Chapter 477: Marine Grand Meeting (Part 1)
Caesar's angry outburst ignited righteous fury among most of the gathered children.
Charlotte, however, only chuckled lightly.
"Pirate King? I couldn't care less."
He shook his head and looked out over the vast sea.
Beside him, the Red Count stared at Charlotte's profile, eyes deep in thought.
---
One Month Later — Marine Headquarters
It had been a full month since Rockefeller Charlotte invaded Impel Down.
In that time, Marine HQ had urgently summoned all high-ranking officers for an emergency meeting.
Even the team that executed the Ohara Buster Call returned immediately after completing their mission.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, stationed in the New World, had rushed back as well.
Garp, who was at home taking care of his grandson, had been dragged back by Vice Admiral Tsuru.
The Marine HQ was now packed with powerful figures, yet the entire base was shrouded in silence and tension.
Too many events had happened in too short a time—even the Navy couldn't keep up.
---
"Vice Admiral Aokiji, the Fleet Admiral is convening the meeting. You're needed inside."
A soldier approached the man lying by the harbor, wearing a sleep mask.
Aokiji moved slightly, lifting his mask and nodding silently.
His expression was subdued.
The Ohara operation had left him deeply shaken.
His friend had died by his own hand.
He had watched helplessly as Akainu mercilessly slaughtered innocent civilians on a refugee boat.
And for the first time in his career, he had disobeyed orders, letting that little girl—Nico Robin—escape.
All of this had happened just last month.
After Charlotte's escape from Impel Down, the Navy's operation in West Blue had been exposed to the world.
The World Government had ordered the Buster Call to erase Ohara from existence—a famous scholarly island in the West Blue.
Two monstrous vice admirals and five elite vice admirals, commanding ten warships, had annihilated the island completely.
The official reason? Studying "history dangerous to the world."
No one could believe it.
But before the shock from that news could fade, an even more earth-shattering headline emerged:
> "Rockefeller Pirates Invade Impel Down! Over 10,000 Prisoners Freed, Including Golden Lion Shiki and Red Count Patrick Redfield!"
The world went into an uproar.
Citizens stared at the headlines in disbelief.
Impel Down—the prison said to be unbreakable—had actually been breached.
> "It's over! The seas are doomed to descend into chaos again!"
That was the shared thought of nearly every citizen who read the article.
> "Damn the Navy! What the hell are they doing? Why hasn't the Rockefeller Pirates been eliminated yet? Is all our Celestial Tribute being fed to pigs?!"
Nobles and royalty across the world cursed the Navy, some with barely veiled scorn.
Of course, none dared insult the World Government or the Celestial Dragons directly.
But while nobles and civilians fumed...
Pirates across the world celebrated.
> "Gyahahaha! Boys, move out! With the Navy's attention tied up, it's time to pillage like never before!"
As civilians and nobles raged over Charlotte's actions...
Every pirate crew saw this as the perfect opportunity to act.
It was as if the newspaper served as a rallying signal.
That day, hundreds of thousands of pirates took to the seas.
The Navy scrambled across regions, overwhelmed and stretched thin.
That same day, countless civilians cried, screamed, and ultimately picked up weapons to join the pirates.
At the same time, a mysterious organization finally stepped out of the shadows—
The Revolutionary Army.
---
Tap, tap, tap...
A chorus of hurried footsteps echoed through Marine HQ.
Everyone was rushing, faces taut with anxiety.
Aokiji walked quietly down the hallway, ignoring the greetings of other officers.
In front of Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office, a soldier opened the door.
"The Fleet Admiral and the other admirals are inside. The meeting will begin shortly."
"Thanks," Aokiji nodded and stepped in.
Inside, the long meeting table was already filled with top-ranking Marine officers.
Aokiji scanned the room and found his seat, slumping into it with his usual half-awake expression.
His lax attitude drew frowns from many around the table.
In such dangerous times, Aokiji's demeanor wasn't exactly reassuring.
But he ignored their looks, turning instead to the man on his right—
Vice Admiral Garp, who was munching on a donut.
"Garp-san, I heard you're a grandfather now. I haven't congratulated you yet—congrats!"
Aokiji grinned and pulled out a pack of rice crackers, handing it to him.
"Puhahahaha! You're too kind! No need for gifts!"
Garp accepted the senbei happily, his booming laughter filling the room.
His cheerful voice drew the attention of everyone, including Sengoku and Tsuru seated at the head of the table.
Sengoku rolled his eyes.
Ever since Garp got back, he'd been bragging non-stop about his grandson.
It was starting to drive him mad.
(Not that he was jealous. Definitely not.)
Thinking of Garp's grandson reminded Sengoku of his own adopted son—whom he had taken in ten years ago. The boy was now training under Zephyr.
A rare, warm expression crossed Sengoku's face.
---
"Garp, since you've got a grandson now, when will you invite us for drinks?"
Tsuru asked with a smile.
Her lighthearted tone eased the heavy atmosphere in the room.
"Puhahaha! No problem at all! After the meeting, I'll treat everyone—just don't hold back!"
Garp boomed.
The whole room relaxed.
"Haha! Congratulations, Garp!"
"Make sure there's good booze too, Vice Admiral!"
"You're paying, right? I eat a lot!"
The admirals started laughing and congratulating Garp.
Even the usually stern Akainu forced out a stiff smile and offered a word of congratulations.
Garp, glowing with pride, invited everyone to a feast that evening.
And who could say no to that?
---
But just then, a cold voice sliced through the air.
> "What's so funny? Mind if I join in?"
A grim-looking figure emerged from the inner office—
Commander-in-Chief Kong, face weary, eyes like thunderclouds.
---
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