Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the massive Fleet Admiral's office, several sets of sofas had been added, where the upper brass were seated in small groups.
As Morris and Zephyr entered and took their seats, Fleet Admiral Kong spoke up:
"Regarding the Golden Lion's escape from prison..."
"And the impact it has caused—everyone, share your analysis."
Sengoku, seated on the sofa below, wore a grave expression.
"Investigate the Golden Lion's forr territories."
"Try to track his movents as soon as possible."
"That guy has never been one to pursue peace."
"Still, I doubt he'll attack imdiately."
"His territory has long since been carved up, and his subordinates scattered."
"It'll take ti for him to make a coback."
Vice Admiral Tsuru, seated next to Sengoku, added:
"Exactly."
"The Golden Lion once ranked among the world's strongest."
"But now his strength must've taken a significant hit."
"For the short term, we don't need to worry about him causing chaos."
"The most critical thing is the aftermath."
"Sakazuki's promotion and recent actions had just begun to show results..."
"But the myth of the impenetrable Impel Down was shattered overnight."
"This deals a huge blow to the Navy's prestige and public trust."
"We must suppress it as quickly as possible."
Morris, arms crossed on the sofa, spoke:
"Then we need to make a show of force."
"Preferably with a big-na, powerful pirate."
"Capture them and throw them into Impel Down."
"But pirates on par with the Golden Lion? Only Charlotte Linlin and Knok co to mind."
"Pick one, I suppose."
Zephyr suddenly spoke up from the side:
"No."
"Taking action against either of those factions would have unimaginable consequences."
"It could very well start a war."
"But there's still another fitting target."
A gleam flashed across Sengoku's glasses:
"You an..."
Zephyr nodded.
"Exactly."
Fleet Admiral Kong tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought.
"Red the Aloof, huh..."
After a brief pause, he made a decision:
"Tsuru, gather information on Red the Aloof."
"See where he's last been spotted."
"Sengoku, stay here to command headquarters."
"And call Garp back. Have him return as quickly as possible."
"Vacation's over."
"I'll lead the team to capture Red the Aloof myself."
Everyone was a bit stunned.
"You're going in person?"
Fleet Admiral Kong nodded.
"There's no better choice."
"Redfield may not be as famous as Roger or Whitebeard—"
"But with his swordsmanship, lightning-fast physical techniques, and mind-reading-level Observation Haki, he's on par with them. He's no ordinary pirate."
"Very few at headquarters could capture him reliably."
"Sakazuki isn't at HQ, and Sengoku likely can't keep up with him."
"That leaves Garp and ."
"And considering that mind-reading ability—if Garp acts rashly, we'll beco a laughingstock."
"I'll lead the capture. Garp will cover the periter to prevent escape."
"Tsuru, you stay by Garp's side, just in case."
Everyone fell silent. It made sense.
In the end, there simply weren't enough strong Marines. The new generation hadn't grown up yet.
They just had to hold on...
Their ti would co.
Fleet Admiral Kong looked at the silent room.
"Alright, get ready."
"Yes, sir!" ×7
...
North Blue, Scouring the Four Seas.
Sakazuki looked at the newspaper in his hand.
"Seriously, couldn't just die quietly in prison?"
"The Navy's hard-earned reputation can't be allowed to crumble because of you."
Narrowing his eyes slightly, he picked up the Den Den Mushi and made a call.
Once the call connected with each fleet commander:
"From this mont on—"
"Every pirate you kill, cut off their heads and send them to the Third Warship."
"Yes, sir!" ×N
After ending the call, Sakazuki dialed the Fleet Admiral.
After briefly explaining his idea, Fleet Admiral Kong was silent for a long ti.
"That's a bit too cruel, Sakazuki."
"We're the Navy."
Sakazuki took a deep breath.
"We need to divert public attention."
"This is the fastest way to do it."
"They're just a bunch of scum who rob, kill, and burn anyway."
Fleet Admiral Kong sighed.
"Fine, I'll make the arrangents."
"You... sigh."
Sakazuki chuckled softly and hung up the Den Den Mushi.
...
The next day, at dusk.
Dozens of warships, after a full day of scorched-earth operations, delivered the heads they had collected to Sakazuki's warship.
Governnt-dispatched journalists arrived at top speed, and upon seeing the growing pile of heads...
They finally couldn't hold it in and rushed to the side to vomit.
When the final warship delivered its batch of pirate heads—
Sakazuki frowned slightly at the pile covering much of the warship's deck.
"Still too few."
He walked slowly to the top of the mountain of heads and sat down.
Then he waved at the pale, trembling journalist nearby.
"Find an angle."
"Make it look like there's way more garbage underneath than there actually is."
The journalist nodded weakly.
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Click, click, click—
The flashbulbs fired nonstop...
That night, the journalist rushed back to the office and handed the cara over to governnt staff, then imdiately requested sick leave.
...
On the third day.
With the governnt's coordination, a large number of newspapers began printing the story of Scouring the Four Seas.
Admiral Akainu—Sakazuki's—news completely dominated the public eye across the world for quite so ti.
It imdiately overshadowed the effects of the Golden Lion's escape.
But the cost was growing fear of Sakazuki among the public...
And a silent deterrent to many young n who had once dread of becoming pirates.
That day's newspapers were almost entirely filled with Sakazuki's image.
In the massive photo, Sakazuki sat atop a mountain of countless pirate heads—
Tossing one casually into the air...
...
On the fourth day.
Sakazuki was pictured sitting before the mountain of heads—
Roasting six pirate skulls strung together over a campfire.
...
On the fifth day.
Sakazuki sat on the railing of his warship, with the mountain of heads behind him—
Fishing pole in hand, using heads as bait.
Daily updates continued like this... and with them, Sakazuki and Scouring the Four Seas—
Once again shook the world with the na of brutality.
...
East Blue, Syrup Village.
As a renowned sharpshooter, Yasopp's daily routine was to go hunting, then sit on the cliff at the edge of the island—
Watching the sunset until dusk.
Every man yearns for the sea, but as the head of his household, responsibility kept him anchored...
"What's that?"
"A traveling ship?"
Today, as usual, Yasopp stared at the sea—when he noticed a small boat sailing toward him.
Usually, ships passed by en route to the port.
But this one was heading straight toward him.
As the small boat grew closer, Yasopp propped up his chin and watched the man rowing toward him.
"You are...?"
The red-haired young man on the boat pressed down on his straw hat—
Then looked up at Yasopp and gave a faint smile.
"I ca here in search of a man nad Yasopp."
Yasopp was stunned and lowered his arm.
The red-haired youth smiled again.
"My na is Shanks. I'm a pirate."
Yasopp stared blankly at the confident red-haired youth.
A pirate, huh...
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