Under normal circumstances.
Even if Kizaru were to face two Pirate Emperors simultaneously,
he might not win, but he certainly wouldn't lose easily.
Take this as an example.
Suppose the Beast Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates formally allied, with Kaido of the Beasts and Charlotte Linlin joining forces.
Kizaru would still have the audacity to mock Kaido for his sluggishness and Big Mom for her foolishness.
Even if he volunteered to take on both Pirate Emperors, Kizaru wouldn't hesitate in the slightest.
After all,
Under the power of the [Glint-Glint Fruit], all are equal.
But there's a saying that rings true:
All are born equal, but some are more equal than others.
This time, the two enemies Kizaru had to face were Golden Lion II and Whitebeard Jr.
The former was one thing.
But the latter was the real issue.
Whitebeard Jr. was truly that rare, extraordinary kind of foe.
Kizaru's [Glint-Glint Fruit] granted him unparalleled speed, nearly unmatched across the seas.
Yet Whitebeard Jr.'s [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] was no weaker—in fact, it might even surpass it.
As recorded in the [Devil Fruit Encyclopedia],
the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] was an "invincible" Devil Fruit!
When an invincible fruit meets an invincible user, the result is an unstoppable monster!
Last time, when Kizaru teamed up with Marcus Mars Saint to confront Whitebeard Jr., the latter still managed to escape unscathed.
This meant that even in a two-on-one scenario—with a Five Elder as his ally—Kizaru struggled to defeat Whitebeard Jr.
But now, it was "one versus two."
Kizaru was the "one."
Dealing with Whitebeard Jr. alone was already enough to give Kizaru a headache.
Add to that Golden Lion II, whose strength was no less formidable and who could even "read minds"—how was this fight even winnable?!
In Kizaru's view,
if anyone else among the Navy's top brass had been guarding Impel Down instead of him—
whether it was the older generation like Sengoku, Garp, or Zephyr,
the prime-aged Akainu or Aokiji,
or even the younger elites like Momousagi or Chaton—
no one could have done better than him!
After hearing Kizaru's report,
Sengoku fell into a heavy silence.
What could be worse than encountering one "Great Pirate Second Generation"?
Encountering two—and both on the same crew!
Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II.
Even ignoring all their other abilities, just their names alone were enough to send shivers down many spines.
And these two weren't just about their "names"!
Whitebeard Jr. had consumed the invincible [Rumble-Rumble Fruit].
Golden Lion II had obtained the sky-soaring [Float-Float Fruit].
Two already immensely powerful and unique Devil Fruits, now wielded by equally formidable and exceptional users.
These were two true monsters!
"Borsalino," the Fleet Admiral finally spoke after a long pause, his voice laden with an inexplicable weight. "Did Golden Lion II mention to you… who his captain is?"
Perhaps to lighten the mood or ease the tension, Sengoku deliberately adopted a more casual tone.
"Could it be… a Rocks II?"
The concern weighing on Kizaru's mind
was one Sengoku could also foresee.
If "Whitebeard Jr." and "Golden Lion II" appeared on the same ship…
Moreover, both of their identities were "crew members," not the highest rank of "captain."
This could only mean one thing—
On that ship, there was an even more terrifying monster—or rather, a "King of Monsters"—ruling over the other monsters!
Surveying the entire sea, Sengoku could only think of one man.
Not Gol D. Roger, who later became the Pirate King.
But the captain of the Rocks Pirates back then—Rocks D. Xebec!
The moment Sengoku saw Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II, he immediately thought of Rocks D. Xebec, the Rocks Pirates, and the other potential Great Pirate Second Generation figures who might exist but hadn't yet appeared...
The Fleet Admiral's imagination ran wild at this moment.
Could the Rocks Pirates from back then be making a comeback?
"Golden Lion II didn't answer this question, so the only intel we have is that Golden Lion II and Whitebeard Jr. are pirates from the same ship," Kizaru said, slumping back into his office chair, utterly exhausted.
"If they're pirates from the same ship, then they must have a 'pirate captain.'
"As for whether that 'pirate captain' is 'Rocks II,' I don't know."
After Kizaru spoke these words, silence fell on Sengoku's end.
The Den Den Mushi connection between the Fleet Admiral and the Navy Admiral remained active, but neither spoke for a long time.
To be honest, even if the once-dominant Rocks Pirates truly "rose from the ashes," Sengoku and Kizaru wouldn't feel this heavy-hearted.
Because when the Rocks Pirates ruled the seas, their crew did indeed harbor many monsters.
But many of them hadn't yet reached their prime.
Whitebeard, Golden Lion, Big Mom, Beast...
If the "senior officers" and "apprentice pirates" of the Rocks Pirates back then had all reached their peak, each becoming comparable to the current Emperors...
Then the outcome of the God Valley Incident would have been completely rewritten!
The Pirate King and the Navy's hero joining forces to destroy the Rocks Pirates?
If the Rocks Pirates had been that strong, they could have easily crushed the Pirate King, the Navy's hero, and all the other World Government forces stationed at God Valley!
Rocks D. Xebec, Edward Newgate, Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido...
That's five Pirate Emperors!
Even if they split up to fight Roger and Garp, each would face two opponents—with one left over!
Fortunately, the Rocks Pirates back then, though strong, weren't incomprehensibly powerful.
But now was different.
Just based on the two who had already appeared—Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II.
These two "Second Generation" figures, compared to Whitebeard and Golden Lion in their prime, might be weaker, but not by much!
Kizaru had fought both Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II but failed to defeat them.
This proved that Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II were at least on par with Navy Admirals and Pirate Emperors!
Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II are already like this.
Just how strong must their captain be?
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had no answer to this question.
But one thing he could confirm.
If these "Great Pirate Second Generation" figures continued to emerge—like a "Big Mom Jr." or "Beast Jr." appearing next—then the collective strength of this "Second Generation Pirate Crew" would undoubtedly surpass even the infamous "Rocks Pirates" of the past!
The New World's current landscape is divided among the Emperors.
Yet this "Second Generation Pirate Crew," based solely on their displayed power, already rivals the combined might of two Pirate Emperors!
How terrifying is that?
As the Fleet Admiral, even the mere thought of the "Second Generation Pirate Crew's" potential hidden strength lurking beneath the surface unsettled Sengoku deeply.
A fleeting thought similar to Kizaru's crossed Sengoku's mind.
Why is it only pirates who have these "Second Generation" figures?
Why doesn't the Navy have its own "Second Generation"?
Why couldn't these individuals have been part of the Navy?
Just as Sengoku was lost in these melancholy thoughts, Kizaru's voice suddenly came through the Den Den Mushi receiver.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, don't you think these two 'Second Generation' figures are rather... peculiar?"
Snapping back to attention, Sengoku picked up the receiver and asked, puzzled,
"What do you mean?"
"What I'm saying is..."
Kizaru spoke slowly, carefully choosing his words.
"If only Whitebeard Jr. had appeared, we could've dismissed it as an isolated incident.
"But then, in such a short span, Golden Lion II emerged as well.
"One wields the [Rumble-Rumble Fruit], the other the [Float-Float Fruit]—both supremely powerful Devil Fruits unseen on the seas for years.
"Just gathering such rare Devil Fruits would require immense effort.
"Yet these two fruits coincidentally ended up with 'Whitebeard Jr.' and 'Golden Lion II'!"
As Kizaru laid out his analysis, Sengoku's brow furrowed. He was beginning to sense something ominous.
"Borsalino, what exactly are you implying? What are you suspecting? Spell it out."
Sengoku had caught the subtext in Kizaru's words.
Suppose.
That these so-called "Whitebeard Jr." and "Golden Lion II" were artificially created powerhouses.
An organization capable of manufacturing two "Great Pirate Second Generation" figures.
An organization that could casually bestow the ultra-rare [Rumble-Rumble Fruit] and [Float-Float Fruit] upon these creations.
Did such a force exist at sea?
Of course it did.
In fact, there was only one possible answer!
The World Government that has ruled the seas for eight hundred years.
The World Government that has gathered the most powerful forces, the richest resources, and the greatest minds across the oceans!
Could Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II actually be "artificial humans" created by the World Government?
Sengoku wanted to dismiss this speculation as utter nonsense.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it.
As the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters.
Sengoku understood the terrifying darkness hidden beneath the World Government's facade even more than ordinary people did.
Common folk might think the Celestial Dragons represent the pinnacle of "evil."
But in reality.
The Celestial Dragons are merely the outward manifestation of the World Government's wickedness!
To name just one example.
The World Government's centuries-long secret "Gigantification Experiments" alone.
Made it impossible for Sengoku to outright deny Kizaru's suspicions.
"Don't you find it strange, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
Kizaru said in an odd tone.
"Setting aside the intelligence provided by that kid Storm for a moment.
"Whitebeard Jr. first appeared atop the sheer cliffs of the Red Line, thousands of meters high, where the Five Elders were the first to encounter him.
"Golden Lion II first emerged from the depths of the Calm Belt at Impel Down, a place inaccessible to ordinary forces.
"And... last time, when we reported the MADS organization to the Five Elders, mentioning their rumored involvement with 'cloning' years ago.
"The Five Elders explicitly forbade us Marines from investigating any MADS-related information.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, don't you think Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II might be connected to the old MADS organization?"
Faced with Kizaru's questions, Sengoku had no rebuttal.
Based on all the intelligence the Marines had gathered, Whitebeard Jr. and Golden Lion II seemed to have sprung from the earth like clay dolls, with no verifiable background or origins.
The only lead on Whitebeard Jr. came from Storm's information that Sengoku had obtained...
As Sengoku fell silent, Kizaru added another point.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, have you forgotten about that 'Whitebeard' who attacked our Marine rookie training camp? The one we now seem to call 'Whitebeard III'—that 'Edward Weevil'!"
Edward Weevil!
The name stirred many memories in Sengoku.
Ever since learning about "Edward Weevil" from Storm back then.
Sengoku had instinctively suspected this "Edward Weevil" might be connected to the old MADS organization.
Now, before the Marines could even locate a single "Whitebeard."
A new "Golden Lion II" had emerged!
Could it be...
Just as Borsalino suggested...
That figures like Edward Teach, Edward Weevil, Lion...
Were all artificial humans secretly created by the World Government...?
Sengoku felt utterly exhausted.
What could be more disheartening than discovering the emergence of the "Second Generation Pirate Crew"?
Realizing that this "Second Generation Pirate Crew" might actually be a super pirate force artificially manufactured by their own superiors—the World Government itself!
The Marines strive to eradicate piracy.
Why would the World Government conspire with pirates instead?
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you know how I am."
Kizaru spoke slowly and leisurely.
"As the highest-ranking officer of the Special Science Unit, I can directly visit Punk Hazard to meet with Dr. Vegapunk."
"This topic about clones—"
"Enough! Borsalino!"
Sengoku forcefully interrupted Kizaru's words.
"The Marines only need to capture pirates and uphold [Absolute Justice]."
"Forget what you just said!"
"If there's nothing else, return to Headquarters immediately for debriefing."
"...My apologies, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
Kizaru twisted his stiff neck slightly and replied indifferently.
"I sustained severe injuries during the recent battles and need proper recuperation here at Impel Down."
"Recovery time is uncertain."
"...Hello? Fleet Admiral Sengoku?...The signal seems bad...How strange~"
Click!
Kizaru directly hung up the Den Den Mushi call with Sengoku.
If it were about visiting Punk Hazard to meet an old friend, Kizaru might have set off for Marine Headquarters immediately.
But returning to Headquarters for debriefing and work?
Apologies, health issues—let's talk another day.
Kizaru felt his workload had been excessively heavy recently.
First Whitebeard Jr., then Golden Lion II.
Staying at Marine Headquarters would mean constant pressure from higher-ups.
Now he could peacefully recuperate at Impel Down.
Surely another inexplicable "Great Pirate Second Generation" wouldn't suddenly appear?
Kizaru tossed the still "Buru Buru" ringing Den Den Mushi into a drawer, silencing the noise.
What a delightful thing—slacking off and resting at Impel Down~
Just as Kizaru resolved to enjoy this paid vacation...
Breaking news from the World Economic Journal sent shockwaves across the seas.
Golden Lion II—silent until now, but astonishing when he finally spoke!
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