59 Chapter 59
With that, Doffy rose from his seat with renewed vigor and strode purposefully into his training room, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
After the meeting concluded, Senor and Marcus parted ways to attend to their respective tasks. As Marcus found a secluded spot away from prying eyes, his demeanor underwent a drastic transformation. His once expressive eyes turned cold and emotionless as he carefully selected a tiny black transponder snail and initiated contact.
As the call connected, Marcus spoke with reverence etched in his tone. "Elder-sama, this is Brutus, reporting in."
The voice from the other end echoed with authority. "Ah, it's you. I thought you had forgotten your mission and become completely immersed in the Donquixote family. So, tell me, have you completed the mission?" The voice belonged to Elder Nusjuro, one of the Elder Planets, seeking an update on the mission's status.
Marcus, a skilled CP0 agent tasked with infiltrating the Donquixote family, understood the gravity of his mission. Since the day the two brothers had threatened the Elders with their secrets, the CP0 has been tracking them relentlessly under the elder's directives. Keeping the younger brother under control was relatively simple, given his affiliation with the Marines. However, dealing with Doflamingo required a more specialized approach—to integrate into the family and unearth their secrets while ensuring the two brothers' secrets remained buried forever.
"Yes, Elder- Sama, I have gathered all the necessary information about their connections," Marcus replied, his voice steady. "Eliminating them simultaneously is feasible, but the only obstacle is the kid within the Marines. He's under Garp's protection, making targeting him simultaneously..." Marcus trailed off, knowing the challenges that lay ahead.
As a seasoned CP0 agent, Marcus understood the risks involved, but his loyalty to the Elders' commands drove him to fulfill his duty, even if it meant going undercover to protect their secrets.
"Forget about the kid in the Marines; he'll be dealt with at the same time as the older Donquixote kid, just take care of things on your side," Elder Nusjuro's voice commanded, dismissing any concern over the younger brother's protection. "Did they really think they could survive in this world after challenging us so blatantly? Just make sure you take down every last one of the Donquixote family—no exceptions. Coordinate with the other agents and finish the mission. Get back to Mary Geoise; we can't afford to have one of our finest agents wasting time on children."
With that, the call ended, leaving Marcus with a clear directive. The fate of the Donquixote family had been sealed, and as a loyal member of the World Government, he was determined to see the mission through to its end. With steely resolve, Marcus set out to coordinate with his fellow agents, knowing that the eradication of the Donquixote family was imminent.
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As I lounged on the deck, relishing a moment of respite after the rigors of my daily routine, the booming voice of Vice Admiral Garp seized my attention. With curiosity piqued, I moved closer, observing the gravity etched across Garp's visage as he engaged in conversation via the transponder snail. The news he received seemed to carry weighty implications, casting a shadow over the serene atmosphere of the ship.
"Kong-san, this is indeed a momentous occasion," Garp acknowledged, his jubiliant voice resonating across the deck. "I understand the significance of my presence at Marineford for the announcement of the new admirals. I will make haste to return."
Fleet Admiral Kong's response was composed, yet beneath the veneer of calmness, an undercurrent of urgency lingered. "Your presence is crucial, Garp. With the recent developments in the New World, we cannot afford any delays in filling the vacant admiral positions. And let me ask you one last time: Are you sure you do not want to reconsider taking the promotion?"
Garp's resolve remained steadfast, driven by his unwavering sense of duty. "No, Kong-san, I am happy being where I am right now, and my son is going to be an admiral soon. I will depart immediately. But may I inquire about the identity of the second individual?"
Fleet Admiral Kong's hesitation was palpable, hinting at the complexities underlying the decision. Garp's suspicion grew as he pressed for answers, probing into the origins of the second candidate.
"Is the second one from the World Government, recommended by the Elders?" Garp's expression darkened with each passing moment, sensing a veiled truth lurking beneath the surface.
Kong's response carried a tinge of resignation, acknowledging the constraints imposed by circumstance. "Garp, listen. We are left with no other choice at this juncture. You have declined the promotion repeatedly, and we have yet to identify suitable successors for the past decade. The World Government has intervened to resolve the matter; we should be happy that they accepted my proposal to promote Dragon."
Garp's dissent was evident, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "But Kong-san, Zephyr has been grooming potential candidates. Why not consider them?"
Kong's sigh echoed through the transponder snail, a testament to the weight of responsibility he bore. "We both know, Garp, they are not ready. Give them time to mature. As for now, Monkey D. Dragon's promotion is imminent, as he is dealing with a rebellion. And as for the other, it will be someone appointed directly by the World Government. There will be two Admiral promotions—one in a week and the other in a month; the orders have already been passed down."
With a heavy heart, Garp acquiesced, resigned to the course of action dictated by higher authority. "I understand, Kong-san. I will make my way to Marineford within the week." And with those words, the call concluded, leaving a lingering sense of apprehension in its wake, but there was also delight for his son's upcoming promotion.
"Oh, Garp-san, so finally, are they going to appoint a new admiral?" Kuzan's inquiry interrupted my reverie, but my mind raced with thoughts. I knew that many things would change; my mere presence was an anomaly. Even in the canon, during the current timeline, the admiral positions were unclear, except during the time of the Edd War, where Sengoku was an admiral and Borsalino was still a Vice admiral during the ambush of Fisher Tiger.
But now, I just overheard that there were going to be two Admiral promotions. One was for Monkey D. Dragon, and the second is still not disclosed, but by Garp's words, he or she must be a World Government agent. I had an inkling that Dragon might have quit the Marines after he became an Admiral, but it was never confirmed in Canon. Perhaps the Elders were planning to keep Dragon in check due to his recent actions, which I am sure would not have escaped their attention.
Yet, an instinctual unease gnawed at me, as if my entire life stood at a crossroads. Even the Voice of the World seemed chaotic, though I attributed it to the impending storm of news about the Grand Line being conquered. Still, something nagged at me from within. I wanted to caution Doffy and the family to be careful, and avoid aggressive actions during this time. Perhaps it was best for them to return to North Blue temporarily, for soon enough, the entire world would descend into chaos.
Amidst the solemn halls of Marineford, within the esteemed confines of Fleet Admiral Kong's office, a figure of striking elegance and lethal grace reclined in her seat. Her presence commanded attention—a woman who seemed in her late twenties, possessed of snow-white skin that contrasted sharply with her blood-red lips, eyes, and hair; she had a lasvicious and tall stature, standing almost at 3 meters in height. Clad in a crimson suit that seemed to exude power and pride, she emanated an aura of undeniable authority. By her side rested a blood-red katana, its blade sheathed, yet its potential for devastation palpable.
She was Admiral Agana, bestowed with the codename Akahebi, which translated to the Crimson Serpent. As Fleet Admiral Kong meticulously perused her dossier, he couldn't help but marvel at the depth of the World Government's reach. Agana was no ordinary admiral; she was a Blood Logia fruit user, a masterclass swordswoman, and her prowess had garnered high praise from the elders themselves.
Little did Kong know, however, that Agana harbored secrets far beyond what her profile revealed. She was a member of the fabled Gods Knights, an elite cadre of warriors revered for their unparalleled strength and unwavering loyalty. Despite being relegated to the role of a reserve due to the order's full roster, her abilities rivaled those of an admiral, if not surpassed them. Though she now found herself in the presence of the Fleet Admiral, she bore no deference. Her impatience was evident, her fingers tapping incessantly against the table—a silent testament to her disdain for those she deemed beneath her.
For Agana, this meeting was a mere formality, a directive from the elders that she had no choice but to obey. In her eyes, Kong was inconsequential; she would not have deigned to grace Marineford with her presence were it not for the orders she had received.
"No matter how many times you review it, the orders will remain unchanged." Admiral Agana's tapping echoed in sync with Kong's heartbeat, sending a chill down his spine. Kong grappled with the weight of the directive before him, knowing full well the implications it carried. The Elders had dispatched Agana, a formidable figure, to enforce their will—a task she seemed all too eager to fulfill.
The orders, explicit in their clarity, commanded the capture of Donquixote Rosinante, infamous for his monstrous talent and brazen defiance of the Marines rules, just like his mentor Garp. Kong's mind raced as he recalled the details of the Frozen Skull Massacre—the bloodshed, the chaos, and the lives lost, including those of more than a dozen Cipher Pol agents. The evidence against Garp's prodigy was damning, leaving no room for doubt.
Turning to Tensei, head of the investigative team, Kong sought confirmation, hoping against hope for an alternative. "Tensei, is there any doubt regarding the authenticity of these reports?"
Tensei's response was solemn, his expression grave as he confirmed Kong's fears. "I'm afraid not, Kong-san. The evidence we've gathered corroborates the World Government's findings. The massacre not only targeted pirates but also claimed the lives of numerous Cipher Pol agents and a ruling monarch, whose disappearance remains unresolved to this day."
Kong's brow furrowed with concern as he contemplated the ramifications of his next actions. "Surely, there must be a way to handle this matter with diplomacy. The kid may have had his reasons…"
Before Kong could finish, Agana's tapping abruptly ceased, replaced by a menacing glare. Her voice, dripping with authority, brooked no dissent. "Fleet Admiral Kong, are you suggesting defiance of the World Government's direct orders? Young Rosinante is a criminal, plain and simple. We have our orders, and we will execute them. I will personally apprehend him upon his return, as mandated by the Elders. He will face trial in Mary Geoise, as is his rightful fate."
Agana's unwavering loyalty to the Elders was palpable, and her resolve was unshakeable. Kong realized that challenging her would be futile—his duty as a Marine demanded adherence to orders, no matter the personal cost. Yet, as the weight of his decision settled upon him, he couldn't shake the feeling that the path ahead would be fraught with peril and regret.
"What are you proposing we do about Garp? He's not going to sit idly by while you try to apprehend his protege." Kong's brow furrowed deeper, a headache looming on the horizon at the thought of Garp's inevitable involvement. Garp's return to Marineford was not solely for the purpose of his son's promotion; it was also a strategic move to keep him away from the chaos of the sea, where his protection of Rosinante was absolute. However, within Marineford's confines, Garp could be restrained, especially if he had received direct orders. Kong had already made arrangements to ensure Garp's subordinates wouldn't intervene in the kid's capture, but Garp himself was an unpredictable variable.
