"So fast? That's Garp for you..."
Upon hearing the news, a faint smile appeared on Kong's face as he shook his head.
Garp, Zephyr, and Sengoku—those three were all students he had personally trained. Compared to Sengoku's cautious calmness and Zephyr's stubborn resolve, Garp had always been the type to ignore rules and pull off the unexpected.
He might be reckless at times, but if Garp's the one taking action, then things on Daren's side shouldn't be a problem. Still, Kong hadn't expected Garp to actually abandon his pursuit of Roger for a rescue mission. That was rare.
Just as this thought flashed through his mind, two figures suddenly appeared before him with a swoosh.
"Fleet Admiral Kong! I request to join the mission!"
"Old man Kong, I'm going too—Daren is my student!"
Sengoku and Zephyr stood shoulder to shoulder, both looking serious and jostling to speak first.
Kong: ???
He stared, stunned, at the two of them squabbling right in front of him. For a moment, it reminded him of when they were young, fighting over who got to eat first after training.
"What the hell are you two doing?"
Kong frowned.
"Sengoku, you're the only Admiral at Marine Headquarters. Your position is special and comes with enormous responsibility and countless duties—"
"—That can wait, Fleet Admiral Kong. I've already thought it through. Daren is crucial to the future of the Marines. The top priority now is getting him out of Kaidou's hands!"
Sengoku cut him off without hesitation, his voice firm and decisive.
The conviction in his tone even left Kong momentarily speechless.
Zephyr's mouth twitched. Sengoku shot him a smug glance.
Kong's brow furrowed deeper as he turned to Zephyr, speaking with weight:
"Zephyr, you're the chief instructor of the training camp. Teaching is your most important task—"
"—Those brats at the camp are already doing well. I've taught them everything they need. If they still can't get it, there's nothing more I can do!"
Zephyr snapped back, firm and to the point.
Sengoku: "..."
Kong: "..."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow at Sengoku.
The surrounding Marines were left dumbfounded, unable to believe what they were seeing.
Seriously... Even if Daren was important, he was still just a Commodore!
Was he really worth this kind of scramble from three Marine legends?
Garp, Zephyr, and Sengoku mobilizing together for one rescue mission into the New World… not even Roger or Whitebeard ever got that kind of response!
This lineup didn't look like a rescue at all—it looked like the start of a world war!
Even when the Celestial Dragons were in danger, Garp, Zephyr, and Sengoku weren't this worked up...
Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed and pinched her forehead, exasperated.
Others might not see it, but she knew exactly what was going through those three's heads.
"What a spectacle... If I ever got captured, I doubt I'd get the same treatment,"
Borsalino chuckled, clearly enjoying the show.
"Yeah. I definitely wouldn't go,"
Sakazuki said flatly.
Borsalino's smile froze, then stiffened as he forced a grin.
"Sakazuki, talk like that and you'll end up friendless."
Sakazuki ignored him, calmly puffing on his cigar.
"You guys..."
Kong suddenly let out a long sigh.
"If all of you run off on this rescue, who's going to be left to guard HQ?"
Hearing his tone, both Sengoku and Zephyr felt a jolt in their hearts. They were about to argue again, but what Kong said next left them both speechless...
"Then I'll let you all go."
Sengoku and Zephyr: ???
"Are you serious, Fleet Admiral Kong?" Sengoku's eyes lit up as he asked, unable to hold back his surprise.
Zephyr also looked completely stunned.
"Why not?" Kong replied with a smile.
He stood up from his seat, expression turning serious as he issued the order.
"For this mission, Admiral Sengoku of Marine Headquarters will serve as the commander, Zephyr as deputy commander, and Rear Admiral Borsalino will accompany you. Choose appropriate personnel and proceed to the New World to carry out the rescue operation."
"During the operation, absolute secrecy must be maintained. Avoid provoking sensitivity or hostility from Wano Country as much as possible."
"Understood?"
As his decisive words fell, all the Marine officers present stood at attention and responded in unison.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong!!"
They saluted sharply before turning and marching out of the office.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, are you sure about this? Letting both Sengoku and Zephyr head out on a rescue mission at the same time..."
Once everyone had left, Staff Officer Tsuru—who had deliberately lingered—could no longer keep her doubts to herself.
Fleet Admiral Kong had always been known for his strict command and unshakable decisions. This just wasn't like him.
Kong chuckled softly at her words.
He leaned back into his chair, turned to face the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, and gazed down at the ground outside.
In the blazing sunlight, the backs of Sengoku and Zephyr—clearly in high spirits—stood out brilliantly.
"Tsuru, do you see that?"
Following his gaze, Tsuru looked out and couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.
She caught a faint glimpse of the two men jostling and tugging at each other, clearly slowing each other down with their antics.
Kong let out a light laugh as cigar smoke curled around his weathered, rock-like face.
"It really isn't the best idea."
"The trainees at the camp still need Zephyr's guidance. For him to leave and rescue one student—it's not exactly fair to the rest."
"And as the only Admiral in headquarters, Sengoku really does have a heavy burden to carry."
As he spoke, Kong's aged but sharp eyes drifted slightly, as though lost in distant memories. A soft smile slowly crept across his lips.
"But... it's been a long time since I saw the two of them fight side by side."
Tsuru froze for a moment, then silently nodded.
After a while, she smiled and shook her head.
"I understand."
Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr...
No matter how high those three had risen—even though they were now admired, revered, and followed by countless Marines—
To this seventy-year-old former Fleet Admiral, those three unruly Marine uncles...
Would always be the same rebellious brats they were back then.
Yes, it really had been a long time since they'd fought together... Tsuru couldn't help feeling a little nostalgic.
"So for now, the training camp and headquarters duties are in your hands, Tsuru," Kong said with a grin.
"..."
Tsuru immediately stopped feeling nostalgic.
...
(70 Chapters Ahead)
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