Kizaru's recent actions left everyone dumbfounded.
Especially Judge, who was already at the height of despair.
Takumi glanced at Kaku and asked, "How long until the ship modification is complete?"
Kaku estimated, then responded, "About another week or so."
"Alright," Takumi nodded indifferently, "Continue with the modifications."
"Wait, wait a minute," Judge hurriedly interrupted, "What if the Marines come and make trouble during this period? I no longer have the capability to withstand another attack from them..."
"I'll be watching," Takumi said calmly. "If the Marines dare to come and cause trouble, they'll be dealt with swiftly."
Judge tried to argue, "But..."
Enel cut him off sharply, "Takumi said he'll handle it. What are you still 'but'-ing for? Keep talking, and while I may not kill you, I can certainly take care of your remaining sons and daughter."
"No, please don't..." Judge was terrified. "Fine, I understand..."
With Niji already dead, he couldn't afford to lose any more of his creations.
Marineford.
After Kizaru hung up the call, Sengoku put the Den Den Mushi back on his desk with a deep sigh, his face filled with a mixture of gravity and helplessness.
"Report, Fleet Admiral," a marine appeared at his office door, respectfully saying, "Vice Admiral Garp left Marineford this morning to return to the East Blue..."
"What?" Sengoku's lips twitched, his anger rising. "If he was heading to East Blue, why didn't he inform me beforehand? Why are you only reporting this now?"
The marine hesitated, explaining helplessly, "Fleet Admiral, I didn't want to report late either, but Vice Admiral Garp insisted I only come at this time... He said if I didn't listen to him, I'd get beaten up..."
"Damn it!" Sengoku fumed. "You're afraid of him beating you up, but you're not afraid of me?"
Sengoku rose to his feet as he spoke, startling the marine into trembling on the spot.
"F-Fleet Admiral, I have other tasks to finish, so I'll take my leave." Without waiting for a response, the marine sprinted away.
On his way back, he almost bumped into Akainu, who had just returned from his mission.
"Don't run recklessly in headquarters," Akainu's mood was still rather good, but to the marine, his tone sounded intimidating.
"Yes, understood, Admiral Akainu." The marine bowed awkwardly, cautiously moving past Akainu.
Ignoring the flustered marine, Akainu headed directly towards Sengoku's office.
When he entered the office, Sengoku was just about to call Garp.
Seeing Akainu return, Sengoku put the Den Den Mushi back down.
"You look troubled, what happened?" Akainu immediately noticed Sengoku's discomfort.
"There's been some trouble on Kizaru's end," Sengoku decided not to hide anything from Akainu.
Akainu frowned, asking, "Wasn't he tasked with pursuing Takumi's crew?"
"Yes," Sengoku nodded in frustration, "There were reports that Takumi and his crew went to the North Blue, so Kizaru pursued them. He called earlier to tell me that he faced Takumi directly and ended up having his arm cut off by him."
Upon hearing this, Akainu was taken aback. "Takumi was able to sever Kizaru's arm?"
"Yes, it's not a minor matter. Kizaru wouldn't lie about such a thing," Sengoku sighed. "As if Kizaru's situation wasn't enough of a headache, Garp is also causing trouble for me now..."
"Garp?" Akainu seemed to know what had happened. "Did he head back to the East Blue again?"
Sengoku helplessly nodded and continued, "Aokiji is still out on his mission and hasn't returned yet..."
"I'll go," Akainu offered without letting Sengoku finish, "I've just finished my assignment. If Kizaru's having trouble, I'll go support him."
Sengoku had been hoping for such a suggestion, so he nodded in agreement. "Alright, you go. If you end up confronting Takumi and his crew, be cautious. Takumi's strength appears to have increased significantly since your last encounter."
"I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll make preparations and set off for the North Blue shortly."
With that, Akainu left Sengoku's office.
Once he had gone, Sengoku picked up the Den Den Mushi again, immediately trying to call Garp.
However, even after several attempts, although the calls went through, Garp didn't answer.
"That damn fool, is he just trying to aggravate me?" Sengoku muttered angrily, and right as he spoke, the call finally connected.
Garp's lazy voice came through from the other end. "Sengoku, I heard it all. Really, cursing me out, huh?"
"What if I did?" Sengoku retorted. "Are you not even going to bother requesting leave from me now? Do you think Marine Headquarters is your house? You come and go as you please. Don't forget your position!"
"Alright, alright, I get it. I'm going back because something happened at home."
"Oh? What could possibly have happened at your home?"
"My grandson got hurt, apparently quite badly. As his grandfather, shouldn't I go check on him?"
"Luffy got injured?" Sengoku found it hard to believe Garp. "What happened to him? How serious is it?"
"Hmm..." Garp pondered a moment before replying, "The kid knocked his head and turned stupid, keeps yelling that he doesn't want to become a Marine. I had to come back and set him straight."
Sengoku: "..."
"You old fool!" Sengoku raged. "Do you have any idea what happened today?"
Garp picked his nose lazily. "What could've happened?"
"Kizaru had his arm chopped off by Takumi!"
"Huh? What did you say?" Garp sounded shocked. "Takumi caught up with Kizaru and even chopped off his arm? Sengoku, are you joking with me?"
"Why would I lie?" Sengoku explained, "I don't know how Takumi managed it, but you know Kizaru's character; he's not the type to get easily hurt. Takumi isn't the same as before. Do you still insist that he poses no threat to the world?"
"He's not someone who seeks trouble," Garp replied seriously. "Unless he's provoked. If the World Government doesn't impose itself upon him, and as long as he isn't troubled by them, Takumi wouldn't willingly make enemies out of the Government. Regardless of what you say, I still hold that belief."
"But don't forget, you're a Marine, the hero of the Marines, the Iron Fist Garp!" Sengoku emphasized. "I don't know Takumi personally, and I trust your judgment of people. But if he does become a threat to the Government one day, what will you do then? Will you still stand with the Marines?"
"Hmm..." Garp scratched his head, thinking before replying, "If that day ever comes, I won't waver in my position. Until I retire, I will always stand with the Marines!"
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