Chapter 465: SVOP - 465

Chapter 465: SVOP: Chapter 465

"Back to my question! What is it you really want?" Garp took a deep breath.

"I know some information regarding the mystery of Devil Fruits. Answer my question first, and I will tell you what I know."

"Is that so?" Vladimir raised an eyebrow. "Very well. You are right — we are no longer satisfied with merely collecting Devil Fruits. There are complex reasons for this, which you need not understand. But rest assured, we have no interest in ruling or controlling this world."

Of course, he was holding back the full truth. While Vladimir had no desire to be a ruler, he did need an obedient organization to help him gather and study mysterious powers.

But Garp, unaware of this, chose to take his words at face value.

"Very well. I want you to make a promise. It may not be legally binding, but right now, I have no choice but to trust in Phantom’s sense of honor."

Garp spoke with heavy gravity. "Phantom and the Marines shall henceforth be non-aggressive toward one another."

"And what gives you the right to negotiate terms?" Vladimir smiled. "I will give you one chance to convince me. As a Special Envoy, I have the authority to sign treaties on behalf of Emperor Qin."

"Your goal is only the secrets of the Devil Fruits. Our goal is only to protect the peace of this world. Fundamentally, there is no absolute conflict between us!"

Garp’s tone was filled with complexity. "From this day onward, the Marines will refuse to carry out any orders from the World Government regarding actions against Phantom. And you... you will stop what you are doing today. In the future, no matter what you do, the Marines will turn a blind eye and pretend not to see."

Vladimir looked at him with surprise and genuine respect. "Truly worthy of being called a Hero of the Navy. You are the only one here with the stature to speak such words. However... I cannot agree. As I said before — you have no standing to negotiate with us. You may tell me what you know. Out of respect for you, I might spare your forces. But a formal treaty? That is a serious matter. You are not our equal, and you do not have the right to speak on such terms."

If Vladimir were acting only for himself, he might have agreed just to be done with it. But as a Special Envoy representing the entire organization, he could not. Treaties were meaningless scraps of paper to him anyway, but the principle mattered.

Hearing this, Garp closed his eyes. Around him, he heard the deafening sounds of the headquarters crumbling and the screams of countless marines.

A second later, he spoke in a deep, heavy voice. "I will tell you. I do not know much, but it should be useful to you."

He paused, then continued. "We are of the D Clan, inheritors of the Will of D. Those who do not understand us call us ’the Natural Enemies of Gods’ — but that is not true. The meaning of ’D’ is Protection. It is Dream. At least, that is what it means for us of the Monkey family."

"Get to the point," Vladimir scoffed. "I have no interest in your family traditions."

"Very well." Garp nodded. "Here is the point. The origin and truth you seek regarding Devil Fruits lies in Laugh Tale. On that island lies buried the secret of this world — not just the history of 800 years ago, but also a great treasure."

"GARP!!" Sengoku roared in horror. "Have you lost your mind?!"

"I haven’t lost my mind, Sengoku. Look at the situation! Even if I don’t tell him, what difference does it make? If he leaves here without the answers he wants, sooner or later he will go looking for Laugh Tale anyway!"

Garp shook his head and strangely, grew calm.

He looked at Vladimir and said, "I only ask that once you learn what you want to know, you spare the lives of the countless soldiers and families here at Headquarters."

"Agreed. Speak."

"One Piece is real. It is hidden on Laugh Tale. But there are several difficulties you must overcome to reach it. First: you need the four Red Poneglyphs. Second: the island is plagued by a terrible, deadly virus. Third... the island itself possesses consciousness."

The island has consciousness?

Vladimir paused. He knew of only one similar existence — the All-Knowing Tree. That at least counted as a living being. But an entire island?

Thinking about it, he realized it wasn’t impossible at all. The Grand Line was full of bizarre, impossible islands. It wasn’t hard to believe one might possess a form of intelligence.

"Is the Tree of Devil Fruits located there?" Vladimir asked immediately.

"There is no such tree. Aside from Roger himself, no one knows exactly what lies on that island. But whatever it is you are looking for... it is there."

Garp looked exhausted. "I have told you everything I know. Now, you..."

"Relax. I don’t enjoy massacring people nearly as much as you think."

Vladimir grinned and glanced sideways toward the building. "Though... I’m afraid it’s already gone."

Where once stood the majestic Headquarters, the massive structure — including the words "Justice" carved into its walls — had completely turned into a cloud of rubble and dust.

"What a pity. Your Marine Headquarters is now nothing more than history."

"What a pity. Your Marine Headquarters is now nothing more than history."

As Vladimir spoke, the massive tornado — reaching up to the sky, swirling with debris, earth, and magma — slowly began to dissipate.

The Warlords trapped within all let out a collective sigh of relief. The six CP9 agents were completely drained of energy. Kalifa looked as if she had been granted a second life.

Before long, the winds died down completely, and the clouds cleared.

Sengoku reverted from his Golden Buddha form. He stared blankly at the ruins of the Headquarters, completely stunned.

With a heavy thud, he fell to his knees before the wreckage, crushed by the weight of this disaster.

Garp walked over, patted him silently on the shoulder, and said nothing.

The falling magma pooled together and slowly reformed into the shape of Akainu.

Fujitora remained silent. He slid his staff-sword in and out of its sheath, clearly itching to fight, but ultimately chose not to draw his blade.

"Perhaps this is for the best... I cannot see, but I can feel the sorrow of every marine here. This is the end of the old Navy. But Justice never vanishes. Only by admitting defeat can you move forward. Fleet Admiral Sengoku... there is still a long road ahead."

He whispered softly, as if offering comfort.

Sengoku closed his eyes in agony. In just a few short minutes, his jet-black hair had turned completely white.

"I am old. I can no longer lead the Marines in protecting justice. I am no longer fit for this position."

His voice trembled as he spoke. "I will personally report today’s disgraceful events to the World Government and accept full responsibility for everything."

"Fleet Admiral!" Countless officers cried out in distress.

Seeing this scene, Vladimir smiled faintly. "To be able to stand tall and accept full responsibility in such a situation... Sengoku, you truly are worthy of being Fleet Admiral. We in Phantom may not hold your organization in high regard, but I have great respect for you personally. In our homeland, there is a famous saying... Old soldiers never die; they just fade away."

He glanced at Doflamingo. "Let’s go. Until we meet again."

As soon as he spoke, he stepped forward. His body shot upward like a cannonball, soaring into the sky.

Behind him, four small tornadoes appeared, acting as propulsion. In the blink of an eye, he vanished at a speed comparable to a fighter jet.

"Fufufu... With the Navy in such a miserable state, once word of this spreads, all those monsters lurking in the New World will be trembling in fear."

Doflamingo swept his gaze over everyone below and chuckled darkly. "Sengoku... trying to oppose Phantom was the stupidest choice you could have made. This outcome... is actually the best possible result for you. Fufufu... Hahaha!"

Laughing wildly, he leaped into the air and followed Vladimir’s trail.

Once he was gone, the remaining Warlords and agents departed as well.

After all, they were pirates first and foremost. The state of the Navy was none of their business.

And strictly speaking, the Warlords were only affiliates of the World Government, bound by convenience, not loyalty.

____________________

For more advance Chapters visit my patreon

patreon.com/kane45

Tier: 10$ Casual Reader - +20 Advance Chapter

20$ Intermediate Reader - +40 Advance Chapter

40$ Expert Reader - +80 Advance Chapter

Update: "Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day"

"Saturday and Sunday - Off"