Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the spacious Marshal's office, several sofas had been added, with high-ranking officials seated in small groups.
As Morris and Zephyr entered and took their seats, Fleet Admiral Sengoku began:
"Regarding the incident of Golden Lion Shiki's escape from prison."
"And the subsequent impact, everyone please analyze."
Garp sat on a sofa below, his expression stern:
"Scout Golden Lion's former territories."
"We must ascertain his movements as quickly as possible."
"That fellow is not one who seeks peace."
"However, he probably won't attack immediately."
"His territories have already been divided, and his subordinates are scattered."
"It will take time for him to make a comeback."
Vice Admiral Tsuru, seated next to Garp, added:
"That's right."
"The former Golden Lion was one of the strongest individuals in the world."
"But now, with a severed leg and arm, though he remains a king,"
"His strength has likely been greatly diminished."
"We don't need to worry about him causing trouble in the short term."
"The most important thing is the subsequent impact."
"Sakazuki's promotion and actions had just begun to show some effect."
"The myth of the impenetrable Impel Down was shattered in an instant."
"This is a tremendous blow to the Navy's prestige and the people's trust."
"We must suppress this matter in the shortest possible time."
Morris, arms crossed on the sofa, spoke:
"Then we need to establish authority."
"It would be best to capture a pirate of sufficient fame and strength."
"And throw them into Impel Down."
"But the only ones who can rival Golden Lion are Big Mom Charlotte Linlin or Kaido in the New World."
"We have to choose one."
Zephyr suddenly interjected from the side:
"No."
"Attacking either of those factions would have incalculable consequences."
"It could be considered a full-blown war."
"However, there is another suitable target."
Sengoku's glasses glinted:
"You mean..."
Zephyr nodded:
"Exactly."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku tapped his fingers on the desk, contemplating:
"Redfield the Earl..."
After a moment, he made a decision:
"Tsuru, go and gather information on Redfield the Earl."
"Find out where he has been sighted recently."
"Sengoku, you remain at Headquarters to oversee things."
"And summon Garp back here immediately."
"Cancel his vacation."
"This time, I will personally lead the team to apprehend Redfield the Earl."
Everyone was somewhat taken aback:
"You'll personally take action?"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku nodded:
"There is no better alternative."
"Baron Omatsuri, although not as famous as Roger or Whitebeard,"
"His powerful swordsmanship, exceptional physical abilities, and Kenbunshoku Haki that can see through people's hearts place him on par with them. His strength is unlike that of ordinary pirates."
"There are very few individuals in Headquarters who can ensure his capture."
"Sakazuki is not here, and Sengoku's abilities may not be enough to catch him."
"It must be Garp and I who make the move."
"And with his ability to see through hearts, if Garp makes a mistake, it would be a joke."
"I will lead the pursuit, and Garp will prevent his escape from the periphery."
"Tsuru, you stay by Garp's side as a precaution."
Silence fell upon the group; it was indeed a logical course of action.
Ultimately, there were too few powerhouses. The new generation had not yet grown, so they had to endure...
There would come a day when they would mature.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked at the silent group:
"Alright, you can all go and prepare."
"Yes! x7"
--------------------
North Blue, Operation Plowshare.
Sakazuki looked at the newspaper in his hand:
"Really, wouldn't it have been better to just die quietly in prison?"
"The authority the Navy has established cannot be undermined by you."
His eyes narrowed, and he picked up a Den Den Mushi, making a call.
After all the fleet commanders had connected:
"From now on."
"The heads of all pirates killed daily are to be delivered to the Third Warship."
"Yes! xn"
After hanging up, Sakazuki called Fleet Admiral Sengoku again.
Briefly explaining his idea, Sengoku was silent for a long time:
"That's a bit too cruel, Sakazuki."
"We are the Navy."
Sakazuki took a deep breath:
"We need something to divert the public's attention."
"This is the fastest solution."
"They are just a bunch of seafaring scum who burn, kill, and loot."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sighed:
"Alright, I will make the arrangements."
"You... sigh."
Sakazuki chuckled and hung up the Den Den Mushi.
The next day, in the evening.
Dozens of warships, after a day of Operation Plowshare, had accumulated all their captured heads, which were sent to Sakazuki's warship.
Reporters, dispatched by the government at the fastest speed, watched as the number of heads grew...
Finally, unable to bear it, they ran aside and vomited.
After the heads of the pirates from the last warship were delivered,
Sakazuki looked at the heads piled on nearly half the deck of the warship, a slight frown on his face:
"It's a bit too few."
He slowly walked to the top of the towering pile of heads and sat down.
He then beckoned to the pale and weak reporter from the newspaper:
"Find a good angle."
"Make sure to capture it in a way that makes this trash below look particularly abundant."
The reporter nodded weakly:
"Yes... Yes!"
Click, click, click—
The flashes of the cameras lit up continuously...
That night, the reporter urgently returned to the newspaper office. After handing over his camera to government personnel, he requested sick leave.
The third day.
Under the government's operation, a large number of newspapers began printing reports on Operation Plowshare.
The news of Marine Admiral Akainu-Sakazuki occupied the attention of the world's populace for a considerable time.
This directly overshadowed the impact of Golden Lion Shiki's escape.
The consequence, however, was the public's fear of Sakazuki.
And, indirectly, it deterred many young boys who might have considered becoming pirates.
On that day's newspaper, Sakazuki occupied more than half the pages.
In a massive photograph, Sakazuki was seated atop a mountain of countless pirate heads.
He tossed a head up and caught it with his hand...
The fourth day.
In the photograph, Sakazuki sat in front of the small mountain of heads.
He had strung together six pirate heads and was roasting them over a fire.
The fifth day.
Sakazuki sat on the railing of the warship, with a mountain of heads piled behind him.
He held a fishing rod, and the bait on the hook was a string of heads.
With continuous updates day after day, thus... Sakazuki and Operation Plowshare.
They once again shocked the world with their brutality...
----
East Blue, Syrup Village.
As Yasopp, the renowned sharpshooter, his daily routine was hunting and then sitting on a cliff by the island,
Gazing at the sunset until twilight descended.
Every man yearned for the sea, but the responsibility of being the head of a family kept him from being able to leave...
"What is that?"
"A traveling ship?"
Yasopp, who was watching the sea as usual today, suddenly spotted a small boat approaching.
Although ships passed by normally, they were usually heading towards the port.
But this small boat was sailing directly towards him.
As the small boat grew larger, Yasopp rested his chin on his hand, watching the man rowing.
"Who are you?"
The red-haired youth on the boat pushed down his straw hat.
He looked up at Yasopp and smiled:
"I've come seeking a man named Yasopp."
Yasopp was startled and lowered his arm.
The red-haired youth smiled again:
"My name is Shanks, and I'm a pirate."
Yasopp stared blankly at the confident red-haired youth. A pirate, then...