Marineford.
"Garp, can you stop eating during the meeting?" Sengoku asked, exasperatedly looking at Garp munching on rice crackers. "You saw what Yeyin sent back—he's your disciple. Don't you have an explanation?"
"What's there to explain?" Garp replied nonchalantly. "I think he's doing a good job!"
"Sending them all to the New World to let pirates restrict pirates—isn't that a good thing?"
Garp felt a strange satisfaction with Yeyin's decision. It seemed like a good idea, but he couldn't quite pinpoint why. Soon enough, Garp realized it was all about the trash.
Now that these big-name pirates had fixed territories, it would make it easier for Yeyin to go collect trash.
If Yeyin knew Garp's thoughts, he would definitely see him as a kindred spirit! Yeyin hadn't intended to get involved with the Shichibukai, but if they all had their own territories, he wouldn't have to search the seas for them. He could just go directly to their bases.
"But to have the Navy recognize pirates—it's absurd!" Akainu, a newly promoted vice admiral, spoke up, adamant. "All evil should be eradicated!"
"We have to consider our manpower limitations," Tsuru offered her opinion. "Pirates keep popping up across the seas, with many countries and towns either overrun or infiltrated by them."
"We only have so many Marines. Instead of exhausting ourselves, wouldn't it be better to bring them under control?"
After all, Zephyr had informed Garp about Yeyin's plan to enlist pirates, and Garp, with his big mouth, couldn't wait to tell everyone about his disciple's great achievement. Naturally, Tsuru had also heard about it.
"Control them? How would we manage that?" Akainu retorted. "Are we supposed to station Marines in their territories? They won't agree to such conditions."
Deep down, Akainu couldn't accept recognizing these criminals as legitimate.
"Alright, Sengoku, you and Tsuru draft the report on the Shichibukai."
"Then release it worldwide."
"As for Yeyin's recommendations of Crocodile and Donquixote Doflamingo, list them as part of it."
"As for the other candidates, let them fight for their place."
At this point, Kong made the final decision. From every angle, it seemed that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. Plus, he had already reported this to the Five Elders, who granted him the authority to decide.
"Understood, Fleet Admiral!" Sengoku and Tsuru responded immediately.
As for Akainu, with Kong's decision in place, he had no reason to argue. The Navy not only upheld absolute justice but also strict adherence to orders.
"Tsuru, how's the investigation into Ohara coming along?"
At that moment, Kong changed the topic.
…
In the West Blue.
Meanwhile, Yeyin was unaware that the report he sent had already been adopted.
He and his crew were currently sailing on the open sea.
With more people on board, they had enough hands for sparring practice. Hina was busy training, while Yakos was making some fragile items for Yeyin.
(End of Chapter)