As the most intelligent of the Marines' former trio of top enforcers, only Garp knew just how black-hearted Sengoku could be.
They all caused the same amount of trouble, so why did he end up known as a reckless brute while Sengoku got the title of 'Resourceful General'?
Was that fair?
What did he mean by 'bury them a bit deeper'?
What did he mean by 'feed them to the Sea Kings'?
"Um... Fleet Admiral."
Smoker took a deep drag of smoke, trying to suppress the shock in his heart, his voice dry as he interrupted Sengoku's incessant chatter.
"You've misunderstood."
Smoker sighed and rubbed his throbbing temples.
"It wasn't Admiral Kuzan who did it; it has nothing to do with us."
"It was that guy codenamed 'Mordred'."
"Before Abel could contain him, those three CP0 members tried to interfere, wanting to forcibly take the target and the virus samples."
"As a result, they underestimated Mordred's strength. All three were insta-killed the moment they engaged."
Recalling the scene at the time, Smoker felt another wave of lingering fear.
In just a few seconds, three CP0 members were killed and absorbed. If Kuzan hadn't come to support them, that guy probably would have finished him off as well just in passing.
Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Sengoku's eye twitched violently as an ominous feeling rose in his heart.
The three CP0 members sent on this mission weren't the absolute top of CP0, but they were mainstays of the first tier.
They were insta-killed just like that?
However...
As long as it wasn't the Marines who did it, everything was fine.
As for CP0 dying?
Good riddance!
Those masked fellows, relying on the influence of the Celestial Dragons, were bad enough acting high and mighty in the New World, but now their reach was so long they were even interfering with Marine Headquarters' operations.
"If they're dead, they're dead."
Sengoku picked up a piece of senbei and bit into it with a loud crunch, his tone as relaxed as if he were discussing today's weather.
"Their skills were lacking; they deserved to die."
"Smoker, write this into the report exactly as it happened."
"Write... the CP0 members were heroic and fearless. To cover the Marines' retreat, they launched a solo charge against the monster codenamed 'Mordred' and ultimately died a heroic death."
"Save them some face, and it'll save the World Government from embarrassment too."
"Look at how scared you are over such a small thing. Stay calm when facing big events."
"As for the specific battle damage report, just write a detailed document and submit it later. You don't need to report it one by one over the phone."
"Have Kuzan bring the team back quickly. The Gorosei will likely demand accountability soon, so I'll need him to go and deal with those old guys' verbal abuse."
"Um, Fleet Admiral."
Smoker scratched his head.
"Don't be in such a hurry to hang up."
Back at Marineford, Sengoku was about to put another piece of senbei into his mouth.
Hearing Smoker's obviously wrong tone, his movements paused.
"What? Is there something else?"
Sengoku said indistinctly, still in a good mood.
"If you want funds to repair the ships, just report directly to the Logistics Department. You don't need to tell me about such trivial matters..."
"It's not about repairing ships."
Smoker interrupted Sengoku.
This was the first time he had interrupted the supreme commander of the Marines.
He took a deep drag of his cigar; the spark flickered in the cold wind, yet it couldn't warm his chilled fingers.
"Regarding the casualty statistics for this operation, I think I must give you a verbal report right now."
Sengoku was silent for two seconds on the other end.
Probably sensing the abnormality in Smoker's emotions, he swallowed the food in his mouth.
"Fine, go ahead."
"Even with Kuzan's support, facing a monster like that, a few dozen soldiers killed or wounded is inevitable."
"Issue the pensions at the highest standard. I can at least make that call."
Sengoku was already calculating how to comfort the families.
In his view, with an Admiral present, no matter how strong the enemy was, the cost would only be minor.
Smoker closed his eyes, his heart sinking.
A few dozen?
This is bad!
"Fleet Admiral, this time Marine Headquarters deployed a total of ten heavy warships, cooperating with other North Blue branch units, totaling 5,600 soldiers."
Smoker recited a string of numbers.
Sengoku listened casually on the other end, picking up his teacup.
"Yes, I know. This configuration already far exceeds a Buster Call."
"Those who can still stand..."
Smoker paused, his gaze sweeping across the empty deck and the broken driftwood on the distant sea surface.
"...are fewer than two thousand."
Crack.
That was the sound of porcelain shattering inside the office at Marineford.
The teacup in Sengoku's hand had been crushed into powder by his unconscious grip.
Scalding tea flowed through his fingers, dripping onto the mahogany desk and emitting white steam.
The entire Fleet Admiral's office instantly fell into a suffocating silence.
A full five seconds passed.
Only then did Sengoku's voice come through again.
It was no longer relaxed and easygoing like before, but low and suppressed to the extreme, even carrying an imperceptible tremor.
"What... did you say?"
"Say that again?"
Smoker's fingers holding the receiver turned white from the force.
He knew how heavy this number was.
This was the most disastrous loss the Marines had suffered since the start of the Great Pirate Era.
"Confirmed over two thousand dead."
"Eight hundred missing."
"Additionally, three Marine Headquarters warships were completely sunk, and the power systems of two others are scrapped."
With every sentence Smoker spoke, Sengoku's breathing became heavier.
Was this going to capture someone?
This was practically going to their deaths!
"How is that possible?!"
Sengoku's roar suddenly exploded, making Smoker's eardrums ache.
"Where's Kuzan?!"
"What was he doing?!"
"Was he just watching from the sidelines?!"
The reason Kuzan was chosen to lead this mission was because of the control power of his Hie Hie no Mi. With him there, how could such heavy casualties occur?
Sengoku had lost his composure.
He could not accept this result.
These were over three thousand elite Marine soldiers! Not some cheap cabbages!
How many years did it take to train a qualified Marine soldier?
And half of them were gone in an instant?!
Facing the Fleet Admiral's fury, Smoker did not defend himself.
He just turned his head and glanced at Kuzan, who was lying on the ground nearby wearing an eye mask.
No one wanted to see this situation happen.
"Fleet Admiral, Admiral Kuzan... did his best."
Smoker's voice carried a sense of powerlessness.
"If he hadn't stepped in at the critical moment, we might... not have had a single survivor."
On the other end of the phone, Sengoku's chest heaved violently.
He slumped back into his chair, which groaned under the weight, that chair symbolizing Justice.
"What... exactly happened?"
Sengoku's voice was somewhat dry.
I don't understand.
Smoker took a deep breath.
"It's the virus."
"That Blacklight virus underwent a secondary mutation."
"The infected soldiers retained their combat instincts from when they were alive."
"They can use firearms, they can use swordsmanship, even..."
"...they can use the Six Powers and Haki."
Marineford.
Sengoku's pupils suddenly contracted into needlepoints.
Retained their combat abilities from when they were alive? You have to be joking.