Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"So… you just came back like that!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked at Kizaru, who had just returned to report the situation, with a grim expression.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, it's already difficult enough for me to return safely. The other side has at least three individuals whose strength is not beneath mine!"
"If things went wrong, I could have easily been defeated there!"
Hearing this, Sengoku couldn't help but ask further:
"Are you sure their strength is not beneath yours?"
"I'm very sure. In fact, I suspect they are still hiding their true strength!"
Kizaru thought of the always calm Zhong Chen, and Zechien, who had fought him.
And there was that maid who hadn't spoken but gave him an absolute sense of danger.
He suddenly realized that the Monster Country Federation seemed a bit terrifying in strength.
"Three powerhouses not beneath your strength! The Monster Country Federation, huh…"
Sengoku recalled what Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who had called him earlier, had said.
The highest echelons of the entire Monster Country Federation consisted of three people: Rimuru, the King.
Zhong Chen, the Regent, and another individual whose position was reportedly 'Salted Fish.'
By the way, can 'Salted Fish' even be a position?
From Kizaru's physical description combined with the intelligence Tina had previously sent over,
Sengoku could already confirm that the young man should be the Regent of the Monster Country Federation.
Since the Regent and his accompanying maid both possessed strength not beneath that of an Admiral,
He didn't believe that the person in charge of military affairs in this country would be weak.
With such a rough estimate, Sengoku was suddenly startled by the result.
Good heavens, not counting hidden combat power, there were at least six Admiral-level powerhouses openly displayed.
If one were to estimate conservatively, hidden combat power would likely amount to at least two, making it eight… Even if he gathered all the high-end combat power of Marine Headquarters, he might not be able to muster eight Admiral-level powerhouses.
How did this country cultivate so many powerhouses?
The more Sengoku thought about it, the more irritated he became. He finally decided to leave such troublesome matters to the Five Elders. He then spoke to Kizaru:
"Alright, I will report this matter to the Five Elders. I'm afraid a war is inevitable! You must also be prepared!"
"Understood, then I'll head back first!"
Hearing Kizaru's words, Sengoku simply nodded. Seeing Sengoku nod, Kizaru turned and left the Fleet Admiral's office.
As soon as he walked out of the office, he started thinking about where to get a massage after work.
He had just fought a big battle, so he needed to relax properly.
Meanwhile, Sengoku carefully considered the chances of victory if the Marines went to war with the other side.
He realized that if they went to war, the best outcome would be mutual destruction.
Thinking of this, Sengoku couldn't sit still.
Although he was the Fleet Admiral appointed by the World Government, the Marine high command was not entirely aligned with the World Government.
He had to consider the future of the Marines. Thinking of this, he suddenly had an idea.
He took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed a number.
"Buru buru buru…"
"Hello! This is Kagaya Ubuyashiki!"
"Hahaha! Mr. Yaozai, it's Sengoku!"
"Oh my! A rare guest! Mr. Sengoku, what brings you to call me?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was very puzzled by Sengoku's sudden call.
Their Monster Country Federation shouldn't have caused any trouble recently, uh… they probably haven't caused much trouble, right?
"Actually, it's like this, just now…"
Sengoku recounted everything that had just happened at the Sabaody Archipelago to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, exactly as it occurred.
And upon hearing that Zhong Chen had kidnapped a Celestial Dragon and was about to start a war,
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's first reaction was to quickly prepare war materials.
And also to send people to disrupt Marine Headquarters to delay the Marines' mobilization speed.
Then, it was to have Benimaru quickly gather troops and prepare for battle.
As for blaming Zhong Chen for causing trouble?
That didn't exist. For them, as subordinates, they never asked why they had to fight.
They only knew that if the boss said to fight, then they would prepare to fight.
"So, Mr. Sengoku, what is the purpose of this call?"
"Heh heh! I was thinking that if our two sides go to war, neither of us might come out well. How about we do this…"
As Sengoku continued to explain his idea, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
He couldn't help but nod slightly, indicating his agreement with Sengoku's plan.
"Mr. Yaozai, what do you think of this plan?"
"Hahaha! Mr. Sengoku, I completely agree with your plan, but once a war starts, I'm afraid it won't just be the Marines deploying, will it?"
"The others…"
Hearing Kagaya Ubuyashiki mention "the others," a cold glint flashed in Sengoku's eyes, and he immediately said:
"The others? Haven't these people bravely sacrificed themselves for the World Government? I will definitely report to the World Government to apply for their compensation!"
Hearing Sengoku say this, Kagaya Ubuyashiki immediately smiled and continued speaking into the Den Den Mushi:
"Hahaha! Mr. Sengoku is absolutely right!"
The fate of the high-end combat forces that the World Government would later dispatch was thus decided by Sengoku and Kagaya Ubuyashiki in just a few words.
"Then it's settled!"
"Mm, settled!"
"Then I won't disturb Mr. Yaozai's work!"
"Alright! Then goodbye! Mr. Sengoku!"
Click… Sengoku, who had hung up the Den Den Mushi, finally let out a long sigh of relief. The Marines could finally avoid making significant sacrifices this time.
Companions who read this might ask, Sengoku is very loyal to the World Government.
How could he do something that betrays the World Government? In fact, all of this is still related to Tina.
Because Tina reported every little detail she observed in the Monster Country Federation to Sengoku.
From the Monster Country Federation, he saw a glimmer of hope to change this world.
Although he was loyal to the World Government, he wasn't blindly loyal.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have recommended Aokiji to be Fleet Admiral to contend with Akainu, who was recommended by the World Government.
Although Akainu, who later became Fleet Admiral, didn't seem to listen to the World Government that much either.
Instead, his words were full of disgust for the Celestial Dragons.
Sengoku, who had just hung up with Kagaya Ubuyashiki, took out another Den Den Mushi and dialed again.
"Hello, this is Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please connect me to the Five Elders!"
"Yes, please wait, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
The operator, hearing that Sengoku was looking for the Five Elders, dared not delay in the slightest.
He hurriedly took the Den Den Mushi and went to the Five Elders' office.
Soon, the voices of the Five Elders came through Sengoku's Den Den Mushi:
"Sengoku, you'd better have something important, and has Smulet been rescued yet!"
Hearing the Five Elders' impolite words, Sengoku frowned slightly, then said:
"I was just about to report this matter to the Five Elders…"
…Slime World, Monster Country Federation.
"Wow, is this Teacher Rimuru's country? It's so prosperous!"
"Kazuya, look at how unpromising you are, it's simply too embarrassing!"
The tsundere loli Alice, with her blonde hair, said to Kazuya with an expression that implied he was very embarrassing.
"Hmph, you're no different!"
Kazuya retorted without mercy.
"You…"
"Alright, alright, you two, don't argue anymore, it will trouble Teacher Rimuru!"
"Aren't we still going to see Teacher Shizu?"
Chloe (Kuroe), with a smiling face, quickly interrupted their argument.
"Hmph!"
"Hmph!"
Rimuru looked at the two little ones pouting at each other, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
Looking towards the city gate of the Monster Country Federation, he suddenly felt a sense of a wanderer returning home.
"Hehe! A Chen, I'm back!!!"