Upon hearing Storm's words, Sengoku felt inexplicably unsettled.
Even as the renowned "Resourceful General," Sengoku couldn't determine whether agreeing to Storm's request to "form his own Marine unit" was truly a good idea...
However, judging by Storm's past behavior,
Sengoku always felt that this guy would occasionally bring him some unexpected surprises...
Just like how Storm had inexplicably received an invitation from the Five Elders to directly become one of the "Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea"!
'Not bringing shame to Justice... huh?'
Sengoku raised his eyes to glance at the massive plaque hanging on the wall of the Fleet Admiral's office.
The enormous plaque, with stark black characters on white paper, clearly bore five large words—
Absolute Justice!
This was the principle and creed that all Marines were strictly required to uphold.
It was also the World Government's demand of the Marines and their interpretation of Justice.
To uphold "Absolute Justice," the Marines must eliminate all evil on the seas at any cost.
To be precise,
The Marines must eliminate all evil—as defined by the World Government.
During his tenure as an Admiral, Sengoku had adhered to a different concept of Justice—
Justice that Reigns Over the World.
But after succeeding Kong and becoming the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's concept of Justice had shifted.
As the Fleet Admiral, he had to submit to the will of the World Government—that is, to uphold—
Absolute Justice!
As for the former "Justice that Reigns Over the World,"
That was merely the Justice of Admiral Sengoku.
Not the Justice of Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Standing beneath the plaque of "Absolute Justice,"
Sengoku didn't know whether Storm would bring shame to "Justice" in the future.
But he was certain of one thing.
And that was—the current Storm was absolutely not upholding "Absolute Justice"!
This kid, as a member of the SWORD Unit, had managed to pull off a massive incident like slaughtering everyone in Infinite Hell...
Even Akainu's "Thorough Justice" wasn't thorough enough to want to empty out the entire Infinite Hell!
This kid was even more radical than Akainu!
"I trust you'll handle things well."
Suppressing his misgivings, Sengoku uttered a statement that went entirely against his true feelings.
Then, without missing a beat, he skipped past the topic and revealed the real purpose of this Den Den Mushi call.
"Storm, you're familiar with the name 'Edward Teach,' aren't you?"
Though phrased as a question, Sengoku's tone made it sound like a plain statement.
"Oh..."
Storm drew out the syllable lazily before replying nonchalantly.
"So this is your real goal, Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"Not about promoting me or making me rich—just fishing for intel on 'Edward Teach' from me."
From the moment Storm had uttered the name "Edward Teach" to Saint Mjosgard,
He knew the Marines would inevitably come looking for him.
It was only a matter of time.
Because back when he had first acquired the powers of the Clay-Clay Fruit, Storm had sculpted an abstract-looking "Whitebeard III" at Marine Headquarters.
Even then, Storm had referred to what was then called "Whitebeard III"—now known as "Whitebeard Jr."—by the name "Edward Teach."
Now, the wanted poster of Edward Teach (Whitebeard III) was causing quite a stir.
If even one person in the Marines remembered what had happened back then,
Storm would be exposed.
Thus, Storm had long anticipated Sengoku's questions and wasn't the least bit surprised.
"No, promoting your rank is one matter, and Edward Teach is another."
Sengoku would never admit that he hadn't actually planned to promote Storm in the first place—what had just happened was merely an unexpected incident.
He deliberately blurred the lines between the two matters, speaking vaguely.
"Both matters are of great importance to the Marines."
"Heh, I suppose I'll take your word for it, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Storm chuckled lightly, not bothering to expose Sengoku's deliberate evasion.
"What do you want to know? About Edward Teach."
"Everything."
Sengoku's voice was grave as he fired off one question after another like a rapid volley.
"How did you come to know the name 'Edward Teach'? How did you come into contact with 'Edward Teach'? And... why do you refer to 'Edward Teach' as 'Whitebeard III'?"
Earlier, after Vice Admiral Tsuru's reminder,
Sengoku and Kizaru had both recalled the "Whitebeard Attacks Marine Headquarters" incident, which had caused quite a bit of trouble for the Marines in the past.
As the mastermind behind that incident,
Storm and that utterly abstract "Whitebeard III" had also been dredged up from Vice Admiral Tsuru's memories.
After a brief discussion,
Both Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and even Kizaru had all reached a basic conclusion—
Vongola Storm absolutely knew Edward Teach!
And judging by the name "Whitebeard III," Storm might even know some even more hidden details!
Which raised the question:
How did Storm—a Marine with a spotless family background—get entangled with Edward Teach?
Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru had debated this for quite some time but couldn't come up with any answers.
Because in the eyes of the Marine higher-ups, Storm's life trajectory was completely "transparent."
Storm had grown up in the rear towns of Marineford, entered the Marine Academy at 16, joined the Marine recruit training camp at 17, and became a member of the SWORD Unit at 18...
With such a clear life path, there was simply no special node that could connect him to "Edward Teach."
The White Dragon and Whitebeard Jr.—
Two people who should have had no connection whatsoever had somehow formed a bond no one knew about.
Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru racked their brains but couldn't make sense of it.
Since analysis yielded no answers,
They had no choice but to turn to the person involved!
"So many questions. Explaining them one by one would be too much trouble."
Storm deliberately feigned nonchalance, falling back on his usual excuse.
"To put it simply, Edward Teach is my subordinate!"
"...Storm, I'm not joking with you!"
After a moment of silence, Sengoku rubbed his temples, exasperated.
"Edward Teach holds far too many secrets. Not only does he possess the power of Whitebeard in his prime, but he's also eaten the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit]!
"Whether for the government or for Headquarters, Edward Teach poses an extremely high level of threat!"
"The Headquarters sincerely wishes to obtain some intelligence regarding Edward Teach from you."
"And I'm sincerely laying out the facts and reasoning with Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Storm responded helplessly.
"Edward Teach really is my subordinate!"
How could Whitebeard Jr. possibly be White Dragon's subordinate?
Sengoku's eyes nearly rolled to the moon in disbelief.
He'd sooner believe in the centuries-old legend of the "Sun God Nika" than accept such a claim.
"Vongola Storm!"
Sengoku took a deep breath, his tone sharpening.
"Just moments ago, our New World branch base sent an urgent report."
"The Whitebeard Pirates, the Beast Pirates, and the Big Mom Pirates have all mobilized—three Emperor crews are deploying their forces to hunt down Edward Teach."
"The only Emperor crew in the New World that hasn't acted immediately is the fledgling Red Hair Pirates."
"Edward Teach—this man has already thrown the entire sea into chaos!"
(Latest updates at 6·9·shu·ba!)
"So, please, stop joking around, alright?"
"Fine, I'll tell the truth then. There's only one explanation…"
Storm fell silent for a moment before speaking calmly.
"I am Edward Teach."
"…"
Click!
Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi immediately.
If this conversation continued any longer, he might just issue a Buster Call on White Dragon in his capacity as Fleet Admiral—five Vice Admirals, ten battleships, a thousand elite Marines, and a relentless artillery barrage might just knock some sense into that brat's head.
What in the world was this kid saying?
He was Edward Teach?
Why not claim he was Edward Newgate while he was at it?
Or Gol D. Roger?
Or Rocks D. Xebec?
Or maybe the reincarnation of Joy Boy from eight hundred years ago?!
Sengoku paced furiously around his office, his chest heaving, his breathing ragged.
Even the "Buddha's Calm" granted by his Zoan-type Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu (Great Buddha) was barely holding together.
After a long while, his emotions finally stabilized.
He snatched up the Den Den Mushi and dialed Vongola Storm again.
"Vongola Storm! You damn brat!! Get your head straight!!!"
The moment the call connected, Sengoku—after restraining himself for so long—finally exploded into the receiver.
"Edward Teach attacked the Red Line, critically injured the Five Elders, and even Borsalino couldn't stop him!"
"He's the 'Lightning Man' who ate the Rumble-Rumble Fruit! His bounty is 1,999,000,000 Belly! He's a major threat to the World Government and the Marines!"
"You! You! What the hell do you have that even compares?!"
That last line wasn't necessary.
But he just couldn't help himself.
On the other end of the call, Storm stared blankly at the sky.
Seriously, who would've thought telling the truth would be this hard…
And why is it that when I'm the one being honest, I'm still the one who ends up suffering?
"Alright, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Storm, resigned to his fate, spoke in a tone of utter defeat.
"What do you think really happened?"
"You know Edward Teach?"
"Yes."
"It was probably a chance encounter—you happened to run into Edward Teach by accident."
"Mhm."
"He called himself 'Whitebeard III.'"
"Right."
"Where did you meet him?"
"What do you think, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
"I believe Sabaody Archipelago is the most likely location. It's closest to headquarters and a complete melting pot."
"Exactly! Fleet Admiral, you're absolutely brilliant!"
Storm clapped his hands vigorously, loudly praising him.
"You've pieced together the entire sequence of events just like that~"
"Really?"
Sengoku wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he thought he detected a hint of sarcasm in Storm's tone.
Almost like that guy Borsalino…
"Absolutely true, Fleet Admiral."
Storm's earnest gaze was perfectly replicated by the Den Den Mushi and conveyed to Sengoku.
"I was on leave that day, shopping at Sabaody Archipelago, when I accidentally ran into Edward Teach. At the time, he called himself 'Whitebeard III'... Yes! That's exactly how it happened!"
"I have one question."
Sengoku nodded. Storm's account matched his own speculation, but he still spotted a discrepancy.
"Why would Edward Teach call himself 'Whitebeard III'? Is there another 'Whitebeard Jr.' out there on the seas?"
"Yes! Precisely!"
Storm threw caution to the wind.
"Has Fleet Admiral forgotten about that Whitebeard who attacked the elite recruit training camp?
"That Whitebeard—he was just as young, just as powerful, even Instructor Zephyr was no match for him.
"His real name is—
"Edward Weevil!"
Many people confused Sengoku and Akainu's sense of justice.
In his youth, Sengoku embodied the justice of ruling over all.
After becoming Fleet Admiral, it was Absolute Justice.
Akainu's was Thorough Justice.
This had been explained countless times, yet people still mixed them up.