Chapter 513: About Awakening
"Sengoku!"
Gion couldn't help covering her mouth.
Even as a battle-hardened Navy warrior, when she actually witnessed with her own eyes the death of an elder who'd always looked after her, her heart felt equally bitter.
"Damn it!!"
Vice Admiral Chaton pulled his hat low, trying to hide his face. He said through nearly gritted teeth, "Damn Government! Damn Imu!!"
Besides Sengoku, how many other Navy warriors had perished in that bombardment?
Damn World Government!!
"Sengoku..."
Ryokugyu sighed. "For a man like you to die this way is far too wasteful."
This man should have shone even brighter in the coming war. Yet he died here like this.
"Sengoku chose to die himself."
But just then, Vice Admiral Garp suddenly spoke.
"Tsuru's Haki strength is nowhere near Sengoku's level. How could she still be alive while Sengoku died?"
Vice Admiral Garp looked at the still-unconscious Tsuru. "At the final moment, Sengoku must have chosen to use all his Haki to protect Tsuru."
That might have been all he could do. Just wanting to protect the one person standing closest beside him had already cost him his life.
"Really, showing off even at the very end."
The corner of Vice Admiral Garp's mouth curved into a smile, as though recalling the years when they fought side by side.
Back then, none of them were legends of the sea yet. They were just recruits who'd newly joined the Navy.
Him, Sengoku, Zephyr, Tsuru—everyone was still young then, striving together toward the same goal.
But—
Tears fell uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes.
"Sengoku—"
Vice Admiral Garp covered his eyes with his right hand, then took a deep breath. "Then we'll handle what comes next."
Grief and regret were meaningless now. What mattered was thinking about how to move toward the future.
"In any case, let's return to Fish-Man Island first."
Brett spoke. He glanced at the still-unconscious Tsuru. "I think injuries like Tsuru's need immediate treatment."
"We'll trouble you then, Brett."
Gion quickly said.
Sengoku was already dead, so they absolutely couldn't let the person he'd risked his life to protect die alongside him.
Though Tsuru was still alive now, her injuries were severe.
If left unattended, she probably wouldn't last much longer either.
So Brett immediately brought everyone on the return journey to Fish-Man Island.
At this same time in Mariejois, the assembled kings had begun contacting their home countries.
They started ordering conscription and resource collection, preparing for the coming war.
Simultaneously, they transmitted another message to their respective nations.
Namely, that Marine Headquarters' high command had betrayed the Government, seduced by NEO Navy Commander Zephyr's instigation. They had become traitors to the Government.
The kings demanded their subordinate militaries take over nearby Navy bases.
This was naturally the World Government's order.
Though Marine Headquarters was gone, the Navy branch bases scattered throughout the world still represented enormous power.
Though Imu didn't care, the Five Elders felt they should utilize what they could.
Setting aside how the news that all Marine Headquarters high command had chosen to betray the Government would bring tremendous upheaval to this world, Brett had already brought everyone back to Fish-Man Island.
"Fish-Man Island, huh? This is my first time here."
Admiral Ryokugyu looked around curiously. Fish-Man Island's beautiful scenery truly brought him tremendous shock. "I originally thought when I came here it would be because of war."
Something like the World Government attacking Fish-Man Island.
But who could have imagined that now they'd become allies with Fish-Man Island instead, while the World Government became the enemy?
"Now isn't the time to worry about that, is it?"
Gion said urgently. "Brett, where's the doctor?"
"Go to Dr. Vegapunk's laboratory. The doctor will arrive shortly."
Brett said.
Tsuru's injuries were far from ordinary.
Though Fleet Admiral Sengoku had desperately used Haki to protect her, in that kind of explosion, her body had still nearly been completely scorched.
Skin and muscle had suffered severe trauma. Only her internal organs were barely functioning.
If not for this world's people generally possessing vigorous life force, Tsuru would have died countless times already.
Ordinary medical techniques probably couldn't save her, so naturally they could only rely on Devil Fruit abilities.
It was time for Princess Mansherry's Heal-Heal Fruit to prove useful again.
Because Brett had already contacted Tesoro by phone before reaching Fish-Man Island, when they'd just arrived at Vegapunk's office, Tesoro also happened to arrive hurriedly with Princess Mansherry.
"..."
Tesoro had originally wanted to ask Brett how things went, but seeing the several people following behind Brett, he immediately shut his mouth.
It looked extremely successful.
The Navy Hero, three Admirals, two Admiral candidates—all returned together. What more was there to say? Brett and Gion's instigation plan had been perfectly achieved.
Truly the best possible news.
Of course, the more forces joining to oppose the World Government, the better.
After nodding to Tesoro, Brett looked at the little princess sitting on Tesoro's shoulder. "Princess Mansherry, we'll have to trouble you again."
"Leave it to me!"
The little princess jumped up cheerfully, landing in Brett's hand.
Brett cupped her and brought her to Tsuru, who still lay on the soft cloud.
As large tears began flowing from the little princess's big eyes, the Heal-Heal Fruit's ability activated once more.
"This is!!"
Gion, her face full of concern, gradually widened her eyes.
The dark burn marks on Tsuru's body rapidly faded. Her skin was regenerating.
"Could it be the Paramecia Heal-Heal Fruit?"
Vice Admiral Garp breathed a sigh of relief. "Only that fruit would possess such amazing healing ability, right?"
Then there was no problem.
Just a shame Sengoku couldn't hold on.
If he were still alive, no matter how severe his injuries, this little princess could heal him now, couldn't she?
"Oh! Borsalino! Long time no see!"
The laboratory's actual master came stumbling over.
"Eh? Doctor??"
Kizaru's eyes widened. "After not seeing you for a while, your change is really dramatic!"
Even the main body's big brain was gone!
"Hahaha, the new look is much more refreshing, right!"
The old man laughed proudly.
At this moment, Brett walked over. "Doctor, I have a question."
He asked, "Can my ability awaken?"
To defeat Imu, he absolutely had to become stronger!
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