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Sengoku is left alone in silence after Garp slammed the door. That old friend of his holds so much childishness act in him and for some reason, Sengoku could understand why. Perhaps Garp is right with what he said. Or it could be Sengoku failed to execute it the right way.
Whatever the right way could be.
Fighting for justice isn't easy, yes, Sengoku had fought for so long. But it shouldn't have become this complicated. Was it his fault for taking note of different meanings for justice in his vocabulary?
He'd taken mental notes of it.
Kuzan stated long ago to him his idea of justice. "The thing called justice changed its shape depending on where you're standing."
Just a few days ago in the middle of war Sengoku heard Donquixote Doffamingo yell, "Justice will prevail, you say? But of course, it will! Whoever wins this war becomes justice!"
Both are right. Sengoku had stopped debating on what justice is long ago. The discussion will never end unless, well, someone wins in a way.
Justice is an abstract concept yet it's a thing. One can shape it to their desire, to their need, to fulfill their ego, and it will become right. The truth may be only one but the reality is also the truth. Everyone can have their own justice which ironically led to injustice. The strong wins. The majority wins. The list goes on in a circle.
And so, Sengoku relies on his morality. A compass he can hold on to at any time. He needs his brain to think through, sort things in order, and label values and the rest has to be judged with logic. Funny fact, Sengoku admits how his devil fruit helped him grow patience but the other? Not so much. It makes him have to calculate fairly.
As if he's a literal God. He's not.
He's a human and he's tired.
Be it because of his old age, said it was because he's not suited anymore to the new age, Sengoku wants to use any of the reasons to stop. He's had enough.
"This is a perfect time for me to retire." He told Garp five minutes ago over evening tea. "How about it, Garp? We should retire." Was it a bad attempt of asking Garp? He's failed to convince Tsuru before.
It was not. Garp was on board with him to retire from the Marines. They've done plenty enough. The years, all of them, should be sufficient. It was the next plan that poked Garp at the wrong spot.
Sengoku might or might not have suggested they move somewhere unknown. Not the East Blue, no. It's Garp's homeland. Anywhere else is fine. Where they can rest. Forgetting about the world for a while-
Garp accused him of running away. The thing about Garp that Sengoku knows well is, that Garp loves his family. Garp didn't say anything related to his family but Sengoku assumed it was related to his grandson.
"Is your idea of retiring mean running away, Sengoku?"
That time, Sengoku realize that he might've sounded it wrong. He's been in the Marine long enough he doesn't want to leave. Was the timing wrong? Was Garp thinking of something else?
Sengoku can't wrap his head around the matter. He'd talked to Kuzan about his retirement plan and his idea to recommend him to become the Fleet Admiral. It doesn't take a long time to convince Kuzan.
And now? He will need as much time as he could.
Sengoku sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Still, this won't stop him from retiring soon. There will be ways, surely. He's friends with decision-making and knows what will be suitable for him.
He picked up the glass from his desk only to feel the tea has gone cold.
The next day, both Sengoku and Garp announced their retirement officially. It wasn't in Sengoku's calculations but maybe Garp has predicted this. So far they've followed the plan before they had the disagreement.
In split seconds, Sengoku has thought of plans on what to do next. He could convince Garp once more. Sengoku is thinking of a proposal that Garp could agree with. Since they can't just leave the Marine, maybe they can stick around longer in another way.
It seems like the World Government listened to his prayer and granted them a proposal they can't refuse. Not unusual coming from them. Sengoku knows how well they work.
That proposal, or threat, was exactly what they need. What Sengoku wanted.
They find themselves in Sengoku's office - at least they can still use it for the day - after coming down from the Pangea Castle. Teas and rice crackers are on the table. Garp is munching without any care.
"I know they won't let us go that easily. Those old men," Garp said before taking another bite. He sounded angry but his face is relaxed. As one can expect from Garp, as Sengoku knows from him.
"We'll be a threat to them otherwise."
The World Government had appointed him to be an Inspector General and Garp to be an Instructor. Both are of high rank- in Garp's case is because he's retaining his rank as a Vice Admiral. This is a funny conclusion to their quarrel.
They're retired, but not really. Too many ways to look at this situation. What even is retiring at this point? Sengoku suppose he could just make the new Fleet Admiral work twice harder.
Sakazuki nominated himself to be the new Fleet Admiral. So, there will be a decisive battle between him and Kuzan. Both are qualified for the seat after all. The only thing can decide now is their power. Sengoku is torn between supporting only one of them but let's save it for another day.
Garp's still eating. "I'm not complaining."
"Doesn't sound like it."
"You are no better, Sengoku."
Sengoku shrugs. "We're still part of the Marine. Now what?"
"Like hell I know," Garp spat. He wiped his mouth with the fabric of his sleeve. "I get what you mean by leaving completely," he suddenly continues after silence, "but something about it doesn't click with me. I feel like there's something I can do with this old body."
"That is?"
"I have to fix something. I have to do something. Like that?"
Sengoku folded his arms. He gets the gist of what Garp's trying to say. Garp wasn't the brightest at choosing words to say. Now, he too feels like he overlooked something.
There should be something in his vocabulary. What is it? Is there really something left they have to do? In the Marine where they could justify their action?
"Ah-" Sengoku blinked, "is it redemption?"
"Wha..?" Garp turned his face at Sengoku with a look of disbelief then scrunching his face. "Are you for real?"
"Eh, that's not it?"
"In this age, Sengoku? Really?"
"Garp, you bastard. You're starting to really get on my nerves." Sengoku curled his hand into a fist.
"HAH!" Garp laughed. "We don't have to think about this so seriously. Come on, we're ordinary retired old men now."
Sengoku squinted his eyes in suspicion. He leaned to the couch and arms folded again. That old friend of his holds so much carefreeness in him and sometimes, Sengoku envies it. Perhaps Garp is right to act that way. Or it could be Sengoku just have to start behaving so.
"Oi, Garp, give me the crackers." Sengoku reached out for the bag of rice crackers in Garp's hand. The other is pulling it away and they're about to start another quarrel.
Sengoku is keeping a note of one thing.
Redemption can be done later.