Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The office of the Fleet Admiral.
"Until this incident is resolved, you'll remain here, Garp."
Steel Bone Kong sat behind his massive desk, sifting through towering stacks of documents with a calm expression, not even lifting his head as he spoke.
Garp stood there like a statue, hollow-eyed and motionless, as if his soul had been ripped away.
On the gray walls, the black plaque reading "Justice" loomed over him, casting a weight on his shoulders like a mountain pressing down.
Outside, rain had begun to fall.
Heavy clouds hung over the sea like a shroud, smothering the world in a suffocating gloom.
The icy rain clattered against the sealed windows and bounced away, filling the air with a cold, oppressive silence.
Through the glass, Garp stared blankly at the distant naval port.
Hooded Marines patrolled the vast, oval-shaped harbor, their faces grim and their movements precise in the downpour.
Not a single warship was docked.
"Don't bother looking," Kong's voice came, low and unhurried.
"I've already ordered every ship to put to sea. You won't have any chance."
A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Garp's mouth.
The old man's decisiveness... that was just like him.
"So... old man Kong, is there really no hope?" Garp's lips, pale and trembling, barely formed the words.
Kong didn't look up. His lids hung low as he flipped a page, his voice almost casual.
"Garp... you've always been my proudest student, and my most troublesome one. You should know—I've always been proud to have you as my student."
"As for Dragon... I've always admired that boy."
"His unwavering sense of justice, his natural charisma, his talent for leadership, his sharp mind, his immense strength and brilliance... even in the long history of the Marines, you'd be hard-pressed to find another youth like him."
Garp's bloodshot eyes shone as he clenched his teeth.
"Then save him, old man!!"
He staggered a step closer, fists shaking, the easygoing grin he always wore gone—replaced by a raw, desperate plea.
"He's only twenty-five!!"
"He told me once he wanted to become an Admiral! He wanted to change this wretched world in the name of justice!!"
"Damn it... I should have seen it back then!"
He clamped his large hand over his face, jaw clenched, hot tears streaming out between his fingers.
Steel Bone Kong finally stopped turning pages.
He looked up, meeting the anguished eyes of the Marine hero before him.
In that moment, the image of the broad-shouldered, middle-aged man before him blurred and overlapped with the memory of a brash young Garp, grinning like a fool.
Kong let out a long sigh.
"Garp... it's not that I won't save him."
"But you know what it means to raise a hand against a Celestial Dragon. And to do it in front of witnesses?"
"The severity and sensitivity of this matter... it's already beyond Sengoku's power to manage. It's even beyond mine."
A flicker of helplessness crossed his eyes.
"By the laws of the World Government, when a Celestial Dragon is harmed, an Admiral must act without hesitation... But do you know why Sengoku didn't go himself?"
Garp blinked, confused.
Kong pulled a cigar from the box on his desk, lit it, the heavy smoke curling around his stern features.
Then he said something that stunned Garp to silence.
"Because this order came from the Gorosei."
Kong leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, letting out a slow breath of smoke.
"Dragon's identity... it's too sensitive. The Government is already questioning the loyalty of the Marine leadership."
"Can you imagine it, Garp?"
"The son of the Marine 'Hero'... a man destined to become an Admiral, maybe even Fleet Admiral... one who should be the most loyal to the Government... and he dared to lay hands on a Celestial Dragon."
"The Gorosei will never accept that."
"This is no longer just about Dragon. His actions have shaken the Government's trust in the Marines."
Garp's face went pale.
He'd been so consumed with the thought of his son's fate, he hadn't even considered the wider implications, how far-reaching the consequences would be.
He opened his mouth to say something, but Kong raised a hand, cutting him off.
"The Gorosei have already made it clear: if we let Dragon escape, the Government will slash our military funding by half."
"Not only that—Sengoku and I had an agreement in place for his promotion. That's already been suspended."
"Until this matter is resolved and we regain the Gorosei's trust, Sengoku will never be Fleet Admiral. And I won't be heading to the Holy Land as Commander-in-Chief."
It hit Garp like a hammer.
The guilt was a crushing wave, driving him two steps back, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly.
Kong smiled faintly, unconcerned.
"It doesn't matter. I was never too interested in being Commander-in-Chief."
"Sengoku has no complaints either."
"So now do you understand, Garp?"
"Whether it's Fleet Admiral or Commander-in-Chief, if there were even the faintest chance to save Dragon, neither of us would give up."
"But the reality is... it's too difficult."
"Your son... he's made an irreversible mistake."
Garp fell silent, his eyes unfocused, as if all the warmth and color of the world had drained away, leaving only a numbing cold and emptiness.
"So... that foolish boy... there's really no saving him?"
"With Sakazuki and Borsalino already gone..."
He muttered, voice hoarse.
Sakazuki had never seen eye to eye with Dragon—he'd show no mercy.
And Borsalino... that man was impossible to read.
With those two together... no matter how strong Dragon was, there was no way he'd survive.
He clenched his fists, but before he could act, Kong's sharp bark cut him off.
"What are you thinking of doing!?"
Garp's face twisted, teeth grinding.
"Kong... I owe you everything. But Dragon is still my son!"
"No matter what, I have to try to save him!"
"I know your position is complicated. I know Sengoku's hands are tied. But—"
He grabbed at the Marine cloak on his shoulders, twisting it in his fists.
"This uniform... I'll—"
A massive fist slammed into him, sending him flying back and crashing into the wall.
Garp stared in shock, head spinning, a thin line of blood trickling down his forehead.
"Fool!!" Kong roared, eyes blazing.
"When I said it's too difficult, I didn't say it's impossible!!"
Garp blinked, stunned.
"But... Sakazuki and Borsalino—"
"Do you even realize why Sengoku's first order was to send Darren!?"
Kong rolled his eyes, cursing under his breath.
In that moment, something clicked, the bloodshot darkness of his eyes flickering with a sudden light of understanding.