"Nani!"
After hearing his subordinate's report, Sengoku sat in shock for a long time.
Smoker was on his way back to Marineford but had sent back intelligence that could crush the entire morale of the Marines.
Garp had been defeated, taken away by Reddy, and his fate was unknown!
"This is a huge problem!"
Sengoku's mind went blank, and his entire body went numb.
One of the reasons Garp became the "Hero of the Marines" was to create a symbol, to boost the morale of the entire Marine force.
In reality, this move had indeed produced significant results.
However, the problem was that if this pillar of morale collapsed, it would be a fatal blow to the Marines' spirit.
He could already imagine the consequences if this news were to leak—what kind of chaos it would bring to the world.
Just Zephyr's incident had triggered a new wave of piracy.
And Garp's importance far exceeded Zephyr's.
"Is the sea about to enter another wave of turmoil?"
Sengoku forced himself to remain calm and took out a Den Den Mushi, sending an urgent message to Tsuru, who was heading to the East Blue.
The Calm Belt.
A Marine warship was sailing toward the East Blue.
Tsuru held the Den Den Mushi, unable to regain her composure for a long time.
The intelligence Sengoku had just relayed was simply too shocking!
Garp had been defeated?
Tsuru struggled to accept this cruel reality.
Unlike Zephyr, Garp's influence was far more significant—he was a spiritual pillar for the Marines.
With this old man as their foundation, Marines across the world could maintain their morale to fight against pirates.
But now, Garp had been defeated, and his fate was unknown.
For Marineford at this moment, this was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.
"That idiot Garp..."
Tsuru shook her head while holding the Den Den Mushi, immediately beginning to think of ways to negotiate Garp's release from Reddy before the news leaked.
"At any rate, you must find a way to get that old fool back."
Tsuru wasn't surprised that Sengoku was so certain Garp was still alive.
From the intelligence she had gathered, Reddy was very much like Zephyr—so far, he had never truly resorted to lethal measures.
Especially against top-tier fighters, his approach had always been to capture rather than kill.
This was also one of the reasons she had always insisted on recruiting Reddy.
"This will be difficult. It will require an even greater price."
Tsuru honestly voiced her concerns without hiding them from Sengoku. "Marineford cannot afford this cost."
"I will go see the Five Elders."
Sengoku's response gave Tsuru some relief.
Marineford had no money, but the World Government did. If not, there were still the Celestial Dragons.
Since Sengoku was willing to resolve this issue, Tsuru stopped overthinking it. "Leave it to me. That boy is not a cruel pirate. He will not refuse."
After ending the emergency call with Tsuru, Sengoku remained deep in thought for a long time.
"There's no other way."
Sengoku stood up and walked outside.
To be honest, he did not want to meet the Five Elders. He wished Marineford could remain an independent institution rather than a tool of the World Government.
But circumstances forced his hand.
First, the 50,000 elite Marines, and now Garp.
Without the World Government's support, what could Marineford offer to get them back?
Soon, Sengoku met the Five Elders.
"Why was Garp defeated by that Dr. Reddy?"
After hearing Sengoku's report, Jaygarcia Saturn, the Warrior God of Science and Defense, was the first to question him.
The other four elders stared expressionlessly at Sengoku.
Sengoku had already prepared his response on the way. Firmly, he explained, "Dr. Reddy has always been hunting powerful individuals to obtain their Bloodline Factors."
"The legendary pirate Golden Lion Shiki, CP9's prodigy Rob Lucci, the Warlords Gecko Moria, Doflamingo, Jinbe, Boa Hancock..."
"Should I list more examples?"
"It's not surprising that Garp became his target."
"After all, Garp had previously fought him and was severely injured, forcing him to recuperate in Foosha Village."
"But we all underestimated Dr. Reddy's madness."
Sengoku skillfully shifted the blame to Reddy, subtly implying that Garp had not provoked Reddy—rather, Reddy had arrogantly marked Garp as prey.
Saturn fell silent, tacitly accepting Sengoku's explanation.
Sengoku seized the moment to propose his suggestion: "At present, Marineford's main forces are no longer capable of opposing Dr. Reddy. I hope the World Government will permit Marineford to expand its recruitment and absorb more powerful fighters."
"Impossible."
Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, the Warrior God of Finance, flatly rejected Sengoku's proposal.
The other four elders remained expressionless, clearly siding with Nusjuro.
The Marines were merely a tool for the World Government to maintain control.
A tool that grew too powerful might turn against its master.
"Then... Marineford cannot oppose Dr. Reddy."
Sengoku adopted a stance of helplessness against Reddy, further applying pressure.
"That brat is not as threatening as you think."
Topman Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice, tried to placate Sengoku's dissatisfaction with a veiled hint.
In the eyes of the Five Elders, Reddy was indeed a threat, but not enough for them to loosen Marineford's restrictions and allow more recruits.
Because Reddy's every move was under their watch.
Taking over Fish-Man Island and Dressrosa?
Just two kingdoms—while damaging the World Government's prestige, it was not severe enough.
Taking over Loguetown?
That place was only symbolically significant.
As long as he wasn't researching Poneglyphs or investigating the Void Century, he could not shake the World Government's—or rather, the Celestial Dragons'—rule.
"Then..."
Sengoku had never expected the Five Elders to agree to Marineford's expansion. He took a step back. "Before the news leaks, Garp and the 50,000 elite Marines must be retrieved as soon as possible."
The Five Elders exchanged glances.
Saturn spoke on behalf of the others: "Agreed. All expenses will be covered by the World Government."
Marineford.
After returning from Mary Geoise, Sengoku immediately summoned Sakazuki. Without preamble, he stated, "The Marines need to establish a special unit."
"Dr. Reddy?"
Sakazuki understood instantly.
Sengoku nodded and laid out the strategy he had devised on the way back: "This special unit must consist mainly of young people, as their way of thinking may align more closely with that man's."
"Second, priority should be given to members with unique Devil Fruit abilities."
"If they possess other special talents, they can also be considered."
"Third, they will not exist within the official Marine ranks."
After hearing Sengoku's three requirements, Sakazuki frowned deeply.
He understood Sengoku's intent.
Direct confrontation with Reddy was nearly impossible.
Thus, they needed to find another way, seeking a breakthrough from a different angle.
Moreover, this yet-to-be-formed special unit could not rely on the older generation of elite fighters currently in the Marines.
Thinking this, Sakazuki already had a few candidates in mind.
"What is the objective?"
Sakazuki pressed.
Sengoku answered firmly: "To prevent Dr. Reddy from obtaining more Bloodline Factors from powerful individuals."
Sakazuki asked again: "What are the maximum permissions?"
Sengoku hesitated briefly before replying with resolve: "If necessary, they may engage even an Emperor without Marineford's approval."
Sakazuki nodded.
Sengoku crossed his arms, looking seriously at Sakazuki. "I hope this special unit can become the blade that severs Dr. Reddy's means of hunting powerful Bloodline Factors."
"Thus, the unit's codename shall be... Blade."
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