Marineford — Naval Headquarters — Fleet Admiral's Office
Steel-Bone Kong sat buried beneath a mountain of documents, the steel pen in his hand scratching steadily across the pages with a dry, rasping sound.
Across from him, Sengoku wore the same deeply furrowed brow as he flipped through the latest reports from the seas.
Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, spilling across the desk in a wash of golden brilliance—but it did nothing to dispel the heavy, oppressive atmosphere hanging over the room.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi on the desk let out a sharp "Buru-buru!", shattering the silence.
Kong looked up. When he saw the insignia marking it as a call from the World Government, his brow tightened. He hesitated for a moment before finally reaching out and picking it up.
"This is Kong. Fleet Admiral's Office, Marine Headquarters."
"Fleet Admiral Kong."The Den Den Mushi's expression snapped into a cold, emotionless mask, perfectly mimicking a CP0 agent's face."Emergency intelligence."
Kong's gaze hardened, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the receiver."Speak."
"According to the CP organization's latest investigation, the Roger Pirates formally disbanded three days after departing Laugh Tale."
The voice was icy, mechanical."'Pirate King' Gol D. Roger himself has vanished. His whereabouts are currently unknown.The remaining crew members are believed to still be under the leadership of 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh, but their precise movements have yet to be confirmed."
"What?!"Kong shot to his feet, his chair scraping violently across the floor.
Sengoku froze as well. The file in his hands slapped loudly onto the desk.
"This intelligence—"
"The source is reliable," the Den Den Mushi interrupted."The Roger Pirates disbanded on Baterilla Island in the South Blue. Roger left alone and disappeared without a trace.The World Government demands that the Marines immediately begin an investigation to determine Roger's true intentions."
"Disbanded?!"Kong's expression darkened like a gathering storm, his clenched fist crackling ominously."A man who's just become 'Pirate King'—how could he abandon everything so suddenly?!"
The Den Den Mushi fell silent for a moment before continuing."The Five Elders suspect Roger may have learned some form of 'dangerous secret.'One that could threaten the stability of the World Government itself. Therefore—"
"The Marines are ordered to act immediately."
(Ever since Gern once beat Saint Gringud into howling misery, CP agents have been unusually polite toward the Marines.)
"Understood."Kong's reply was cold and clipped. He hung up the call.
Silence returned to the office.
Sengoku stared intently at him."Fleet Admiral Kong… something about this feels wrong."
"I know."Kong exhaled slowly and sank back into his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the desk."Roger isn't the type to give up so easily. For him to disband his crew after becoming Pirate King—there has to be a deeper reason."
Sengoku adjusted his glasses, his voice grave."Perhaps… he really did discover something."
Kong's pupils tightened for a fraction of a second before smoothing back into calm."Whatever he discovered, the Marines can't afford to ignore it.Sengoku—summon every Vice Admiral and above currently at headquarters. We're holding an emergency meeting."
Sengoku nodded and immediately reached for another Den Den Mushi.
Kong stood and walked to the window, gazing out toward the distant horizon as though trying to pierce the clouds themselves.
"Roger…" he murmured, his voice weighted with unprecedented gravity."What are you planning?"
A short while later, Sengoku set the Den Den Mushi down and stepped beside him.
"I've sent out the notices. The meeting will begin in thirty minutes.However… nearly all of our top-tier combat forces are currently deployed. Aside from you and me, no one else is at headquarters.Garp is out on patrol as well—we haven't been able to reach him."
Kong snorted."That idiot's always missing when it matters!"
Sengoku let out a dry chuckle before turning serious again."Fleet Admiral, if Roger truly possesses the kind of 'secret' the World Government fears—and if he was willing to disband his crew just to vanish—then his objective may be far more dangerous than we anticipate."
Kong fell silent. Then, suddenly, he turned, eyes blazing.
"Sengoku… do you think he's trying to 'open' something?"
Sengoku stiffened, instantly grasping the implication. His face drained of color."You mean… like Rocks?"
"No. Roger isn't Rocks."
Kong shook his head. Years as Fleet Admiral had given his gaze a far longer reach."Rocks sought pure destruction and domination.But Roger… his actions always carry intent.
"If he truly discovered something on that so-called 'Laugh Tale,' then his next move may completely reshape this world."
Sengoku's breathing grew shallow as countless possibilities flashed through his mind."We have to find him—before he acts!"
Kong nodded, resolve flashing in his eyes."Inform CP. Full cooperation with the Marine intelligence network. We locate Roger as quickly as possible.And tighten surveillance across all seas—especially for the Oro Jackson."
"Understood."Sengoku recorded the orders swiftly, then hesitated."Fleet Admiral… should we notify Gern?He just completed the Dragon assignment in the first half of the Grand Line. We could recall him to headquarters as emergency combat power."
With the Roger Pirates disbanded, Roger vanished, and most high-level forces deployed, headquarters currently had only retired Zephyr, Sengoku, and himself.
If Gern returned, he could indeed serve as crucial backup.
After a moment of thought, Kong nodded."Fine. His mission report hasn't been submitted yet anyway. Have him return to report in person.As for Roger… we'll decide our next steps after the meeting."
Sengoku's eyes flickered, as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end he simply nodded."Yes, sir."
Outside the window, the sky darkened as heavy clouds began to gather, heralding an approaching storm.
Kong stood motionless before the glass, his broad back carrying an immense weight.
"Sengoku… I have a feeling," he said hoarsely,"that this world is about to change."
Sengoku stood silently behind him, the reflection of the gloomy sky mirrored in his lenses.
"Indeed. No one reaches the summit only to abandon it without reason…What exactly is Roger trying to do?"
...
Elsewhere — On a Merchant Ship
Sea wind heavy with salt swept across the deck as the Den Den Mushi in Tesoro's hand slowly closed its eyes.
"Vice Admiral Gern."Tesoro turned, lowering his voice."Admiral Sengoku has ordered us to return to headquarters immediately.The Marines have confirmed the Roger Pirates' disbandment.The Fleet Admiral requires you on standby at Marineford."
Gern leaned against the railing, not turning around."Mm," he replied softly.
The wind lifted the hem of his black coat, revealing the black blade Eight Desolations at his waist, wrapped in gray-white bandages.
"It's October already, Tesoro," Gern said suddenly, his tone tinged with quiet emotion.
Tesoro paused, instinctively looking toward the distant horizon."Yeah… 1497's almost over."
He let out a wry smile."How ironic. The Roger Pirates disbanded at the start of the year, yet it took until the end of the year for it to be discovered."
"Yeah."Gern's voice was calm, but heavy."The Sea Circle Calendar 1498 is coming.The era where everything begins… has arrived."
The atmosphere on deck froze.
"So, we—" Tesoro began, about to ask about their return plans, when Gern's cold voice cut in.
"At the next Marine branch, you and Lippo will borrow a warship and head back."He paused."And—" He turned around, black eyes unfathomably deep."Announce to the outside world that I'm still aboard this ship."
"Vice Admiral… you—"Tesoro's voice died in his throat.
"Tesoro."Gern raised a hand, cutting him off, a long-lost smile slowly spreading across his face.
For a split second, Tesoro was transported back to the West Blue—to that night which changed his fate forever.
That same smile.The night this man had smiled just like this and invited him to kill a Celestial Dragon… and join the Marines.
The memory overlapped with the present, stealing Tesoro's breath.
The cries of seagulls seemed to stretch far, far away.
His throat tightened. He knew that expression too well.
Whenever Gern wore that smile, it meant one thing—
A mad plan was about to be set into motion.
"I've been waiting for this day," Gern said quietly.