"Boom!"
"Boom!"
The shelling continued. Hundreds and thousands of shells relentlessly rained down on Ohara, with even some falling towards Benedict's warship.
The shells struck the island of Ohara, erupting in powerful roars.
In mere moments, vast amounts of dust were kicked up. Numerous houses and buildings collapsed, accompanied by widespread fires that quickly ignited and spread.
The residents of Ohara, attempting to flee, were terrified by the sudden attack, hastening their steps in panic.
The earth-shattering pressure of destruction descended upon everyone's hearts.
Sakata Gintoki, stepping on sword energy, soared into the sky. He gazed down at the continuously bombarded Ohara, and then at the warships being pounded by artillery fire in the distance. His expression instantly turned grim.
"Sauro, where is our commander?" Sakata Gintoki called out to Sauro, who was helping others to escape.
"He has captured Admiral Zephyr and is drawing the attention of the Marines, buying us time to leave," Sauro replied without hesitation.
Upon hearing this, Sakata Gintoki glanced at the warships already engulfed by artillery fire and destroyed, his face changing drastically. "Damn it!"
"Once everyone is on the ship, you and the Xuanwu Navy must quickly take them and leave."
With that, Sakata Gintoki flew towards the distance, his feet treading on sword energy, heading directly into the incoming shells.
Seeing Sakata Gintoki's actions, Sauro understood.
However, escorting the residents and books of Ohara away was also extremely important. He could only grit his teeth and quickly get people onto the ship.
The Marine fleet.
Sakatsuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, and others watched in shock at the destroyed warships, their faces exceedingly grim.
"Damn scoundrels."
"Go to hell!"
Sakatsuki, furious, reached out and grabbed Spandine. Blazing magma surged towards Spandine.
Sizzle, sizzle…
A chilling aura struck, and Sakatsuki's attack was blocked by ice.
Spandine also let out a scream.
"Kuzan, what do you mean?" Sakatsuki glared at Kuzan with dissatisfaction, his voice full of anger.
"Although it's regrettable, if you kill him, you won't fare well either." Kuzan was also extremely angry with Spandine, his gaze filled with fury, but he maintained his rationality, thus stopping Sakatsuki.
"Ah, it hurts so much."
"Scoundrel, I'm going to report you to the Five Elders."
"Damn it, I will definitely have you thrown into Impel Down to suffer."
Spandine failed to grasp any of Kuzan's good intentions. At this moment, enraged by Sakatsuki's actions, he opened his mouth, spewing curses and even vowing to make Sakatsuki pay.
Seeing this, Kuzan immediately stopped, deactivating his Devil Fruit ability, and said calmly, "You are not a Celestial Dragon yet. Killing you would at most result in dismissal from your post."
Sakatsuki's eyes flashed with ferocity, and he attacked again.
Spandine's shrill screams followed, but he was not killed.
At this point, any words were futile.
Kuzan's intervention also helped Sakatsuki regain some semblance of reason.
Sengoku repeatedly pounded the table, his fists smashing it until it broke. His face was filled with anger, unwillingness, and helplessness.
A tear also traced a path down his cheek.
Steel-Bone Kong, Tsuru, Garp, and other Vice Admirals at Marine Headquarters gathered.
Seeing Sengoku's state, Garp didn't know what had made him so despondent.
So, he approached with a hearty laugh, his heavy fist landing on Sengoku's shoulder, making Sengoku's body tremble.
"Hahaha, Sengoku, what are you doing?"
"Did that little girl make you so angry your body is shaking?"
"Or is there some difficult matter that has left you at a loss?"
"To be an Admiral and still be brought to tears by such things."
"Disgraceful!"
Garp spoke thoughtlessly, while Tsuru frowned. She approached Sengoku and inquired, "Is this related to Zephyr?"
For a moment, the entire office fell silent.
Garp's face froze, and he slowly turned his head to look at Sengoku.
Of all the recent events he knew of, only one person could provoke Sengoku to such an extent.
That person was Zephyr.
Steel-Bone Kong's expression was solemn as he said, "Did the negotiations fail?"
Sengoku slowly composed himself and then recounted the recent events.
"Damn Spandine."
"Who gave him the authority?"
"I want to kill him."
Upon hearing this, Garp was the first to lose control, rolling up his fists and angrily turning to leave.
The Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals, upon learning that Spandine had ignored Sengoku's orders and initiated a Buster Call, bombarding both Benedict and Zephyr, were also extremely angry. However, at this moment, they all bore immense pressure and restrained Garp.
For the World Government, Spandine was a hero because he had eliminated the Marshal of the Xuanwu Navy, Benedict, nipping a huge threat in the bud.
But for them, the Marines, it was the grief of their mentor, their superior, a Marine Admiral, the face of the Marines.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"Get out of my way, I'm going to kill that bastard."
Garp, being held back, furiously threw punches.
Instantly, the entire office building became noisy and chaotic.
"Quiet down!"
"Garp!"
Steel-Bone Kong intervened, delivering a heavy punch to Garp's face.
Steel-Bone Kong was also not in a good mood, but he clearly understood that if Garp were to kill Spandine, the World Government might act against Garp, regardless of his status as a Marine hero.
Furthermore, the current Marine Headquarters absolutely could not afford the loss of high-level combat power.
With one less Admiral, the Marines' prestige on the seas would diminish.
The Whitebeard Pirates, the Beast Pirates, the Big Mom Pirates, and the hidden Flying Pirate Group would undoubtedly wreak havoc on the seas.
Without the top-tier Xuanwu Navy, they would also fall into a disadvantageous and troublesome position.
Garp calmed down, his expression carrying a hint of melancholy.
Zephyr was his old comrade.
"I will handle this matter," Steel-Bone Kong said, his gaze coldly sweeping over Garp before settling on Sengoku.
"Keep a close watch on the Ohara incident."
Sengoku, despite his inner turmoil, nodded in agreement.
Steel-Bone Kong said no more and turned to leave.
As the Fleet Admiral, he also had to go to the Five Elders to seek an explanation for this matter.
"Buruburubururu..."
The sound of a Den Den Mushi echoed, drawing everyone's attention. Even Steel-Bone Kong, who was about to leave, stopped.
Sengoku answered the call. It was from Onigumo.
"This is Sengoku," Sengoku took a deep breath, calming his emotions to avoid clouding his judgment.
"Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Zephyr is not dead," Onigumo's voice sounded.
Bang!
Garp slammed his fist against the wall, creating a hole. He quickly moved to Sengoku's side, blocking the Den Den Mushi, and said, "Onigumo, are you sure that old guy Zephyr isn't dead?"
"He's truly lucky to be alive."
"Responding to Vice Admiral Garp, Admiral Zephyr is indeed not dead, but neither is Benedict. Moreover, he is now on a killing spree."
"Sakatsuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino have joined forces, but they are still at a disadvantage. Requesting reinforcements."
"...Request...request..."
"Dudududu..."
The Den Den Mushi was hung up.
Sengoku, Garp, and the others were stunned.
"Get moving! Staff and Communications teams, act quickly! Contact nearby forces for immediate support!"
Steel-Bone Kong was the first to react, then he opened his mouth wide, his voice resounding throughout Marine Headquarters.