HST: Chapter 106/107

Chapter 106: No Ambition

When Garp returned to his dog-headed warship, he found the Marine officers who had been knocked unconscious.

Silvers Rayleigh, who had been pretending to be dead, had vanished. The Straw Hat Pirates were also nowhere to be seen.

"Bogard, what happened?"

Garp sighed and woke Bogart.

"Vice Admiral Garp, Rayleigh woke up while you were fighting Caelan and watched the battle with Luffy and the others."

"When the battle ended, he knocked us unconscious and disappeared."

"It's our fault. We didn't keep our eyes on him."

Bogard lowered his head, guilt heavy in his voice.

"Don't blame yourselves. How could you keep watch over the vice-captain of the Pirate King?"

"This one's on me. I was too careless."

Garp sighed again, taking responsibility.

They had underestimated Caelan. They had thought that the strength of three top fighters would be enough to bring him down quickly.

But they never expected Caelan to be so powerful. He had fought evenly against the three of them, even returning from the brink of death to suppress them all.

"This time… the losses were serious."

Even for someone as cheerful as Garp, his mood was heavy.

Rayleigh escaped. Their 3.8 billion Berry bounty was gone.

Caelan escaped and took a candidate admiral with him.

Three top-level fighters couldn't bring him down. The Navy's reputation had suffered a huge blow.

Caelan had manipulated the Buster Call into bombarding the Celestial Dragons, triggering a conflict between the World Government and the Navy.

And the fallout from this incident was far from over. What would Caelan do next? How would they stop him? Would the pirates in the New World go on a rampage?

When Garp, Borsalino, and Akainu returned to Navy Headquarters, Sengoku's head was on the verge of exploding. He immediately convened a high-level emergency meeting.

"Bounty hunter Caelan Alaric destroyed the CP9 organization three days ago and attacked two Celestial Dragons today."

"Admirals Borsalino and Akainu, along with Vice Admiral Garp, were unable to bring him down. Caelan broke through their siege and abducted Vice Admiral Gion."

Sengoku's expression was grave, and every word he spoke made his heart ache.

The man he had once hoped to recruit had ultimately turned against the World Government.

What made it worse was the enormous cost of the mission.

After deploying so many elite forces, they had achieved nothing—no victory, and even lost a candidate admiral. Sengoku couldn't even describe the frustration he felt.

"How is this possible? He was fine before. How did things spiral into something so serious!?"

"Exactly! And two admirals plus Vice Admiral Garp couldn't beat him?!"

The room erupted into disbelief. Many officers were stunned and couldn't believe the report.

But the evidence was right in front of them—detailed battle reports, Akainu wrapped in bandages, Garp with bruises, and Borsalino looking completely drained.

They had no choice but to accept it.

"As much as we don't want to admit it, the three of us really couldn't defeat him."

Borsalino's face was partly hidden as he responded to everyone's doubts.

"Yeah, that Caelan kid's as strong as a monster!"

Garp laughed bitterly and nodded, hiding nothing.

Even Akainu, usually quick to anger, remained silent, only frowning in frustration.

A collective gasp echoed through the conference room.

The three top fighters of the Navy couldn't defeat Caelan. It was beyond anything they had expected.

Admirals were the strongest individuals within the Navy, capable of going toe-to-toe with the Four Emperors.

"To take on three of them at once… even the Four Emperors wouldn't dare claim they could do that. But he actually did."

Vice Admiral Momonga recalled the events on Jaya Island and murmured to himself.

Back then, he had been worried when Caelan clashed with Doflamingo. But now? Caelan had taken things even further—defeating Aokiji, and now holding his ground against two Admirals and a legendary Vice Admiral.

With such combat power, Doflamingo would probably wet himself at the sight of him now.

It was just a shame. How had such a man ended up on a collision course with the World Government?

No matter how disgusting the Celestial Dragons were, couldn't he have just endured it?

Momonga was filled with regret.

It was a loss that a man so powerful and righteous had become their enemy.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, what should we do?"

"Can we even fight Caelan, who was able to suppress Admiral Akainu and the others?"

Two vice admirals spoke up, their voices tinged with hesitation.

They understood how powerful Admirals were. For ordinary vice admirals like them, the gap was simply too large.

Caelan, who had held off three top-level fighters, had already become something beyond their understanding.

All eyes turned to Sengoku. Even Garp didn't speak. Everyone was thinking the same thing.

Three top fighters couldn't defeat Caelan.

Was that even reasonable?

A force like his had never existed before—not even among the Four Emperors.

But the facts were undeniable. The records, the witnesses, the injured—they all pointed to one conclusion.

If three Admirals couldn't bring him down… what could the Navy do?

Would they have to send every high-ranking officer to hunt him down?

And even if Caelan didn't escape, wouldn't he be able to kill at least two of them before dying?

If all their forces were tied up chasing Caelan, who would keep the Four Emperors in check?

The more they thought about it, the heavier the room became.

Sengoku scanned the conference room. It was shrouded in silence. The normally cheerful doves were quiet. The proud hawks looked defeated.

Half of the Navy's strongest had failed against Caelan. The blow to morale was immense.

Sengoku knew he had to do something. He had to rally them.

"Just a few days ago, everything was running smoothly."

"But now, after just two or three days, we've been reduced to this."

"Can the fate of the Navy really be determined by one man named Caelan?"

"Back then, Rocks D. Xebec was in his prime… and we still brought him down."

"This is just one man—Caelan. We can handle him!"

Sengoku slapped the table, his voice deep and firm.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"

The vice admirals were jolted back to their senses, their morale reigniting.

Countless monsters had risen in this sea. Many had dominated entire eras. But in the end, it was always the Navy that held the line.

Even Rocks D. Xebec, who once tried to overthrow the World Government, was ultimately eliminated.

Caelan might be terrifying now, but he hadn't even entered the New World. He wasn't on Rocks' level.

"Ah…"

Sengoku looked at the now-energized vice admirals and sighed inwardly.

He didn't feel as confident as he appeared.

Garp, Akainu, and Borsalino had all fought Caelan. They knew this morale boost was just talk.

In truth, none of them were confident in defeating Caelan.

The comparison to Rocks was apt. But unlike back then, there was no Roger to help them corner and eliminate Caelan.

The only consolation was that Caelan's forces weren't extensive yet. And unlike Rocks, he didn't seem to have ambitions of world domination.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 107: Eliminate

The meeting about Caelan dispersed, but Sengoku kept Vice Admiral Tsuru behind.

"Sengoku, if you're keeping me here, it must be about Tokikakke and Gion."

Tsuru sat down calmly, though her heart was turbulent.

Gion was like a child to her, she'd watched grow up. Now that Caelan had taken her, how could she not be affected?

"That's right."

"Although Gion and Tokikakke fell into Caelan's trap, they were still the ones who ended up killing two Celestial Dragons. The Five Elders have always been dissatisfied with us, and they won't let this pass so easily."

Sengoku's expression was solemn, his concern heavy.

Caelan wasn't just strong—he was also cunning.

He manipulated the Buster Call into bombarding the Celestial Dragons and even let the News Coo capture it all on film.

Now, the Five Elders would have no choice but to hand down severe punishment. And given the Navy's poor performance lately, that punishment would be even harsher.

"You want Gion to take all the blame?"

Tsuru's sharp eyes bore into Sengoku.

"Yes."

Facing her gaze, Sengoku wanted to say otherwise, but he couldn't.

"Tsuru, you know me."

"I watched Gion grow up too. If there were any other way, I wouldn't choose this."

He spread his hands, visibly helpless.

"Akainu is seriously injured and needs at least a month to recover. Garp is also down for now. Borsalino tried to slack off, but I forced him to keep working."

"Caelan's threat is massive, and the Navy's current strength is too weak. We really can't afford to lose another admiral candidate."

Hearing this, Tsuru closed her eyes in deep thought.

Indeed, as Sengoku said, the Navy was struggling right now and needed every capable fighter it had.

Besides, with Tokikakke's personality, if he were the only one punished, Gion wouldn't accept it.

She was smart enough to know this was the best move for the Navy.

Tokikakke would face a light punishment, nothing serious, and could still serve.

And since Gion had been kidnapped by Caelan, the punishment couldn't fall on her for now.

"Fine, we'll go with this for now."

"See how the Five Elders respond first. If it doesn't work, then let Gion bear the blame."

After saying that, Tsuru looked drained, as if all her strength had left her.

Gion was missing, and now more blame had to be put on her. She felt like she'd failed her.

"Tsuru, you don't need to worry too much. Gion's safety is still likely intact."

Sengoku tried to console her.

"Last time, Gion said Caelan invited her to join him. Aokiji also mentioned that Caelan invited him too, and didn't kill him."

"On Caelan's ship, there's Tashigi, who used to be with the Navy, and Kalifa, who used to be a CP9 agent. They both seem to be doing fine."

As he spoke, Tsuru's expression began to ease, but Sengoku's grew darker.

This Caelan clearly had his eyes on the Navy's talent.

"This bastard just wants to poach all our people!"

Sengoku cursed angrily, clearly dissatisfied.

But this time, he had misjudged Caelan. Caelan didn't accept just anyone. At the very least, he definitely had no interest in the deserter Koby.

Hearing Sengoku's outburst, Tsuru's mood lightened slightly.

Buru buru buru!

As they were talking, the Den Den Mushi rang rapidly.

Tsuru and Sengoku exchanged glances, already guessing the call was from the Five Elders.

"Sengoku, get here immediately!"

An angry voice came from the Den Den Mushi.

Under normal circumstances, Sengoku would have argued back, even if just a little.

But given how badly things had gone, he didn't have the energy.

"Yes, Lord Saturn."

Before he could say more, the call was abruptly cut off.

Sengoku sighed and departed by warship for Mariejois.

…

Mariejois, Pangaea Castle.

"Damn Caelan. Useless Navy!"

Saint Saturn slammed the coffee table in rage.

Everything Caelan had done enraged him beyond reason. He'd been furious for two straight hours and still couldn't calm down.

And the Navy? Despite sending so many, they had allowed Caelan to escape without consequence. What a bunch of failures.

"The bloodline of the Creators is sacred and untouchable. From this moment forward, he is the World Government's greatest enemy. Hunt him down with everything we've got!"

Saint Nasujuro gripped the first-generation Kitetsu tightly, filled with murderous intent.

Caelan had crossed the World Government's line. No matter what, he had to be executed.

He had dared to harm the Celestial Dragons. A criminal of such magnitude had to be made an example of to terrify the rest of the world.

"But we couldn't even bring him down with Akainu and the other two. We can't spare any more top forces."

Saint Mars's face was grim, filled with frustration.

Caelan had fought three top-tier combatants and still came out on top.

Unless they sent at least four admiral-level fighters, there was no hope of defeating him.

But even the World Government couldn't afford to dispatch that much power to deal with just one man.

The Four Emperors in the New World were watching closely. If the Government exposed any weakness, they wouldn't hesitate to strike.

"Are we just going to let him get away with it?"

Saint Saturn slammed the table again, even more furious.

They were being slapped in the face, and they couldn't even retaliate. It was humiliating.

The World Government's prestige was being ground into the dirt by Caelan.

"Damn it! If we could take action ourselves, we'd leave him without a burial!"

Saint Warcury's expression was dark with resentment.

The Five Elders, as one, were not just strong—they had extraordinary regenerative powers. If they could fight, they were confident they could bring Caelan down.

But they were confined to Pangaea Castle. Without Lord Imu's approval, they couldn't leave.

The rest of the Five Elders were equally furious. Each of them wanted to kill Caelan personally.

"If we can't handle Caelan for now, then we'll deal with the Navy first."

Saint Saturn spoke coldly.

The Navy's performance had been absolutely disgraceful. Not only had they failed to capture Caelan, but even Rayleigh, who had been in their grasp, had escaped.

And the Buster Call killing Celestial Dragons? That was unforgivable.

The Navy was just a dog of the World Government, a servant to the Celestial Dragons.

Even if Caelan had manipulated the situation, the fact remained—those "dogs" had killed their masters. That could not be tolerated.

"Eliminate those two vice admirals. The Navy must understand that the Celestial Dragons are inviolable!"

Saint Nasujuro raised his Kitetsu, his eyes filled with bloodlust.

The Navy, especially Sengoku's faction, had long shown discontent toward the World Government.

And the two vice admirals responsible this time were part of Sengoku's camp.

This was the perfect chance to send a message.

"Yes. They must be punished. And we should also consider replacing them with more obedient figures."

Saint Mars nodded in agreement.

Not only did punishment need to be dealt out, but replacements should be brought in—loyal ones.

"In my opinion, Akainu…"

Just as the Five Elders were discussing, Sengoku arrived.

(To be continued.)