Meanwhile, in the waters not far from the East Blue.

Onigumo’s room was covered in sword marks; tables, chairs, and cups were all shattered.

He held a long sword, breathing heavily.

“Rear Admiral Marcus is dead?”

“Damn it, how could someone of Luo Chen’s strength appear in the East Blue?”

“Marine Captain, Rear Admiral… I must kill him! If I don’t, my heart will not rest!”

Onigumo muttered to himself.

After a destructive outburst, he felt much better, but his killing intent towards Luo Chen grew even stronger.

Just then, a Marines knocked on the door.

“Vice Admiral Onigumo, are you alright? Fleet Admiral Sengoku is on the phone.”

Onigumo’s expression changed slightly. Fleet Admiral Sengoku calling at this time most likely meant he was inquiring about Luo Chen.

He had no choice but to open the door and take the Den Den Mushi.

“Find someone to clean this up for me.”

Onigumo said, then walked out of the room.

The Marines soldiers looked at the chaotic, ruined room, utterly astonished… Marine Headquarters, Marine Headquarters.

Warring States Period slowly hung up the Den Den Mushi, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes in silence.

He suddenly slammed his hand down on the desk in front of him in a fit of rage.

The mahogany desk instantly shattered into splinters.

Vice Admiral Tsuru happened to push the door open at this moment, exclaiming, “Why such a big temper?”

Warring States Period’s voice was full of anger: “Rear Admiral Marcus was killed by Luo Chen, Smoker was defeated, and the Loguetown Marines base was destroyed by pirates for the first time in history. The situation has begun to spread across the sea.”

Vice Admiral Tsuru’s expression also changed: “When did this happen?!”

“Just now,” Warring States Period said with a heavy tone.

Tsuru frowned: “What about Luo Chen? Has Onigumo not caught up to him yet?”

Warring States Period shook his head: “He should have entered the Grand Line. I have already instructed all branches in the Grand Line to keep an eye out for the Straw Hat Pirates. Once they are spotted, the Vice Admiral stationed at the base will lead troops to attack.”

“Onigumo has changed direction and is heading to the Grand Line to continue pursuing Luo Chen.”

Hearing this, Tsuru asked in confusion: “The Straw Hat Pirates? Isn’t that Garp’s grandson’s pirate crew? How would Luo Chen come into contact with them?”

“I’m not sure.”

Warring States Period sighed and asked, “Is there anything you need?”

Tsuru’s expression gradually became solemn, and she handed a sealed document to Warring States Period.

“Regarding Onigumo, I felt it necessary to investigate, so I had someone look into it without your permission.”

“Currently, although there is no definitive evidence, it has been found that Onigumo has some unexplained assets.”

Warring States Period listened, rapidly flipping through the document, his expression growing increasingly grim.

His chest heaved violently, the corner of the report in his hand crumpled, and his fingertips turned slightly white from the force.

After a long while, Warring States Period gripped the document tightly and looked up:

“So, Luo Chen might have been wronged? Is Onigumo really problematic?”

Tsuru sighed and nodded, “As it stands, the possibility is not small.”

Warring States Period trembled all over, and the document in his hand fell to the floor.

He bent down, extended a trembling hand, picked up the document, propped his elbows on his legs, and silently looked at the ground.

Tsuru let out a long breath: “Warring States Period, call Onigumo back for investigation now, and temporarily freeze the bounty on Luo Chen. Let’s make a decision after the matter is clear.”

Warring States Period didn’t look up, his voice low:

“But people have already died. Garlock died, three Marine Headquarters Colonels died, Marcus also died, and the Marines base in Loguetown was destroyed.”

“Have you seen the reports? A civilian named Genzo proved Luo Chen’s innocence by committing suicide in Loguetown, but the Marines has denied it.”

“If Onigumo truly is problematic, how will the Marines explain it to the world?”

“Will Luo Chen really let it go? The death of Genzo, and the deaths of hundreds of villagers, who will bear this blood debt? Me?”

Warring States Period covered his face with his hands, his voice filled with bewilderment and confusion.

Tsuru fell silent.

This was the first time she had seen Warring States Period in such a state.

In the past, facing Rocks, facing Pirate King Roger, facing the Four Emperors, he had never been so dejected and despairing.

“Warring States Period, things are still uncertain, but the pursuit of Luo Chen cannot continue. We cannot persecute an innocent person.”

Tsuru didn’t know how to answer Warring States Period’s questions.

But she understood that Luo Chen might be innocent.

“Tsuru, I seem to have made a mistake…” Warring States Period slowly raised his head, his eyes actually a little red, his resolute face filled with remorse.

Tsuru didn’t know how to comfort her old friend.

She had warned him, but if Warring States Period hadn’t had absolute confidence in his own management, things wouldn’t have developed to this point.

“Stop now, it’s not too late.” Tsuru sighed softly.

“I understand, Tsuru. Give me the personnel investigating Onigumo; I will personally investigate this matter.”

Warring States Period’s emotions seemed to gradually stabilize.

Tsuru nodded and turned to leave: “I’ll draft a list and give it to you shortly.”

After she left, Warring States Period’s internal struggle was incredibly clear.

He murmured, “My crimes should be enough to put me in the Impel Down, right? The first Fleet Admiral in history to be imprisoned in the Impel Down? Am I going to be ‘remembered forever’?”

After saying this, Warring States Period fell completely silent.

He slumped in his chair, gazing at the ceiling.

The white light reflected by his glasses obscured Warring States Period’s eyes.

After a long while, he dialed Onigumo’s Den Den Mushi again.

“Fleet Admiral Sengoku?”

“Onigumo, Luo Chen is utterly evil, trampling justice, harming Marines civilians, destroying Marines branches, and his crimes are unforgivable.” Warring States Period’s hand holding the Den Den Mushi trembled.

His voice quickly turned cold: “All Marines resources are at your disposal. Kill Luo Chen within fifteen days, otherwise, you will be court-martialed.”

“Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this…”

“Is there a problem?” Warring States Period questioned with a cold expression.

“No! Please rest assured! If I cannot kill Luo Chen within fifteen days, your subordinate will commit suicide in the sea.”

“Good, remember what you said.”

Warring States Period’s trembling hand returned the receiver to the back of the Den Den Mushi.

Between becoming the first Fleet Admiral to be imprisoned in the Impel Down and killing the weaker Luo Chen to silence him, Warring States Period chose the latter.

He forcibly ignored the condemnation of his conscience… and chose the latter.

The next moment, the Den Den Mushi in his hand fell to the ground.

Warring States Period looked at his constantly trembling hands, slowly clutched his head, buried his face, and let out a roar filled with hatred… At the same time, in the East Blue, in the waters near the Red Line.

Inside the Merry’s cabin, Luo Chen calmly sat at the table, drinking tea.

Nami was sitting close beside him.

Carina said anxiously: “Quickly control the rudder’s direction. We need to catch the ocean current to climb Reverse Mountain. If we miss the direction even a little, we’ll crash into the Red Line, and the ship will be destroyed, with everyone on board dying.”

Not far away, Usopp and Sanji used all their might to move the rudder, but found it wouldn’t budge.

Usopp quickly shouted: “The rudder won’t move!”

“How is that possible? Luffy, help them out,” Carina yelled.

Luffy, who was stuffing rice balls into his mouth, quickly swallowed them, stretched his arm to the vertical rudder, and forcefully pulled it.

“Crack—”

The wooden rudder snapped.

Usopp, Sanji, and Carina gasped in horror.

Zoro also looked stunned.

The rudder broke!

In an instant, the cockpit was in chaos.

Carina angrily pounded Luffy’s head with her fists.

Usopp and Sanji knelt on the ground, frantically trying to move the remaining few inches of the rudder.

Zoro ran to the doorway to observe the situation.

Nami’s pretty face was slightly pale, and she worried, “We won’t crash into the Red Line, will we?”

Luo Chen elegantly sipped his tea and smiled: “Don’t worry, you can help them figure out how to navigate.”

Luffy’s crew are the Children of Destiny, after all.

Luo Chen didn’t believe they would crash into the Red Line because of him.

Upon hearing this, Nami immediately got up and began to examine the nautical chart on the table.

She was also curious about how to enter the Grand Line.

And she was worried that Carina’s navigation skills were not mature enough, which could lead them into danger.