Holy Land Mary Geoise, Power Hall.
The Gorosei were all gathered, the atmosphere as heavy as ice.
"Attacking World Nobles without cause, the Marine must give Mary Geoise an explanation!" Shepard J. Peter Saint said coldly.
"In any case, Gern must be handed over!!"
"That's easy to say, but the problem now is..." Topman Warcury Saint narrowed his eyes, "The attitude within the Marine is very subtle."
"Hmph!" Jaygarcia Satan Saint heavily struck his cane, "Does the Marine want to rebel?! They shouldn't forget their place!"
"What if they don't forget? Do you know what the situation is now?
Even if the Marine truly doesn't hand him over, what can we do? Will the World Government fight the Marine?
The Marine is no longer the Marine of the past; there are quite a few strong individuals." Saint Marcus Mars slowly began to speak.
"Also, the most important thing now is... to figure out who is backing Gern?
Or rather... was he pushed out by the Marine as a test to resist our Shichibukai system?"
Everyone fell silent, especially when they realized an even more serious problem: the Marine genuinely couldn't be moved right now...
Especially Zephyr, Garp, Sengoku... and even the new generation of Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, plus Gern...
None of these top Marine powerhouses have expressed support for the World Government to this day!
"Since that's the case..." Saint Izanbaron V. Nasujuro finally decided, his voice bone-chillingly cold.
"Notify the God's Knights, and let Figaland Garland handle it!"
"If the Marine doesn't act, we will!
No matter the form, we must respond.
Even if we take a step back, we must make the Marine hand over that Mink Tribe Vice Admiral to appease Rosward Saint's family's anger."
He slowly stood up, his gaze like a knife.
"Otherwise, the World Government's face... will be completely gone!"
.......
Holy Land Mary Geoise, within Figaland Garland's family palace.
Golden sunlight streamed through the stained glass, illuminating the luxurious carpet.
Figaland Garland sat quietly on a high-backed chair, his slender fingers caressing the rim of a stemmed glass, the red wine within as dark as blood.
He slightly raised his gaze, sweeping it over the CP0 agent kneeling on one knee before him, a cold, sharp curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
"So, the Gorosei's intention is... for me to personally 'invite' that Heaven Quake Vice Admiral?" His voice was low, carrying a hint of amusement.
The CP0 agent lowered his head, his voice from beneath the mask respectful: "Yes, sir."
"However..." He paused slightly, "I'm worried the Marine might..."
"Worried?" Figaland Garland suddenly chuckled, "Are you questioning the authority of the World Nobles?"
"I wouldn't dare!" The agent immediately bowed his head, "It's just that Heaven Quake has a very extensive network within the Marine; if they refuse to hand him over..."
Figaland Garland suddenly slammed the wine glass heavily onto the gilded tea table, red wine splashing like blood onto the white marble floor.
"A mere Marine, nothing but the World Government's watchdog."
He slowly rose, his jewel-encrusted rapier 'clanging' half an inch from its sheath, the cold light illuminating his icy profile.
"In eight hundred years, no Marine has dared to defy the will of the Celestial Dragons."
"Yes, yes. In any case, the Gorosei's intention is that if the Marine refuses to hand him over,
Then at least his Mink Tribe subordinate, Lippo Hope, must be brought back to appease Rosward Saint's family's anger."
"Heh." Figaland Garland chuckled, draining the wine in his glass, then slowly stood up.
The rapier at his side 'clanged' half an inch from its sheath, its cold light reflecting on his stern face.
"A mere Marine Vice Admiral, worthy of me personally acting?"
The CP0 agent remained silent.
Figaland Garland walked to the window, overlooking the prosperous scene of Mary Geoise, his gaze gradually turning icy.
"However, since he dared to lay hands on a Celestial Dragon, he should pay the price." He turned, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"Tell the Gorosei that I will personally escort 'Heaven Quake' to the Power Hall, so they can witness firsthand the consequences of offending a World Noble."
As his voice fell, he raised his hand and waved, the rapier fully unsheathed, its tip pointing directly towards Marineford.
(Incidentally, regarding the character Figaland Garland, I, Salty Fish, believe he is a complete villain.
After all, to be worshipped and promoted by a group of psychopathic Celestial Dragons, he himself can't be anything good.)
......
Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Kong sat alone behind a large desk, the sunlight from outside the window filtering through the blinds, casting mottled shadows on his resolute face.
At this moment, he was clutching a recently delivered secret order, his knuckles slightly whitened from the force.
The Den Den Mushi lay quietly on the desk, the cold voice of the Gorosei still lingering from the recently concluded call:
"The God's Knights have been dispatched; Figaland Garland will personally handle this matter."
Kong slowly closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling slightly.
"This kid... he really knows how to pick his moments." He murmured softly, his voice hoarse.
The World Government had just announced the Shichibukai system, and undercurrents were already stirring within the Marine.
Now, Gern's punch had directly shattered the delicate balance between the Marine and the World Government.
Kong opened his eyes, his gaze falling on a photograph on the desk.
It was a group photo from the Marine high-ranking officers' induction ceremony years ago.
Sakazuki and two others stood beside him, while Gern stood beside Zephyr, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Kong actually liked Gern; otherwise, he wouldn't have merely given him verbal reprimands every time.
After all, as the Fleet Admiral, with his long-term vision, he deeply understood that Sakazuki, plus Gern and the other two, were the cornerstones of the Marine's future resistance against everything.
"Zephyr..." Kong gave a wry smile, "Your disciple certainly does you proud."
He slowly stood up and walked to the window, overlooking the Marineford harbor.
Warships were neatly docked, and soldiers were sweating profusely on the training grounds.
This was the fortress of justice, the heart of the Marine.
And now, the sword of the God's Knights pointed here.
Kong took a deep breath, his fists unconsciously clenching, standing by the window. The fate of the Marine seemed to rest on his shoulders at this moment.
"Not consulting me before announcing the Shichibukai system is one thing; now they're even trying to pressure me..."
He gazed at the soldiers drilling on the training ground; each resolute figure represented the Marine's unyielding will.
"This is the justice we protect..." He muttered softly, his knuckles leaving deep indentations on the windowsill.
Suddenly, Kong turned sharply, his military boots clanking on the floor.
He grabbed the communicator, his voice exploding like thunder throughout Marineford:
"Attention all! In three days, the World Government will send Figaland Garland of the God's Knights for a 'friendly exchange'!"
His voice echoed in every corner, from the harbor to the fortress, from the training grounds to the mess hall; every Marine stopped what they were doing.
"During this period, Marineford Admirals Zephyr and Sengoku, Marineford Vice Admirals Garp, Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, and..."
He deliberately paused, "Marineford Vice Admiral Gern, all cease all external missions and take leave!"
Kong's gaze swept outside the window, seeing countless Marine soldiers already spontaneously gathering in the square.
A steely smile appeared on his lips: "Everyone who is in Marineford that day, gather at the Marineford Central Plaza in three days!
Let us welcome this 'distinguished' guest with the most solemn ceremony!"
He slammed down the communicator, his voice thundering: "Let those high-and-mighty big shots see clearly
What a true fortress of justice is! Understand?!"
"UNDERSTOOD!!!"
The entire Marineford erupted with an earth-shattering response, the sound wave sweeping through every corner like a tsunami.
Kong looked at the boiling Marine officers and soldiers outside the window, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.
"Let me see, is your divine sword sharper, or is the Marine's will more resilient."
"Come on, Figaland Garland..." He murmured softly, "If you dare to come here to arrest someone, I'll make sure you don't leave Marineford!!"
Outside the Fleet Admiral's office, the Marine officers in the corridor all straightened their backs in unison.
The fermentation of public opinion these past few days had made everyone realize
This was not just a 'welcome ceremony,' but a war concerning the dignity of the Marine.