After Sabo tested his enhanced strength, a wide smile spread across his face.
He then inquired about the origin of the Devil Fruit, and upon learning it came from Luffy's ship, he was momentarily lost in thought.
The Straw Hats truly seemed blessed by the heavens.
"Boss, I assure you that I will help Carl locate the two or three fruits he specified. I have a feeling I'll be quite busy in the future."
"Alright, once he specifies the fruits, we'll focus our search here. Kuma, continue to monitor the Marines and the World Government. Especially Vegapunk; if possible, try to establish contact with him. We need his technology."
Speaking of Vegapunk, Dragon couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
This scientist was far too brilliant, possessing wisdom five centuries ahead of mankind. Yet, he now worked for the World Government and the Marines, significantly bolstering the Marines' strength.
This was not a favorable development for the Revolutionary Army.
Therefore, it was crucial to establish contact with Vegapunk, even if they couldn't manage to extract him. Stealing his research findings would be a valuable alternative.
"By the way, did you manage to locate the Lion Fruit?" Dragon brought up the matter again.
"Not yet. It seems to have vanished completely." Sabo's expression also turned grim.
Their Revolutionary Army and the Marines were the first to receive news of the Golden Lion's death, and they were also the first to begin searching for the Lion Fruit. However, the Lion Fruit seemed to have evaporated from the sea, leaving no trace.
The Marines and the World Government were also searching, but it appeared to be fruitless.
That strategic fruit was a must-obtain!
"Continue the search with all our might, and do not let it fall into the hands of the Marines, the World Government, or even other pirates. We possess fruit radar, giving us an advantage over other forces, so we cannot afford to fail!"
Dragon emphasized the matter seriously.
The Lion Fruit held immense importance, even surpassing the value of the Unicorn Fruit.
The Unicorn Fruit granted the Revolutionary Army an additional Admiral-level combatant, but the Lion Fruit had the potential to completely reshape the Revolutionary Army's strategic capabilities.
Therefore, they had to find it at any cost!
"Don't worry, Leader. I will personally oversee this matter. Even if the fruit is in the possession of a Marine Admiral, I will go and seize it!" Now that Sabo's strength had drastically increased, his words carried a newfound confidence.
In the past, he could, at most, withstand one or two attacks from a Marine Admiral, but now he would definitely not back down. This was the confidence that strength bestowed.
The Marines were also exceptionally busy these days.
The inexplicable disappearance of the Lion Fruit had thrown the Marine intelligence division and the World Government's CP organization into utter chaos.
Adding to their woes, Supernovas were constantly causing disturbances in the first half of the Grand Line, driving them to the brink of exasperation.
The crucial issue was that Admirals and Vice Admirals couldn't simply be deployed casually.
The situation in the New World remained volatile, requiring constant vigilance.
"Where have the Straw Hat Pirates been recently? Why is there no activity at all?"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku finally posed this question after dealing with several other pressing matters during the meeting.
Subsequently, Vice Admiral Tsuru, the three Admirals, and all the other Vice Admirals exchanged bewildered glances. As for Vice Admiral Garp, he was sound asleep.
"What are the intelligence agencies doing! There's no news about the Straw Hats?! What about the Heart Pirates? Where are they now? Have they separated from the Straw Hats?!"
Sengoku's sharp questioning brought the meeting to a tense silence.
At this point, Sengoku couldn't contain his frustration any longer.
Seriously, a major threat vanishes without a trace, and this is how the Marines operate?
Vice Admiral Tsuru quickly interjected, "Sengoku, please calm down. No news from the Straw Hats is actually good news, implying they aren't causing any trouble. And if they were to make a significant move, I believe our people would report it."
"Our people," of course, referred to Captain Tashigi.
With a Marine undercover within the Straw Hat crew, what was there to worry about?
Sengoku's anger subsided slightly upon hearing her words, but then he noticed that old fool Garp sleeping through the meeting, and his temper flared up again. He slammed his hand on the table.
"Garp! Wake up! You actually fell asleep during the meeting! Be careful, or I'll have you fired!"
Sengoku's booming voice caused Garp's eyes to flutter open slightly.
Then, Garp chuckled and said, "Fire me? That sounds just about right. I was planning on returning to my hometown to care for the elderly anyway. Let's get the paperwork done quickly."
Garp's words reignited Sengoku's fury. Nine times out of ten, Sengoku's anger stemmed from Garp's antics. But that old codger Garp always acted as if he didn't care in the slightest, which was incredibly infuriating.
However, as an old comrade-in-arms, Sengoku understood Garp all too well.
And because of this understanding, Garp couldn't be forced to do anything. Otherwise, alienating such a long-time ally would have serious repercussions.
Just then, new intelligence arrived.
Sengoku glanced at it and his expression instantly changed.
"The members of the Big Mom Pirates have actually left the New World and are heading towards the first half of the Grand Line? The fleet is led by Big Mom's second son, Katakuri, along with Cracker and numerous combatants! And their purpose is unknown! What are the intelligence officers even doing? This crucial information is unclear!"
Sengoku slammed the intelligence report onto the table.
Vice Admiral Tsuru swiftly picked up the document and distributed copies while reading it herself.
It was true that the Big Mom Pirates' arrival was sudden, making their objective difficult to ascertain.
Moreover, it was evident that they were only heading to the first half of the Grand Line, yet they were led by two Sweet Commanders.
This level of caution was excessive.
Could there be a formidable enemy in the first half of the Grand Line...?
It seemed highly likely.
Vice Admiral Tsuru noticed a connection and stated, "...Sengoku, barring any unforeseen circumstances, they must be searching for the Straw Hats!"
"The Big Mom Pirates are looking for the Straw Hat Pirates?!"
Everyone's expressions shifted, displaying a range of emotions. Some looked pleased, others grim, each seemingly contemplating different possibilities.
Sengoku adjusted his glasses and analyzed aloud, "Are the Big Mom Pirates seeking trouble with the Straw Hats? It's certainly plausible.
After all, we made a considerable amount of noise previously, and even Kaido personally intervened.
It shouldn't be surprising that the Big Mom Pirates have now taken action.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be two Sweet Commanders leading the charge."
"It might also be an invitation to a tea party!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru interjected, "Although the Big Mom Pirates are overbearing, they also place great importance on bolstering their strength. They have consistently sought to recruit powerful pirates. Perhaps they intend to form an alliance with the Straw Hats through marriage, maybe."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces turned sour.
Given Big Mom's personality, it wouldn't be surprising if she intended to invite the Straw Hats to join her ranks through a marriage alliance.
The main concern hinged on the Straw Hats' decision. If they chose to join forces, the Big Mom Pirates, already a Yonko crew, would become even more formidable. This would be a significant setback for the Marines.
"Luffy won't marry the daughter of that ugly Charlotte Linlin! If you want to become this old man's granddaughter-in-law, you'd better ask me first! There's no way I'll agree! Charlotte Linlin, if you insist on doing that, you might as well just attack Whole Cake Island directly!"
Garp finally woke up fully at this point, slamming his fist on the table and roaring.
Everyone understood Garp's feelings. Although he was deeply troubled by his grandson becoming a pirate, the prospect of his grandson marrying into the Big Mom Pirates would undoubtedly send him into a complete frenzy.
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