The next day, at noon.
Marineford, in a conference room.
Tsuru sat in a side seat, looking at the integrated intelligence reports coming back, murmuring to herself with a bit of a headache, "Has he already become so established? It seems the East Blue no longer has the capability to handle him. This growth speed has exceeded my expectations."
"Even compared to Fire Fist Ace, who is currently making a big name for himself in the New World, his bounty didn't increase as fast as Hiroto's during the same period."
"Armament Haki and a Flying Slash that can split the sea... I suppose only if Garp personally goes would there be a certain guarantee of capturing him, right?"
As she spoke, she looked toward Sengoku at the head of the table.
She didn't mention a word about her communication with Hiroto. After all, for the Marines, pirates, especially powerful ones, are only best when they are dead.
Recruiting someone to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was a decision handed down by the World Government, and Sengoku had personally facilitated the current situation.
"Garp won't go."
Sengoku finished reading the summary of the intelligence and shook his head. "The World Government wants him to step forward and persuade Ace to fill the vacancy in the Seven Warlords of the Sea. But that old bastard isn't willing and has already hidden away in the Grand Line."
Speaking of this, Sengoku couldn't help but curse, "That bastard Garp! If you respect your grandson's opinion so much, ten don't go around loudly announcing that Ace is your grandson."
"..."
Tsuru did not respond.
This matter involved many things. However, Garp was indeed a significant factor, and not just because of the help from his old friends. There was also the connection to the title of Marine Hero. That's why the World Government kept chasing Ace, wanting him to take the position of a Warlord.
"What do you think of Hiroto?" Tsuru asked smoothly.
"He has great potential. Even those monsters roaming the New World wouldn't have performed better than him during the same period. But potential is just potential. His current strength is not enough to take on the role of a Warlord."
Sengoku seemed to have an idea. "This matter can be postponed. There's something you might not know yet. Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, has been defeated. The shadows he cut off have returned to those civilians."
"Who did it?"
Tsuru's expression changed, becoming visibly solemn.
"I don't know. It's still under investigation. Moria has always stayed cooped up in Thriller Bark. Because of his status as a Warlord and his Devil Fruit Ability, the Marines' reach couldn't extend that far."
"What can be confirmed currently is that a meteorite fell from the sky, destroying Moria's castle and defeating him personally. The scale was enough to destroy a small kingdom, but in the end, we don't even know who did it or where they came from."
Sengoku shook his head. "However, the World Government is already considering replacing him. A guy with insufficient strength is not qualified to serve as a Warlord."
Purururu...
At this moment, the den den mushi in front of Sengoku suddenly rang.
Sengoku's expression changed.
A call to him at this time... had something big happened?
Without hesitation, the call was connected.
The den den mushi took on a look of panic. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, we have lost contact with a surveillance ship. In the final communication report, it was... Moria who attacked them."
"What did you say!? And then?" Sengoku asked with a grim expression.
"It is confirmed that Moria has left Thriller Bark. That massive island-ship has entered the Calm Belt."
"Where is he headed?"
"Suspected... East Blue!"
The reporting Marine added, "Intercepted records show that he purchased a piece of intelligence from 'Queen of the Pleasure District' Stussy. From current signs, it looks like he's going... for revenge?"
"Find that intelligence."
Sengoku seemed to have thought of something and immediately gave the order, then hung up after understanding the situation a bit more, his expression remaining grim.
Tsuru understood. Although the Warlord system was established by the World Government, the one who truly facilitated the current situation was Sengoku himself.
At that time, there was a chorus of opposition within the Marines, believing that the Marines should not compromise with evil. Later, it was Sengoku, as the Fleet Admiral, who pushed it through, leading to the current situation of the Three Great Powers in the eyes of the world.
And the effect was very good.
Even Gecko Moria, who rarely stepped out, would destroy a large number of pirates every year heading for the Sabaody Archipelago, preparing to enter the New World.
After a moment of silence, Sengoku suddenly asked, "Has Hiroto's new bounty been set?"
Tsuru shook her head. "Not yet. I was planning to discuss it at the meeting later."
Sengoku's expression calmed down. "No need for discussion. Set his bounty at 100 million berries."
Tsuru seemed to have connected the dots and nodded slightly. "That works."
She had already guessed what Sengoku wanted to do.
One could only say he was worthy of being called the Resourceful General, making the best decision for the Marines in such a short time.
Moria has always been obsessed with creating a zombie army. The stronger the enemy, the more interested he becomes. Cutting off an enemy's shadow and turning it into a new, powerful zombie is his usual style.
Especially after suffering such a huge loss.
It could be said that once Moria arrives in the East Blue, a conflict with Hiroto is almost inevitable. And no matter what the outcome is, it will be a good thing for the Marines.
Thinking of this, Tsuru decided to give it another push and inform Hiroto of this news. She just didn't know if this ambitious kid could pass the test that is Moria.
The two were in complete agreement, and the subsequent meeting went very smoothly.
"One hundred million berries? The East Blue cannot have a pirate with such a high bounty."
Some high-ranking Marine officers who had just taken their seats immediately objected upon hearing this decision.
After all, a 100 million berries bounty would be fine in the Grand Line. But placing it in the East Blue would be a bit out of place, even standing out like a sore thumb. To put it bluntly, it would be like slapping the World Government in the face.
However...
"Splitting the sea with one strike? Moria is going to the East Blue?"
"Fine, I have no objection."