At the Border Port, the Left Minister, in front of Sephiroth, handed over five photos with a regretful face. "I'm sorry! We deployed all our forces, but... Fisher Tiger managed to escape."
Sephiroth looked at the photos, which showed Fisher Tiger with other Fish-Men, sailing with a pirate flag. "No problem! You've worked hard. I will report the full cooperation of the Ryugu Kingdom to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
The Left Minister smiled. "As an apology, allow us to escort you." He blew a whistle.
From the sea, a giant sea lion-like Sea King appeared, a hundred meters tall. "This is our Sea King. With its help, your ship will be pulled into the deep sea, and the journey to the Sabaody Archipelago will be faster and safer."
Sephiroth smiled. He realized this was also Neptune's way of helping. Otherwise, how could Whitebeard have arrived at Marineford so quickly? King Neptune must have been secretly helping him, Sephiroth thought.
The Marine ship was pulled by the Sea King, sailing smoothly to the surface. Two hours later, they saw the sun and the Sabaody Archipelago, which consisted of giant mangrove trees.
After releasing the Sea King, Sephiroth's ship sailed towards Island 60, the Marine base.
Sephiroth stepped onto the pier, ready to return to his office. However, a grim-faced young lieutenant junior grade, along with four soldiers, blocked his way.
It was Doro, an investigator from the Inventory Operations Group. Sephiroth had tricked him once before.
"Brigadier General Sephiroth, I am Lieutenant Junior Grade Doro, an investigator from the Inventory Operations Group," he said in a cold tone. "You must come with us to Marineford to assist in the investigation. There are some things we would like to ask you."
Sephiroth narrowed his eyes. Akainu must have called this man from North Blue... This man is quite strong and masters two types of Haki.
"I have some work to finish. Wait a moment," Sephiroth said, about to leave.
Doro sneered, blocking his path. "I suggest you come with us! The top brass at this base have already been taken for interrogation. If you are not cooperative, we will not hesitate!"
Smack!
Sephiroth delivered a hard slap, sending Doro flying and falling. Doro got up, blood flowing from his mouth.
"How dare you hit me!?" Doro shouted.
"Who are you? How dare you speak to me like that? Your boss, Akainu, couldn't do anything to me. What can you do?" Sephiroth challenged, his eyes burning with cold light.
A thin, contemptuous smirk was etched on the corner of Sephiroth's lips. His gaze was cold, briefly glancing at Doro, who was still staggering. He could clearly see the motive behind the lieutenant junior grade's actions: to undermine his authority in front of his subordinates, to destroy his dignity, and most importantly, to show off his power.
Sephiroth's mind wandered. This inventory operation was indeed led by Akainu as the executor, but the real control was in the hands of Sengoku and Tsuru. Doro was just a small pawn trying to get the attention of Akainu, the future Fleet Admiral. Fool! Sephiroth thought with a sneer. Since his relationship with Akainu was already strained, he no longer had a reason to be soft on his followers. If he let it slide, pawns like Doro would become even bolder in their attacks.
"Humph! Just you wait!" Doro finally growled, his eyes full of hatred, but he didn't dare to do more. Under Sephiroth's cold stare, he could only grit his teeth, get up, and leave Pier 1.
Sephiroth didn't care. He returned to his office and immediately asked for a report on what had happened during his three-day absence. After all the business was done, he took control of his Bat Doppelgänger, sending it to Marineford to "cooperate" with the investigation, while he himself disguised himself and headed towards Island 13.
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