"This is something decided by the Five Elders. Even if he is the Fleet Admiral, he has no authority to change it. But I really didn't expect it— that guy is actually Roger's child. He actually managed to evade the search back then... unbelievable..."
The intelligence report on the desk was something he could hardly believe. Back then, they had gone to great lengths to eradicate Roger's bloodline. Yet, he had still survived. Moreover, it seemed that some very special people were involved in this matter.
"Let's not dwell on that. How should we handle the issue with the Shichibukai? Hawk Eyes is fine—he always keeps his word on what he agrees to. And there's still some time before the war, so he has enough time to make it."
"What about the other three?"
The strength of the Shichibukai was one thing, but their attitude was another issue entirely. This was the first time in the history of the Shichibukai system that they were being enlisted collectively. These Shichibukai had long enjoyed the privileges of their title, and at this moment, opting out of the war was simply not an option.
If they refused the enlistment, then removing them from their position would have to be considered.
"Doflamingo is probably looking for greater benefits—he always does. That guy isn't hard to deal with. As for the Pirate Empress, her attitude is said to be rather strange. It's unlikely we can explain things to her properly over a call. Let's have the Marines send someone to handle this matter.
As for Knight of the Sea Jinbe... he has some ambiguous ties with the Whitebeard Pirates. There's a possibility he could switch sides on the battlefield. That kind of risk must be eliminated."
"There's still enough time. How is the Marine deployment going?"
"Fifty thousand elite troops have already arrived at headquarters. Another twenty thousand are on their way. Thirty thousand more are being drawn from other regions. The defense arrangements for the remaining areas have also been completed. Surveillance ships have been dispatched. Beyond this, there's nothing more we can do."
The individuals set down their pens and papers. They were also high-ranking officials of the World Government. While they engaged in various shady dealings in their daily lives, they all wished for the World Government to remain stable.
They had reached their positions not because they were particularly virtuous, but because they were the most capable among their peers.
The World Government needed talented individuals—the Five Elders knew this as well. There was only so far incompetent people could climb. Spandine and his son, Spandam, were already at their limits.
"Speaking of which, didn't Moria recently lose to a rookie?"
"That's not worth worrying about. Just update the bounty. The number of Super Rookies this year have already surpassed ten—it really is an era of turmoil."
"Doesn't matter. Even if you add them all together, they're still not as important as the problem with Whitebeard. The New World will take care of thinning their numbers."
While they were discussing specific matters, in the room of the Five Elders, Sengoku was voicing his protest.
"I disagree! Five Elders, isn't this war too reckless? You all know Whitebeard's personality—there's no way he would remain indifferent to Fire Fist Ace's identity. If you truly wish to eliminate Roger's bloodline, a secret execution would be sufficient. A public execution, however—the consequences..."
Whitebeard would do everything in his power to protect his family if they were alive. But if that family member was already dead, he would consider many other factors.
In the original timeline, the reason he did not attack Wano Country was precisely because of this. Wano's terrain was easy to defend and difficult to attack—he would not recklessly sacrifice more lives for someone who had already died.
Executing Ace publicly—this was an open scheme, one that would drive Whitebeard into madness.
"Sengoku! Don't play dumb. You, who are known as The Resourceful General, can't you see the true purpose of this war? Fire Fist Ace is merely a catalyst. Roger is already dead—his bloodline, his subordinates, none of that truly matters.
But Whitebeard must meet his end. This turbulent sea no longer needs so many powerful pirates."
The sword-wielding member of the Five Elders struck his sheathed blade against the ground, sternly reprimanding Sengoku.
"Kaido, Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, Red-Hair Shanks—if these four were to band together, they would form a terrifying force no less dangerous than the Rocks Pirates of the past. Before they unite, we need to thin their numbers."
"But what if they've already joined forces? Wouldn't that be an even bigger problem?!"
"They could never truly work together in complete unity. If we attacked the New World in an attempt to wipe them out, external pressure might force them to cooperate."
"But this situation is different, Whitebeard will undoubtedly come to rescue Ace. If he doesn't, the Whitebeard Pirates will lose all their reputation, while we will lose nothing."
"And pirates are greedy by nature. The moment he leaves, the others won't pass up the chance to exploit the weakened defenses of his territory. This is a profitable situation served right in front of them. Once the Emperors of the Sea are reduced to three, a triangular balance will form. It will be stable, but they will always be wary of each other."
"Killing Whitebeard will also boost Marine morale. Though we will suffer losses, it will be well worth it."
"With the three Marine Admirals and the Shichibukai, you all have more than enough power to handle him."
To some extent, the Five Elders' judgment was reasonable. But the problem was, they had no idea just how many "actors" existed within the Marines.
The factions within the Marines were far more complex than they could imagine. The justice in the eyes of the World Government did not align with the justice that some Marine officers believed in.
"So there's no room for negotiation...?"
"Sengoku, you are the Marine Fleet Admiral— but you are just a Marine Fleet Admiral. Do you understand?"
"I need the full support of the Science Unit. If we are going to wage this kind of war, the current Marine Headquarters is not enough. You all know very well how much destruction Whitebeard's ability can cause."
Sengoku did not want to go to war at this time, but he had no power to interfere with the higher-ups' decision. As Fleet Admiral, once an order was given, all he could do was execute it to the fullest.
"Of course, you can mobilize all available resources. In this regard, the World Government will fully cooperate with you. However, Sengoku, we can turn a blind eye to Garp's... eccentricities, but make sure he doesn't stir up any unnecessary trouble. You understand what we mean."
"Understood."
Planning tactics, coordinating subordinates—Sengoku had to personally handle many things himself. And on top of that, he had an even bigger problem to deal with.
...
After leaving the Red Line, he quickly returned to Marineford, where he found Garp already waiting in his office. The Senbei on the desk were untouched, a clear sign that Garp was in a bad mood.
"How did it go?"
Facing Garp's question, Sengoku simply shook his head. As comrades-in-arms for decades, Garp understood what Sengoku's gesture meant.
"Why?! There are so many pirates in Level Six—pirates whose crimes are far worse than Ace's! They can be imprisoned in Impel Down, but Ace can't? Just because of his identity? Roger had so many crew members—why is Ace the one being targeted?!"
"Garp, don't act like a child. This is about the situation of the seas, about Ace's relationship to Whitebeard. From the moment he set sail and became a pirate, this outcome was always a possibility."
A brief silence followed. After a moment, Garp wordlessly turned and walked toward the door...
****Please support on pat*eon for extra chapters; there is date to date subscription enabled on patreon. [There is a 7-day trial version availabe on patreon.]
https://www.pat*eon.com/dmtranslations
You can read ahead upto 75 chapters on my pa*reon.