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Chapter 197: The Five Elders' Compromise
🕑 Added 2025-09-18 12:07:56 +0000 UTCChapter 197: The Five Elders' Compromise
The moment their fists collided, time itself seemed to freeze.
And then...
BOOOOM!!!!
A massive, hemispherical shockwave of black-and-red energy erupted from the point of impact! The thick ice plain shattered like fragile glass. The sea, under the extreme pressure, was forced into a giant vacuum vortex thousands of meters in diameter, the water itself roaring up toward the heavens.
"Ka—"
Kizaru, being the closest, was hit head-on by the aftershock. He was sent flying for over a thousand meters, smashing into a distant warship. The rock wall and battlements of Dressrosa trembled violently, and rubble rained down, forcing King Riku and the others to scramble back.
Shane and Garp were also thrown back by the blast, only managing to steady themselves on the broken ice with Moonwalk. They looked up, their gazes locking across the shattered battlefield, the terrifying aftershocks of black-and-red lightning still crackling between them.
"What the hell is this, you little punk!" Garp bellowed, annoyed. "How do you know that move, and how are you so good at it?! That's my ultimate technique! Even that idiot Kuzan couldn't master it!"
"It's called talent, old man! Ever heard of it?!" Shane roared with laughter.
This Skill Steal was incredible. First Divine Departure, now Galaxy Impact. All signature moves, no duds. He was more than satisfied. His luck really was the best!
ZHEW—!
A streak of golden light flashed through the night sky. It was Kizaru, who had transformed into a laser and flown back, landing between the two of them. He turned to Garp.
"What took you so long?" Kizaru asked, his brow furrowed in a deep sigh. "I mean... does it really take that long to get here from G-1? That's a little slow, don't you think, Mr. Garp?"
"Ah, sorry!" Garp scratched his head. "I was a little late, but it couldn't be helped. On the way here, I..." His gaze shifted down and he finally noticed Kizaru's empty sleeve. He gaped. "Hey, Borsalino, you... what happened to you...?"
"This is nothing," Kizaru said wearily. "If our Hero of the Marines had been any later, I might not have made it out alive."
It was a self-deprecating exaggeration, of course. The battle had been a swift and humiliating defeat because he'd been careless enough to be dragged into the sea, but defeat was defeat. Still, the idea that he could have been killed... that was just absurd. Kizaru was confident that no one in the world could truly kill him.
"...To be able to defeat Borsalino and take his arm... I'm starting to understand why Tsuru and the others gave you the title of World's Greatest Swordsman," Garp said, looking at Shane with awe. "Mihawk couldn't do that. You definitely deserve his title!"
"..." Kizaru opened his mouth, wanting to clarify that his arm hadn't actually been cut off by a sword. But then he remembered the terrifying power of Shane's Divine Departure, and decided it was a pointless distinction. He closed his mouth.
"Thanks for the compliment, old man," Shane said, rolling his sore wrist with a grin. "But you didn't just come here to tell me that. If you want to keep fighting, I'm ready when you are."
"Pfft-hahaha! Still got some fight in you, huh? You've got guts!" Garp grinned, but as he clasped his hands behind his back in a show of bravado, he was secretly massaging his own wrist. This kid... he hits damn hard!
"You don't seem to understand the situation, Shane. This isn't a one-on-one duel. I'm not going to stand by and watch," Kizaru said coldly. "In other words, you'll be facing two of us. Still so confident?"
"Look who's talking," Shane sneered at him. "Looks like taking one arm wasn't enough. Besides, you're the one who doesn't get it! If you dare to interfere... who told you it would be two-on-one?!"
BOOM!
A translucent, paw-shaped Pad Cannon shot through the air. Kizaru flashed out of the way and looked up. His expression changed. Behind Shane—
Kuma and Jack, two mountains of men, descended with Moonwalk, landing on either side of their captain. They stood there silently, their cold gazes fixed on Kizaru.
"Tch, two troublesome ones..." Kizaru rubbed his temples. In his current state, he knew he couldn't break through their combined assault. Jack was just a tough brute, but Kuma... his strength was matched by a speed that could keep up with his own. Shane wasn't the only monster on this crew...
"Alright, I didn't come here to fight you," Garp said, picking his nose. "I just came to make sure these Marines get home safely. I ran into a smart-mouthed kid on the way here who gave me a warning on behalf of his old man. It was annoying, but he's right... with the forces we have, we can't stay here long."
"A warning?" Kizaru frowned. "From who?"
"Marco, I presume," Shane guessed immediately, raising an eyebrow. He scanned the horizon. "Haven't seen that guy in a while. Is he around here too?"
"That's him," Garp said, flicking away a booger. "But don't bother looking. The kid was just as annoying as Borsalino, so I lost my temper and punched him. It'll probably take him a while to fly back."
Kizaru just stared at Garp.
"Basically, Whitebeard knows I'm here. He's letting me take my men back, but he won't let me interfere in the fight," Garp explained with a laugh. "Bwahahaha, what an unreasonable old bastard! Still acting like the patriarch of the Four Emperors... He really thinks the New World is his personal playground!"
They were discovered as soon as they left G-1? Kizaru frowned. It seemed G-1, the so-called "most reliable" Marine base, needed a thorough investigation...
"Whitebeard, Garp... it's getting lively," Shane said, shaking his head. "I have a lot of respect for you, old man, but... your reputation and a few choice words aren't enough to make me give up the spoils of this battle..."
He was on the verge of a total victory. The Marine's top officers, aside from Gion, who was still locked in battle with Kuina, were all defeated. The now-free Kuma and Jack could easily handle Kizaru. As for himself, his Haki was running low, but he had plenty of stamina left to fight Garp. Under these circumstances, how could he just let them walk away without getting something in return? Of course, he had no intention of harming the regular soldiers. But the defeated Vice Admirals... he wouldn't let them go so easily.
"Well..." Garp scratched his head and looked toward his dog-headed warship. Bogard, who was waiting on deck, immediately understood. He used Moonwalk to cross the distance, pulling a rather unique Transponder Snail from his coat.
"Here, for you, Borsalino," Garp said, clearly disgusted by the snail. He had Bogard toss it to Kizaru. "Your personal snail must have been destroyed in the fight. The higher-ups couldn't reach you, so they called me... Tch. They're always making exceptions for you Admirals. So troublesome..."
Higher-ups?
The moment Kizaru took the snail and heard the first word, he knew Garp wasn't talking about Fleet Admiral Sengoku. He was talking about... the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
With his one remaining hand, Kizaru answered. The lazy snail on the other end immediately sat up straight, its demeanor becoming stern and imperious.
"Borsalino." The snail's voice was deep and ancient, leaving no room for argument. "We are aware of the situation. I will now personally relay the highest decree of the World Government."
"I understand," Kizaru nodded. "There is no one else here besides myself and Mr. Garp. Please, speak freely."
"First, the Marines are to immediately withdraw from the waters of Dressrosa and cease all military intervention against the nation."
Kizaru frowned, but said nothing.
The snail continued coldly, "Second, as long as Dressrosa continues to pay the Heavenly Tribute, its status as an affiliated nation may be retained. However, its right to participate in the Reverie is hereby revoked, and it should not expect any aid from the Marines in future crises."
Aid? Kuma took a step forward, his fists clenched, his eyes burning with rage. He had witnessed the suffering of the toy kingdom firsthand. For whoever was on the other end of that line to speak so shamelessly... it was despicable.
"Third," the snail's voice paused. "This operation's failure is entirely the fault of Marine Headquarters for misinterpreting the Holy Land's strategic plans and acting without authorization. You and Fleet Admiral Sengoku will be disciplined in due time. In short, remember this: our current strategy regarding the Curtain Call Pirates and Shane is one of appeasement. We have no intention of destroying them."
"What?!" Kizaru finally broke his silence. "Why?"
The Holy Land's strategy is the complete opposite of Marine HQ's? Appeasement? What sense does that make?! They had already missed so many opportunities. Shouldn't they be trying to crush a burgeoning Emperor-level crew before it could fully mature? He couldn't understand it.
"That is not for you to know, Borsalino. Watch your tongue, and do not ask questions you shouldn't," the snail responded coldly. "Now, dismiss everyone around you. Everyone, including yourself. I will speak with Shane alone."
The night wind blew, suddenly feeling bone-chillingly cold.
"..." Kizaru stared at the snail for a long moment. Finally, he handed it to Shane, then retreated into the distance with Garp. Jack, his curiosity piqued, was about to linger, but Kuma grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away.
Now, Shane was alone in the center of the vast ice plain. He held up the snail, studying it with interest. The imperious face it was mimicking was staring right back at him.
"Shane," the snail began, its voice low and filled with a condescending pressure. "Though this is our first time speaking... I have known your name for some time. As a mortal, you should feel greatly honored to be hearing my voice."
"What kind of crap is that? Honored... If I toss this snail into the sea right now, who do you think is going to be more upset?" Shane sneered, giving the snail a sideways glance. "Cut the grandstanding. That voice... you're the Warrior God of Science and Defense, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, right? You seem to be the lowest-ranking of the Five Elders. How come you're always the one dealing with this kind of crap? Can't they send someone else for a change?"
"..." The snail's expression went from stunned to livid. For a long time, there was only silence.
At that very moment, in the Chamber of Authority in Mary Geoise.
The flat-capped Five Elder, Saturn, muted the call and looked up at his colleagues, his face dark.
"Elders, this boy's origins are definitely not what they seem," the kimono-clad Elder, holding the cursed sword Shodai Kitetsu, said coldly. "He has never had contact with the Holy Land, yet he knows a surprising amount about us. He even knows Saturn's name and specific title."
"That's all he knows," Saturn said with a forced smile. "His other guesses were far from accurate."
"Regardless, his attitude speaks volumes," the blond Elder said, his arms crossed. "A fanatic with no respect for the World Government or the Holy Land is not a suitable candidate for the Holy Knights."
"That is Shamrock's concern, not ours. He has not yet given up on that plan. Let him learn his lesson," the long-bearded Elder said slowly. "What we must do is carry out Lord Imu's will and make our position clear to both Marine Headquarters and this Shane."
Just then, Shane's impatient voice came through the snail. "Hey, you old geezers, are you done talking? If you don't say something soon, I'm hanging up!"
Saturn's eyes flashed with cold fury. He took a deep breath and unmuted the call.
"Shane, you have undoubtedly heard what I said to Borsalino. In addition, to end this conflict and to show our sincerity, we are prepared to offer you three conditions that I am sure you will find satisfactory."
Hm? They're actually offering me something?
Shane's eyebrow shot up. He was surprised. For those arrogant old men to speak to him with this kind of attitude... Had the sun risen in the west?
