Chapter 53: Standing Out in Marineford #53
"I'm sticking out like a sore thumb," I muttered to no one in particular as I jumped over the ship's railing and landed on Marineford's crescent port, receiving more than a few strange looks from the Marines as I was the only one in civilian clothing.
"It can't be helped... after all, you have yet to get your uniform and official rank," Bogard said as he walked up to me. "You'll fit right in once you're in uniform, I'm sure," he added with a shrug.
"Well, now that you mention it," I said, clearing my throat as I noticed Vice Admiral Garp approaching us from the corner of my vision. "How about you take me to get a uniform right now?" I added with an urging expression as I looked at Bogard.
"I can't wait to get—" I went on, stopping halfway through my sentence as the vice admiral closed the distance and cut me off, picking me up by the nape of my jacket.
"Not so fast, brat," Garp said with a beaming grin as he looked down at me. "It's been a while since we got a good recruit... I need to rub it in those damned pirates' noses," he added with a chuckle, and I could only bitterly sigh as I looked at Bogard with an unspoken plea for help.
The vice admiral's aide merely shrugged.
...
The Marineford Tower
The Fleet Admiral's Office
Hearing his door suddenly open, accompanied by the sound of footsteps, Fleet Admiral Sengoku frowned and turned away from the paperwork on his desk, prepared to scold whoever was bold enough to barge into his office without permission.
The fleet admiral's expression only worsened as he watched Vice Admiral Garp leisurely walk into the room with the biggest shit-eating grin splitting his face.
"You're late, Garp," Sengoku said with a frown, pausing again as he saw a blonde, tall young man walk behind the vice admiral. "And who is this young man you brought with you?" he asked, his frown intensifying as the young man smiled sheepishly.
"If you've got a complaint, take it to Impel Down... they didn't open the Gate of Justice," Garp carelessly replied as he opened a cupboard near the wall and retrieved a pack of crackers, much to the Fleet Admiral's annoyance.
"And this here is Cedric... the brat Sicily talked about," the Vice Admiral said, stuffing his mouth full of Sengoku's crackers as he spoke. "Do you want a cracker, by the way?" He asked as he extended the bag toward the Fleet Admiral.
"No, I don't want a goddamn cracker," the Fleet Admiral said, holding his forehead with a bulging vein already showing. "What I want to know is what this young man is doing in my office?" He added, barely holding in the urge to shout.
"I was about to get to that... you see, the brat here is much better than Sicily said," Garp remarked as he forcefully patted the young man's shoulder, causing him to wince in pain. "I'm taking him to the meeting to rub him in those damned pirates' noses," he added, sounding too proud of himself.
"Assuming he's as talented as you think he is... why do you even think showing him off to pirates is a good idea?" The Vice Admiral asked with a resigned sigh, his anger seemingly evaporating, only to be replaced by exasperation.
"That's what I said... I don't wanna be in the same room--" Cedric exclaimed, attempting to voice his opinion, only to be cut off as the Vice Admiral playfully slapped him on the back.
"Those damned pirates know they can't mess with us right now... we need to show them that they can't mess with us in the future too," Garp proclaimed, sounding excessively proud of himself. "What do you think? It's a great plan, right?" He asked, puffing his chest. The Fleet Admiral appeared to consider his words, much to Cedric's dismay.
"Please, sir, don't listen to him. He only wants to--" Cedric began, only to be interrupted by another playful slap from the Vice Admiral, leaving him with a despondent expression.
"I make it a point not to listen to fools, young man," the Fleet Admiral remarked, turning his attention to Cedric. "But I don't have time to argue with the one beside you," he added, gesturing toward the Vice Admiral, who simply chuckled without taking offense.
"Let's go... the meeting will start soon..."
...
The meeting room
The room was silent, except for the sharp, cracking noise and dull thuds emanating from two Marine captains engaged in a fierce battle, their expressions filled with horror, as if they were not in control of their own actions.
Kuma The Tyrant observed the two Marine officers fighting with absolute disinterest, while Donquixote Doflamingo stood on the balcony, gleefully spectating the clash.
"This is your doing, isn't it, Doflamingo?" one of the captains growled through gritted teeth. "Do you find this entertaining, you sick bastard?" he asked, continuing to attack his colleague as he spoke.
"Yes, actually..." Doflamingo shamelessly replied, leaning over the balcony's railing. "I've grown bored waiting for this shindig to start, and until it does, you will serve as the entertainment..." His grin deepened as he wiggled his fingers like a puppet master.
"It is your duty as the host to entertain guests, after all..." Doflamingo added with a chuckle, observing as the two captains drew their swords, preparing to slash each other.
"Enough of your charade, Doflamingo. There's no time for this," a voice suddenly exclaimed authoritatively, interrupting the spectacle. Doflamingo turned to investigate, maintaining his grin.
Doflamingo released the captains, watching as Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and a young man in civilian clothing entered the room, their footsteps echoing.
"Now, sit down..." the Fleet Admiral commanded as he headed for his seat, followed by Garp. The young man remained near the entrance, observing from a distance without getting involved.
"We have urgent matters to discuss," Sengoku stated as he took his seat, eyeing the warlord who stood near the table with his hands in his pockets. "I apologize for the delayed welcome..." he continued, a mocking smile adorning his face. "Thank you for coming, scum of the sea..."
"Oh, thank you. How thoughtful of you to use my formal title like that, Fleet Admiral..." Doflamingo retorted, his tone dripping with mockery as he refused to sit down.
"Let's begin... I doubt any more of the Warlords plan to attend..." the Fleet Admiral remarked calmly, disregarding Doflamingo's comment. "To be honest, two out of seven is more than I expected..." he added with disinterest.
"Smart man... I didn't plan on showing either," Doflamingo calmly stated as he gracefully climbed over the round table. "One of the discussion topics happened to pique my interest, that's all," he added with a chuckle, casually shrugging his shoulders.
"That's enough out of you, pirate..." Garp interjected, his voice firm. "I don't have all day, so let's hurry up and get this over with," he continued, resting his feet on the table and opening a pack of crackers, stuffing his mouth.
"I, too, would like to commence the meeting as soon as possible," Kuma spoke in his calm and soothing voice, causing a few eyebrows to raise, as he rarely expressed his thoughts. "I still have several errands to attend to," he added, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"If the great hero of the Marines and the Tyrant Kuma say so, then we can only oblige," Doflamingo said, grinning mischievously. "But before we begin... who is the brat?" He directed his sharp gaze towards the young man leaning against the wall near the entrance of the meeting room.
Sengoku frowned at Doflamingo's words, preparing to reply, but Cedric, the young man, spoke up before him, much to Garp's delight. "Cedric Strode, a new marine recruit," he introduced himself, drawing an instant grin from the vice admiral. "I'm just here to observe and learn."
"Watch and learn, you say?" Doflamingo laughed, holding his forehead. "This isn't a place for children to play," he added, revealing the bulging vein under his hand as he removed it.
"Beat it, brat," Doflamingo exclaimed, activating his Conqueror's Haki and releasing a shockwave that instantly rendered the two marine captains unconscious, along with several other officers.
Despite being the primary target of the shockwave, Cedric appeared unfazed, though a frown creased his face and bead of sweat tricked down his forhead as he retorted, "That's not for you to decide... if you have a problem, take it up with Vice Admiral Garp," He said,his voice determined. At his words, the vice admiral burst into laughter while Sengoku simply palmed his face in exasperation.
"Not bad, brat," Doflamingo remarked, genuinely amused as he relaxed his expression. "How about it? Do you want to abandon the Marines and join my family instead?" He leaned his face on his fist, causing Garp and Sengoku to furrow their brows at the warlord's audacity.
"Nope."
...
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