Palini Island, deep night.
The ground was littered with debris.
Sengoku sat on the earth, a stick in hand, absently stirring the campfire before him. He gazed into the flames, lost in thought.
Curled up at his side, Rosinante slept soundly, using Sengoku as a pillow.
Across from them, Garp sat with a fresh black eye, staring at Sengoku's pensive face.
He finally broke the silence.
"What's on your mind, Sengoku?"
Sengoku looked up, his expression unreadable as the firelight danced across his features. His voice was low and grave.
"There's something not right about Sakazuki."
Garp blinked in surprise.
"What could be wrong with Sakazuki? Don't tell me you think he's a pirate spy or something."
Sengoku shook his head after a long pause.
"Not exactly a problem. Just… suspicion."
Garp scratched his head.
"What's got you thinking that?"
Sengoku's tone turned serious.
"After merging the memories from my months wandering, I noticed something troubling.
Among the lower-ranked soldiers—and even the general public—Sakazuki's worship has gone too far.
Most civilians might not know who the vice admirals, admirals, or even the fleet admiral are, but everyone knows Sakazuki.
And among the Marines, he's become their idol."
Garp frowned, still unconvinced.
"Sakazuki spends most of his time hunting pirates. He's strong as hell. Isn't that normal?"
Sengoku shook his head, voice deepening.
"No, it's not normal.
His reputation is too high—higher than any other Marine officer.
Even higher than Fleet Admiral Kong.
If Kong and Sakazuki gave conflicting orders,
I honestly think most of the rank-and-file would follow Sakazuki, not Kong.
Isn't that terrifying?
What if, one day, he decides to turn against everything we stand for?"
Garp's playful air vanished, replaced by rare seriousness.
"Yeah… if that ever happened, it'd plunge the whole world into chaos and war."
He hesitated, then added,
"But knowing Sakazuki's personality, I just can't see him doing that."
Sengoku furrowed his brow.
"I know.
Sakazuki's always at the front lines.
He's nearly died more times than I can count—just in the Skagri Sea Battle alone.
If this is all some act, the price is far too steep.
I shouldn't doubt him.
But this is about the government's stability—and the world's peace.
I have to be cautious."
He let out a long sigh.
"The real issue is, there's no evidence.
I can't tell if all this is Sakazuki's design, or just pure coincidence."
Garp thought for a moment and shrugged.
"Eh, whatever. It's just a 'what if' for now.
If the day ever comes, we'll deal with it then.
There's always a way."
Sengoku stared into the fire, nodding absently.
Still… I need to find a chance to test him.
—
The New World. Golden Lion's fleet.
A massive floating island drifted through the sky, pirate ships orbiting it like moons.
At the island's edge, Golden Lion stood with two famous swords at his waist. His golden cloak and mane of hair whipped in the wind as he gazed over the roiling sea of clouds.
Blizzard Frank approached quietly, stopping at his side.
"Boss, it's done."
Golden Lion's eyes narrowed, a sly grin curling his lips as if he'd just thought of something amusing.
Frank hesitated, then spoke up,
"Boss, are you sure about this? That big battle wasn't long ago. If we provoke the Marines now…"
Golden Lion shot him a sidelong glare.
Frank broke into a cold sweat and lowered his head.
Golden Lion flicked away his cigar, exhaling a cloud of smoke with a cold sneer.
"Don't worry.
This is just a little test.
That old fox Kong played us for fools.
Latest intel says Sengoku's been missing for months.
Garp's still running around the world looking for him.
Right now, the only ones holding up the Marines' reputation are that old geezer Kong—
And that magma brat."
Suddenly, a surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Golden Lion, crackling with rage.
"Damn it! If only we'd gotten the news sooner.
Turns out the magma brat was knocked out for half a year too.
That was the perfect chance to wipe out the Marines!
For months, Marine Headquarters had only Kong to hold the line…"
The raging Conqueror's Haki betrayed his inner turmoil.
A heaven-sent opportunity—gone to waste!
After a moment, Golden Lion took a deep breath and regained his composure.
"We'll probe their defenses first. See how the Marines react.
Be ready for war at any moment."
Frank stiffened.
"Yes, sir!"
—
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
WOOOO—WOOOO! WOOOO—WOOOO! WOOOO—!
Alarms blared suddenly throughout the base.
Every soldier snapped to battle stations. High-ranking officers rushed to the conference hall.
Communication officers frantically dialed Den Den Mushi, summoning all officers abroad back to headquarters.
On Sakazuki's warship—
After hanging up his Den Den Mushi, Sakazuki called over Barrett.
He gripped Barrett's shoulder, magma power surging beneath his feet, and blasted straight into the sky—
Heading for headquarters.
Karol remained on the warship, steering it toward Marineford.
—
Marineford.
A streak of blazing red tore through the sky,
Landing atop the fortress walls of Marine HQ.
Sakazuki set Barrett down and led him toward the conference hall.
The meeting was already halfway through.
Sakazuki and Barrett slipped in through the back door.
He nodded to Fleet Admiral Kong, then took a seat at the edge.
He turned to the vice admiral next to him.
"Vice Admiral Grossa, what's this meeting about?"
Grossa clicked his tongue.
"A captain under Golden Lion attacked our G3 base in the New World.
Not too many casualties, but the main gate was breached.
They're grinding the Marines' face into the dirt."
Sakazuki nodded, taking it all in.
He looked up at the projection on the big screen at the front.
So the probing begins…
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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