Chapter 125: Chapter 123 Ripples of Victory
Satoru stumbled onto the warship, exhaustion evident in his steps. Klor quickly moved to support him.
"Sir, are you alright?" Klor asked, concern etched on his face.
Satoru waved off the worry with a weary smile. "Just spent a bit too much energy. Nothing to worry about."
As Klor helped him to a seat, the young officer reported the results of their mission.
"Sir, we eliminated three pirate crews—two from the Big Mom Pirates and one from the Beasts Pirates. The combined bounty is two billion berries."
"Good work," Satoru said with a nod, his voice quieter than usual. "Set course for the base. I need rest."
Back in his cabin, Satoru collapsed onto his bed. Before sleep overtook him, one thought lingered: *Hard power alone isn't enough to contend with the Four Emperors.*
---
The next day, Satoru emerged from his quarters, looking fully recovered. The G8 base was abuzz with excitement, fueled by the latest headline dominating the newspapers:
**"Admiral White Dragon Defeats Big Mom! Truth or Legend?"**
The article speculated whether Satoru's strength had surpassed expectations or if Big Mom's power was waning. Regardless, it sent shockwaves through the Navy and beyond. For years, the Four Emperors had seemed untouchable. Satoru's triumph shattered that myth, inspiring hope and pride among marines.
---
At Navy Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku examined the headline with furrowed brows.
"That kid defeated Big Mom?" he muttered, skeptical but intrigued.
"Of course, he did!" Zefa said with a booming laugh. "He's my disciple, after all!"
"Disciple? Hah! He's my grandson!" Garp chimed in, puffing his chest.
The two elder marines were soon bickering like schoolchildren, heads pressed together as they argued over who deserved more credit for Satoru's success.
"Enough, both of you," Sengoku said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is no time for petty arguments. The New World will be in chaos after this. Pirates will test the Four Emperors' power, and we'll need to maintain balance."
Vice Admiral Tsuru stepped forward, her calm demeanor steadying the room. "Satoru's victory is significant. It shows the world that the Four Emperors can be defeated. Trust in his strength to stabilize the situation. If necessary, we have other means to intervene."
Sengoku nodded but cast a pointed look at Garp and Zefa. "If things escalate, you two will go to the New World."
The two men immediately protested, throwing excuses about age and retirement.
"Enough!" Sengoku barked. "If neither of you wants to go alone, then you'll go together. End of discussion."
The room fell silent, and after a few moments, Garp and Zefa begrudgingly accepted their orders. They would soon be en route to the New World, ready to reinforce Satoru if needed.
---
Back at the G8 base, Satoru found himself the center of admiration. Marines whispered about his strength, glancing at him with newfound respect. He raised a hand, trying to quell the enthusiasm.
"Let's keep things low-key," he said, though the irony wasn't lost on anyone. How could defeating a Four Emperor be low-key?
The marines smirked but kept their thoughts to themselves. They knew Satoru's words came from humility, not arrogance.
---
Meanwhile, ripples of Satoru's victory spread across the seas. The pirate underworld buzzed with rumors, and alliances shifted as opportunistic captains plotted their next moves. In the shadows of the New World, Kaido brooded, his gaze fixed on Satoru's name in the paper.
The balance of power had been disrupted, and the seas would never be the same.