Marine Headquarters.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku looked at the intelligence report in his hand, his brow deeply furrowed.
"Just stirring up trouble... damn it!"
...
"He is an extreme and abnormal Pirate like that," Vice Admiral Tsuru also looked at the documents, saying gravely, "I thought he would stay quietly in Dressrosa as its king. That way..."
"He's putting the entire country in danger!"
...
A Marine Officer standing nearby reported, "According to intelligence from the New World frontlines, the Beasts Pirates have already mobilized!"
"Also on the move... is White Wolf Vice Admiral's flagship. They are both heading for Dressrosa!"
...
Sengoku's frown deepened. After a moment of silence, he dialed the Den Den Mushi.
Buru buru buru...
"It's been a long time since you called me, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
The Den Den Mushi took on a humanized form with two red, ringed eyes, its skin turning snow-white.
With a long sigh, Sengoku said helplessly, "If only you would listen to my orders once, I wouldn't have gone so long without contacting you."
"Dressrosa is a World Government Affiliated Nation. Without the king's permission, we Marines cannot intervene."
"I will send people to stop Kaido. You shouldn't go either."
"I promise you, I will find a way to get the Float-Float Fruit and give it to you!"
...
"Will find a way?"
Griffin's voice was full of mockery: "You don't even dare to say you'll definitely get it. What kind of confident promise is that?"
"I'll handle it myself. Don't waste people trying to stop Kaido either."
"The more you help, the more trouble you cause..."
Click—
Looking at the disconnected Den Den Mushi, Sengoku didn't have the energy to get angry, only feeling utterly helpless.
"Being disliked again~"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's tone was flippant: "It's normal for an old man not to be popular with the young. Don't always think about ordering young people around."
Sengoku shook his head with a bitter smile: "This is no small matter. Once Griffin and Kaido meet... I can already foresee them destroying Dressrosa."
"After that incident, the higher-ups have a lot of opinions about Griffin..."
Sengoku waved his hand, signaling the reporting officer to leave, and continued: "The Five Elders no longer trust Griffin. They are deliberately restricting his range of activity, treating him like a major Pirate..."
"Fortunately, he's barely left his post these past few years. I could still tell the higher-ups he's learned to restrain himself."
"If he starts a fight with Kaido on his own this time..."
"That brat, why won't he listen to me even once!"
...
"Don't immediately jump to the worst-case scenario."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's voice seemed to carry a certain magic, calming the agitated Sengoku: "Didn't the intelligence say the Beasts Pirates have gathered a large amount of funds, and so has Griffin?"
"Maybe they really do plan to honestly buy the Float-Float Fruit?"
...
"Tsuru, do you believe that yourself?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "There's always a possibility, isn't there?"
"Do you remember what Griffin did during the last battle in Dressrosa? Before intervening in the fight, he specifically seized several Pirate ships to evacuate the civilians."
"No matter what, Griffin would never choose to start a fight in a place crowded with civilians."
"Although he sometimes acts a bit impulsively, he's a good kid."
...
Vice Admiral Tsuru rested her chin on her hand, smiling faintly. "Kaido is the same—that guy isn't as barbaric as he looks."
"Among the four Pirate Emperors, he's definitely the most cunning and cautious one!"
"If you examine his actions, they may seem insane, but he always maintains a certain 'limit,' staying just within what the World Government can tolerate."
"To be honest... I think Griffin and Kaido share some similarities in certain aspects."
"Griffin spent two and a half years lying low in the Whitebeard Pirates, and in recent years, he's been carefully managing his base."
"Kaido also only became more active after fortifying Wano Country into an impregnable stronghold."
"They aren't low-level Pirates who fight on impulse; they don't lack patience."
...
"Just as you said, a clash when they meet might be unavoidable, but it's highly unlikely they'll start a fight during the auction."
Vice Admiral Tsuru raised one finger. "First scenario: Griffin obtains the Float-Float Fruit."
"Based on my understanding of him, he'll definitely bring trusted companions with him. Once he gets the fruit, he'll have someone eat it immediately, leaving no chance for others to snatch it."
"At that point, Kaido faces two choices: fight Griffin to vent his anger, or retreat to Wano Country."
"The first choice is highly probable, though testing Griffin's strength would be a bigger motive than venting anger."
"Griffin likely isn't a match for Kaido, but it would still be difficult for Kaido to completely defeat him. Escaping would be easy enough."
...
"Second scenario."
"Kaido obtains the Float-Float Fruit."
"The Beasts Pirates are famous for their many Zoan-type Ability Users, and Kaido's close associates are all Ability Users."
"He wouldn't casually pick someone to eat such a precious fruit; he'd likely take it back to Wano Country and select someone there."
"This is the scenario in my prediction where the two are most likely to erupt into battle."
Vice Admiral Tsuru held up two fingers, speaking seriously. "And it's also the worst-case scenario. Griffin won't let it go easily. Once he sets his mind on something, he'll chase it all the way to Wano Country to reclaim it."
"If this happens, it will be our opportunity to strike!"
"We promised we'd help him find the Float-Float Fruit..."
"Sengoku, have you ever considered something?"
"You don't trust Griffin, but does Griffin trust you?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's words left Sengoku stunned.
"Remember... back then, he risked his life to protect the Celestial Dragons on Sabaody Archipelago. What did you do to him?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's expression darkened. "Don't think I don't know what Vegapunk is researching. You covet the power of the Uchiha while still expecting him to remain obedient to you!"
"Back then, he didn't have the power to resist. Now that he does, are you going to label him as unruly?"
...
...
Sengoku remained silent for a long time, his face filled with bitterness. "Tsuru... have I really been wrong..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's expression softened, and she spoke gently. "It's not too late yet."
"As elders, we must keep the promises we make. Only then can the younger generation trust us."
"Let's arrange our personnel first. We can discuss the specifics of the operation later."
"We can't just do nothing..."
...
Sengoku nodded, pausing for a moment.
"Actually... there's a third possibility."
Sengoku's gaze was profound as he murmured, "The World Government also has designs on that fruit!"
"They bypassed the Marines and arranged for Cipher Pol agents to act in secret. I received the information from my informant within CP."
...
Vice Admiral Tsuru raised an eyebrow. "You have people everywhere! Tell me honestly, which organization doesn't have your informants planted in it?"
Sengoku let out a long sigh. "This isn't something to be proud of..."
"Tsuru, this position requires considering too many things."
"I'm truly exhausted..."
Only in front of this old friend could Sengoku reveal such a vulnerable side.
...
"...Don't push yourself too hard. Kuzan and the others have the ability to shoulder the future of the Marines."
Sengoku turned his gaze back to the documents and smiled. "Yes, I should retire too. I can't just watch Garp live a leisurely life."
"Leisurely might not be the right word. That kid Ace... I hear the other one is also clamoring to become a pirate." Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head with a low chuckle.
...
"What an incomprehensible family." When it came to Garp's family, Sengoku was truly at a loss.
He had specifically arranged an opportunity for Ace to be recruited as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, but the kid didn't even acknowledge it, turning around to join the Whitebeard Pirates instead.
Hopeless. Just let it all burn.