Delicate Balance #100

Marineford

Inside Sengoku's office in Marineford, Vice-Admiral Garp sat across from Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the two high-ranking Marines engaged in a serious discussion. Garp's gruff demeanor contrasted Sengoku's composed and authoritative presence.

Garp leaned back in his chair, his crossed arms revealing his unburdened curiosity. "So, Sengoku, how's it going?" he asked, his voice gruff yet filled with genuine interest.

Sengoku sighed, his expression weary but determined. "It's been a challenging situation, Garp," he replied, running a hand through his gray hair. "The fallout from the destruction of the Human Auctioning House has caused quite a stir among the Celestial Dragons and the Nobles."

Garp nodded, his brows furrowing. He was well aware of the repercussions such an incident could have on the delicate balance of power in the world. The Celestial Dragons and Nobles held considerable influence, and their anger could easily lead to severe backlash.

"I managed to shield Cedric from the formal consequences," Sengoku continued, his voice filled with caution. "With how much evidence Cedric gathered, even the celestial dragons can't outright do anything...."

Garp let out a low whistle, impressed by Sengoku's ability to navigate such treacherous waters. Protecting Cedric from the wrath of the Celestial Dragons was no small feat, and it spoke volumes about Sengoku's strategic acumen.

"The formal consequences, eh?" Garp said with a sigh, trailing at the end of his sentence as he understood the hidden meaning in Sengoku's words. "You've always had a knack for handling delicate situations like this. It's no wonder they made you Fleet Admiral." He added with the biggest grin.

Sengoku scoffed at his friend's words. "Don't even start, you bastard. Isn't it because you kept declining promotions that I must deal with this thankless job?" He said, giving the vice admiral the stink eye.

"Well, I wouldn't have been able to do as good a job, so it all worked out," Garp replied, shamelessly laughing as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Whatever the case may be..." Sengoku said with a sigh. "Doflamingo wouldn't stay quiet either... he'll send assassins after the kid if he hasn't already..." He added, his tone grave.

"That won't be a problem..." Garp said, carelessly dismissing the fleet admiral's concern with a wave. "I've seen what the brat can do... he's made of sterner stuff..." He added with a satisfied grin.

"If it were just that, I wouldn't worry either... Zephyr had nothing but praise for the young man..." Sengoku said, messaging his forehead. "The celestial dragons who can't buy slaves anymore won't stay still either..." He added.

Garp's grin faded as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. "They might try to take matters into their own hands, won't they?" he said, his voice tinged with concern.

Sengoku nodded solemnly. "The Celestial Dragons are not known for their patience or restraint. With their personal interest in the slave trade disrupted, they may resort to extreme measures. They might even attempt to swarm Sabaody Archipelago to hunt down slaves instead of buying them...."

Garp let out a deep sigh, his brows furrowing in contemplation. "Now that's a problem. The brat is even less patient than I am. If they provoke him, there's no telling how he'll react."

Sengoku's expression mirrored Garp's worry. "Cedric has proven himself capable, but we can't overlook the potential dangers he might face if the Celestial Dragons descend upon Sabaody..."

"I'd have him return to HQ if I could, but I received an order from the commander-in-chief to keep him there..." He concluded, frustration evident in his tone and expression as he spoke.

Sengoku leaned back in his chair. Exhaustion was etched across his features. "We're in a difficult position, Garp. The orders from the commander-in-chief tie our hands, and we can't do anything to the world nobles."

Garp remained silent, his mind working through the possibilities. He knew there had to be a solution, a way to protect Cedric. His eyes narrowed as a flicker of an idea sparked within him, but he kept it to himself for the moment.

Sengoku rubbed his temples, frustration evident in his voice. "I've tried reasoning our higher ups, but they are hesitant to even speak out against the Celestial Dragons. They fear the repercussions on the fragile balance of power."

Garp stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "Excuse me for a moment, Sengoku," he said, his voice tinged with a newfound determination. "I need to make a call."

Without waiting for a response, Garp swiftly exited Sengoku's office, leaving the fleet admiral perplexed and confused. Sengoku watched his friend walk away, his curiosity piqued by Garp's sudden departure and the glint in his eyes.

As Garp closed the door behind him, he reached for his Den Den Mushi and dialed a familiar number. While he waited for the call to connect, his mind raced with possibilities, the idea he had been brewing gaining clarity.

"Sengoku may be a sucker for the rules, but that doesn't mean I am," Garp muttered to no one in particular, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

A voice answered the call on the other end of the line, and Garp wasted no time. "Kuzan, it's Garp. I need to talk to you about something urgent. Can we meet?"

Sengoku remained in his office, unaware of Garp's secret plan taking shape outside the walls of Marineford.

Meanwhile, Garp made his way through the busy corridors of Marineford, his steps filled with purpose. He had a meeting to arrange, a student to save, and a plan to set in motion.

...

Dressrosa

Inside Doflamingo's opulent office in Dressrosa, the atmosphere was tense as Buffalo and Trebol entered, their faces etched with frustration. They approached Doflamingo, who sat on his grand chair, clad in his signature flamboyant attire.

"Doflamingo-sama," Buffalo began, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I regret to inform you that Kieran failed in his mission to assassinate Cedric... I, we failed too..."

Doflamingo's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Buffalo. "Failed? Explain."

Buffalo cleared his throat, straightening his posture. "Well, you see. We caught up with Kieran on Sabaody Archipelago. He attacked the target but lost and somehow started following him instead..." He added his words causing Doflamingo's frown to deepen.

Doflamingo's eyes widened with both surprise and anger. He had trusted Kieran's abilities, expecting a successful outcome. The news of Cedric beating and even converting him was a blow to the warlord's ego.

"I know you told us to observe and report back... but Baby Five and I thought we could take them on since they seemed injured from their fight..." Buffalo explained with a nervous, troubled expression.

Trebol chimed in, and his voice was filled with annoyance. "That marine bastard proved to be more resourceful than we anticipated. He managed to turn the situation around."

Doflamingo's expression grew increasingly displeased, his fingers tapping impatiently on the armrest of his chair. "Get to the point. Exactly, What happened?"

Buffalo took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "Somehow, he seemed to know Baby Five couldn't say no to people asking her favors... he just told her they needed her, and that idiot jumped off my back..."

Doflamingo's eyes narrowed as he processed Buffalo's explanation. "So, Cedric exploited Baby Five's strange personality trait to turn her against you?" he questioned, drumming at the desk with his finger.

"No, even Baby Five wouldn't go that far..." Buffalo hurriedly explained, rapidly gesturing with his hand. "But I tried to catch her, and the bastard jumped into the air and knocked me to the ground..." He added, his tone tinged with frustration.

"They cuffed me and started asking me questions, but I didn't say anything. Eventually, they gave up and let me go since Baby Five asked them to..." Bufallo concluded.

Trebol spoke up, his tone dripping with condescension. "Perhaps we should send another assassin, Doflamingo-sama. Someone who won't underestimate the brat's abilities and can swiftly eliminate him."

Doflamingo's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint as a sinister smile curled upon his lips. "No," he said, his voice low and menacing. "There's no need for that."

Buffalo and Trebol exchanged puzzled glances, unable to comprehend Doflamingo's response. They had expected him to be furious, yet he seemed strangely calm.

Doflamingo leaned back in his chair, his smile widening. "The brat has unknowingly stepped into a much larger world of trouble," he explained, his voice filled with malicious delight. "The Celestial Dragons are furious with him for exposing the slave trade. They won't rest until they have him in their clutches."

Buffalo and Trebol's eyes widened in shock. The wrath of the Celestial Dragons was a force that even the most powerful entities in the world feared.

Doflamingo's grin turned into a wicked smirk as he continued, "As for Baby Five... I have connections with the Celestial Dragons. I can arrange for them to hand that idiot back to me once they deal with the marine brat...."

...

Want more chapters? Then consider subscribing to my pat rēon. You can read ahead for as little as $1 and it helps me a lot!

-> (pat rēon..com / wicked132)

You can also always come and say hi on my discord server

-> (disc ord..gg / sEtqmRs5y7)- or hit me up at - Wicked132#5511 - and I'll add you myself)