The morning after Issho and Aramaki's validation duels, Fleet Admiral Sengoku convened his inner circle in the war room.
The paperwork and formal procedures required to elevate both men to Vice Admiral rank had been processed yesterday at the earliest, their overwhelming victories having crushed any remaining opposition to his recruitment choices of them.
Admirals Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru sat alongside Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"The success of the conscription plan is off the charts and the integration of our new Vice Admirals to our rank show a tangible increase in the overall power of the Marines" Sengoku began.
"We will speak more on their assigned posts and responsibilites coming forward."
Akainu's scarred face twisted into its perpetual scowl. "I heard both Doberman and Strawberry were defeated in an overwhelming manner. Considering they were one of our best, the strength shown by the 'new recruits' and their motives are questionable. "
"Overwhelming force requires precision, Sakazuki." Sengoku's golden eyes swept the intelligence reports spread across the table. "Both Issho and Aramaki were one of the rare strong individuals outside of pirate or Marine sphere of influence ."
Tsuru nodded approvingly. "The new Vice Admirals, one manipulates gravity and the other is a Forest Logia."
"Issho possesses gravity manipulation abilities that rival any Admiral-class combatant, not to mention being a great swordsman," Sengoku replied. "His moral compass aligns with our justice, though his methods tend toward minimal collateral damage. Aramaki's forest-forest fruit meanwhile grants him battlefield control and regenerative capabilities that make him nearly unstoppable. Both demonstrated their powers brilliantly during their duels."
"And what about their loyalty?" Akainu pressed.
"Absolute. Issho detests evil to such a strong degree that he blinded himself on purpose, and is proactive in dealing with criminals to ensure his primary goal of protecting civilians . Aramaki's devotion to Marine ideals borders on fanaticism, but the useful kind. They'll serve our order without question."
Aokiji, who had been quietly observing the exchange, shifted in his chair, ice crystals forming briefly on his fingers. "Speaking of personnel matters, Smoker has formally requested transfer to G-5. I believe we should approve it."
The room fell silent at the mention of the notorious base. G-5 had long been a dumping ground for problematic Marines, those too violent, independent, or morally questionable for standard assignments. It was a necessary evil, but one that the current Sengoku is viewing with suspicion with regards to its base commander.
"An interesting choice. What is Smoker's reasoning?" Sengoku asked, though his enhanced memories already provided the answer.
"He wants to clean house. Believes he can bring order to the chaos there." Aokiji's usually lazy demeanor taking on a more serious tone. "You know how he is about justice. The man's incorruptible. He has his own way of doing things and I believe can handle G-5's unique problems."
Sengoku nodded slowly, though his mind raced with implications. From what he remembered, Smoker's transfer to G-5 had been the catalyst that eventually exposed Vergo's true nature as a spy for the Donquixote Family. The irony was not lost on him, Smoker's uncompromising pursuit of justice would inadvertently reveal the rot that had festered within their own ranks.
"Your personal assessment of his character?" Sengoku probed.
"Stubborn as a mule, questions orders when they conflict with his morals, and has zero tolerance for corruption." Aokiji's mouth quirked upward. "He's also fearless, competent, and genuinely cares about protecting innocent civilians. G-5 needs someone who can't be bought or intimidated."
"Approved. Have the orders cut immediately." Sengoku said without hesitation. "and Kuzan, make sure Smoker understands he has my complete backing for any cleanup operations he deems necessary."
The emphasis on those last words was subtle but unmistakable. Sengoku was already planning to accelerate the process of exposing Vergo's treachery, and Smoker's presence would provide the perfect cover for a more thorough investigation of G-5's operations. The base had been a haven for corruption for too long, and with their newfound authority, it was time to clean house.
Tsuru, ever perceptive, caught the undercurrent of his words. "Cleaning up G-5 won't be a simple task. The corruption there runs deep, and some of it may extend beyond what we can see on the surface."
"Precisely why we need someone like Smoker there. His particular brand of justice illuminates hidden truths." Sengoku met her knowing gaze. Sometimes the best way to expose a spy is to give them something worth reporting.
Kizaru, who had been examining his fingernails with characteristic disinterest, suddenly straightened. "Oh my, seems we have some news coming in." He gestured lazily toward the communication officer who had just entered the room with obvious urgency.
The attendant entered, snapping a crisp salute. "Fleet Admiral, priority intelligence on Byrnndi World. He's been spotted near the Calm Belt, approximately eighteen hours from his last confirmed position."
Sengoku's enhanced memory immediately accessed the relevant information. Byrnndi World, the "World Destroyer" who had been frozen in Impel Down Level 6 before somehow escaping during the chaos of the Blackbeard incident. In the original timeline, World had emerged seeking revenge against the World Government, eventually attacking one of their transport ships before being recaptured. The timing was almost perfect.
"Interesting," Sengoku murmured, his fingers steepled before him. "His current trajectory?"
"Based on his movement pattern, intelligence suggests he's targeting World Government shipping lanes. There's a high-priority transport scheduled to pass through that area tomorrow evening."
The others watched as Sengoku processed this information. World's attack on that transport ship had been a relatively minor incident in the grand scheme of things, but it had served to remind the World Government of their vulnerability. Now, with Sengoku's expanded authority and the Marines' elevated status, such an attack could serve a different purpose entirely.
"Borsalino," Sengoku said finally. "I want you to take a warship and intercept World. However, your departure will be delayed by exactly twelve hours from now."
Kizaru's eyebrows rose slightly, a significant expression of surprise from the usually unflappable Admiral. "Oh? That's cutting it rather close, isn't it? He might cause some trouble before I arrive."
"Sometimes," Sengoku replied with a slight smile that didn't reach his eyes, "a little trouble serves to remind people why they need protection. You'll arrive in time to prevent any real damage, but not necessarily before World makes his intentions clear."
Tsuru's expression sharpened as she studied Sengoku's face. The delayed response would allow World to attack the World Government ship, a demonstration of the ongoing pirate threat that would justify further Marine expansion and authority.
"Understood." Kizaru's lazy salute masked his comprehension. "I'll make sure to apprehend him before he can cause any... permanent damage."
"See that you do," Sengoku replied. "And Borsalino, when you bring him in, make sure the arrest is highly publicized. The world needs to see that the Marines are the only force capable of maintaining order in these chaotic times."
As the meeting moved toward its conclusion, Sengoku's expression grew more contemplative. There was one more matter weighing on his mind, one that required delicate handling but could prove invaluable to their cause if managed correctly.
"Before we adjourn," he said, his voice taking on a more personal tone, "I want to discuss another personnel matter. I'm considering reaching out to someone from our past, someone who might prove valuable in our current endeavors."
Akainu's scowl deepened. "If you're referring to someone who's left the Marines, I question the wisdom of.."
"Zephyr," Sengoku interrupted quietly, and the room fell completely silent.
The name struck like a physical blow. All of them had history with the former Admiral, Zephyr had been their instructor, their mentor, the man who had shaped them into the Marines they had become. His departure from active duty had left a wound in the organization that had never quite healed.
"Z-sensei?" Aokiji's voice carried a mixture of surprise and concern. "Isn't he sailing solo with his private division hunting pirates. What makes you think he'd be interested in returning to active operations?"
Zephyr's hatred of pirates and the eventual bestowing of the warlord position to Edward Weavill would drive him to extremes, forming the Neo Marines, stealing Dyna Stones, ultimately threatening to destroy the New World itself. The man who'd been their greatest teacher would become a threat requiring lethal force to stop.
But this was a new timeline. With Marine victory absolute and their authority expanded, perhaps Zephyr could be guided toward a different path.
And the Warlord issue will be something to take care of.
"Our Marineford victory created new possibilities," Sengoku explained carefully. "The world is changing, and we need experienced hands to guide that change. Zephyr's knowledge, connections, and understanding of Marine doctrine could be invaluable assets."
Tsuru leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. "He's not been the same since the attack on his training ship. The loss of his students, his arm... it changed him. Made him harder, more focused on revenge than justice."
"Which is precisely why we need to reach out to him now," Sengoku replied. "Before that hatred consumes him entirely. He's still one of us, still believes in the ideals of justice that made him a Marine in the first place. If we can remind him of that, show him a path forward that doesn't involve destructive revenge, he could be a powerful ally."
Akainu remained skeptical. "And if he refuses? If he's already too far gone?"
Sengoku's golden eyes hardened slightly. "Then we'll deal with that situation when it arises. But I believe there's still hope for him. He trained all of you, taught you what it means to be Marines. I think we owe it to him, and to ourselves, to try."
Silence fell as each considered the implications. Zephyr had been more than an instructor; he'd been a symbol of Marine ideals, a living embodiment of the justice they all claimed to serve. His fall from grace had been a tragedy affecting them all differently.
"I'll make the initial contact," Sengoku decided. "Feel him out, see where his head is at. If there's an opportunity to bring him back into the fold, we'll pursue it. If not..." He left the sentence unfinished, but the implication was clear.
As the meeting concluded and his officers began to file out, Sengoku remained seated, his mind already working through the complex web of plans and contingencies that would shape the coming days. Smoker's transfer to G-5 would begin the process of exposing Vergo and cleaning up the corruption that had festered too long in their ranks. Kizaru's delayed response to the World situation would serve to remind the World Government of their continued dependence on Marine protection. And his outreach to Zephyr might prevent a tragedy while gaining a valuable ally.