"The Five Elders Are Very Optimistic About You, Garp!"
"Don't set limits on your own growth..."
Cyborg Kong stopped the pen in his hand, crossed his arms, and looked at Garp with a meaningful gaze.
At the mention of the God Valley Incident, Garp's expression darkened slightly.
At the same time that Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong returned from Mary Geoise, news spread like wildfire.
Now, not only the entire Marine Headquarters and World Government, but the whole world believes that Vice Admiral Garp single-handedly defeated and killed Rocks D. Xebec.
They credit him with smashing and disbanding the Rocks Pirates, a crew infamous across the world, feared by ordinary citizens, marines, and even other pirates.
The world hails him as a hero, a legend.
But only Garp knew the truth about what happened that day at God Valley, in that decisive battle.
Defeating and killing Rocks was not something he had accomplished alone.
"I am not the legendary Marine hero that the World Government is deliberately promoting..."
Moreover, accepting the rank of Admiral would mean greater responsibilities, more entanglements with the Celestial Dragons, and duties Garp had no desire to fulfill.
For these reasons, Garp flatly refused the Five Elders' offer to be promoted to Admiral.
Facing the unwavering gaze of Fleet Admiral Kong, Garp once again shook his head.
Seeing Garp reject both himself and the appreciation of the Five Elders, Kong's expression darkened.
Taking a deep breath, Kong fixed his stern eyes on Garp and asked in a deep voice:
"Garp, do you really refuse the promotion to Admiral?"
Garp grinned, scratching his head.
"Being a Vice Admiral is enough for me. I don't want to be an Admiral."
Then he burst into laughter.
"Pfft-hahaha! Fleet Admiral Kong, don't force me!"
Kong exhaled sharply, his face tense.
"Fine. I'll report your decision to the Five Elders. You may leave now."
Without another word, Steel Bone Kong picked up his pen again, returning to the mountain of documents on his desk.
---
[82] The Roger Pirates' Strongest Target & The Fate of the Rocks Remnants
Garp's refusal to be promoted to Admiral soon reached the Five Elders.
Upon hearing this, they were both shocked and furious.
The title of Admiral not only represents supreme strength but also signifies power and control within the World Government.
And yet, this Garp had dared to refuse such a promotion?
"This Garp... is he being ungrateful?"
"What is he planning? Does he intend to defy the will of the World Government?"
"So far, there are no signs of rebellion."
"Judging by his past actions, Garp has always been loyal to the Marines and the World Government."
"But rejecting our direct order? That's blatant disrespect! He's ignoring our authority!"
"A Marine who cannot be fully controlled yet possesses the strength of an Admiral is a dangerous variable for the World Government."
"So, should we suppress him... or eliminate him?"
The Five Elders sat in the dimly lit conference room, their expressions cold and grim.
As the highest rulers of the World Government, they could not allow any potential threats—no matter how small—to go unchecked.
Even the faintest sign of disobedience had to be snuffed out.
After a long silence, the bald Elder spoke first.
"My suggestion is to observe him for now."
The others turned their gazes toward him.
"Based on what we know of Garp, he will never betray the Marines or the World Government."
"More importantly, the image of the 'Legendary Marine Hero' has already spread worldwide. His name has become a symbol, known in every corner of the world."
"If we act against him rashly, it would only cause unnecessary complications."
After a moment of contemplation, the others nodded in agreement.
Right now, Garp's reputation was too valuable. His heroic image served as a tool to distract the public, intimidate pirates, and reinforce faith in the World Government.
For now, they needed that illusion of security.
Though they still harbored resentment toward Garp for rejecting the Admiral promotion, they had no choice but to accept the bald Elder's proposal.
"For the world, Garp rejecting the promotion is merely a personal decision."
"No one outside this room knows the true reason behind it."
"We can use this to our advantage. Turn his defiance into another opportunity to promote the 'Marine Hero' narrative."
"So for now, we will not act against Garp. We will continue observing him."
"That is our final decision."
---
The Roger Pirates – New World
Night fell.
On an island deep within the New World, a banquet was in full swing.
Around a roaring bonfire, a large group of pirates laughed, drank, and feasted.
"Bottoms up!"
"Hahahaha! Another big score today!"
"Drink up, everyone!"
This was none other than the Roger Pirates, celebrating their successful escape from God Valley, despite being pursued by Fleet Admiral Kong and Admiral Zephyr.
Seated together, Gol D. Roger, Silvers Rayleigh, and Scopper Gaban watched their crew revel in victory, content smiles on their faces.
Roger took a large swig of sake and grinned.
"That bastard Rocks is finally dead. Now we can focus on finding the Poneglyphs again! Hahahaha!"
Meanwhile, one of the crew members sat quietly, reading the latest newspaper.
Suddenly, his face twisted with anger.
He immediately approached Roger.
"Captain, something's wrong! The news about Rocks' death has been manipulated!"
Roger raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Rayleigh smirked.
"Hahaha! Of course, the World Government would try to cover up what happened in God Valley. After all, even some of the Celestial Dragons were killed there."
The crew member's expression darkened.
"They didn't just cover it up. They changed the story entirely!"
He shoved the newspaper toward Roger and the others.
"Look! According to this, Vice Admiral Garp alone defeated and killed Rocks!"
The crew erupted into outrage.
"This is absurd! Without Captain's help, there's no way Garp could've done it alone!"
"We lost crew members in that battle! We fought just as hard as the Marines!"
"And now Garp gets all the glory? The World Government is full of cowards!"
All eyes turned to Roger, waiting for his reaction.
Roger blinked, then let out a boisterous laugh.
"Pffft-hahahahaha!"
Taking another swig of sake, he grinned.
"Does it really matter?"
"Rocks is dead. The Rocks Pirates are finished."
"That's what truly matters, isn't it?"
Rayleigh nodded with a chuckle.
"Besides, it's not like the World Government could publicly acknowledge that we helped the Marines."
The crew hesitated but soon broke into laughter as well.
The banquet resumed, the previous anger forgotten in the warmth of good company and flowing drinks.
For the Roger Pirates, glory and recognition meant nothing—only freedom did.
---
More than a month passed.
The Marines, under orders from the World Government, relentlessly hunted down the remnants of the Rocks Pirates.
While Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, Shiki, and others escaped, the weaker members were captured or executed.
And as time passed, the truth of God Valley was buried under the weight of propaganda.
The world only remembered one name—
"Marine Hero: Monkey D. Garp."
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