"Hey, Tsuru, what's really going on?" Garp whispered to Tsuru after taking his seat.
"Why does Sengoku look even more upset than when I refused promotion to admiral?"
"So you do know how much trouble you caused him back then?" Tsuru side-eyed Garp.
"But today's matter... is complicated."
"Complicated?" Garp scratched his head with fingers thick as rolling pins.
"If it's that complicated, why not wait until Michael returns? That guy's brain works way better than mine."
Though Garp thought he was whispering, every person present was a formidable warrior - his "whisper" might as well have been spoken directly into their ears.
Including Sengoku's.
And when Garp mentioned the name "Michael," all other sounds in the room ceased instantly as every gaze turned toward him...
Only then did Garp realize.
This was serious.
"You've all likely heard the rumors circulating recently - that Michael is with the Revolutionary Army..."
Sengoku cut straight to the point.
The assembled vice admirals immediately understood why Sengoku had summoned them all to Naval Headquarters in the middle of the night...
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, isn't that... just a baseless rumor?" Chaton, seated at the front among the vice admirals, frowned.
"Are we being mobilized to deal with the source of these rumors?"
As he spoke, a trace of hope lingered in Tokikake's expression.
He and Michael had been quite close.
Had Michael not refused to be constantly deployed as emergency support across the seas, he would have been Tokikake's aide instead of Gion's.
"Tokikake... if this were merely about rumors, would I need to gather every officer above vice admiral rank?" Sengoku's expression remained dark as he sighed.
"The worst part is... it's not a rumor."
With those words, the vice admirals exchanged uneasy glances, thrown into disarray.
Michael... really is part of the Revolutionary Army?
Even the radical vice admirals who often clashed with Michael wore expressions of disbelief at this.
They had always considered Michael's ideals incompatible with theirs, but none had ever denied that he was one of the strongest and most outstanding marines.
And now the Fleet Admiral was telling them... Michael was truly a Revolutionary?
The Grand Inspector of the Marines, responsible for overseeing all internal and external affairs... was a Revolutionary?
Instantly, everyone's expressions mirrored Sengoku's.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku... is this information confirmed? Where did it come from?"
"The one who informed me... was the World Government." Sengoku shook his head before dropping an even more explosive revelation.
"Through multiple verifications... not only is Michael part of the Revolutionary Army, but he co-founded it alongside Monkey D. Dragon! He holds the position of Chief of Staff!"
"In other words... Michael isn't just a Marine Vice Admiral and Grand Inspector, but also one of the Revolutionary Army's actual leaders!"
Sengoku's words sent shockwaves through everyone's worldview!
Among those present, Michael's subordinates—Stella, Crocodile, Hawkeye, and Enel—also put on convincing displays of astonishment.
Hawkeye even abruptly stood up, as if unable to process such a staggering reality...
Crocodile shook her head slightly...
That poker-faced guy acting was too good!
In contrast, Tsuru and Zephyr remained relatively composed.
Though slightly surprised, their interactions with Michael had led them to suspect he was up to something...
They just hadn't expected it to be on this scale.
"Garp... judging by your expression, you don't seem particularly surprised by this outcome." Sengoku's voice rang out again, this time directed squarely at Garp.
"It's almost as if... you've known this day would come."
Sengoku's words drew everyone's gaze toward Garp.
He was right!
Given Garp's notoriously reckless personality, if he'd only just learned Michael was a Revolutionary, he'd probably already be rolling up his sleeves to drag Michael back by force!
Yet this hot-tempered man...
Sat calmly in his seat as if nothing had happened.
It defied all logic!
"What are you all talking about? I don't understand a thing." Garp looked up with his usual carefree grin and trademark vacant expression.
"Michael is actually a Revolutionary!? Wow—that's quite the shocking development... Is this surprised enough for you?"
"Garp! Take this seriously!"
"Sengoku! Am I not serious enough?" Garp's expression instantly hardened.
"Without any internal investigation, you're ready to accept this as truth based solely on the World Government's so-called 'evidence'? Have you forgotten what nearly happened last time you followed their orders without question? If not for me and Michael, the Marines would've made a grave mistake!"
When Garp finally stood to confront Sengoku directly, the aura of the Marine's true hero finally emerged.
After a prolonged stare-down, Sengoku sighed and his expression softened.
"Do you think I want this? Everyone here surely understands what Michael's relationship with me is... But the current issue is that Michael has left Headquarters and headed for the East Blue... Even if we believe him, what about the other marines? The World Government? The various kingdoms and cities?"
For a moment, Sengoku's back seemed to bend under the weight.
"So... even if Michael is truly innocent, we must first bring him back to Headquarters!"
After speaking, Sengoku pointed at the silent Three Admirals.
"Sakazuki, you and Kuzan will take the vice admirals not on duty to the East Blue and bring Michael back... Borsalino, you go to Egghead Island and temporarily take over Vegapunk's security detail. Have Stella and Crocodile join the operation team as well."
Sengoku's series of orders made everyone realize...
Deep down, he still trusted Michael.
That's why he sent Michael's subordinates along—so that if any unexpected situation arose, they could persuade Michael to return.
The other vice admirals found it strange.
Though Michael held a high position... was it really necessary to send two Admirals and all available vice admirals just to apprehend him?
But they didn't voice their doubts.
Because after receiving the order, the expressions of Akainu and Aokiji—the two Admirals—turned deadly serious...
As if facing a formidable enemy.
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