Chapter 159: Sengoku Is Helpless, Garp Takes Action
"Why the hell is he here!?"
"That’s one of the Four Emperors’ Red-Haired Shanks! This has nothing to do with him, right?"
Tsuru held the intelligence report in hand, her brows furrowed in confusion as she looked at Sengoku. "What’s going on? Why’s he involved?"
"No idea," Sengoku muttered, rubbing his temple. "But look at those two idiots—laughing like they’ve known each other for decades."
Out on the deck, Shanks and Ryuunosuke were leaning against each other, roaring with laughter like old drinking buddies. Sengoku looked out at them with visible frustration.
He didn’t want to admit it, but the relationship between Ryuunosuke and Shanks was clearly not normal.
No other Four Emperor would act this way with a so-called ’upstart.’
Shanks had shown up just as Ryuunosuke was headed for Impel Down.
That could only mean one thing—two of the Four Emperors were involved in this.
And with Ryuunosuke’s Dragon Hunter Pirates in the mix, they were practically dealing with three Four Emperor-level forces.
Sengoku clenched his fists. Whether the world acknowledged it or not, the Dragon Hunter Pirates had already risen above the Four Emperors in terms of influence and sheer momentum.
If others followed suit...
The Navy could be swallowed whole.
"Should we adjust the plan?" Tsuru asked seriously. "Sengoku, this could drag the Navy into the abyss."
Though she’d already decided to resign after this war, Tsuru still wore the uniform. And as long as she wore it, she couldn’t stand by and watch the Navy collapse.
"I’ve already reported the situation to the World Government," Sengoku replied grimly. "We’re waiting for the Five Elders to respond."
He sighed, shoulders heavy with fatigue. "Right now... we’re just stuck."
Tsuru narrowed her eyes. "You still trust the World Government after all this?"
Her voice was sharp now, the bitterness she’d suppressed for years finally spilling out. If there had been others around, she might’ve kept quiet. But this was Sengoku.
They were both tired.
Yes, people criticized Garp for his carefree attitude—but deep down, they all wished they could act like him.
But if they did... what would happen to the Navy? To the men and women who followed them?
They’d upheld justice their whole lives. They couldn’t just throw it all away.
Sengoku was silent. Then the Den Den Mushi rang.
"Perururuu... click."
"This is Commander Kong," came the voice on the other end. "Have the Five Elders responded?"
"Yes," Kong said flatly. "The plan remains unchanged. Proceed as planned."
"Unchanged?" Sengoku’s voice lowered. "Even now?"
"The World Government’s directive is clear. No matter what, we must crush the arrogance of these pirates."
Sengoku closed his eyes for a moment, then exhaled slowly. "Understood. I’ll follow through."
"I know you’re in a tough spot," Kong added. "But the World Government is also making preparations. We’ll move in coordination when the time comes."
"Got it." Sengoku ended the call.
He turned to look at Tsuru, who met his gaze with a bitter expression.
This... this was beyond what either of them had imagined.
They had thought the World Government would intervene decisively given the scale of the threat. But instead, they were pushing the Navy into the fire.
The Navy wouldn’t be wiped out entirely, no—but the loss would be catastrophic. Their image shattered, their power gutted.
Other pirates would rise in their wake.
And when that happened... who would hold the line?
"Damn it all," Tsuru muttered, turning to leave.
"Tsuru," Sengoku said softly, but she didn’t stop.
"I won’t let this happen," she said without looking back. "Not Whitebeard. Not the Dragon Hunter Pirates. Not even the World Government has the right to use the Navy ."
The door slammed shut behind her.
Sengoku didn’t blame her. He felt the same.
But right now... he had no answers.
A lone Navy warship cut through the waves.
Unlike Sengoku and Tsuru, Garp didn’t give a damn about the World Government’s orders.
To him, this was simple.
A pirate caused the problem?
Then he’d deal with the pirate.
Before long, he arrived at the gates of Impel Down.
"Vice Admiral Garp?!"
Magellan was stunned to see him. "What brings you here?"
Normally, admirals didn’t show up at Impel Down in person—prisoners were transferred by their own escort squads.
"I’m here to pick someone up," Garp said bluntly. "Some of the Dragon Hunter Pirates are being held here, aren’t they?"
Magellan blinked, stunned. "You... want to take them?"
Magellan frowned. "Is this a direct order from the World Government? Or is this your Navy acting on its own? If it’s the latter, have Sengoku call me personally."
His tone was firm. There were rules—even Garp wasn’t above them.
If he just handed over prisoners to anyone who asked, Impel Down would be a joke.
"I came here on my own," Garp replied calmly. "But if you don’t want to see Impel Down turned into rubble... I suggest you give them to me."
Magellan’s face darkened. "Are you threatening me, Vice Admiral?"
Toxic venom began to ooze from his body.
Poison filled the air.
But Garp didn’t even blink.
"I’m not the threat," he said. "They are."
"The Whitebeard Pirates. The Red-Haired Pirates. The Dragon Hunter Pirates. You think they’ll just sit back quietly?"
Garp’s voice was calm—but every word hit like a hammer.
"If they all move, the sea will erupt. And the ones who get caught in the middle—us."
Magellan remained silent, the venom hissing around him.
Garp didn’t flinch. "Let me make this simple: I’m taking them. Because if Ryuunosuke moves, this entire situation will spiral out of control."
He remembered their last encounter.
Ryuunosuke was no longer that naïve brat from Foosha Village.
Now, he was a monster with a devil’s mind and a strength that only kept growing.
Even Garp wasn’t sure he could beat him anymore—not quickly, and maybe not at all.
And if Ryuunosuke really let loose...
The whole world would pay the price.
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