Doflamingo's actions did not escape the Navy's intelligence network.
Someone relayed information about his trip to the North Blue directly to Navy Headquarters.
At that moment, the Navy's top brass were in the middle of a high-level meeting. The atmosphere was formal—at least for most of the officers present.
One officer sat with an eyepatch over one eye, leaning back in his chair as if half-asleep. Another stared at the ceiling with a lazy, almost lecherous grin. Yet another clutched a half-bitten senbei, snot bubble rising and falling as he dozed.
No one paid attention to these quirks. Fleet Admiral Sengoku was focused on the meeting, speaking without pause.
Behind him, a board displayed several large wanted posters: Dracule Mihawk, Crocodile, Boa Hancock, Gecko Moriah, Jinbe, and Doflamingo. The meeting's topic was clear — the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Just then, a Rear Admiral knocked and entered, saluting.
"Intelligence from the North Blue, sir — Donquixote Doflamingo's ships have been spotted!"
The words were not loud, but every officer present turned their head.
Sengoku frowned. "Why would that man suddenly return to the North Blue?"
Not long ago, Doflamingo had joined the Shichibukai by leveraging a hostage incident. Since then, he had remained on the Grand Line, with reports even suggesting plans to enter the New World.
Now, his sudden reappearance in his home sea was highly suspicious.
The Rear Admiral added, "We've also spotted pirate crews under the 'Shipping King' in the North Blue. There may be a secret transaction underway. The island is in a gray zone — we have no spies there."
Though not as powerful as the New World's great pirate crews, these forces were still formidable — especially meeting in the Four Seas, which the Navy considered its own territory.
Akainu folded his arms, eyes sharp. "Hmph. So after becoming a Shichibukai, he's stopped bothering to hide."
To him, pirates — legal or not — were evil to be eliminated.
Kizaru tilted his head, his lips curling. "Oh my, terrifying indeed. We so much as mention the Warlords, and they're already making waves…"
Aokiji lifted his blindfold slightly and yawned. "Doflamingo and the Shipping King Umit— two Dark World forces, meeting in secret? That's bold." Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel suggested, "Could a powerful Devil Fruit have appeared in the North Blue?" Treasure, rare fruits, shady trades, and weapons were the usual motives.
Sengoku turned to Vice Admiral Tsuru. "You know Doflamingo best. Any ideas?"
She paused. "The North Blue has been turbulent lately. The Vinsmoke family recently attacked an island, and now this. Could there be a link?"
She addressed the Rear Admiral. "Any deeper analysis?"
"Yes, ma'am." He handed her a document. Tsuru scanned it, her eyes pausing on a detail.
"Bounty hunters — someone called 'Quincy' — has appeared in that gray zone."
Some officers were unfamiliar with the name.
Vice Admiral Doberman spoke. "Rear Admiral Bastille mentioned that name before — a new bounty hunter from the North Blue." Tsuru nodded. "Yes, but this is strange. He appeared on Donzik Island before… and now again."
Some officers dismissed it as coincidence. What North Blue bounty hunter would dare cross a Shichibukai?
Sengoku wasn't convinced. "Bring me Quincy's file."
The Rear Admiral obeyed. Sengoku flipped through — sparse details, only noting a masked figure suspected of using a Devil Fruit and wielding a sword.
He looked at Doberman. "Is Bastille on assignment?"
"No, sir. He's instructing at the training camp."
"Then bring him here."
Bastille arrived shortly after. Sengoku went straight to the point. "You know the bounty hunter Quincy?"
At the name, Bastille stiffened. Behind his mask, his eyes widened. Has my false victory been found out?
Sengoku's gaze hardened, his presence filling the room. "Well, Vice Admiral Bastille? Explain."
At that moment, all the high-ranking Marine officers turned their gazes toward one person.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku… Fleet Admiral Sengoku… this…" Bastille's voice trembled even more.
"Hm?"
Everyone frowned in confusion.
Under their stares, Bastille began to sweat profusely.
Believing he had been exposed, and not knowing what else to do, he reluctantly recounted the events on Donzik Island in full detail.
The room grew quieter as they listened—until he mentioned that Quincy had single-handedly defeated the Vinsmoke family. Then, several expressions shifted.
Everyone present knew the strength of the Vinsmoke family.
To defeat them outright, this "Quincy" had to possess at least Vice Admiral–level strength.
Bastille's direct superior, Vice Admiral Doberman, gave him a cold snort.
"Hmph! Vice Admiral Bastille, you truly disappoint me."
False claims of military merit weren't uncommon in the Marines—most of those in the room had heard of or even seen such incidents before.
It was practically standard practice… so long as you didn't get caught.
But Bastille, by sheer misfortune, had just confessed in front of the entire Marine high command.
He had assumed the matter was long behind him—months had passed—but fate decided otherwise.
The punishment came quickly: while his rank remained, most of his recorded merits were stripped away. It stung, leaving him feeling as though he had lost both the prize and the game.
From that day, he nursed a grudge toward Quincy's disguise.
Sengoku didn't dwell on the matter; he knew such things were impossible to eliminate completely within such a vast organization.
Instead, he moved on.
"What do you all think?"
Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel straightened in his seat.
"Given Quincy's level of strength, his presence on Swallow Island is highly suspicious. I believe the Donquixote Family was targeting him."
Doberman nodded.
"Could it be that Quincy disrupted a deal between Doflamingo and the Shipping King?"
"Wow… daring enough to cross two kings of the underworld? What a terrifying bounty hunter…" Kizaru drawled lazily, his lips curling in that familiar, mocking way.
"Hmph! Such people are unstable elements. They could turn pirate at any time. They're enemies to be eliminated completely! And even if they are Shichibukai—so what? Conducting illegal trades right under the Navy's nose… do they think we don't exist?"
Akainu's gaze turned cold, his hawkish stance on full display.
"I suggest sending troops immediately to crush their operation."
Many Vice Admirals in the hawk faction murmured in agreement.
Aokiji, however, frowned.
"Don't forget—Doflamingo is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, officially recognized by the World Government. Intervening could put us at odds with them."
Akainu slammed his fist against the table.
"So, Admiral Aokiji… you'd have us do nothing? Where will the Navy's reputation be then?"
"I didn't say that," Aokiji replied coolly. "But do we even have time to mobilize now?"
"We could send forces from the North Blue branch."
Aokiji sat up straighter, meeting Akainu's glare evenly.
"You think North Blue troops can handle this? Or are you ready to sacrifice them for the Navy's pride?"
Akainu rose to his feet, voice like steel.
"As Marines, that is their duty."
The tension between the two admirals thickened, but no one dared to step between them.
Kizaru continued to act as though he hadn't heard a thing.
Sengoku frowned, about to intervene—
Pop!
A soft sound echoed in the chamber, followed by a familiar drawl.
"Huh? What's up? Is dinner ready?"
Garp rubbed his head, blinking at the room.
His words shattered the tension instantly; several Vice Admirals exhaled in relief.
"Ahem…"
Sengoku's brow twitched.
"Haha! Guess not. I thought the meeting was over!" Garp laughed, ignoring Sengoku's glare.
"Garp, shut up, you old fool!"
"Why'd you wake me up if it's not over yet…" Garp muttered, stuffing another senbei into his mouth.
Everyone else studiously ignored him.
Sengoku massaged his temples.
"Which Vice Admiral from headquarters is currently closest to Swallow Island?"
One officer checked his notes and replied,
"Marshal, Vice Admiral Onigumo is on an island near Reverse Mountain. He could arrive within days."
"Onigumo…" Sengoku paused, then said, "Contact him and order him to the North Blue."
"Yes, sir!"
The officer saluted and left.
With that, the discussion shifted to the next agenda item—the matter of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Six had been confirmed, and they were finalizing the seventh: someone with power, reputation, and influence.
…
Meanwhile, aboard a warship sailing the Grand Line—
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Vice Admiral Onigumo frowned.
"Doflamingo, the Shipping King, the bounty hunter Quincy… what a mess."
His mission had been nearly complete; he'd expected to return for a well-earned rest. Now, the sudden change of orders irritated him.
He snorted coldly.
"Full starboard! Set course for the North Blue!"
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