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At that moment, Domino, the chief guard, stepped forward and reported,
"Additionally—"
"Additionally, what?" Garp furrowed his brows.
"Additionally, Douglas Bullet escaped along with the prisoner named Alex!"
"What? Douglas Bullet escaped?!"
Hearing those words, Garp felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His palm slammed onto the desk with a resounding bang.
The sheer force of his reaction sent a wave of tension through the room.
Hannyabal, known for his cowardice, trembled violently, fearing he would be blamed for the disaster.
"Is he that strong?" Kuzan asked curiously. It was rare to see Garp lose his composure like this.
"Heh… That kid has been undefeated since he was fifteen, wandering the seas and winning battle after battle.
Then, he encountered Roger—and for the first time, he lost. From then on, he followed Roger around the world.
After Roger's execution, Bullet left the Roger Pirates and started his own reign of terror, plunging the seas into chaos.
At the time, the Marines had no effective way to deal with him.
It wasn't until he turned twenty-two that we finally got our chance. With a crucial piece of intelligence, the entire Marine force mobilized. Sengoku and I led the charge, facing him in a battle that shook the world.
In the end, he ran out of stamina, and with the sheer might of the Marine forces, we managed to take him down and imprison him here.
Even now, despite the years that have passed and the fact that we've raised a new generation of Admirals, we must not underestimate him."
Garp's voice was filled with nostalgia and caution. The battle against Bullet had been one of the few where he had gone all out.
As he finished speaking, a heavy silence filled the room.
Most of those present were too young to have witnessed Douglas Bullet's prime.
Hearing Garp—a legend—speak of him with such respect made them realize how serious the situation was.
And to make matters worse, Bullet had escaped alongside the mysterious Alex.
It was a troubling combination.
"Enough. I will personally report this to higher authorities," Garp said. "For now, focus on recovering from your injuries. I'll also station heavily armed Marine battleships here to prevent further incidents."
"Understood," Magellan responded solemnly.
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The news of Alex's escape soon sent shockwaves throughout the world!
At Marine Headquarters, a top-level emergency meeting was convened.
All Vice Admirals and above were present, and at the head of the conference table sat Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"Can someone explain to me who this Alex really is?" Sengoku's voice was sharp. "How did a prisoner from the first level of Impel Down manage to turn the entire place upside down?"
However, his question was met with silence.
No one truly knew who Alex was.
His origins were a mystery.
"Regardless of his identity," a deep, steady voice interrupted, "anyone who threatens world peace must be eliminated. I will personally lead a Marine force to capture them."
The speaker was a tall, imposing man with numerous tattoos. His right arm was shaped like a sword, and from his left chest to his elbow, roses and cherry blossoms intertwined in ink. A dark red suit covered his broad frame, a Marine cap rested on his head, and a black leather glove covered his hand. A lit cigar smoldered between his lips.
It was Admiral Akainu Sakazuki.
"That kid's strength is no joke," another voice drawled lazily.
Sitting across from Akainu was a man with short, slightly curly black hair. He wore sunglasses, had light stubble on his chin, and possessed a tall, lanky frame. A striped yellow-and-white suit, a purple tie, and a dark green shirt completed his appearance.
It was Admiral Kizaru Borsalino.
"Even Magellan and Shiryu of the Rain weren't able to stop him, you know?" Kizaru continued in his slow, almost mocking tone.
"Hmph," a third voice joined the conversation. "This is even more complicated than you think. They didn't just escape—Douglas Bullet is with him now. Even after twenty years in prison, that man is not to be taken lightly."
The speaker was an elderly woman with graying hair, tied in a simple ponytail that draped over her shoulder. A pair of jade-green earrings adorned her ears. She wore two golden bracelets on her right hand and a Vice Admiral's coat draped over her shoulders.
This was Tsuru, one of the great Marine strategists who had once fought alongside Sengoku and Garp.
Having battled Bullet before, she understood just how terrifying he truly was.
"Hmph!" Akainu scoffed. "Vice Admiral Tsuru, times have changed. The Marines are stronger than ever. Even the so-called New World pirates are no match for us!"
Sengoku raised a hand, signaling for silence.
"Enough, Akainu. Since you're so confident, you will lead a fleet to the East Blue immediately and locate them.
Not only will this keep them in check, but it will also send a clear message to the world about the Marine's stance.
While this wasn't our fault, the World Government is not pleased.
Especially since, despite the reinforcements arriving at Impel Down, two major criminals still managed to escape.
They demand that we resolve this quickly to maintain public order."
Sengoku then glanced at Garp, his expression dark.
Meanwhile, Garp sat nonchalantly, picking his nose as if none of this concerned him.
It was clear Sengoku was still angry at him.
After all, it was Garp's personal decision to not pursue Alex and Bullet, which had now placed them all in a difficult position.
Yet, there was little Sengoku could do about his old friend.
So, he could only stew in silent frustration.