Free Web NovelChapter 88: Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Marine Headquarters
Another meeting centered around Rorschach was underway.
"After we arrived at Enies Lobby, the place was left in ruins. Aside from three CP9 agents who were still conscious, everyone else had been knocked out by Conqueror’s Haki. Even the two giants weren’t spared. It seems ’Golden Lion II’ Rorschach’s strength has grown even further compared to two years ago."
At the meeting table, Aokiji lazily recounted what he had seen at Enies Lobby.
A Conqueror’s Haki powerful enough to cover the entire island of Enies Lobby left no doubt — the opponent’s strength had likely reached the level of a Navy Admiral. Even he wasn’t confident he could take Rorschach down anymore.
"We thought this Rorschach had gone into hiding out of fear of the Navy’s pursuit. I never expected him to raise his strength to this level in just two years."
"Damn it. These pirates keep causing world-shaking incidents one after another. Especially the things this Rorschach has done — they’re completely unprecedented."
"Not only did he rob a Navy branch, he even broke through Enies Lobby, which was said to have never been breached before. Every single act is a huge slap to the Navy’s face."
Sengoku said through gritted teeth.
In the past, the Golden Lion had broken into the underwater Great Prison Impel Down, which was supposed to be an impenetrable fortress. Now his successor, Golden Lion II, had breached Enies Lobby — a place that had never been broken since its establishment.
This master and disciple pair did the exact same thing: shattering the Navy’s long-established prestige and turning the World Government and Navy into laughingstocks.
"Puhahaha! So the kid got stronger again?"
Garp, sitting nearby, continued munching on senbei crackers and burst into laughter at the moment Sengoku was most furious.
"What’s so funny, Garp?! Why don’t you come up with a solution instead of just sitting there eating crackers!"
Veins bulged on Sengoku’s forehead as he roared.
"Well, wasn’t the newest Warlord recently defeated in the New World? The World Government should be quite dissatisfied with him and planning to revoke his position. Why not just make this kid a Warlord?"
Garp spoke casually while continuously stuffing crackers into his mouth, his mustache already covered in crumbs.
Sengoku suddenly froze, as if enlightened. He had never considered this option before.
Two years ago, after Rorschach defeated Crocodile, the Warlord position had remained vacant. Following the World Government’s orders, the Navy had selected the fastest-rising pirate of the past two years to fill the seat.
However, after entering the New World, that pirate provoked one of the Four Emperors and suffered a crushing defeat. On top of being extremely arrogant, many powerful pirates in the New World disliked him. He was beaten repeatedly and had now retreated back to Paradise. The Warlords’ deterrence had been completely ruined by this guy.
Thinking about it now, Garp’s suggestion made a lot of sense. Rorschach’s strength was worthy of the Warlord title, and it would allow the Navy to monitor both him and Nico Robin in real time. freewebnøvel.com
Since the Navy hadn’t yet developed airships for aerial combat, Sengoku really didn’t know how to deal with this floating Rorschach. If they could recruit him as a Warlord, it would save him a massive headache.
It would also help recover some of the Navy’s lost face.
"I didn’t expect you to come up with such a plan, Garp," even Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at the unreliable man with new eyes.
"Hahaha, what are you saying, Tsuru? I’ve always been like this. It’s just that Fleet Admiral Sengoku is too dumb to think of it."
Garp laughed, taking the opportunity to praise himself while throwing a jab at Sengoku.
"Garp! You bastard!"
Sengoku cursed, but then deflated and stopped arguing with him.
No matter how much he scolded, this old man would never change. He didn’t care at all about the pressure Sengoku faced as Fleet Admiral.
"Although this Rorschach possesses the Float-Float Fruit, based on his past movements, he seems to be following the Paradise route. His next destination is likely the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Hey, Garp! You stay at Sabaody and wait for this Rorschach. Extend him an invitation to become a Warlord. If he refuses, change plans and arrest him."
After thinking for a moment, Sengoku made the decision. The Navy was currently short on manpower, and the other two Admirals were away on missions. Only Garp and Aokiji were capable of handling someone of Rorschach’s level.
"Zzz... Zzz..."
Garp had somehow already fallen asleep, a large snot bubble forming at his nose as he snored loudly.
"You bastard, stop pretending! Get up right now!"
Sengoku immediately grabbed Garp by the collar and shook him, but no matter how hard he shook, Garp remained motionless like he was dead asleep.
"This guy always acts like this whenever there’s trouble."
Sengoku said with a headache, helplessly letting him go. He knew Garp hated the Celestial Dragons, so sending him to Sabaody — a place they frequently visited — would be troublesome. Garp didn’t want to deal with their stupid faces.
"Sigh. Recently, something big seems to have happened within Whitebeard’s crew. The 2nd Division Commander, Ace, has left the New World and entered Paradise, apparently chasing something."
"Aokiji, go monitor Whitebeard’s movements in the New World. Report immediately if anything unusual happens."
Matters involving a Four Emperors crew were too dangerous for ordinary Vice Admirals. Losing an elite Vice Admiral would be a heavy price. To be safe, sending an Admiral was necessary.
"Got it," Aokiji replied lazily.
Sengoku nodded, then scanned the room and settled on his next target.
"Onigumo, you head to Sabaody first and wait. Report immediately if you spot Rorschach, but do not engage him in conflict. Kizaru should be finishing his mission and returning soon. I’ll have him support you in negotiating with Golden Lion II."
"As long as he doesn’t demand anything too outrageous, we can make appropriate concessions."
Sengoku ordered Onigumo.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku." Compared to Aokiji, Onigumo’s attitude was much more respectful.
"Whew, finally I can write a report for the higher-ups."
After the meeting ended, Sengoku wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Lately, it felt like peak season — new pirate stars were popping up everywhere. Several highly promising rookies had emerged from the Four Seas.
This gave him constant headaches. There was unknown unrest in Whitebeard’s crew in the New World, and new rising stars were flooding out of the Four Seas. Every single one was a major problem.
Meanwhile, at the center of all this chaos, Rorschach was happily enjoying himself on the ship.
Boom!
A sudden massive explosion startled Rorschach so badly he nearly spat out the food he was secretly snacking on.
Nami burst into the kitchen, scaring both him and Nojiko. Rorschach had been caught red-handed stealing food.
Thankfully, he had activated his Observation Haki’s life detection in time and sensed Nami’s approach.
"Rorschach! Come out and see this! The ship’s cannons combined with my lightning are insanely powerful!"
Nami ran over, grabbed his arm, and dragged him out. Luckily, Rorschach had cleaned up fast enough to avoid any embarrassing situation.
She then pulled him all the way to the control room of the ship’s largest main cannon. freёwebnovel.com
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