Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the highest floor of the main tower, the figures who stood at the center of the Marines' power were gathered around a circular table for an urgent meeting.
The Fleet Admiral, Sengoku, sat at the head of the table with his arms crossed. To his right sat the three Admirals—Akainu (Sakazuki), Aokiji (Kuzan), and Kizaru (Borsalino)—representing the pinnacle of Marine military might. To his left sat the "Great Strategist," Vice Admiral Tsuru.
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A rhythmic, slightly out-of-place sound echoed in the quiet room. A vein pulsed on Sengoku's forehead. Tsuru glanced at her watch.
"How long has it been?"
"Over an hour..."
"That idiot Garp!" Sengoku growled, his teeth gnashing. "Where has he wandered off to this time?!!"
Tsuru remained expressionless, clearly accustomed to Garp's antics. "I just spoke with his adjutant. Apparently, he went to the New World to cause trouble for Whitebeard..."
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The vein on Sengoku's forehead grew. He shot a dissatisfied look at Borsalino before sighing. "Cause trouble for Whitebeard? He's probably just visiting his grandson... I heard Ace joined the Whitebeard Pirates."
Tsuru nodded. "Knowing him, he's likely checking if Ace is being bullied."
Sengoku rubbed his temples. "He's a pirate now; Garp really needs to learn about conflict of interest... Fine, we won't wait for him. Meeting starts now."
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Sengoku's patience finally snapped. "Borsalino! Can you stop clipping your nails for five minutes?!!"
"So scary, so scary~ The old man is furious~" Borsalino raised his hands innocently. He slowly tucked away his nail clippers, lowered his legs from the back of the neighboring chair, and struck a pose of "attentive listening."
"..." Sengoku wondered what sin he had committed in a past life to be cursed with such subordinates. He took a deep breath and began. "I assume you've all heard the news?"
Sakazuki nodded first. "The Heavenly Tribute from the Sorbet Kingdom intended for the Celestial Dragons was lost during the loading process." His expression was grim. "The last time such a malicious incident occurred was nine years ago. The perpetrator then was... Donquixote Doflamingo."
Sengoku nodded, then shook his head. "The nature of these two incidents is entirely different. Doflamingo had a special status; he was a Celestial Dra—" He cleared his throat. "He hijacked the tribute to negotiate for a 'Warlord' position. In other words, the theft was controlled, and the target was known. This time is different."
Sengoku pushed several files across the table. They began to read.
"Ah, so that's why the old man is so irritable. I thought it was my nail clipping~"
It WAS your nail clipping!
"Well, there are still two ships left, aren't there?" Borsalino added with a look of indifference. Seeing Sengoku's death stare, he quickly pivoted. "Oh my~ Stealing the Heavenly Tribute... such bold youngsters. The youth of today are truly terrifying~"
Sengoku ignored the sarcasm. He sighed. Honestly, the loss of the Tribute had nothing to do with the Marines directly. However, the World Government was pressuring them to find the truth, arrest the suspects, and—most importantly—recover the treasure to appease the Celestial Dragons.
"They say it vanished under the eyes of CP0~ Have they considered an inside job?" Kizaru mused.
"They've already scapegoated a CP9 member named Blueno, but the treasure is still missing. Likely just a cover-up for the CP department's failure," Sengoku noted, his glasses reflecting a sharp light. "Kuzan, your thoughts?"
Kuzan pondered for a moment. "Which Marine was on site? What was their report?"
"Captain Smoker. He believes the incident is linked to a giant whale-shaped cruise ship that recently appeared in the South Blue," Sengoku replied.
"Smoker, eh..." Kuzan leaned forward. "If he says so, it's highly credible."
Sengoku nodded. "I agree. Smoker is reliable." Unlike you three, he added mentally. "So, our primary target is this 'Black Whale.' Does Smoker know where it's heading?"
"Smoker is in pursuit. However... he reports that the ship isn't heading for the Grand Line. It's heading for the East Blue."
"The East Blue? The 'Weakest Sea'?" Kuzan looked confused. "What's there?"
Sengoku shook his head. "That's what puzzles me. Most pirates head for the Grand Line for the One Piece, but this ship is doing the exact opposite."
The room fell silent as they struggled to find an explanation. Finally, Sengoku's expression became even more serious. "There's one more thing Smoker reported. During his encounter with the crew of that ship... he found something incredible."
Sengoku looked at each of them in turn. "He claims he encountered an ability user who is completely immune to Sea Prism Stone."
To his surprise, the Admirals didn't look shocked. Sengoku narrowed his eyes. "So, you all already knew..."
About two weeks ago, a smiling blond man named Pariston Hill had landed at Marine Headquarters, claiming to be immune to Sea Prism Stone. Reports of similar figures were popping up in Mary Geoise and Fish-Man Island. Despite their personality flaws, the three Admirals were competent enough to have gathered this intel through their own channels.
"So, who's going?"
Sengoku's gaze lingered on Kizaru—simply because he was the most "available."
"Borsalino. I'm ordering you to head to the East Blue immediately. Coordinate with Smoker to intercept these pirates. And find that Heavenly Tribute!"
"Oh well... if I must."
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