A trace of interest appeared in Sakazuki's eyes. "Did you catch her?"
The large-scale investigation into past connections with the Four Emperors had been meant only to fill gaps. Now it had yielded such an unexpected gain.
Carlo nodded. "She's been captured. We were lucky to discover her in time. The secrets and power within Red Hair's daughter are terrifying."
"I personally carried out the capture. Her adoptive father, Gordon, was also turned into a cyborg. He fully recounted Red Hair's kingdom destruction incident."
Sakazuki flipped through the records. The information was arranged in chronological order, with long gaps between most entries. Only the records from Foosha Village were frequent and detailed, described from many angles.
"Foosha Village…" he murmured. "That old man Garp's hometown."
Carlo replied at once, "Yes. It's Vice Admiral Garp's hometown. The information on Uta was also obtained there. The Red Hair Pirates stayed there for a long time. During the investigation, the locals were uncooperative, but there are always greedy people."
Sakazuki snorted. Harboring pirates…
He continued reading. The remaining records were from the Elegia Kingdom, where King Gordon's testimony described the destruction in detail. The more Sakazuki read, the deeper his frown became.
The ability to drag everyone who heard the song into the world of the Sing-Sing Fruit. Endless soldiers of song. An extremely difficult method required to break it.
Those were not the most dangerous parts.
The most dangerous thing was the Marines' newly developed Den Den Mushi. It could connect on its own and spread Uta's singing to others. If left unchecked, nearly half the world could fall under the control of the Sing-Sing Fruit's user and sink into eternal slumber.
Sakazuki narrowed his eyes. "As expected, wild ones are better off dead…"
Powerful individuals outside the Marines' control, especially those with twisted Devil Fruit abilities, were nothing but ticking time bombs. Betting that they were good people, or that they would not bring disaster to the world, was a joke.
Carlo asked, "Should we recover the ability?"
Sakazuki tapped the table lightly with his index finger and thought for a moment.
"When you captured them, did anyone see it?"
Carlo shook his head. "No. I used the Warp-Warp Fruit to take both of them away directly. We went straight to the secret research facility on Egghead Island. And in the ruins of Elegia, they were the only two left."
Sakazuki gave a faint smile. "Good. After all, she is the daughter of one of the Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks. Secretly executing her would be beneath her status…"
Carlo froze, his jaw tightening. "You're not planning to…"
Testing just how far the New World powder keg could go.
* * *
A few days later.
New World, the shores of the ruined Elegia Kingdom.
After landing, Beckman swept the island layer by layer with Observation Haki. But he found no trace of anyone. His heart sank.
Unwilling to give up, he searched the island several more times. Still nothing. Yet the signs of life suggested the disappearance was only a few days old.
"This is bad…"
With no other choice, he took out a Den Den Mushi and called Shanks.
Purururu~ Purururu~
The Den Den Mushi opened its eyes, and Shanks' voice came through. "How is it, Beckman?"
His tone was low. Based on their route, Beckman should have arrived that morning. The call coming in the afternoon only deepened the sense of dread.
Beckman took a deep breath, his voice heavy. "Uta and Gordon are both gone. Based on the remaining signs of life on the island, the timing matches when Big Mom mentioned the Marines were investigating the pasts of the Four Emperors… I'm afraid…"
There was a long silence on the other end. Then Shanks spoke slowly. "I understand. Come back as fast as you can. I'll think of something."
Beckman nodded. "Alright…"
They ended the call. Beckman retraced his steps, already prepared for the worst. Once someone fell into the Marines' hands, what good options were left…
* * *
New World, Whole Cake Island.
Big Mom sat on her throne, eating cake while reading the intelligence Stussy had sent.
"Mamamama~ So Red Hair actually has a daughter. How interesting. That explains it."
Why Red-Haired hesitated for a moment. Why Beckman of the Red Hair Pirates had mysteriously vanished recently. So there was a weakness after all.
The intelligence only confirmed the existence of a daughter. It did not reveal where she had gone. But that was enough.
Big Mom's mood lifted as she looked into the distance. "This time, you're the one in a hurry… Red Hair…"
* * *
Holy Land of Mariejois.
The Five Elders gathered together, a connected Den Den Mushi resting on the table. Warcury picked up another Den Den Mushi and dialed.
Purururu~ Purururu~
The call connected, and Sakazuki's voice came through.
After some casual talk about the recent state of the war, Warcury asked, "Sakazuki. The Marines have been investigating the pasts of the Four Emperors recently, correct?"
Sakazuki replied, "That's right. Why?"
The Elder continued carefully. "Was Red Hair's daughter taken by you. This matter is serious. It would be best not to—"
Before he could finish, Sakazuki interrupted, his tone intrigued. "Red Hair has a daughter?"
The Elders exchanged looks. This…
They could only push on. "You were investigating the pasts of the Four Emperors. Did you not find this?"
Sakazuki's voice came back calmly. "The investigation was merely to fill gaps before the final battle. As for this so-called daughter of Red Hair, we have not obtained any information on that. Did the government uncover something? If so, send over the intelligence later."
Warcury sighed inwardly. After a few rushed words, he ended the call.
He then looked at the Den Den Mushi that had been connected the whole time.
"You heard it."
Shanks' voice came through. "My apologies. I've troubled you all."
If this scene were made public, it would shock the world. One of the Four Emperors, Shanks, had an unclear connection with the highest authorities of the World Government.
* * *
New World, New Marineford.
Sakazuki hung up the call, his finger tapping against the desk.
Why would the Five Elders ask something like that?
Tap.
His finger stopped. A thought crossed his mind. He looked at Carlo with a faint gaze.
"Tell me. If Red Hair's daughter disappeared, who would assume it was us?"
Carlo looked puzzled from below the desk. "Red-Haired Shanks himself, of course."
Sakazuki chuckled softly. "Exactly. It would have to be Red Hair himself… This is getting more and more interesting…"
He stood up and walked toward the massive strategic map.
"How long until the reinforcements arrive in the New World?"
Carlo checked the latest reports. "If there's no extreme weather, the follow-up forces will need at least one and a half months to reinforce the front lines against Big Mom and Kaido."
Sakazuki narrowed his eyes, staring at the map.
"Then set the time for two months from now. As for Red-Haired Shanks' daughter… carry out a… public execution."
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