One Piece: So What If I Sin, Lie, and Lust? I'm Still a Good Marine Chapter 255: Volume 2 – - 157: Too Difficult

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Fleet Admiral's Office.

The office was silent.

"Stay here until this incident is over, Garp."

Kong sat behind his desk, calmly working through a mountain of paperwork without even glancing up.

Garp stood motionless, like a statue that had lost its soul.

On the grayish-white wall hung a plaque with the word "Justice" in bold black characters, looming above him like a mountain pressing down on his shoulders.

At some point, it had started raining outside.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky like a giant hood, smothering the earth beneath them, making it hard to breathe.

The cold rain splattered against the tightly shut glass windows, then ricocheted off. A heavy gloom and killing intent blanketed the world.

Garp stared blankly through the window at the distant military port.

In the vast oval-shaped harbor, elite Marines in hooded coats patrolled back and forth in the rain, their expressions grim and solemn.

He noticed that not a single warship was docked.

"Don't bother looking. I've already ordered every ship to set out on temporary patrol. You won't have any chance."

Kong's low voice came from behind.

Garp's numb face twitched into a bitter smile.

That decisiveness... Truly worthy of the old man Kong.

"So... old man Kong, is there really no hope?"

Garp's pale lips trembled as he muttered the words with difficulty.

Kong didn't raise his head, his eyes still cast down.

While flipping through the files, he spoke offhandedly,

"Garp... You've always been my most outstanding student—and the one who gave me the most headaches. You know I've always been proud to have you as my disciple."

"As for that kid Dragon, I genuinely admire him."

"His strong sense of justice, his charismatic presence, natural leadership, brilliant mind, unmatched strength, and astonishing talent... Even in the hundreds of years of Marine history, it's rare to find another young man who could pare."

Garp's eyes reddened as he gritted his teeth.

"Then save him!"

His clenched fists trembled as he took a step forward, and the ever-cheerful grin on his face was replaced by a desperate plea.

"He's only twenty-five!"

"He told me he wanted to bee a Marine Admiral! He wanted to change this rotten world in the name of 'Justice'!"

"Damn it... I should've realized it back then!"

Garp covered his face with his hands, teeth clenched, but scalding tears still leaked through his fingers.

Kong finally stopped flipping through the papers.

He looked up, his gaze calm as he stared at the choking Marine hero in front of him.

The middle-aged Garp standing before him gradually overlapped with the image of that grinning brat from his memories.

Kong let out a deep sigh.

"Garp, it's not that I don't want to help."

"But you know exactly what it means to kill a Celestial Dragon—especially in front of a crowd."

"The seriousness and sensitivity of this incident are already far beyond what Sengoku can handle... and even beyond me."

A flicker of helplessness crossed his eyes.

"According to World Government regulations, if a Celestial Dragon—the world's nobility—is harmed, the Marine Admirals are required to respond unconditionally... But do you know why Sengoku didn't handle this matter himself?"

Garp froze, a blank look in his eyes.

Kong pulled a cigar from the box on his desk, bit down on it, and lit it.

Thick smoke curled around his sharp, weathered face.

Then he said something that left Garp utterly stunned.

"Because it's an order from the Five Elders."

Kong leaned back in his chair, tilted his head slightly upward, and exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Because of Dragon's sensitive status, the government has begun to question the loyalty of our Navy's high-ranking officers."

"Can you imagine that?"

"The bloodline of a Marine 'hero,' a future Admiral—or even Fleet Admiral—someone who should be absolutely loyal to the government, dared to raise his hand against a noble Celestial Dragon..."

"This is something the Five Elders cannot accept."

"This isn't just about that brat Dragon anymore. His actions have seriously shaken the government's trust in us."

Garp's face turned pale.

His concern for his son's life had pletely blinded him to the broader implications of the incident.

He opened his mouth, just about to speak—

But Kong waved a hand, cutting him off.

"The Five Elders have already made it clear. If we let Dragon escape this time, the government will slash the Navy's military budget by fifty percent."

"On top of that, the promotion plan Sengoku and I had already settled on has now been scrapped."

"Until this incident is resolved and the Five Elders' trust is regained, Sengoku won't bee Fleet Admiral, and I won't be going to the Holy Land to serve as mander-in-chief of the World Government forces."

Garp looked like he'd been struck by lightning.

A surge of overwhelming guilt flooded his chest, and he staggered two steps back. His lips parted.

"Kong... old man Kong..."

Kong gave a faint, indifferent smile.

"It doesn't matter. I was never that interested in the mander-in-chief post anyway."

"And Sengoku has no plaints."

"So, Garp, do you understand now?"

"Whether it's the position of mander-in-chief or Fleet Admiral—if there's even the slightest chance of saving Dragon, we're not going to give up that easily."

"But the situation right now is... too difficult."

"Your kid made a mistake that can't be undone."

At those words, Garp was speechless.

He stood there blankly, eyes unfocused, as if his body and spirit were swallowed by a chilling emptiness, pletely numb.

"So... that brat... really can't be saved?"

"Even Sakazuki and Borsalino have already left..."

He muttered.

Sakazuki had never gotten along with Dragon. There's no way he'd hold back.

And Borsalino... that guy's thoughts were impossible to read.

With the two of them joining forces, no matter how strong Dragon was, he couldn't possibly survive.

"No!"

He suddenly clenched his fists.

Just as he was about to act, Kong's cold bark stopped him.

"What are you doing!?"

Garp gritted his teeth, his face twisted with unwillingness.

"Old Kong, I'll repay your kindness someday. But Dragon is my son!"

"No matter what, I have to save him!"

"I know your position is difficult. I know Sengoku's in a tough spot too, so..."

He raised his hand and grabbed his Marine cloak by the shoulder, yanking it tightly until it wrinkled.

"This Marine—I quit—"

Bang!!

A single punch sent him flying, smashing him into the wall with a thunderous crash.

Garp stared blankly at Kong, who had suddenly attacked. His mind was reeling, and blood trickled down from his forehead.

"You idiot!!"

Kong roared.

"I said it's difficult—not impossible!"

Garp blinked in shock.

"But Sakazuki and Borsalino—"

"Do you know why Sengoku notified Daren first!?"

Kong rolled his eyes with a snort and began cursing under his breath.

Garp froze.

And then—something clicked.

His bloodshot, dull eyes lit up once more.