The grand chamber atop Marineford's central tower — where decisions shaping the world were made — held a tension-laced stillness. Golden rays filtered in through wide glass windows, casting long shadows over the ancient table carved with the World Government's emblem. Around it sat five of the most powerful figures in the Marines.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, wearing his justice coat draped like a mantle of weighty honor, sat at the head of the table with furrowed brows. To his left was Vice Admiral Garp, slouched in his chair with a half-empty sack of rice crackers in his lap, cheerfully crunching despite the serious atmosphere. Vice Admiral Tsuru sat beside him, dignified and cool-headed as always, eyes closed in thought. To Sengoku's right were Admiral Kuzan, with his usual sleepy expression, and Admiral Akainu, back straight and fists clenched on the table, silent but simmering.
A thick silence hung in the air until Sengoku spoke.
"The 'Eyes' cult…" His voice was low, deliberate, each word falling like a hammer. "A vice admiral and multiple Marine officers… involved in ritualistic killings. This—" he paused, gripping the table edge— "this is a disgrace to everything we stand for."
Akainu's jaw tightened. "If this gets out, we'll lose public trust. It would be a direct blow to Marine credibility across the world."
"I'm well aware," Sengoku muttered. "That's why it won't get out."
Kuzan, reclining casually with arms folded, raised an eyebrow. "We're suppressing it then?"
"We're controlling it," Sengoku corrected. "Only the five of us, Gion, and a few forensic officers will be privy to the complete truth. The official report will state it was a rogue criminal sect intercepted before harm could spread."
"And what of the bodies?" Tsuru asked quietly. "The church?"
"Seal it. Document everything," Sengoku ordered firmly. "Then destroy it. I want no trace left behind. Kuzan, Akainu — that's your task."
"Understood," Kuzan replied nonchalantly, already picturing the paperwork. Akainu gave a silent nod.
Then Sengoku leaned back in his chair and sighed, letting the weight of the past few weeks ease off his shoulders for a moment. "But despite this mess, there's something to commend."
His eyes softened slightly. "Haru and Naomi. Their work in exposing this cult saved countless lives. Their instincts, dedication, teamwork… it was exemplary."
At the mention of Naomi's name, Akainu straightened. A flicker of rare pride passed through his normally cold features.
"She's grown well," Akainu said stiffly. "She's stronger now than I ever imagined."
Garp chuckled from the corner, tossing a cracker into his mouth. "Heh, that Haru kid… barely a teenager and already a Captain. Not bad! Plus, dating his senior Naomi! Real gutsy if you ask me."
Akainu's eye twitched. "What?"
"Oh yeah!" Garp went on, absolutely loving the reaction. "I hear he's gotten quite the charming personality too. Used to be all grumpy and broody — now he's smiling and opening doors for ladies! Romance does wonders, eh?"
Akainu's fist slammed down on the table. "That boy is—!"
"Now, now, Sakazuki," Garp interrupted with a grin. "Don't pop a vein. You should be proud! He's going to be your son-in-law at this rate."
The whole room turned still.
Even Tsuru cracked an amused smile, while Kuzan barely stifled a chuckle.
Sengoku closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Garp… shut up. And Akainu, calm down. You're both giving me a headache."
Garp laughed heartily, tossing another cracker into his mouth. "Oh come on, Sengoku, loosen up! We've had worse meetings than this! Remember that time you fell into the koi pond in Mariejois during that diplomatic summit—?"
"That was an ambush by fishmen assassins!" Sengoku roared.
"It was a pond, Sengoku!" Garp bellowed with laughter, nearly choking on his food.
Sengoku's temple throbbed. "For the love of justice, stop laughing! And stop eating!"
He lunged across the table, snatching the cracker bag from Garp's hands with shocking speed.
"Hey!" Garp gasped. "Those are mine!"
Tsuru sighed, standing and gently taking the bag from Sengoku's hand. "You're both acting like toddlers."
She shook her head and tossed the crackers into the bin near the wall. Garp's mouth hung open in betrayal.
"My precious snacks…"
"Oh, grow up," Tsuru snapped, though her tone was half-amused.
Garp slumped in his seat with a comically exaggerated pout. "You people are cruel…"
"Anyway," Sengoku snapped, regaining control of the room. "Enough of this nonsense. We have another matter to address."
Everyone's posture straightened. Sengoku folded his hands before him, tone returning to one of command.
"Portgas D. Ace."
The mood dropped instantly.
"He's becoming a problem. Constant skirmishes. Growing his own reputation. And now, he's been confirmed sailing under Whitebeard's flag."
Sengoku's glare turned toward Garp. "You said you'd keep him in check. That he'd become a Marine."
Garp shrugged. "I said I'd try."
"You promised me!"
"I never promise anything," Garp said casually, pulling a hidden cracker from his sleeve. "And besides, the boy's just like his father — can't tie him down."
"You mean Gol D. Roger?" Sengoku snapped.
Garp nodded with a grin. "Yup. Same fire in the belly. And the same idiotic need to do things his own way. Can't say I blame him."
Sengoku slammed his hands on the table. "This isn't a joke! That boy could become a major threat!"
Garp calmly offered him the cracker. "Cracker?"
Sengoku stared at it for two seconds before yelling, "I don't want your damn cracker!!"
Kuzan was now openly laughing.
Even Tsuru had to place a hand over her mouth.
Sengoku finally sat down again, rubbing his temples. "I swear… if I had a berry for every headache you've given me, Garp…"
Garp chuckled. "You'd be richer than the Celestial Dragons."
"Shut. Up."
Tsuru cleared her throat and stood.
"Enough. Let's focus on what matters. Despite the problems we face — from traitors within, to dangerous pirates rising — we have two exceptional young officers in Haru and Naomi. Their strength, their unity… they might be the hope we need."
Sengoku slowly nodded. "Which is why…"
He turned to Garp with narrowed eyes.
"You're going to train them."
Garp blinked. "Me?"
"Yes, you," Sengoku said. "You're the only one crazy enough to break through their limits. Haru's potential is vast, and Naomi has proven her strategic mind. They need to be stronger."
Garp grumbled. "You just want to pawn off your babysitting duty to me."
Sengoku's glare was as sharp as a blade. "Do it, Garp. That's an order."
The old Vice Admiral sighed deeply, stuffing another cracker into his mouth.
"Fine… but don't blame me if they end up as wild as me."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Sengoku muttered under his breath.
As the meeting finally adjourned, the fate of two promising Marines was sealed. Haru and Naomi — once rookies with potential — were now stepping into the harsh light of power and scrutiny. The next chapter of their journey would be forged not only in battle, but under the watchful eye of the Hero of the Marines.
And with Garp as their trainer…
It would be anything but ordinary.