MM Racing Chapter 52 The Government's Fears, the Navy's Debate
Chapter 52 The Government's Fears, the Navy's Debate
The smoke from the battle in Mary Geoise had not yet dissipated, and the heavy stench of blood mingled with the acrid smell of burning buildings.
Amidst the ruins, surviving guards and slaves cleared away the rubble under the stern reprimands of the CP0.
Someone was carrying the "remains" of Celestial Dragons, pierced or burned by Noble Phantasms. Inevitably, they would spit on them when no one was looking.
Garin and his son Shamlock remained silent, Shamlock staring intently at his newly regenerated arm.
The three whip-like Command Seals were still there, but they seemed to have lost their connection with some kind of entity.
He clenched his fists, his eyes filled with resentment and humiliation.
Just as Garin Sei was about to speak, a voice that commanded utmost respect entered his mind.
"Summon Shamrock to see Mu..."
So he bid farewell to the Five Elders and, with his son, headed deep into Pangu City.
The Five Elders had no time to care about anything else; their faces were so gloomy they could drip water, and the air was filled with a hint of anger and an unspeakable fear.
Because that golden-armored guy wandered around the Holy Land like it was his own backyard, and he said he would come back again...
"Investigate! Use all resources! Dig up all myths and legends! We must find out the true name and weakness of that golden-armored hero!" Venus's voice was hoarse, and the hilt of the first generation of Onikiri was being squeezed so tightly that it cracked.
"Contact Vegapunk! We'll find the Master and the Servant as soon as possible for him to study. We need weapons that can counter them, now! Immediately!" Saturn roared at the communicator.
"Knights of God... all on standby! Prevent that golden-armored hero from returning." Mars coldly gave the order.
Saturn glanced at Mercury and Jupiter, who remained silent, and gave its final command.
"Notify the Navy that the target priority has changed. The highest priority is the Golden Armored Heroic Spirit, codenamed Tyrant. The second highest priority is Revolutionary Army Chief of Staff Sabo and his Heroic Spirit, codenamed War God! Kill them alive or dead!"
This time, they were truly afraid.
No matter how much the outside world promotes the wonder of the Holy Grail War, they, who are used to a life of luxury, can never experience it firsthand.
This time, even the Celestial Dragons were chosen to participate in the war, and even the Holy Land was destroyed by that arrogant Heroic Spirit, resulting in countless deaths and injuries.
Fortunately... fortunately, this incident occurred on the Red Earth Continent, just like when Dilt attacked the Holy Land back then, so no outsiders know about it for the time being... otherwise, it would have been a complete loss of face.
But is that really the case?
At the news agency, Morgans flapped his wings, his brow furrowed.
"That's strange... We should be getting some big news soon..."
Marine Headquarters, Marineford. The Admiral's office.
The atmosphere was as heavy as lead. A giant projection Den Den Mushi projected the horrific scenes from the holy land onto the wall.
In addition, Garp and Kuzan, who were in the East Blue and had not yet returned, were also thrown out.
"Oh my... how terrifying." Kizaru's eyebrows curved as if he were smiling, but there was no smile in the depths of his eyes.
Garp, meanwhile, was munching on a senbei (rice cracker), his tone even carrying a hint of schadenfreude.
"It's quite lively on the Holy Land, isn't it? After all, those guys wouldn't allow us to get close unless there was danger. It's not our fault, right, Sengoku?"
"A Heroic Spirit... just one Heroic Spirit..." Sengoku rubbed his forehead, looking as if he had aged ten years overnight, his voice filled with exhaustion and disbelief.
The Holy Land's defenses were practically nonexistent; even the Five Elders' personal intervention failed to stop it... Is this the monster summoned by the Holy Grail War?
Sakazuki slammed his fist on the desk, his raging fury almost bursting forth, and the office temperature soared.
"Do you see that?! This is the consequence of condoning pirates and heroic spirits! Absolute evil must be utterly destroyed by absolute justice!"
He suddenly stood up.
"Marshal! We can't hesitate any longer! The Navy must immediately and with all its might join the battle! Summon all qualified officers and mobilizing all resources to find the sacred relics and summon the heroic spirits of the Navy!"
"At the same time, issue the highest kill order against all known Masters—Straw Hat Luffy, Portgas D. Ace, Revolutionary Army Sabo, traitor Blackbeard Teach, and this 'Tyrant'! Eradicate them and their Heroic Spirits from the world at all costs! Even Mihawk, a Shichibukai, cannot be completely trusted!"
His words were like a red-hot iron, sizzling as they burned the air.
"Sakazuki, calm down." Kuzan, who had been silent all along, slowly spoke, looking out at the calm sea through the video Den Den Mushi.
"Summoning Heroic Spirits? Look at this 'tyrant,' his power is indeed terrifying, but what about his actions?"
Kuzan looked back at the town of Rogue, which was still under reconstruction.
"Indiscriminate slaughter, disregard for rules, completely out of control! Will we summon a warrior to protect justice, or another walking calamity? Can you guarantee that?"
His gaze was intense as he scanned Akainu through the image, filled with deep skepticism.
"In my opinion, the essence of the Holy Grail War is chaos and slaughter. If we get involved, we are likely not putting out a fire, but adding fuel to the fire, and eventually being consumed by the flames we set ourselves."
"Kuzan has a point," Kizaru interjected slowly, his finger unconsciously drawing circles on the table.
"That glittering 'Tyrant' San is terrifyingly strong! He even dares to demolish the Holy Land, and the Five Elders can't do anything about him. Just like Dilt-san..."
His tone remained nonchalant: "Even if we summon heroic spirits, controlling such beings... ugh~ just thinking about it gives me a headache."
"What if we summon someone who doesn't obey orders, or someone even more troublesome than him? Won't Marine Headquarters become the next Mary Geoise?"
His tone remained as usual, but the content went straight to the heart of the matter: the enormous risks brought about by the uncontrollability of the Heroic Spirit's power.
The Navy's involvement in the Holy Grail War could very well be like inviting trouble, with potentially disastrous consequences.
Akainu glared at the two: "Absurd! Throwing the baby out with the bathwater! Are we just going to stand by and watch these monsters and rebels run rampant and destroy the foundations of the world?!"
"Power itself is neither good nor evil; the key lies in who wields it! The Navy represents justice, and the Heroic Spirits under our control will inevitably be the sword of justice!"
"Kuzan, Borsalino, your weakness and hesitation only fuel the flames of evil!"
Garp paused his chewing for a moment: "Sakazuki, you're so eager to join the war, do you have any Command Seals? Judging from the fact that even the Celestial Dragons summoned Heroic Spirits, Dilt was right, the choice was decided by the Holy Grail."
"If it were Dilt, would that guy be able to resist killing a Celestial Dragon he saw? Hahahaha."
Sengoku's gaze shifted between the three admirals: Akainu's radicalism, Aokiji's anxiety, Kizaru's passivity, and Garp's instigation.
This represents a stark contrast in attitudes within the Navy when facing a crisis.
He felt unprecedented pressure, as if he were standing on the crater of a volcano about to erupt.
"Participating in the war is a must." Sengoku finally spoke in a deep voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable determination.
"The World Government's orders cannot be disobeyed; the Navy's duty is to maintain order. But..."
His sharp gaze fell on Akainu: "How to participate in the war must be carefully considered! Establish a special task force immediately, under my direct leadership."
"First: Select officers who are loyal, determined, and have the potential to participate in the war."
"Second: Utilize all intelligence networks to track down the whereabouts of 'Tyrant,' Luffy, Roger, Sabo and their Heroic Spirits, and Blackbeard Teach!"
"Third: Analyze the battles and abilities of all known Heroic Spirits to find possible weaknesses or countermeasures! Never act rashly before you have sufficient confidence to control the situation!"
He paused, looked out the window, and seemed to see Dieter smiling and inviting him to make his next move on the other side of the invisible chessboard.
"Forget it, if we find the 'Tyrant'... let's not provoke him for now. Deal with Sabo and Blackbeard first!"
This is a helpless situation based on the comparison of strength, and also a mature and prudent strategy.
"Next, it's your turn, Dilt."
On the sea, Vimana soared smoothly, while Gilgamesh leaned lazily on his throne-like seat, his pupils reflecting the blue world below.
The commotion at the holy site was nothing but a trivial farce, leaving behind only a deeper sense of... boredom.
However, just as this boredom was about to turn into restlessness—
hum!
A very subtle and indescribable "feeling" is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.
It felt like a sense of being on the same wavelength was triggered.
In the distant direction, there seemed to be another being, equally detached, equally looking down upon all living beings, and equally carrying a sense of "playing the game of life".
Its unique "wavelength" emanating from its very existence penetrated space and was clearly captured by the Hero King's perception.
"Oh?" Gilgamesh's crimson pupils instantly lit up with interest, and a genuinely pleased smile curved his lips.
"Interesting... truly unexpected. In this filthy courtyard, there is actually someone... a kindred spirit who can resonate with me...?"
That playful attitude of viewing the world as a chessboard resonated wonderfully with him.
"Hmph, it's your honor to have piqued my interest."
Without further hesitation, Vimana instantly changed direction and sped towards the direction from which the "resonance" came—the Beehive Island Heaven of the New World.