Looking at the group of officers before him, Sengoku felt an overwhelming wave of bitterness and frustration.
What were these people even good for? Were these so-called Marines just a bunch of useless, spineless cowards?
When the Fleet Admiral asked for their opinions, not a single one dared to speak up. They sat there silently, offering neither suggestions nor even a token remark.
Tired of the charade, Sengoku decided he wasn't going to waste any more ti with them. If they wanted to play dumb, then they would face the consequences.
"Sakazuki!" Sengoku barked, his voice sharp and commanding. "You're to head to the New World imdiately. Cooperate with Kuzan and Borsalino to track down Vegapunk's location."
He turned to the next group.
"Issho, Gion! You're responsible for searching the first half of the Grand Line."
Sengoku's gaze swept across the rest of the room, his tone leaving no room for argunt.
"Strawberry, Doberman, Momonga, Onigumo! Divide into teams and spread out across the four seas. Block all possible escape routes and gather every scrap of intelligence related to Vegapunk or the Revolutionary Army."
His voice grew louder, filled with urgency.
"This mission is critical! I authorize you to mobilize all local forces, including Marine branches, allied nation armies, and CP agents. Leave no stone unturned. Even if you have to dig to the bottom of the ocean, find Vegapunk!"
The room echoed with a unified response:
"Yes, sir!"
No one dared to question Sengoku's orders, his fiery anger leaving the room tense and silent. The officers, including Admiral Akainu, quickly departed, preparing to set sail.
Only Chief of Staff Tsuru and Chief Instructor Zephyr (Z) remained in the room. Unlike the others, they hadn't been spared from Sengoku's wrath.
"Still drinking tea, are you?!" Sengoku shouted, storming over to them. "At a ti like this, when everything's falling apart, you're both sitting there sipping tea like nothing's happened!"
Tsuru and Zephyr exchanged calm, unimpressed glances before turning back to their cups.
Sengoku grabbed the teapot from the table, pouring its steaming contents into his mouth without regard for the heat. He slamd the empty pot onto the table with a loud clang, glaring at the two.
"Drink it! I want to see how much tea you can drink while the world burns!"
The absurdity of Sengoku's tantrum left Tsuru and Zephyr speechless. After a long pause, Tsuru finally broke the silence, her voice as calm and asured as ever.
"Sengoku, there's no use getting worked up now. Sit down, calm yourself, and let's discuss this rationally."
Zephyr, unfazed, reached into his coat and pulled out a bag of senbei. He opened it and offered one to Sengoku.
"Tsuru's right. You've given the orders. Now, all we can do is wait. But knowing Dragon, this operation was ticulously planned. If he acted personally, it ans every detail has been accounted for. I hate to say it, but beyond capturing a few minor Revolutionary Army operatives, I don't see this mission yielding much."
Sengoku, who had just sat down, nearly jumped out of his seat again in frustration.
"Zephyr, do you think I don't know that?! The Five Elders gave us one week—one week! If we fail, I'll be out of this Fleet Admiral position!"
Tsuru raised an eyebrow, her tone remaining calm but pointed.
"Sengoku, if they wanted to remove you, they would have done so already. Their deadline is just a formality. Even if you fail, they'll likely just reprimand you. There's no need to lose sleep over it."
Sengoku glared at her, his face dark with exasperation.
"Of course I know that! Do you think I earned the title of 'The Strategist' for nothing? But that doesn't an I'm not furious about the thought of being scolded like a child by those five old n!"
He stood up, pacing back and forth as he rubbed his temples. The idea of enduring the Five Elders' wrath for the next week filled him with dread.
anwhile, Tsuru and Zephyr sat calmly, sipping tea and eating snacks, their serene deanor a stark contrast to Sengoku's frayed nerves.
Sengoku scowled at the sight.
"Tsuru, Zephyr, get out there and help find Vegapunk!"
Zephyr paused mid-bite, raising an eyebrow at Sengoku's command.
"You want to go? Sengoku, I'm the Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy. What happens to the recruits if I leave?"
"Take them with you!" Sengoku retorted without hesitation.
Zephyr blinked in surprise, then narrowed his eyes.
"Take them with ?"
Sengoku nodded firmly.
"Yes. You've been getting along well with Issho lately. Take him and your trainees on this mission. Consider it a hands-on training exercise. Let those brats learn what it's like to be in the field."
Zephyr opened his mouth to protest but quickly realized it was pointless. Sengoku was too stubborn to argue with.
"Fine," Zephyr muttered, shaking his head. "You really know how to boss people around, old man."
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