wants us back immediately. Says there's an important mission for you."
"At this time? Alright, I'll head back now."
....
With Ark Maxim speeding through the skies, Jake and the others arrived at Marine Headquarters by the next morning.
The moment they stepped into the Fleet Admiral's office, the unusually tense atmosphere made Jake's heart sink slightly.
Inside the office, Garp, Zephyr, Sengoku, Akainu, Kizaru, Kuzan, and even Tsuru—who rarely made appearances—were all gathered together.
The instant Jake and Monet entered, multiple gazes fell upon them, instantly amplifying the pressure.
Seeing such solemn expressions, a sense of foreboding rose in Jake's heart.
If there were only two things in this world that could bring all the top brass of Marine Headquarters together with uniformly grave expressions, they were.
First, an all-out war with the Four Emperors.
Second, the Celestial Dragons' Hunting Season.
Given the current situation, it was clearly the latter.
Even though he'd already guessed the answer, Jake remained silent.
He simply turned to Sengoku and reported recent developments.
"In the past month, Ark Maxim has eliminated 14 pirate crews with a total bounty of 2 billion berries. We've also uncovered eight cases of internal corruption within the Marines. All suspects have been sent to Judicial Island for preliminary trials. I've contacted Warden Magellan of Impel Down—they're scheduled to be imprisoned there next month..."
As Jake delivered his report, he carefully observed the expressions of Sengoku and the others.
Hearing about Jake's recent achievements, rare smiles briefly appeared on their tense faces.
But soon, Sengoku interrupted the report.
Raising his hand, he sighed wearily before saying.
"Jake, let's pause your report for now. We called you here for something important. Before I say it, I hope you're mentally prepared."
Then, Sengoku let out a deep sigh again.
He looked at Jake, forcing a faint smile onto his face.
"How long have you been in the Marines?"
"About a year and a half, Sengoku-san."
"To have grown to this level in just a year and a half? You're by far the fastest-rising Marine I've ever seen. Of course, that's entirely due to your own abilities—we had little to do with it.
Whether it's the plan to reform the kingdom, obtaining the massive amount of gold from Sky Island equivalent to three or four years of the Marines's budget, or your achievements in purging the corrupt within the Marines ranks—these are all reasons why you, Jake, have risen so quickly.
Your strength and character are evident to all of us. But what I'm about to tell you today might shake your worldview, even potentially shatter your belief in justice. I hope you're prepared for this. Or, you can choose to leave now and solidify your sense of justice over the next two years."
As Sengoku spoke these words, his voice carried a trace of weariness.
After all, having to reveal such vile, filthy truths to a young man as radiant as the sun was an unbearably heavy burden.
Jake exhaled softly before responding.
"It's alright, Sengoku-san. I've learned bits and pieces about the God Valley incident from Whitebeard and Red Hair. If I'm not mistaken, what you're about to tell me is something similar to that, right?"
"You—you already know?!"
Sengoku's voice held a note of shock and concern as he looked at Jake, his expression betraying unmistakable resignation.
"Yes, I've known for about half a year now."
"Then why haven't you questioned the justice you uphold?"
Sengoku studied Jake, searching for an answer that would make sense to him.
At this, Jake glanced at the others seated in the Fleet Admiral's office before speaking quietly.
"Justice isn't always something we can shape exactly as we wish. As long as the outcome is just, I have no choice but to accept the unavoidable darkness in the process.
Nothing in this world can ever be perfect. I've long been prepared to face these truths, but the God Valley incident still left me deeply shaken by the sheer weight of that darkness.
But Sengoku-san, if I were to abandon or doubt my sense of justice just because I've glimpsed the shadows behind it, I'd be no better than a coward. What I want is to prevent another God Valley—to stop such atrocities from happening again!"
Here, Jake took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Sengoku with an unshakable resolve.
"And this time is no different. If all of us here are already discontent with the actions of the Celestial Dragons, if we can no longer tolerate such inhumanity—then let this be the moment we put an end to their madness!"
Hearing this, Sengoku immediately interjected:
"No, Jake! Do you have any idea what will happen if we oppose the Celestial Dragons on this matter—?"
At that, Sakazuki stood abruptly and cut in.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, didn't you say earlier that on this matter, we'd follow Jake's lead? Now that he's spoken—now that he's told us to stop the Celestial Dragons—why are you still standing in the way?"
"Sakazuki, you bastard, don't you realize how much trouble Jake's actions will bring him? The God Knights might even have him killed!"
"Then we'll just kill those God Knights!"
Garp stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with murderous intent—completely unlike his usual playful demeanor.
"Both of you, stop making things difficult for me right now! Sit down! Jake, tell me exactly what you plan to do!"
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