Sengoku's tone carried a weight that made Vice Admiral Tsuru sigh inwardly.
She understood all too well how much pressure Sengoku had been under lately. Ever since the North Blue incident, the World Government had been breathing down his neck without respite.
"This time, we're talking about a meteor," Tsuru said, folding her hands. "You and Garp fought Shiki the Golden Lion before. Sure, he could hurl things—ships, seawater, whatever he wanted—but he never threw a meteor, did he?"
Sengoku's brow furrowed as he searched his memory.
"No… never."
He recalled his fierce battles against Shiki in the past, then nodded firmly.
"Even at the height of those battles, he never used anything like that. So this must be an unknown powerhouse. If such an ability had been used before, there would've been records."
Being able to drag down a meteor—that was no ordinary feat.
If anyone had ever demonstrated that kind of power, the entire world would've known.
And to be able to fight Don evenly? That alone said enough.
"Seems we're looking at one of those hidden monsters that roam the seas," Tsuru said quietly, exhaling.
"You and I both know this ocean is full of powerful figures who never sought fame—or simply chose to remain in the shadows."
"I'll have someone dig into this person's identity," Sengoku said gravely. "If possible…"
"Keep in mind," Tsuru interrupted gently, "that person is currently traveling with Don."
"Traveling together or not," Sengoku countered, "a strong ally like that is worth pursuing."
If Don couldn't be won over… then perhaps his companion could.
Tsuru gave a small nod and then shifted the topic.
"What about Crocodile? He's had contact with Don, hasn't he?"
Sengoku sighed. "That's true."
"Though he's been quiet for years, Crocodile actually fits the World Government's concept of the Seven Warlords better than most."
Crocodile's base of operations in Alabasta was no secret to either the Navy or the World Government.
And the fact that he lurked near the entrance of the Grand Line, hunting rookie pirates for their bounties, was also well known.
The original concept behind the Seven Warlords of the Sea was to balance out the influence of the Emperors, using powerful pirates to suppress others of their kind.
Compared to the others, Crocodile could almost be considered… diligent.
"There's no intel yet on why Don approached him," Sengoku muttered, frowning, "but given Don's previous attitude toward pirates and the Warlords, this time feels… different."
Then, as though struck by a sudden thought, Sengoku's expression darkened.
Tsuru immediately noticed. "You're thinking the same thing I am?"
She fell silent for a moment, pondering, before glancing back at him.
"The World Economic News won't miss this story," she said finally. "If we let that Morgans fellow run it, we can shape the narrative—make Don's 'Pirate Hunter' title even louder."
Sengoku hesitated. "…You're suggesting we feed him the story?"
Tsuru nodded lightly.
"He told Garp himself that he's a Pirate Hunter. If that's what he wants to be seen as, then let him become the Pirate Hunter—the symbol of it."
Sengoku let out a slow breath, then nodded. "Fine."
After all, the name "Pirate Hunter Don" was already spreading across the Grand Line like wildfire.
Alabasta.
Crocodile had already finalized his plan to move operations to the Sabaody Archipelago.
But before leaving, he made a personal trip to the canyon carved by Don's single slash.
Standing at the edge, he gazed down at the shimmering expanse. The once-sandy desert had turned into a vast crystal gorge, reflecting the sunlight so vividly it almost hurt to look at.
Crocodile narrowed his eyes.
"That strike…"
He tried to imagine the power behind it.
The molten sand, warped into strange shapes of glass and crystal—the frozen motion of flowing dunes turned solid in an instant.
"With just one swing…" he muttered. "Maybe he really can do it."
That single slash alone proved Don now stood atop the food chain of the seas.
Would he carve his way all the way to the New World?
If he didn't fall before then… his name would shake the world.
And when that happened, the Hunter Association would rise alongside him.
"To think I'd witness this with my own eyes… it's enough to make a man's blood stir," Crocodile murmured with a crooked grin.
"Where the hell else am I supposed to go?"
That was Issho's current thought.
The downside of being on a small ship was becoming painfully apparent.
As they sailed toward Little Garden, Don was "teaching" Robin how to use Armament Haki—guiding her closely, explaining the flow and reinforcement of energy.
Naturally, such training involved a good deal of physical contact.
And the process… was quite heated, to say the least.
Issho sat silently at the bow, his expression unreadable. His heart, however, was a mix of numbness and reluctant amusement.
Ah, youth.
So full of energy.
How wonderful.
"Speaking of which," Don suddenly said, releasing Robin's slender waist and turning toward Issho, "your ability could actually help me grow stronger."
"I'm asleep," Issho replied flatly. "Carry on."
"Ahem, I'm serious."
Don cleared his throat twice, his expression turning earnest.
In truth, the idea had struck him ever since meeting Issho.
After all, gravity chambers were a classic trope in many worlds—a perfect tool for powering up protagonists.
He could think of several stories: the one about the boy collecting mystical beads, or the one with the bald hero who fought monsters.
If others used gravity chambers, he had something even better—a man who controlled gravity itself.
"Training under extreme gravity will definitely enhance growth—for both me and Robin," Don said, stepping behind Issho.
Robin perked up at hearing her name, glancing curiously toward them.
"It's possible," Issho admitted, "but controlling gravity precisely is tricky. On a ship like this, it's too risky. The vessel could easily be crushed."
He understood Don's intent clearly.
He could, of course, apply gravity directly onto someone's body
but that force would still transfer through their feet to the deck beneath.
"For Robin, it might work," Issho continued. "Her physical form doesn't need to bear too much weight. But you? You'd need far greater force for real results. This ship couldn't take it. Not even a larger one would."
"I see…" Don nodded thoughtfully. Then, after a pause, he grinned.
"What if we build an all-metal gravity chamber—one that spreads the pressure evenly across the structure?"
Issho tilted his head slightly.
"That'd still be difficult. But… we could try. If the ship sinks, though, don't expect me to pay for it. I'm broke."
Don laughed. "Don't worry. If it sinks, I'll just fish it back up myself."
Issho froze for a second, then frowned.
"You do realize Devil Fruit users can't swim, right? Unless you've somehow overcome that weakness?"
"Eh… who knows?" Don replied with a faint smirk.
Swimming, huh? Isn't that something everyone can do?
END OF CHAPTER
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