One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 57
“What did you say?!”
In the Holy Land Mary Geoise, Mendesbin Saint’s face was filled with rage and disbelief. He could barely make out Gandoru’s voice over the Den Den Mushi.
Slamming the receiver down, his breath became heavy, tinged with a hint of fear he didn’t want to admit… Something terrible had happened!
What was this? This was mutiny! In over 700 years, the Navy had never mutinied!
How did things escalate to this point?
Damn Gaston Figo!
Damn Ohka!
Are you both mad?!
His brain still functioning, he immediately called an emergency meeting with the other four Elders. Hearing about Ohka and Figo leading over 300 Marines towards the Holy Land, the other Elders were equally shocked and soon enraged.
“Mendesbin Saint, this is how you manage the Navy? I’ve told you before, don’t be too lenient with Ohka! We’ve reached this point because of your leniency!”
Mendesbin Saint indeed felt some regret.
But he also felt it was unfair. If it were only Ohka… Damn, the key was that Gaston Figo! One Doug, one Ohka, two old fools, both influenced by him!
He had to accept the blame. “Now is not the time to assign blame. This is indeed my fault, and I will beg forgiveness from Im-sama. At this point, we must alert Im-sama.”
“Alert Im-sama? No!”
“The 800-year term is nearing its end. The Heavenly King and Sea King are about to awaken. Those with the name of D are becoming active again. At this time, you want to disturb Im-sama over this?”
“And this is the Navy! It’s not like the random pirates who break into the Holy Land that we can easily eliminate! Do you want the entire Navy to mutiny, throwing the world into chaos? What will we do then, slowly restore order?”
Mendesbin Saint clenched his fists in frustration. “Then what do you suggest? The World Government cannot be seen to compromise with the Navy!”
“You’re right. No matter what, we cannot allow the Navy to challenge the World Government. This must be suppressed.” At this point, a usually silent, sword-wielding Elder spoke, drawing the attention of the other four.
Charolin Saint, the Elder with the smallest jurisdiction, responsible only for combat. Usually more of a figurehead, now found himself with the most to say.
“There’s no need to alert Im-sama. Our power is sufficient. Immediately dispatch Raul to intercept them; they cannot be allowed to reach the Holy Land. Then send Moka as well! Mendesbin Saint, you know their intentions best. Why has it come to this? What are you hiding?”
Mendesbin Saint’s expression flickered with uncertainty before finally closing his eyes and sighed deeply.
…
Two warships flew side by side over the sea from Marineford to the Holy Land Mary Geoise under Ohka’s Pika Pika no Mi.
Standing at the bow, Figo addressed the gathered Marines: “I hope everyone understands what we’re doing here. There’s no turning back.
“Let’s be clear, this is the Holy Land, the seat of the World Government. If the Five Elders maintain a hard line and decide to eliminate us, neither I nor Fleet Admiral Ohka can guarantee our safety. As for you, it’s either death or imprisonment!
“If anyone regrets, now is the time to speak up. Move to the ship on the right; Fleet Admiral Ohka will lower you down, and you can return on your own. Pride is nothing compared to life!”
After his words, no one on his ship moved. Marines on the right ship even gestured to jump over.
Figo chuckled and shook his head. “I see, no need to jump. It’s quite high.”
“Hahaha, Lord Figo, don’t underestimate us,” a Marine laughed.
“From the day we became Marines, we swore to uphold justice!”
“If it weren’t for you, we might have died at the hands of the Hell Pirates nine years ago. What’s there to fear now!”
“Rear Admiral Trey, Rear Admiral Meister… Their sacrifices deserve justice from the World Government! We lacked the courage before, but with you and the Fleet Admiral leading, what is there to fear?”
Figo smiled and turned around.
In the distance, the endless Red Line appeared on the horizon, and at its peak, the white castle-like structures of the Holy Land Mary Geoise came into view.
As they drew closer, no one spoke. Some were nervous, but more were filled with righteous fervor, ready to march forward!
As they neared the land, Figo’s brow furrowed. Suddenly, a gust of wind arose, shaking the flying ships and preventing further progress!
The F? F? no Mi—an old acquaintance had arrived.
Ohka snorted, lowering the ships. Despite being 86 years old and his body weakening, his Devil Fruit ability was far beyond Raul’s.
Unfortunately, the ships couldn’t withstand it.
The wind was Raul’s warning.
As the ships landed on the sea, the wind ceased. Now, about a kilometer from Mary Geoise, a figure stood at the shore, gazing at them—Raul!
“It’s Admiral Raul!” The Marines, busy maintaining their balance, saw him, focusing their gaze on Figo and Ohka.
“Raise the sails, steer the ship, advance!” Figo’s order restored their courage, and they moved swiftly.
The ships continued forward. Raul’s voice called out: “Figo! Ohka! What are you trying to do?”
Figo retorted: “Are you going to stop us? Ten years ago, after I defeated you, you quickly became an Admiral. Are you now eager to become Fleet Admiral by intervening in this?”
Raul’s face flashed with anger. Thanks to the big-mouthed Cezar, his defeat by Figo had spread throughout Marineford, tarnishing his reputation. For years, he had trained relentlessly, hoping to reclaim his honor.
As the ships approached, winds surged around him. “Defeating me once by luck, capturing Hell Pirates with the terrain, do you really think you’re invincible, Figo? You cannot continue! The Navy belongs to the World Government. Your actions bring shame to the Navy!”
Ohka sighed softly.
Figo leaped from the ship, stepping on the sea to propel himself forward, landing on the shore to confront Raul. “You should know about what happened nine years ago.”
Raul gripped his sword hilt, snorting. “Wasn’t that caused by your rebellion? If you hadn’t refused to publicly execute the Blind Witch’s brother, none of this would have happened!”
Figo paused, then laughed.
“Forget it. I had the patience to reason with young Kong, but not with you. You’re not worth it. One more question: Are you going to stop us? Is this the will of the Five Elders?”
Raul drew his sword, signaling his stance.
“I don’t care to reason with you, Gaston Figo. What is your justice? What connection do you have with the Blind Witch and her brother? Why would a Marine defy the World Government for criminals? Now you bring people to challenge the World Government?
“Don’t you know this will make the pirates laugh and the villains rejoice?”
I know.
But the Five Elders don’t seem to know.
What connection do I have with Sapphire?
None.
Even with Doug’s imminent passing, Figo felt only some sadness. This trip to the World Government wasn’t just for him. After all, the real teacher-student relationship was with the previous self. The current Figo only shared camaraderie and mutual respect with Doug.
Over the years, Figo occasionally questioned himself. 17 years ago, why did he storm the Celestial Dragons after hearing Sapphire’s story, unafraid of the consequences?
Why, intending to wait another decade or two to deal with the Celestial Dragons, was he now at the foot of Mary Geoise? Was it just the Marines on the ship inspiring him? Did justice truly resonate that deeply with his transmigrated soul?
In the end, he found only one answer.
Doing this made Figo happy!
He liked it, he wanted to!
He wanted to do it, so he did!
Raul raised his sword high. Over the years, his regained swordsmanship had indeed improved. Combining the F? F? no Mi with his swordsmanship, a colossal wind blade formed!
Raul intended to attack Figo and use this wind blade to blow away the approaching ships!
As the wind blade descended, the sky split, the clouds parted, and the world changed!
Impressive progress. Ohka squinted. Mia and another Vice Admiral stood ready at the bow, but in the next moment, their expressions relaxed, becoming somewhat dazed.
“This boy…” Ohka murmured.
Mia slowly smiled.
The Marines were all stunned!
A hand reaching towards the sky quietly intercepted the wind blade. Golden Haki flowed over it, causing the colossal blade to disintegrate like paper, without a ripple!
Impossible! Raul’s eyes widened, unable to believe what he saw!
Figo, left hand raised, drew his sword with his right!
“My justice? Let’s call it… whimsical justice!”
Crack!
A thin red lightning bolt burst from Figo’s blade, striking Raul even before the sword touched him!
Conqueror’s Haki!
A spurt of blood from his mouth, Raul was blown back by the immense force, flying to the steps leading to the Holy Land, crashing into them!
Boom!
A ground-shaking explosion followed, a long crack spreading from the base, splitting hundreds of steps in two!
The Holy Land trembled!
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