A minute for consideration?
Is there a need to consider?
If I consider, doesn't that mean the murderer is within the East Blue Marine Base?
The Ryurojima massacre of villagers, was it carried out by the East Blue Marines?
Marine Headquarters.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Upon receiving the news and having it immediately broadcast via projection, Fleet Admiral Kong, Admirals Sengoku, Zephyr, and Advisor Tsuru were all intently watching the scene. Hearing Benedict's words, their expressions turned grim.
The Ryurojima massacre of villagers was an extremely heinous act, and it wasn't the first time such a thing had occurred.
Naturally, Marine Headquarters had received the report from Momonga and was aware that the Genbu Marines were involved.
Given the speed of the exposure and the rampant rumors, their sharp intellects allowed them to understand precisely what had transpired and who was involved.
However, this also left them with a sense of unease.
Could those people truly be hiding within the East Blue Marine Base?
Furthermore, could they genuinely be responsible for this incident?
But then, how could they explain the Genbu Marines who died in the Ryurojima massacre?
As Sengoku and the others pondered these questions, they already had an answer in their hearts.
For several months, the Genbu Marines had consistently upheld "justice," striking at pirates with no less intensity than the East Blue Marines.
Consequently, over these months, the number of pirate factions venturing out from the East Blue had significantly decreased. Compared to other seas, the difference was like heaven and earth.
The Genbu Marines deserved immense credit for this.
Could such an organization commit the slaughter of defenseless villagers?
In their view, it was impossible.
Yet, the facts were laid bare before them, seemingly proving the sinister intentions of the Genbu Marines and the inherent nature of pirates.
"Where is Garp? Where is he now?" Fleet Admiral Kong asked calmly, watching the projected broadcast. "Contact him and have him rush to the East Blue Marine Base."
Sengoku, understanding the gravity of the situation, quickly produced a Den Den Mushi and contacted Garp.
"Damn it, Sengoku, didn't I tell you? I'm on vacation, don't contact me."
Garp's face appeared on the Den Den Mushi, and he let out a disgruntled roar at Sengoku.
Garp was currently lounging on a warship, basking in the sun.
After arriving in the East Blue, he had first visited Windmill Village and seen some old friends.
However, with the occurrence of the Ryurojima massacre, he had to reconsider his initial plan to visit the Genbu Marine Base to gauge Benedict's attitude and had temporarily abandoned it.
Garp was an astute and insightful person; he quickly grasped the true purpose of the entire incident.
Therefore, he didn't want to get involved, nor did he wish to meet Benedict at this time.
Sengoku's call naturally made Garp understand what he wanted to convey. After a brief outburst, he promptly hung up.
Looking at the disconnected Den Den Mushi, Sengoku's face darkened with irritation. However, he knew his old friend very well.
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku called him again.
Garp lay on his lounge chair, sipping iced lemon tea. Hearing the Den Den Mushi ring on the table beside him again, he answered impatiently, "I was sleeping, goodbye!"
Sengoku's face contorted with anger. "Garp, if you dare hang up this call, you won't get any senbei from now on."
Senbei, the favorite treat of both Garp and Sengoku.
But more senbei belonged to Sengoku. Garp always found ways to locate his hidden stash and devour it all.
Indeed, this tactic proved very effective.
"Speak, what is it? I know, but I might not do it."
"With the Ryurojima massacre happening, if I go there to test the waters now, I'll be stirring up trouble and asking for it."
Garp explained, his tone resigned.
"Go to the East Blue Marine Base immediately! Reinforce them! The Genbu Marines are attacking the East Blue Marine Base," Sengoku roared, no longer willing to waste words.
One minute was a short time, and less than that, Momonga had already refused and denied. The battle had already begun.
Yes, moments ago, Momonga had launched an attack without hesitation.
"We are an army of justice, the Marines who protect this sea, slay pirates, and maintain peace."
"The soldiers of the East Blue Marines would never commit the act of massacring villagers."
"There is no murderer here that you are looking for."
"If there is, it must be the murderers we've captured, and these 'murderers' will only be you, who disguise yourselves as sheep, claim the title of peace, but secretly commit cold-blooded killings and village massacres, you pirates."
Momonga launched several charges, shouting as he did so.
As Momonga attacked, Bastille led the East Blue Marines, shouting their slogans and opening fire.
Suddenly, the sounds of gunfire and cannons erupted, and the battle between the East Blue Marines and the Genbu Marines officially began.
Benedict easily dodged Momonga's attack, then seized the opportunity. His right foot, imbued with Armament Haki, instantly kicked Momonga away.
Boom!
Slamming hard onto the ground, Momonga looked somewhat disheveled, with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.
Even so, Momonga understood the gap in strength between himself and Benedict.
As expected, the difference in power between a Vice Admiral and an Admiral was quite significant.
"Damn it, we are an army of justice."
With a low growl, Momonga used Soru, one of the Rokushiki, and appeared behind Benedict.
His belief in justice had never wavered.
Naturally, he was filled with anger at the evil deeds of the Genbu Marines.
"One Sword Style, Flying Fox Fire Flow!"
Facing Benedict, Momonga dared not be careless. With his first move, he attacked with almost full power.
As the sword descended, the sword energy instantly transformed into flames, like a fire fox, falling towards Benedict's back.
Benedict's hand, covered in Armament Haki, struck out with a punch, blocking all of Momonga's attack.
"Get out of the way."
"You are no match for me."
"I don't have time to waste with you here."
Benedict punched again, sending Momonga flying once more.
"Vice Admiral!" Bastille, seeing Momonga being kicked away and crashing into the ruins, rushed forward with concern.
Benedict casually delivered a punch, and Bastille was sent flying, almost losing consciousness.
Momonga, charging out of the ruins, happened to witness this scene, and his expression changed.
The vast gap left him with a sense of powerlessness.
However, even now, he could not retreat.
He charged forward again.
"Scram!"
Benedict's voice rang out, and at that very moment, an incredibly powerful Conqueror's Haki precisely enveloped the entire East Blue Marine Base.
Bastille instantly fainted.
Momonga's expression turned to one of utter shock, his face turning pale. If he hadn't used his sword to support himself, he too would have fallen unconscious.
As for the other soldiers in the East Blue Marine Base, they all fainted in that instant.
The battle, it seemed, had ended in an instant.
Without sufficient strength, one could not endure.
Without sufficient strength, how could one capture someone from the Genbu Marines, who were proficient in Rokushiki?
Without sufficient strength, how could one possibly become a CP9 member?