"Tsuru, it's easy for you to say."
"What about the money? You've seen Marineford's financial reports."
Sengoku suddenly sat up straight, pointing to the mountain of documents piled on the corner of the desk.
"Those are all military expenditure requests! Every single one has to go through the audit of those bastards in the World Government! They want to split one Berry in half to spend it!"
Great Staff Officer Tsuru remained as unperturbed as ever. She picked up the teacup on the table and gently blew on the hot liquid.
"Basic Instance, one million Berries."
"We can barely afford that price."
"One million Berries…" Sengoku murmured, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the tabletop. "This is barely… within the realm of possibility."
"Exactly." Tsuru put down her teacup, wisdom sparkling in her aged eyes.
"We can disguise it as a new, high-intensity elite soldier training program. One million at a time, though expensive, if it can bring about a soldier with a leap in strength, this investment is worth it."
Sengoku's eyes flickered.
He thought of Kuzan's report.
That monster named Uchiha Madara, although only existing within the "Instance," the power he displayed was enough to leave an Admiral completely helpless.
If… if the Marine could, through these Instances, decipher those incredible abilities, or even… gain a portion of that power.
Then, facing the increasingly rampant Great Pirate Era, facing the Four Emperors who rule the New World, the Marine would have an unprecedented trump card!
This thought made Sengoku's heart race.
However, the World Government couldn't know about this for now.
A deep sense of disgust and apprehension appeared on Sengoku's face.
"Those idiots in the Celestial Dragons with straw for brains, if they knew about this place…"
He could almost picture it.
A place that could grant immortality, resurrect the dead, and allow one to experience the power of gods.
What crazy things would those wastes, who call themselves descendants of "gods," do?
That kid named White Night, according to Kuzan's report, was not someone to be easily manipulated.
Who would dare to provoke an existence capable of casually creating a monster of Six Paths Madara's caliber?
If not handled properly, it would be a disaster a hundred times more terrifying than a Four Emperors riot!
The news must not only be kept from the World Government but also from most people within the Marine.
Select a small number of Marine elites to challenge the Instances.
Sengoku stopped and looked at Tsuru, his eyes questioning.
"Let's keep it a secret for now."
He finally made his decision, his voice heavy as iron.
"All intelligence regarding White Night and the 'Instances' will be classified as top secret."
"As for the World Government…"
Sengoku's gaze became incredibly profound.
"Let's pretend we know nothing for now. When the time is right, when we have gained enough power and intelligence from that place, then we will report to the Gorosei."
Sengoku let out a long sigh, slumping back onto the Fleet Admiral's throne.
He looked at his resourceful old comrade, a profoundly bitter curve forming on his lips.
"Oh, Tsuru… thankfully I have you."
"Otherwise, this Fleet Admiral's position, I'd find even one day of it too much."
Sengoku rubbed his throbbing temples, feeling his nerves were about to snap.
"Especially that old bastard Garp!"
Sengoku slammed his fist on the table, making the documents jump.
He growled through gritted teeth.
"If he were half as reliable as you! No! Even a tenth as reliable as you! I'd have half as many white hairs!"
Great Staff Officer Tsuru's lips curved into a smile, as if she had thought of something.
"If he were truly reliable, he wouldn't be Garp."
"That's true…"
Sengoku slumped back against the chair, deflating again.
Yes.
That man was Marine Hero Garp precisely because he never played by the rules and was never bound by them.
Sengoku looked at Tsuru's wrinkled yet composed face, and the irritation and anxiety in his heart miraculously subsided a great deal.
With this old comrade by his side, the sky wouldn't fall yet.
He sat up straight again, his eyes regaining the sharpness and decisiveness of a Fleet Admiral.
"This matter will proceed as you suggested!"
"Select the most elite and trustworthy Marines, and send them to the East Blue in batches under the guise of secret training!"
"We must seize the initiative before everyone else reacts!"
…Meanwhile.
Marineford, Elite Training Ground.
"Ha!"
Accompanied by a sharp cry, a fierce sword light flashed, cutting the steel dummy in front of her in half at the waist!
The cut was as smooth as a mirror.
Gion sheathed her sword, and konpira hummed with satisfaction.
She casually picked up a towel, wiping the fragrant sweat from her forehead and neck. Beneath her pink short hair, her beautiful face was devoid of expression, but deep within her ice-blue eyes, there was an undeniable irritation.
"Tch, boring men."
The image of Porcupine's grinning, self-important face flashed through her mind, and a surge of anger rose within her.
What time was it already?
The New World was in chaos, yet they still had the mind for such romantic nonsense.
How ridiculous.
At the edge of the training ground, several resting Marines secretly pointed and whispered about her.
"Hey, did you hear? Vice Admiral Porcupine was rejected by Vice Admiral Gion again today."
"How many times has it been? His persistence is truly astonishing; I would have given up long ago."
"That's Vice Admiral Gion! Marineford's most beautiful female swordswoman! An Admiral candidate! I'd pursue her too!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Do you want her to hear you? Her temper isn't very good!"
Gion's ears twitched, and her frown deepened.
She hated such boring gossip the most.
Tossing the towel into a nearby basket, she said nothing, turning and walking towards her dormitory.
Her tall figure cast a solitary, straight shadow in the setting sun.
She pushed open the door to her dormitory.
A familiar scent, a mix of fresh tea and faint herbs, wafted towards her.
Gion's steps suddenly halted.
She saw that in her room, the figure she deeply respected was calmly sitting at the table, leisurely pouring herself a cup of hot tea.
The lingering glow of the setting sun filtered through the window, bathing her aged yet serene profile, as if coating her with a soft golden hue.
"Sister He, why are you here?!"
"Look at you, all sweaty."
Tsuru put down her teacup, her eyes, which had witnessed the changes of the world, gently looking at her valiant younger sister.
"Training should also be done in moderation."
"I don't want to hear news of Marineford's youngest female Vice Admiral collapsing from overtraining."