One Piece: Starting with Sign-in Naruto Character Cards

Back at Marine HQ, in the Fleet Admiral's office at Marineford—

Sengoku sat in his chair, having yet to receive any reply from Sakazuki (Akainu). A sense of unease crept over him.

After all, he knew Sakazuki's personality better than anyone.

Sakazuki was rigid and ruthless, showing no mercy. He couldn't tolerate even the slightest evil.

To complete a mission, he wouldn't hesitate to treat even civilians or comrades as acceptable collateral damage.

He was a staunch believer in Absolute Justice—and he utterly despised the Shichibukai system.

So it was entirely possible that Sakazuki had simply ignored the telegram, all for the sake of killing Rikuya Kazama.

The Vice Admirals traveling with him were all long-time officers—politically astute and pragmatic. There was no way they'd risk offending Sakazuki.

That thought made Sengoku's face darken even more.

"It only takes one day to reach Loguetown from here. Maybe I should go myself. If I arrive before Sakazuki, everything can still be handled."

At that moment, Garp—the Hero of the Marines—spoke up.

"Why not let me go? No need to trouble you older folks over something this minor."

Hearing Garp's offer, Kizaru (Borsalino), with his hands in his pockets, quickly added:

"Hmph... Us old-timers still have plenty of fuel left in the tank. Don't go underestimating us."

Vice Admiral Tsuru, sitting beside Garp and one of his contemporaries, snapped back unhappily at Kizaru's subtle jab.

Though Tsuru was still officially a Vice Admiral, her rank, prestige, and experience were on par with any of the current Marine Admirals. She, Garp, and Sengoku were heroes of the age that clashed with Gol D. Roger himself.

When Tsuru refuted Kizaru without mincing words, he quickly raised his hands and shrugged, trying to defuse the tension.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, that's not what I meant. I'm just worried you'll make the trip for nothing."

"There's nothing to worry about. That Sakazuki isn't someone just anyone can rein in. It's better if Garp goes—it's the safest bet."

Before Garp could say a word, Sengoku cut in, making the decision for everyone.

With the Fleet Admiral's word final, Borsalino didn't argue. He shoved his hands back into his pockets and leaned quietly against the wall, clearly opting out of further discussion.

Sengoku had chosen Garp to handle the situation—not another Admiral like Kizaru—for one very specific reason: he didn't fully trust the Admirals.

Sakazuki was already aggressive enough. If another Admiral showed up at Loguetown, it would be almost impossible to let Rikuya walk free.

And if they tried to forcibly arrest Rikuya, it could lead to bloodshed.

If that happened and the situation escalated to the World Government, nobody would be able to escape the consequences.

As Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had to think about the big picture. In recent years, the World Government had been actively weakening Marine HQ's authority, heavily supporting the CP9 intelligence unit that guarded Enies Lobby.

That CP9 unit was no joke. Their duties included all sorts of clandestine missions, like assassinating high-ranking members of the Revolutionary Army.

Even Sengoku didn't know the full scope of CP9's personnel and inner workings.

If Rikuya's situation caused the Government to become angry again, the Marines' authority would only suffer more.

After weighing all this, Sengoku chose to send someone who could handle Sakazuki—and Garp was the obvious answer.

"I'll go with you," Vice Admiral Tsuru said immediately. "I want to see this young man for myself—what kind of person can make one of our generation's strongest bow their head?"

She was clearly curious about Rikuya—not just because he broke out of Impel Down, but also because he managed to recruit Douglas Bullet, someone Tsuru had fought countless times in the past.

"Then waste no time. Go now. And remember—avoid any unnecessary conflict.

Since the World Government has already made its decision, we must do our best to recruit Rikuya and his crew peacefully."

Sengoku gave his final instruction.

Without delay, Garp and Tsuru headed to the Marineford harbor and boarded a large warship.

About half an hour later, a warship carrying two legendary Vice Admirals slowly left the port, setting a course for Loguetown.

—

And in Loguetown, the storm was already reaching its peak.

Smoker, the commander of the local Marine branch and its strongest fighter, was now lying on the ground—barely clinging to life.

Standing before him were Rikuya and two of his crewmates.

"W-What... do you want?"

Smoker spat out blood, forcing his severely weakened body to speak through gritted teeth.

He wasn't afraid of death. No—the fury he felt was from losing to pirates. It was humiliating!

But before he could finish, Rikuya had already kicked him hard in the chest.

"You talk way too much. No real strength, but you sure love to run your mouth.

Let me be honest with you—this is the weakest sea in the world: the East Blue.

The reason you've done well here isn't because you're strong—it's because everyone else is weak."

Rikuya crouched down slightly, looking coldly at the fallen Smoker.

"If you really want to see the world... then go to the New World.

Only there will you understand what it means to face true power."

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