Navy Headquarters, Marinfanto.
In the office at the top of the fortress, where the plaque "Justice that Dominates the World" is hung.
"What did you say!"
Sengoku's face changed, and he stood up abruptly, staring fiercely at the Radio Snail in front of him, "Did Doflamingo really say that before he died?"
"Yes, Marshal."
The Radio Snail, with a cigar in its mouth and a brown hat brim, had a gloomy expression, "That guy was in a miserable state, only half of his body was left, clearly sliced in two by something extremely sharp."
"Throughout the first half at least, only that Great Blade Sword Master could accomplish that, right?"
Sliced in two?
This detail made Sengoku put aside the last bit of luck in his heart.
"...I got it."
Sengoku sat back down, rubbing his temples, suddenly overcome by a wave of fatigue and powerlessness.
That troublesome youth is actually still alive?
After the battle at Judicial Island, when Borsalino reported to him, he had a vague unease in his heart.
Always felt that the monster who stirred the Grand Line into chaos after just a few months at sea shouldn't have died so easily and smoothly...
And now, has this worry buried deep in his heart finally come true?
"Over two months without any news."
Sengoku spoke in a low voice, "It seems this creature is hiding on some secluded island to train or heal..."
"I'm thinking we can't let this guy be too comfortable."
The Radio Snail slowly exhaled a smoke ring, "Marshal, indeed there are a few unremarkable islands in the direction Doflamingo flew, none too far. How about I spend a few days searching them one by one?"
"It's a good proposal."
Sengoku nodded slightly, "I'll have the nearby bases send reinforcements to meet with you. If you see him..."
"Ah, I understand."
The Radio Snail imitated Chaton's manner, giggling, "Leave it to me, I certainly won't be as careless as Mr. Borsalino, I'll definitely bring his corpse back to Marin..."
"No."
Sengoku interrupted him, "What I mean is, if you see him, don't act recklessly, notify headquarters immediately, I'll have Kizaru rush over as quickly as possible."
"Eh?"
The Radio Snail was stunned, "Marshal, have you forgotten that at the beginning of the year, I was promoted along with Gion to Admiral Candidate, to deal with a Ten Billion Belly Level pirate shouldn't need an increase..."
Sengoku shook his head:
"If he was just out to sea, I'd feel at ease leaving it to you, but Tokikake, young strong ones continuously evolve and grow..."
The guy who repeatedly escaped with his life from the Grand Admirals, after a few months, is he still someone an Admiral Candidate can handle?
"No more talking, follow orders."
"...I understand."
Clearly, Chaton on the other end was still somewhat unconvinced, but ultimately said nothing more.
Hung up the call.
Sengoku supported his chin with both hands, quietly contemplating for a while, suddenly pulled out a warrant from the bottom drawer on the left.
The man in the warrant had short golden hair, wearing a pink feather coat, spreading his arms arrogantly to the camera with a boastful smile.
This warrant was somewhat yellowed and old, but its surface was extremely smooth without creases, it seemed to have been pressed at the bottom for years, not taken out for a long time.
"Little Rosy."
He stared at the warrant photo, murmuring lowly, "You, can finally rest in peace..."
That kid named Shano killed the third Warlord of the Sea, which of course gave the entire headquarters a headache once more.
But at the same time, it helped him complete a long-standing wish from a Navy Admiral's perspective, forever unreachable...
When you think of it this way, do I owe him a favor?
It's really absurd, Sengoku remained silent for a long time.
He rolled up the warrant and tucked it under his arm, took out a bottle of wine, headed downstairs, moving towards the graveyard behind Marinfanto...
————
Klaykan Island.
In the thick fog, an inconspicuous small boat docked at the shore.
A tall, slim man wearing a wide-brimmed hat stepped onto the land, finally returning to the place he was most familiar with.
But.
Differing from always coming and going alone, this time he returned with a nervous girl following behind him.
Noticing the fierce silhouettes quickly sweeping through the fog, the girl shuddered and instinctively gripped the sword in her hand tightly.
"Mr. Kekomi."
She nearly cried, swallowing hard, "Those are the baboons with swordsmanship you mentioned, right? There's way too many of them... Do I really have to survive their challenges for three days before you'll officially accept me as your apprentice?"
Upon hearing this name, Hawkeye's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
Reading the name backwards was indeed brought up by him originally.
But change to someone else wanting to learn swordsmanship with him, they would definitely pretend it never happened, continue using the normal title.
Yet this girl named Tashigi is stubborn and naive, actually taking it seriously.
All the way, calling him Kekomi over and over, every time hearing it ignited a nameless fire in his heart —
Where did Shano go, can't you hurry up and take your follower away!
Could it be you really died, as announced by the World Government?
Impossible.
Tashigi doesn't believe it, and neither does he.
So over the past two months, working hard across lands, specifically searched all the islands around Judicial Island.