"Which young man?"
Sengoku furrowed his brow.
"A Lieutenant operating undercover within the Navy Headquarters..."
Aokiji took the initiative to reveal the secret, explaining that the Konoha Pirates had planted two spies within the Navy, one named Akihara Kagura, a Lieutenant; the other named Karin, a Squad Leader.
These two spies had always remained inconspicuous.
Lieutenant Akihara Kagura was a cunning and strategic individual aiming to rise through the Navy by acquiring the Rumble-Rumble Fruit; whereas Squad Leader Karin was more remarkable, possessing extremely terrifying healing abilities, from which Kizaru notably benefited.
"Her healing abilities are truly exceptional..."
Aokiji recalled how Kizaru's injuries had mysteriously healed quickly during treatment, and said with some awe, "And that Lieutenant Akihara Kagura has an astonishing intellect; it seems that the events in Alabasta might indeed have been orchestrated by him..."
"Akihara Kagura..."
The Navy Admiral interrupted Aokiji, holding his forehead in contemplation, his expression subtly turning unpleasant.
"Indeed..."
Aokiji slowly nodded.
"That young man..."
Sengoku took a deep breath, suppressing his discomfort, "I remember the first time I heard his name was when the Straw Hat Pirates defeated the Arlong Pirates, who were entrenched in the East Sea. The Arlong Pirates killed Captain Nezumi and most of the Navy, leaving only one lucky Third-Class Soldier, Akihara Kagura, alive. To prevent misunderstandings among the public regarding pirates, I attributed the victory against the Arlong Pirates to the surviving Third-Class Soldier..."
At that time...
I thought that the Third-Class Soldier was not an extremist, even believed he honestly reported the events involving Captain Nezumi, Ah Long, and the Straw Hat Pirates, considering him as someone lacking in strategic vision but genuinely dedicated to justice!
Even...
It was Akihara Kagura who greeted myself, Tsuru, and Garp at the port, arranging for our group of veterans to reach Alabasta's desert, coordinating with Admirals Kizuna and Aokiji.
Yet...
Now, I've only just realized he was a spy sent by the pirates, and that it was Akihara Kagura who led us into an ambush in Alabasta!
This...
This is such a slap in the face!
"This..."
Aokiji's face tensed, and he had to attempt to interpret the situation from another angle, hoping the current Navy Admiral would not be too angry, "Perhaps... Lieutenant Akihara also has his own ideas... I can't determine his stance... He's always desired to rise within the Navy, continuously planning various events to advance, ultimately reaching the rank of Lieutenant..."
If Akihara Kagura is loyally devoted to the Konoha Pirates, his attitude towards them doesn't seem particularly respectful...
Maybe...
Everyone just wants to utilize the Konoha Pirates?
"A very strategic young man..."
Sengoku crossed his arms, his expression becoming calm, his mind remarkably sharp, "If you hadn't told me about today's events, I would have continued to believe he was a trustworthy Navy member until I saw evidence of his betrayal of justice firsthand..."
"Let's go..."
"Bring Garp up to see them..."
Sengoku sighed, seeking some solace in the unfortunate outcome, "If that young man harbors a sense of justice, it would be beneficial for the Navy, as it would at least indicate successors among the next generation of Naval officers..."
"..."
Aokiji was at a loss for words, only offering his evaluation, "I feel that... his ideas are somewhat unscrupulous..."
Indeed.
Everything was exactly as Aokiji said.
Because when they met, they were at the Navy's temporary camp in Alabasta, where they even saw Colonel Smoker, who had been rescued by Akihara Kagura, receiving not Karin's healing but instead being tended by Navy medical staff.
It's also understandable.
Karin's healing abilities shouldn't be casually revealed.
However...
Upon seeing the severely injured and unconscious Garp and the wounded Navy Admiral Sengoku, Akihara Kagura didn't consider asking Karin to help with healing, but directly broached another topic.
"Admiral..."
"Now is not the time for treatment..."
"Why not take advantage of your current injuries to have the Five Elders come to Alabasta immediately? Let them somewhat realize the great sacrifice the Navy has made to retain the Konoha Pirates, given you've just experienced a fierce battle..."
"If you've undergone such a bitter battle and emerge without any injuries, it would inevitably make the Five Elders suspect that you're secretly mocking the Heavenly Celestial Dragon?"
"..."
Sengoku looked at the composed Navy Lieutenant before him, his cheek muscles twitching, realizing that this guy might indeed have a somewhat unscrupulous approach to things...
"..."
Sengoku considered for a moment.
Sengoku's expression gradually became serious, staring intently at Akihara Kagura, as he posed a question, "Lieutenant Akihara Kagura, if during this war Garp or Tsuru were killed, would it make it easier for me to gain the trust of the Five Elders?"
When bringing up this question, the Navy Admiral showed no concern for the deaths of his two old friends, as if they were mere tools for political sacrifice.