One Piece: I Weave the Pirate Codex with My Zanpakuto

"If it weren't for Garp's influence, do you think that kid could have gotten out of prison so easily?!"

"They said they would turn a blind eye if Dragon ran away, but if Dragon chose to stay and fight..."

A heavy sigh escaped from the empty air, and the clenched fist loosened.

His once robust body gradually became hunched over, and for the first time, he began to show signs of old age.

"Our navy only needs to be prepared to collect the bodies. As I just said, for justice, all sacrifices are worthwhile."

Collecting the body!?

He stood up, his gaze towards the sky filled with disappointment.

"You should know that it would be best if we could kill Ross this time, but if we can't..."

"Not only Water Seven and the Merfolk, but Dragon will also be completely out of control."

"And Garp, have you figured out how to explain this to him?"

Kong fell silent again.

He hadn't thought it through, and he couldn't think it through.

How should he talk to Garp?

"Your son will be buried with you. Afterwards, come to headquarters to collect a generous compensation payment."

Garp will definitely storm into the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and smash it to pieces.

Even if Dragon survives by chance, he will completely lose the power to command Garp.

Now, out of respect for his superior, Garp will occasionally obey him.

Once this incident occurs, Garp will be completely out of control. He may remain in the Navy, but no one will be able to direct his actions anymore.

Just as the crane said.

If this operation succeeds, the Navy will solve another major problem since the Rocks era.

But no matter how it ends, his relationship with Garp will reach a freezing point.

"Now that things have come to this, Crane, you should know that I am powerless to help."

She turned around, her bloodshot eyes filled with exhaustion.

"I have done my best to persuade them, and the best solution is for Dorrag to withdraw."

"The Five Elders warned the Navy that if news of this operation leaked, they would seriously consider the Navy's budget for the next ten years."

ten years!?

"Are those five bastards insane?!"

Crane stood up in shock, looking horrified.

"Are they trying to kill the navy?!"

Kong pulled out the boss's chair and sat down, a hint of bitterness and helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"Now you should know how I feel. I had no choice."

"If they don't obey, the navy's budget will be cut for the next ten years, which is no different from a catastrophe."

"The Whitebeard Pirates, the Roger Pirates, the Flying Pirates... these great pirates run rampant on the seas."

"If the navy cuts its budget at this time..."

Kong didn't finish speaking; he simply closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with both hands.

"Xiao He, go and assign the combat mission. Let this old man have some peace and quiet."

Chapter 85 The Calm Before the Storm

November, 1486 (Haiyuan Calendar).

[The early part of the Grand Line, Water Seven]

Whether it was due to the cold winter or some other reason, people walking in the Water City clutched their belongings tightly and hurried along.

"Have you heard? Dock No. 1 has been sealed off!"

"You mean that incident... They deserved it for helping pirates build ships!"

"But isn't that man a pirate too?"

"He's different. He's a good pirate. No, I feel like that guy was forced to become a pirate. I heard he injured a Celestial Dragon in the Sabaody Archipelago a while ago! That's so cool!!"

"..."

[Dock No. 1 that was seized]

Zefa sat on the shore, holding a fishing rod in his hand.

In the past, he would never have used such activities to pass the time.

He would rather use that time to train and become stronger.

But for some reason, during the month he spent waiting in Water Seven, he suddenly developed a liking for fishing.

Even if you can't catch any fish.

Zefa gazed quietly at the sea, where waves occasionally surged, his eyes vacant.

"Admiral Zephyr, our surveillance ship..."

The marine who came to report instinctively shut his mouth, not wanting to disturb him.

"Go ahead and say it, you can't catch any fish anyway."

"Yes, General!"

Marines saluted with their heads held high and chests out.

"Our surveillance ship has just received intelligence that the great pirate Ross has entered the waters belonging to Water 7 and will arrive in two days at the earliest and three days at the latest!"

"Are they here...?"

Noticing the fishing rod tremble, Zefa squinted and patiently waited for the float to sink to the surface.

"Take the bait!"

The large fish with golden scales writhed wildly.

"Take it to the kitchen; I haven't had sashimi in a long time."

"Yes, General."

"and many more."

The communications soldier stood in position again, and Zefa rebaited the hook.

"Try not to cause any disturbances. A day later, organize the residents of Water Seven to go to the southeast to take refuge, where we have built temporary shelters."

"Go ahead, that's all."

As the marines departed, Zephyr's long sigh echoed across the distant sea.

"Hopefully we can make it in time; we can save as many as we can."

Ross...

Zefa regained his composure and cast his fishing line.

Sometimes he wondered if Water Seven could have avoided this disaster if he had secretly informed Ross.

Trading the life of a pirate for the survival of a city is a deal that seems like a perfect win no matter how you look at it.

As for settling accounts afterward...

Who would have thought that a high-ranking Marine Admiral would possess a pirate's Den Den Mushi?

"Garp, did I do the right thing? When did the Navy's sense of justice become so rotten?"

In the dock, Garp, wearing flip-flops and a floral shirt, stood on the dividing line between light and darkness, half of his face covered by darkness.

The naval hero's personal warship is still roaming the New World, doing so merely to mislead everyone.

Fleet Admiral, World Government, and pirates.

Let them mistakenly believe that he is still in the new world.

"When Dragon arrives, just take him away."

The float sank, and the fishing rod rose, but this time no fish took the bait, and most of the bait on the hook was eaten.

Garp remained silent, while Zephyr muttered to himself.

"Like Kong, this is all I can do."

"I cannot sacrifice an entire city to capture a pirate. I would rather let that pirate go."

"Garp, you should be able to understand me, right? Water Seven shouldn't have disappeared so inexplicably like God Valley."

"This country with a long history should not pay the price for the interests of a few."

"Celestial Dragons? Those trash are even worse than pirates. As a Marine, it may not be appropriate for me to say such things, but that's the truth."

"It's just the death of one Celestial Dragon, why make such a fuss, even resorting to the Buster Call?"

He stopped abruptly there, shook his head, and said sarcastically:

"Those cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong, if they have the guts, let them send the Buster Call to Miracle Island."

"It's because they're afraid Ross will go crazy if he loses his ties. In the end, what the World Government officials want is relative stability."

"That's enough, Zephyr."

Garp stepped into the sunlight, but his slightly lowered head completely shrouded his face in shadow.

"I will lure Dorrag away; the rest is up to you."

"Whether you let him go or capture him is your business. Monkey D. Garp has never been to Water Seven."

"...I will cover for you."

……

Three days later, the streets of Water Seven were deserted.

The shop doors were tightly shut, and agents in black tight-fitting suits were running around setting up Den Den Mushi (snail phone) for surveillance.

"The surveillance area in the East District is now complete, Lord Thatcherz Maffei!"

"The surveillance area in the west district is now complete!"

"Dock No. 2..."

One voice after another converged on a certain place in the City of Seven Waters.

In the darkness, the silhouette of Thatcherz Maffei Palace loomed in the distance, two fingers painted with black ink holding a cigar.

"Whoo~"

Smoke filled the air.

"Has it finally come? The day of reckoning."

"Pirate Ross, it's time to pay the blood debt you owe the Thatcherz family."

zizi——

The Den Den Mushi on one side spoke with a grave expression: "This is Dock 2, reporting to Lord Thatcherz Maffei!"

"A ship is heading towards Water Seven, and on the deck... it's Ross! The great pirate Ross is coming!!!"

Thatchers Maffei grinned as wide as possible, revealing his horrifying triangular teeth.

"Notify the navy to provide support. I'm coming right now."

Crack!

The Den Den Mushi hung up, and Thatchers Maffei Palace picked up the dagger that was placed beside him.

"Junzi, let's go. After killing that guy, present his demon sword to that lord."

“...mere scraps.”