Chapter 122: Something Is Wrong

Ordinarily, Aokiji would not oppose Garp’s decisions. Regarding the handling of Maude, Aokiji himself was indifferent. Even if Maude were officially classified as a pirate, as long as Garp wanted to let him go, Aokiji would be content to turn a blind eye. However, once Maude became entangled with the Revolutionary Army, Aokiji could no longer be so casual when matters of principle were at stake.

No sooner had his objection left his lips than a sound of rushing wind erupted behind his head. The assailant was, without question, Morley again. Wielding a massive trident, he relentlessly struck toward Aokiji’s skull. Aokiji sighed softly, flashing forward to evade the powerful blow.

"Nasty man!" Unable to land a hit, Morley pouted in annoyance. Yet, he did not press the attack; instead, he tossed the unconscious Tatamu toward Sabo. "Sabo, catch him!"

Sabo, who was in the midst of fleeing, turned at the shout and caught sight of Tatamu flying through the air. He immediately raised his arms and caught him securely. "Thank goodness..." Feeling the steady beat of Tatamu’s heart, Sabo let out a sigh of relief. Seeing that Sabo had secured Tatamu, Morley felt relieved as well. For the moment, they had no more worries behind them.

Aokiji glanced at Maude and the others, who were making a swift escape, scratched his cheek, and then turned to the beaming Morley with a flat tone. "Don't be so optimistic. Your chances of escaping this island are virtually zero."

"Hmph, you can't determine the outcome until you've tried!" Morley glared, brandishing his trident once more, and aimed another strike at Aokiji’s head. Aokiji said no more, his body turning into ice to prepare to freeze Morley again.

Elsewhere, Saul looked grim. After hearing Aokiji’s words, he roughly understood the situation. It was nothing more than Maude and Sunny helping the Revolutionary Army at the pig farm in the early hours, and the Revolutionary Army returning the favor by helping them in turn. This exchange of courtesies was, in the eyes of the Navy, self-evident.

Garp looked at Saul and said in a deep voice, "To think you would actually get involved with the Revolutionary Army."

"If I said we didn't, would you believe me?"

Garp’s only response was a fist. Saul cursed under his breath, dragging his injured body to barely dodge the blow. If the Captain or Rayleigh were here, that "Iron Fist" bastard would probably have believed it without a second thought. But being in his own shoes, he had a clear sense of his own standing. Since he couldn't persuade Garp, he had no choice but to go all out. He knew full well that even by exerting his utmost, he could not defeat Garp. However, he could disregard his own safety and, while Aokiji was preoccupied with that effeminate giant, look for a chance to strike a blow against the Admiral.

Garp, however, wasn't thinking that far ahead; he launched a fierce assault on Saul. He intended to put an end to this grudge today.

...

In the streets, the once-prosperous district had been reduced to ruins. As far as the eye could see, not a single building remained intact. The ground was pitted with craters of all sizes, a scene of utter desolation. These were clearly the handiwork of Saul and Garp.

Gion ran frantically through the crater-filled street, clutching Wolf Rat. The blood seeping from Wolf Rat’s wounds left a continuous trail behind them.

"Ho-ho." A light chuckle suddenly came from the air above.

Gion’s gaze sharpened. She came to a sudden halt and looked up. Laffitte hovered in mid-air, his large white wings beating steadily. He held a cane in one hand and pressed down on the brim of his hat with the other, looking down at Gion with an expression full of amusement.

Gion stared up at the ill-intentioned man and frowned. "You are... the Demon Sheriff!"

"A mere title, not worth mentioning." Laffitte pursed his red lips, tucked his wings, and descended slowly to the ground. His playful gaze flickered intentionally toward the heavily injured and unconscious Wolf Rat, silently exerting a degree of pressure on Gion.

Gion’s expression grew solemn. She did not fear Laffitte, but she was deeply concerned that he might strike at the defenseless Wolf Rat. After landing, Laffitte paced back and forth, twirling his cane, his peripheral vision still darting toward Wolf Rat. Though his gaze lacked overt killing intent, it pricked at Gion like needles—a form of wanton mockery.

"I know you, Vice Admiral Gion of the Headquarters. Ho-ho, you seem a bit nervous, don't you?"

"Move aside." Gion’s brow furrowed tightly.

Laffitte stopped walking, ceased his cane-twirling, and held the staff horizontally before him, smiling without a word. A cold, murderous intent flickered across Gion’s face as she slowly set Wolf Rat down on the ground. Watching her actions, Laffitte remained smiling.

"Vice Admiral Gion, your friend is on the verge of death. What would happen if he were struck by a rock the size of a washbasin?"

"..." In the silence, Gion tightened her grip on her sword hilt.

Laffitte’s smile deepened, but his eyes grew cold. "Being held back isn't a good feeling, is it, Vice Admiral Gion?"

"Hmm?" Gion’s eyes turned cold, and her blade left its scabbard.

"Ho-ho." The moment Gion drew her sword, the smile on Laffitte’s face and the coldness in his eyes vanished like a receding tide, as if they had never existed. He gracefully stepped aside, removed his top hat, and made a gentlemanly gesture of concession, acting as if the previous provocation had never occurred.

Irritated by the mockery, Gion’s expression shifted, and she unleashed a slash at Laffitte. Laffitte chuckled, vaulted high into the air, and dodged the strike, which was charged with fury. His white wings sprouted again, and he hovered in the sky. Placing his hat back on, Laffitte said earnestly, "Vice Admiral Gion, time waits for no one, especially not for your friend."

With that, Laffitte glanced at the slightly displeased Gion, his laughter still laced with an unshakable playfulness. Yet, he did not continue to taunt her; instead, he flapped his wings and decisively flew away.

Gion watched him go with a cold gaze. She didn't know Laffitte’s true motive, but his mention of being "held back" made her dimly suspect that it had something to do with Maude and his crew. Having no time to dwell on it, she quickly sheathed her sword, picked up Wolf Rat, and resumed her dash toward the harbor.

She moved with incredible speed, reaching the pier in no time. Bogard, who was standing by on the warship, spotted Gion and Wolf Rat immediately. Upon seeing the severity of Wolf Rat’s injuries, Bogard reacted instantly, ordering the ship’s doctors into action. The well-trained medics grabbed their medical kits and stretchers, stepping off the ship onto the gangway before Gion had even arrived, running toward her.

"Quick, get the wounded man onto the stretcher!"

As they reached her, the medics urged Gion to place Wolf Rat on the stretcher. However, Gion seemed not to hear them, her eyes wide as she stared at the harbor entrance in the distance.

"Vice Admiral Gion, please cooperate!" Seeing her unresponsive, the medics grew anxious. On the deck of the warship, Bogard noticed Gion’s strange behavior, felt a sense of unease, and looked toward the harbor entrance as well.

Coming into view was a large, two-masted ship just entering the bay.

"That is...!" Bogard’s expression changed abruptly.

From atop the two-masted ship, a playful voice rang out.

"Yasopp, to satisfy your curiosity as quickly as possible, this is our first time coming in through the bay entrance."

"Nonsense, it’s just because the Boss’s alcohol cravings kicked in; don't pin that on me."

"Haha, if you ask me, this isn't the East Blue; it’s definitely a coincidence of names..."

"Wait, something’s wrong."

"That warship, it seems to be..."