Chapter 97: Karp's Concern (Second Update)

When Luo Lan finished speaking, Sengoku fell silent, not knowing what to say. The words "Celestial Dragons' lapdogs" were harsh to the ear, but they were an undeniable truth. If that was Luo Lan's genuine conviction, Sengoku could understand it—how could a man who believed in justice ever protect those who sullied the very name of justice?

Even if headquarters had men like Garp who couldn't care less about the Celestial Dragons, that was only possible because of his strength and countless meritorious deeds. Had it been anyone else, the Celestial Dragons would have had the World Government dispose of them long ago. After all, the World Government's violent apparatus consisted of more than just the Marines—there was also their exclusive intelligence agency, the Cipher Pol organization, a group of people who worshipped the Celestial Dragons as gods.

"Marshal Sengoku, that is my true sentiment. It is only because I trust you and Vice Admiral Garp that I dare speak these words. If it were anyone else, I fear I wouldn't live to see tomorrow's sun."

Luo Lan spoke with sincerity.

"That's enough. I understand. You may go for now. I will carefully consider the proposal you've put forward, and I will give you a satisfactory answer."

Sengoku let out a sigh and spoke slowly.

"Yes, sir!"

Luo Lan's eyes brightened. Since Sengoku had said that, there was definitely a chance—he just couldn't get past his own reservations, which was why he said he needed to think it over, to slowly convince himself.

In that case, Luo Lan saw no need to say anything more. He saluted crisply, then turned and left Sengoku's office.

"What do you think, Garp?"

Sengoku rubbed his brow, seeming somewhat weary.

"I don't doubt Luo Lan's sense of justice, but I'm worried—will he end up on the opposite side of the World Government, just like my worthless son?"

Garp rarely turned serious. He stared at the door that had closed once more, and only after a long while did he speak slowly.

"Dragon? What a shame. If he had stayed in the Marines, he might well have earned a seat among the Admirals."

Speaking of Garp's son, Sengoku also felt a pang of regret. The Dragon of those days had been a vibrant young man full of justice, but after that incident, he became thoroughly disillusioned with the Marines, left, and established the Revolutionary Army with the oath to overthrow the World Government, becoming the world's most wanted criminal.

The reason Sengoku said he would consider Luo Lan's proposal was precisely because of the precedent set by Dragon. He was afraid that if he forcefully kept Luo Lan at headquarters, after witnessing too much of the World Government's and the Celestial Dragons' darkness, this man too would not hesitate to stand against the Marines.

Sengoku himself harbored no fondness for the Celestial Dragons who stood above the World Government, but in order to maintain stability across the world, he had no choice but to yield to the World Government.

If a branch commander could bind Luo Lan firmly to the Marines' war chariot, he would not be stingy. After all, this was a man who, at eighteen, possessed the strength to defeat a vice admiral of headquarters. If he continued to grow, who knew how far he might go? But if such a person ever became an enemy, he would absolutely be far more terrifying than Dragon.

"Enough. Since we've already decided to grant Luo Lan's request, let's first help him find the best location to build a new base."

Sengoku sighed.

For some reason, the Marshal's seat he had once dreamed of now seemed like an ungrateful, thankless position. On one side, he had to communicate with the World Government; on the other, he had to placate the Marines below. It was truly too difficult.

"Alright then, you have a good look. I'll be heading down."

Garp walked over to Sengoku's side and casually helped himself to another bag of rice crackers from the drawer.

Good thing he wasn't the Marine Marshal, nor an Admiral—he didn't have to worry about all that hair-pulling business.

Ignoring Garp's antics, Sengoku now devoted his full attention to finding a location for the new branch base. If supplies could be conveniently shipped to the New World, he would absolutely have placed the new base there. After all, in the New World, they currently only had a single G-5 branch, unable to cover the entire sea—which had turned the region into the Four Emperors' private garden.

With Luo Lan's strength, if he could truly gain a foothold in the New World, he would definitely become a nail they'd driven into that sea. Perhaps then, the long-cherished aspiration of completely sweeping the pirates away could finally be fulfilled.

"What if it were here?"

Sengoku picked up his pen and circled an island on the map, then fell into deep thought. After weighing the pros and cons, his eyes suddenly lit up as well. It seemed establishing the base here was indeed a fine choice.

"Why is Luo Lan taking so long? Could something have happened?"

Aboard the warship, Nami, who had refused to leave, gazed worriedly at the large building. That Admiral earlier had given her a very bad feeling.

"This is headquarters, Nami. Don't think too ill of those people."

Zoro looked a little exasperated. Was this what they meant by love clouding one's judgment? Someone as shrewd as Nami, and yet she was losing her head over something like this.

Although Teach's group had attacked them earlier, Zoro was still well aware that even for the sake of their so-called reputation, the Marines would never harm an officer who had come to report right here at headquarters.

If word of that ever got out, how many people would still dare to join the Marines in the future?

So Zoro wasn't worried about Luo Lan's safety. He was only waiting here to keep Nami company.

Penglisi had already left with the wounded Marines and the corpses, as Luo Lan had instructed—people first. Now, there were only the four of them here, plus a few Marines.

About forty minutes later, Nami finally spotted a familiar figure slowly approaching through the dim twilight, and she immediately rushed forward.

"Luo Lan! Are you alright?!"

Nami's voice trembled with tears as she clung tightly to Luo Lan, as if the moment she let go, he would vanish.

"What could possibly happen to me?"

Luo Lan smiled and gently ruffled Nami's hair to comfort her.

His goal had more or less been achieved. Now, all that remained was to wait for good news. He believed that after hearing his words, Sengoku would surely agree to his request. When the answer would come was merely a matter of time—because before him, there was already a living example on display. Sengoku could not possibly have failed to think of it.

"Alright, take me to my quarters. Have Penglisi come see me tomorrow."

After comforting Nami, Luo Lan looked to the few Marines and spoke.

Though this was his first time at Marine Headquarters, Smoker had mentioned to him that any officer of field-grade rank or above could be assigned a house with a courtyard, precisely to accommodate the families of those officers. So from the very beginning, Luo Lan had never worried about lacking a place to stay here at headquarters.

"Yes, Captain Luo Lan!"