One Piece: Impel Down's Guard - Chapter 58
“Gaston Figo!!”
A furious shout erupted at the shattered stone steps as four elders in black uniforms and one in white battle attire appeared. Figo’s gaze swept over the figure in the white uniform, who had a long sword at his waist, before he looked at the source of the shout.
The seventy-something elder with a white beard was neither fat nor thin, with no distinguishing features other than his commanding presence—a presence that came from his high rank, not from physical strength. Judging by his build and observing his physique, he was mostly an SR9.
This must be Mendesbin Saint?
It was Figo’s first time seeing him in person.
And he was seeing all five Elders at once! The one in the center indeed felt formidable!
Behind the Elders, armored guards quickly assembled, led by another elder who caught Figo’s attention.
The current Supreme Commander of the Three Forces—Moka!
The next moment, Raul, embedded in the stone steps, transformed into wind and ascended, standing behind the Elders and bowing his head in apology for his failure. A fresh wound on his chest bled, but it was a mere scratch for an Admiral-level physique. However, his expression was dazed, his eyes vacant.
Unlike ten years ago, where he could argue Figo had beaten him by trickery, the recent clash made him realize the clear gap between them. Given enough time, Figo could now decisively overpower him, defeating him outright.
Ten years of bitter training, yet he couldn’t accept this!
‘Raul has improved too, with significant growth in physique and attack power, probably advancing from SSR4 to SSR5. So there are three Admiral-level fighters? Less than I expected. The special forces of the Celestial Dragons aren’t stationed here?’ Figo thought.
On the other side, rage—blinding rage. Seeing Figo unresponsive, Mendesbin Saint glanced at the two warships now docked at the foot of the Red Line, shouting, “Ohka! What are you planning?!”
Ohka descended from the ship, landing beside Figo. Miya led the Marines off the ships to stand behind them.
No one answered Mendesbin Saint. The Marines stood firm, unafraid of the Elders’ authority, silently declaring their stance!
Figo didn’t sheathe his sword; instead, he pointed the blade at the Elders, particularly at the central figure, Charolin Saint!
Charolin Saint placed his hand on his sword hilt, staring at Figo with deadly intent.
“Still asking what we plan to do makes me question the intelligence of the highest authorities of the World Government, Mendesbin Saint,” Figo began slowly. “You should know full well why we are here.
“We’re here to show you one thing—not every Marine fears the authority of the World Government. Faced with injustice, faced with unreasonable orders, some dare to draw their swords!”
The sound of swords being drawn rang out!
Every Marine behind Figo and Ohka who wielded a sword drew it from its sheath!
The Elders’ expressions changed.
Murmurs spread among the guards behind them.
Supreme Commander Moka stepped forward, urging, “Ohka, do you really want to go this far? You know…”
“I know,” Ohka interrupted, smiling at his contemporary old comrade. “We haven’t crossed swords in decades. In our youth, I always had the upper hand. Now, your condition seems better than my old bones. If conflict breaks out, you might win once.”
Moka’s body tensed, sighing softly.
Charolin Saint stepped down the stairs.
“The dignity of the World Government cannot be challenged. While Mendesbin Saint may have mishandled previous events, we are willing to offer justice. But from the moment you stormed the Holy Land and drew your swords, you became rebels that must be purged, Gaston Figo, Ohka!”
Charolin Saint’s voice was stern, and as he approached, a wave of Conqueror’s Haki radiated from him, pressing down on everyone.
A Conqueror’s Haki from a servant of Im? Figo was surprised but stepped forward.
He ascended the cracked stone steps.
An overwhelming wave of Conqueror’s Haki erupted from him, clashing with Charolin Saint’s, causing the sky to darken!
“Justice? No, if it were justice, Raul wouldn’t have rushed to intercept us outside the Red Line. If it were justice, you would have confronted us first. Your so-called justice is just a trivial concession, a handout!”
They’re the same—these Elders, like the lowly Celestial Dragons, are filled with arrogance and conceit!
Charolin Saint snorted, his aura reaching its peak as he drew his sword!
The clash of two black blades resounded, though they never touched.
When the blades were half a meter apart, red lightning crackled between them, colliding, and finally exploding in a spherical burst!
The intense shockwave expanded, obscuring everyone’s vision. Ohka and Raul diverted the terrifying force skyward, darkening the sky with clouds.
The white jade steps at the collision’s center vanished, leaving a crater like a meteor impact!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Figo staggered back three steps, each step embedding his feet deep into the ground!
Charolin Saint stood firm, coldly watching Figo!
So, he’s not invincible! Above, Mendesbin Saint’s face lit up with excitement. Kill him, and this ends, Charolin Saint!
The next moment, his expression shifted.
Figo sheathed his sword and, with empty hands, beckoned Raul above.
“Come on, he’s not enough.”
If you have a national treasure, bring it out! If Im is that strong, come out! This isn’t enough!
Charolin Saint’s brow furrowed, his grip tightening on his sword as he recalled Figo’s reports.
Everyone knew Figo’s sword at his waist was just for show!
Endless thunder soon shrouded the Holy Land Mary Geoise!
…
…
A week later, a major news story shook the world.
An undersea earthquake near the World Government’s Holy Land Mary Geoise destroyed a quarter of the Holy Land’s buildings. Mendesbin Saint was severely injured in the earthquake and had to step down from the Elders prematurely, succeeded by Raiola Saint.
Living conditions for the Celestial Dragons were luxurious, enjoying treasures from around the world, especially the Elders, whose physiques were never weak. Historically, the Elders could serve from around 50 to over 90, spanning over 40 years. Stepping down mid-term, especially due to injury, was unprecedented!
An earthquake? Could an earthquake injure an Elder?
People didn’t believe it. Strong individuals across the seas began investigating, but neither the World Government nor the Navy revealed what truly happened.
Half a month later, a new major news story drew everyone’s attention.
Vice Admiral Doug of the Navy passed away at 88. On the day of his death, thousands of Marines in Marineford wore black mourning attire. Naval branches worldwide had Marines bowing towards headquarters, bidding farewell to Vice Admiral Doug!
The entire world learned Doug’s name, knowing this old Marine who dedicated his life to the Navy, inspiring and teaching countless Marines.
On a small town in the Grand Line.
A boy holding a newspaper ran into a house excitedly: “Gibeck! Gibeck! Look at the newspaper, isn’t this the old man from over nine years ago on the warship… Hey, Gibeck, what are you doing?”
The blond boy was packing clothes, seemingly preparing for a journey: “Varanso, I saw it. Just a liar, preaching justice. The Saint was captured by them!”
Varanso hesitated: “Gibeck, don’t believe everything Ahua and the others say. The Saint said she was going to find her brother. Maybe she’s already reunited with him.”
“Just words to comfort us,” Gibeck touched the pendant on his neck. “Varanso, I’m going to set sail. Will you come with me? You’re my best friend.”
“S-set sail? Become pirates?” Varanso was shocked. “But we’re only 12. Isn’t it too…”
Gibeck shook his head, his young face brimming with confidence: “I can’t wait. Besides, the two of us won’t be weaker than anyone!”
“Yeah, definitely…” Varanso hesitated for a few seconds, then gritted his teeth. “Okay, I’ll go with you, Gibeck!”
Gibeck smiled joyfully: “Then don’t call me Gibeck anymore.”
Varanso was stunned, then responded loudly.
“Yes! Captain Rocks!”
In the Sea Circle Calendar year 1439, 12-year-old Rocks D. Gibeck set sail to become a pirate.
A new era had begun!
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