As an admiral candidate, Borsalino deeply regretted taking this mission. Not that he had a choice.
From Marineford to Sabaody, his ability made him the fastest one available.
At this moment, Sengoku was still crossing the sea. By the time he arrived, the Celestial Dragon's body would already be cold.
Because of that, Borsalino had been the only one to face the killer directly.
And now, the World Government CP agents were clearly trying to shift the blame.
The words the killer left behind, the abilities he displayed, and even the face he revealed. Everything was carefully arranged to pin the blame squarely on Kuzan.
At that moment, the Marines following Borsalino arrived.
In front of the ruined human trafficking shop, blasted into debris by Yasakani no Magatama, the Marines and CP agents stood in direct opposition.
"What are you trying to do? Are the Marines rebelling?"
Calgari shouted, though excitement flickered in his eyes.
The Marines would never dare rebel. A vice admiral, even an admiral candidate, had no such authority. As long as he secured the blame onto them, he might survive what came next.
His tone grew even sharper. "Or are you trying to silence us? My entire team saw the killer. His face and his abilities. And your explanation makes no sense. Two Devil Fruit powers are impossible!"
Borsalino exhaled slowly, about to respond.
A golden light streaked through the air, stepping across the sky with Geppo.
"No one said those were two Devil Fruit abilities. Appearances can be faked. Abilities can resemble each other."
With a heavy impact, Sengoku landed in his golden Buddha form, the force cracking the ground beneath him.
He looked around once, confirming the battle had ended, then returned to normal.
Standing above them as an admiral, he fixed his gaze on Calgari.
"What you saw is not necessarily the truth. Vice Admiral Kuzan is currently in the West Blue. An entire warship can confirm that."
"As for the killer's appearance and abilities, it could be an unknown Mythical Zoan. Or disguise combined with an ice-like power."
Calgari tried to argue further, but Sengoku cut him off.
"Clean up the scene. Preserve the Celestial Dragon's body and return it to Mary Geoise. That is your responsibility."
"I explained this so you understand the situation. The conclusion is not yours to decide. Fleet Admiral Kong will speak with the higher authorities."
"Understood?"
His voice was low, but the pressure behind it was overwhelming. It felt like a mountain pressing down, making it impossible for Calgari to speak.
The death of Saint Samit was completely sealed.
A Celestial Dragon had been killed. The identity of the murderer remained unknown.
The World Government would never allow such news to spread. It would shake the authority of the Celestial Dragons and embolden others.
At Marineford, after Sengoku reported to Kong, an emergency high-level meeting was immediately convened.
"Report."
Kong's voice echoed through the room.
Borsalino scratched his head, clearly troubled, and began recounting everything in detail.
When he finished, the room fell into silence as everyone thought.
Kong spoke again. "Where is that bastard Monkey D. Garp? His leave isn't over yet?"
Sengoku quickly answered. "He hasn't returned to the East Blue in a long time, so he stayed a bit longer this time."
Kong frowned. "Call him back immediately. The influence of Gol D. Roger's words is growing. More pirates are flooding the seas every day. The pressure is building."
Sengoku nodded. "Understood."
Kong then turned back to Borsalino. "So during the entire fight, you couldn't determine his identity?"
Borsalino sighed. "His Observation Haki is strong. He sensed me before I arrived and killed the Celestial Dragon immediately. His Armament Haki is also decent. He can use emission, but not at a high level."
"After testing the gap with one clash, he switched to stalling."
At that moment, Tsuru placed down her notes.
"After investigation, all the slaves in the trafficking shop disappeared. Combined with the teleportation ability Borsalino mentioned, they were likely moved elsewhere."
She looked at him. "During the fight, that ice-like ability. You said he made some kind of hand gestures?"
"Can you demonstrate them?"
Borsalino looked even more troubled, but under Kong's gaze, he complied.
As he recreated several hand seals, Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged a glance.
"Ninjutsu?"
They spoke at the same time.
Sengoku frowned. "We've heard of it, but it's extremely rare. Wano is closed off, and information about ninjutsu is limited."
Tsuru nodded. "That's not the key point. What matters is clearing Kuzan and the Marines from suspicion. If we classify it as ninjutsu, it makes sense."
"And the attacker's identity. If confirmed as a ninja, will the World Government target Wano? That territory is currently under Kaido."
Sengoku's expression darkened. "That apprentice from the Rocks Pirates… he's grown this far after God Valley. If that Devil Fruit is involved…"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Kong interrupted him.
"There is no such thing as God Valley."
Silence filled the room.
"I will personally report this to the Five Elders. The killer is a ninja from Wano. That is the only conclusion."
At that moment, everyone understood.
The narrative had been decided.
From now on, every Marine would give the same answer.
Especially Borsalino. The World Government would question him again. They would try to find the truth.
"Understood."
As the meeting ended and everyone left, Kong looked at Sengoku.
"Don't think too much about the Celestial Dragons. I will handle the World Government."
He placed a hand on Sengoku's shoulder.
"The appointment for you as Fleet Admiral will come soon. The future stability of the seas will be your responsibility."
Sengoku paused.
He understood exactly what that meant.
Protecting the Celestial Dragons was one of an admiral's duties.
And because of Kuzan's situation, the Five Elders would demand accountability.
This was the only way forward.
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