Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"..."
Behind a mountain of piled-up documents, Sengoku rubbed his throbbing temples.
Creak— The office door slowly swung open.
Tsuru walked in, holding a connected Den Den Mushi in her hands, her expression solemn.
"Sengoku, it's Kuzan."
Her voice wasn't loud, yet it was like a stone dropped into a calm lake.
"!!!"
Sengoku's head snapped up instantly, his eyes bursting with sharp light.
Buzz—
An invisible wave rippled out from him, spreading across the entire headquarters building.
His Observation Haki enveloped the area, ensuring that no one was eavesdropping.
Only after securing the space did he slowly reach out and take the Den Den Mushi.
The iron hand that had crushed countless pirates trembled ever so slightly.
"Kuzan…"
Sengoku's voice carried a deep, suppressed anticipation.
"Fleet Admiral, everything went smoothly!"
"The first shipment of gold has been safely deposited."
Aokiji's calm voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"..."
The office fell into a moment of dead silence.
Sengoku's fist clenched so tightly that his knuckles cracked softly.
Perfect.
The future of the Marines…
The independence of Justice…
Finally… finally, they had taken this critical first step!
Huff—
He drew in a deep breath, forcing his voice back to calm.
"Kuzan, be extremely careful with the next shipments. Not a single mistake can happen."
"Don't worry, Fleet Admiral."
Aokiji promised, "I'll personally escort every shipment until all the gold arrives safely at G-3."
"Good."
Sengoku hung up, handing the Den Den Mushi back to Tsuru.
He looked at his longtime partner of decades, trust and unspoken resolve flashing in his gaze.
Tsuru gave a small nod. "The internal channels for receiving and smelting the gold are fully secured."
"I'll personally oversee everything. Not a word of this will leak."
"Excellent."
Sengoku nodded firmly. "Notify Borsalino. Have him come here immediately."
"Understood."
Tsuru turned and left.
Moments later, a dazzling flash of golden light appeared out of nowhere in the office.
When it faded, Admiral Kizaru stood there, his expression lazy as always.
"Aiyaaa~ Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is really too much, you know~"
He dragged out his words languidly, sounding utterly drained.
"I just got back from the New World, and this old body of mine is falling apart. I can't keep running around like this~"
Kizaru slouched onto the sofa like a boneless jellyfish, half-lidding his eyes.
Sengoku ignored his theatrics and cut straight to the point: "Kuzan just called. The first shipment of gold is secure."
"…"
"!!!"
The laziness on Kizaru's face vanished in an instant. His half-closed eyes shot open, flashing with unprecedented sharpness.
Whoosh! He stood up straight, his usual slouch gone without a trace.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
His voice now rang loud and full of energy, a complete reversal from seconds ago.
"Which Yonko are we taking down first?!"
The money was in place!
What were they waiting for?!
He was itching to head straight into the New World and fire off a full-powered Yasakani no Magatama to celebrate the Marines' newfound financial freedom—and his increasingly fat bonuses!
"..."
Sengoku stared at Kizaru, who had just switched from "retired old grandpa" to "battle-crazed war machine," and rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Borsalino… this guy.
Gold's in place, so now you think you can beat up Yonko, huh?
However…
Sengoku suppressed his own excitement, speaking in a deep, steady tone: "It's not time yet."
"The Marine machine has only just begun to shift gears. We need time to adapt to the new pace… to build real power."
"As for the Yonko…"
A cold, sharp smile curved Sengoku's lips.
"Their time hasn't come yet."
"Then… what mission do you have for me, Fleet Admiral?"
"I'm heading to Mary Geoise."
"While I'm gone, you'll sit at Marineford and hold the fort. Cancel all external support missions. Handle any emergencies directly."
"Ohhh~"
Kizaru suddenly understood—it was babysitting duty.
"Easy enough."
This job was perfect.
No need to set sail, no endless traveling, just tea, newspapers, and full pay plus bonuses.
Flawless.
"I'll leave it to you then."
Sengoku stood, taking the Fleet Admiral's coat embroidered with the word "Justice" from the hanger, and draped it solemnly over his shoulders.
He stepped out of the Fleet Admiral's office without hesitation.
Before long, a massive warship departed Marine Headquarters.
...
Mary Geoise.
Atop the Red Line—the heart of the World Government's power.
Everything here was blindingly white, the towering structures piercing the sky as though they belonged to the gods themselves.
But beneath this divine façade flowed the filthiest corruption and darkest sins in the entire world.
Buzz—
A massive Marine warship cut through the sacred waters belonging to the Celestial Dragons.
Sengoku stood at the prow, his gaze colder than the depths of the sea below.
He stared at Pangaea Castle drawing closer and closer, and a flood of bitter memories surged like ghosts from the abyss.
For the Marines, he had endured humiliation here countless times.
But now…
The Marines had their own gold.
The Marines had their own future.
The Marines had Rayne Hawke.
This time, he wasn't here to beg.
He was here to settle accounts.
Clack—
The warship docked. Sengoku descended the gangplank, his steps heavy as mountains.
The CP agents stationed at the harbor stiffened when they saw his grim expression.
The Fleet Admiral they knew was always calm, composed, and unreadable.
But the man before them—the "Buddha" Sengoku—radiated unrestrained fury.
That invisible pressure bore down like a tidal wave, making their legs tremble violently. Some nearly collapsed on the spot.
"F-Fleet Admiral…"
The CP0 forced himself forward, voice trembling, trying to ask Sengoku's purpose.
"Move."
Sengoku's voice was flat, cold, absolute.
The CP0 froze like he'd been struck by lightning, not daring to breathe another word.
No one else tried to stop him.
All they could do was watch as the Marine Fleet Admiral strode past them, heading straight for Pangaea Castle.
...
Pangaea Castle.
Room of Authority.
The five old men sat around a massive round table, discussing matters leisurely.
"Financially, the recent 'Heavenly Tribute' collection has been fruitful."
"The balance of power in the New World must continue to be maintained."
These were the Five Elders—the highest authority in the world.
And then—
BOOM—
The two massive doors to the Hall of Authority slammed open with explosive force.
"Hm?!"
The Five Elders frowned simultaneously, their faces flashing with irritation.
Who dared to intrude upon them like this?
They turned toward the disturbance and saw Sengoku, Fleet Admiral of the Marines, walking steadily toward them.
"Sengoku?"
"What are you doing here? Who permitted you to enter?"
"Coming in without clearance, without reporting—this is contempt for the World Government's highest authority!"
"..."
Sengoku ignored them completely.
He walked straight to the round table, his gaze as sharp as blades, sweeping coldly over their aged, arrogant faces.
Inside, his heart was calm.
That calm was forged from unquenchable fury over his foster son's death—and the unshakable leverage provided by their hidden golden city.
SLAP— A crisp, echoing crack filled the chamber.
Sengoku slammed a thick stack of documents onto the table's center.
Inside lay undeniable proof of Vergo's identity—as Doflamingo's spy.
"Can the Shichibukai still be controlled or not?"
"If not…"
"Then kill them all."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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