Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, everyone wore grave expressions.
Even the usually flippant Garp was frowning.
"How do we handle this now?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Sengoku, her expression was solemn.
"The situation is basically clear. The Shichibukai Hanafuda used the students on the ship as a threat to accomplish this." Sengoku said after some thought.
Although Zephyr was older, he was still in his prime.
No matter how strong the Shichibukai Hanafuda was, Zephyr should have been able to handle him.
The key was that Zephyr had a group of trainees from the Navy training camp with him this time.
Not only did Zephyr lose an arm, but that batch of trainees also suffered heavy casualties.
"We must react immediately."
Akainu looked at Sengoku and said in a deep voice.
"He is a Shichibukai, at least for now. Until his status as a Shichibukai is revoked, the World Government will not let us move against him."
At Sengoku's words, everyone fell silent.
"After doing something like this, the World Government still won't agree to revoke that guy's Shichibukai status?"
Garp frowned.
He had never approved of the Shichibukai system in the first place.
Now that a Shichibukai had caused such an incident, could they use this opportunity to...
As Garp thought, he looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru.
Tsuru naturally noticed Garp's gaze and understood his thoughts, then shook her head.
"The Shichibukai are not just one person." Sengoku said in a deep voice.
Revoking one person's Shichibukai title was simple, but it would give the other Shichibukai ideas.
In a sense, the Shichibukai were pirates who had signed an agreement with the World Government.
If they were to tear up the agreement now, the consequences would be unpredictable. The entire system might collapse.
The World Government, which had pushed so hard for the Shichibukai system, would absolutely not let that happen.
To have a Shichibukai's title revoked, aside from the person dying, was for them to be defeated by someone else.
But the person who defeated them could not be from the Navy.
It was frustrating, truly frustrating.
"Perhaps there's another way." Kizaru suddenly spoke up.
"I understand what you mean, but we can't hide it from the World Government."
Sengoku glanced at Kizaru and shook his head.
Hanafuda was not weak.
The guy had made a name for himself by fighting Kaido, and he had a close relationship with him.
Even though Zephyr had been constrained this time, an Admiral was still an Admiral.
To be able to injure Zephyr already gave some indication of Hanafuda's strength.
To quietly capture or defeat this guy, no one in the Navy outside of this office could be guaranteed to succeed.
But if any of them made a move, the news would be impossible to contain.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi on Sengoku's desk began to ring.
Buru buru!
The sudden sound in the quiet office drew everyone's attention to the Den Den Mushi.
"This is Sengoku!"
Sengoku picked up the receiver and spoke.
"Zephyr's matter ends here."
A voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, a voice familiar to everyone present.
Former Fleet Admiral Kong.
"Hanafuda's attack on the Navy caused such heavy casualties. It's a major blow to the Navy's prestige." Sengoku tried to argue.
"That's an order." Kong's voice sounded, and then the connection was cut.
Sengoku gripped the receiver, his face ugly.
"Actually, it's not like there are no options." Vice Admiral Tsuru suddenly spoke.
Everyone's gaze turned to her.
"The Navy can't make a move, but that doesn't mean others can't. It won't do anything for the Navy's prestige, but if it's just about dealing with Hanafuda, I have a candidate in mind."
"You mean?"
Sengoku pondered for a moment and said softly.
"Yes. Cyrus!" Vice Admiral Tsuru said the name.
Upon hearing this name, Kizaru and Aokiji's expressions turned serious.
"Why would that guy help us?" Akainu naturally knew of Cyrus as well.
After all, matters concerning Cyrus had been discussed many times in this office.
He also knew that Cyrus had rejected the Navy's recruitment offer.
"Isn't he a Pirate Hunter?" Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at Akainu before speaking.
"That guy is in Paradise right now. It'll be a while before he reaches the New World."
Garp offered a reminder to them.
"That doesn't really matter. The difficult part now is getting him to agree to act. If it's him, he should be able to take down Hanafuda. As long as Hanafuda is defeated, his Shichibukai title will be automatically revoked."
"So, how do we get him to act?" Aokiji asked.
"By paying the price."
Vice Admiral Tsuru looked at Sengoku and said no more.
As for what price to pay, that was a headache for Sengoku.
"Garp!"
Sengoku pondered for a moment after hearing this, then looked at Garp.
"Go find that guy and ask him what he thinks."
Garp hadn't expected this mission to fall on his shoulders.
"That kid is not an easy person to talk to," Garp said after some thought.
"Just meet him and ask."
"Alright!"
Since Sengoku had put it that way, Garp didn't refuse again.
"But what you all should be thinking about right now is how you're going to explain this to Zephyr when he gets back."
After speaking, Garp stood up and left, leaving the others to stare at each other in dismay.
...
Nanohana.
Cyrus looked at the newspaper in his hand.
It happened after all, just as he'd expected.
"This is... Shichibukai Hanafuda attacked the Navy? And even injured former Admiral Zephyr?"
Robin stared at the newspaper's contents in shock.
Upon hearing the name Hanafuda, Issho's brow furrowed.
Cyrus keenly noticed Issho's reaction and turned to look at him.
"You know him?"
"No!" Issho shook his head after a moment of silence.
"I see!" Cyrus nodded, his gaze falling back to the newspaper.
"This guy has deep ties with Kaido. According to the report, he's been collecting Zoan Devil Fruits all over the New World, which is probably related to Kaido as well," Cyrus said thoughtfully.
"Forget it, it has nothing to do with us."
Cyrus placed the newspaper aside and looked up at Galdino, who was standing at attention nearby.
Being stared at by Cyrus, beads of sweat formed on Galdino's forehead.
"What did Crocodile have you do?"
"He had me deliver an Eternal Pose to you, and then wait for orders in Alabasta."
"I see. Go on, get busy!"
Cyrus waved his hand dismissively.
Galdino, as if granted a pardon, hurried away.
"He seems very scared," Robin commented.
"He was the one at Little Garden," Cyrus explained.
"We'll wait here for a few days. In the meantime, try out that training method for your Devil Fruit Ability," Cyrus said to Issho.
"Alright!"
Issho naturally had no objection.
Then, Robin suddenly had a bad premonition.