Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The Fleet Admiral's office, once belonging to Kong, now had a new master.
Just yesterday, in the plaza of Marine Headquarters, under the eyes of one hundred thousand elite marines, former Fleet Admiral Kong had personally announced the World Government's order. He handed the position of Fleet Admiral over to Sengoku, then set out for the Red Line to assume the post of Commander-in-Chief of the entire military.
With Kong's departure, Sengoku had officially become the owner of this Fleet Admiral's office. The Justice Cloak of an Admiral had also been replaced by the robes of the Fleet Admiral.
And yet, as he looked around the spacious office and then at the lively marines in the plaza outside, Sengoku felt no excitement from his promotion at all. Instead, it felt as though countless heavy burdens had been added to his shoulders.
He had expected this, of course. A man in power had to fulfill the duties that came with it. But now that he had truly taken this seat, the pressure was far greater than he had imagined.
What weighed on him the most were the five documents issued by the World Government.
He had placed all five on his desk.
"Operation Eradicate Rocks II!"
"Operation Eliminate the Sky Pirates!"
"Operation Shichibukai!"
"World Military Draft!"
"Convening of the Reverie!"
After looking them over, he picked up the second document, "Operation Shichibukai," and put it back into the drawer.
He knew that if this document got out, the shock it would cause within the Navy would be enormous. Especially for Admiral Zephyr, the Navy's only remaining Admiral, it would be absolutely unacceptable. The possible fallout was not something Sengoku, who had only just taken over as Fleet Admiral, could handle right now.
Just then, a knock came from outside the door.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admiral Zephyr, Vice Admiral Garp, and Vice Admiral Tsuru have arrived with the others!"
"Come in!"
As Sengoku's voice fell, the door to the Fleet Admiral's office was pushed open. Led by Zephyr, Garp, and Tsuru, nearly all of the Navy's high-ranking officers at Vice Admiral level and above entered the room.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Everyone saluted with great respect, except for Garp, who still looked as carefree as ever.
"Congratulations, Sengoku. So, how does the Fleet Admiral's seat feel..."
A vein throbbed on Sengoku's forehead, but for some reason, his heavy mood eased a little.
"All right. Everyone, take a seat."
Once everyone had taken their places on both sides, Sengoku sat in the Fleet Admiral's seat and carried out his duties as Fleet Admiral for the first time.
"Today is my first day officially taking office as Fleet Admiral. I did not want to trouble all of you so soon, but ever since Roger's death, the situation on the seas has been getting worse by the day. The justice we carry does not allow us to stand by while these pirates do whatever they please. That is why I had no choice but to call you here. You are the highest combat forces of Marine Headquarters. From this point on, I ask you to stand with me and restore stability to this world."
"Give the order, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. We will not disgrace the name of justice!"
"Mm."
Sengoku nodded, then passed the documents on the desk down for everyone to read while he continued.
"This is the Navy's plan moving forward. There are four major matters in total, two of which are related to the Sky Pirates. I believe all of you already know the intelligence we have on them. We absolutely cannot let them continue unchecked. They have gone so far as to invade Impel Down, causing losses that cannot be repaired. This is the worst possible provocation against the Navy and the World Government."
Tsuru, who was beside him, frowned slightly when she heard this.
"The Sky Pirates are much harder to deal with than we expected, and their movements are extremely strange. We have already failed against them several times. Sengoku, do you have a way to track them down?"
As long as they could locate the Sky Pirates, the Navy could mobilize at full strength. Even the Whitebeard Pirates could be wiped out under those circumstances.
"Mm!"
Sengoku nodded confidently.
"According to the intelligence department's assessment, both the Harrot Tribe that disappeared from Warship Island and the people the Sky Pirates took from Baterilla Island prove that the Sky Pirates may already have a territory of their own. A pirate crew drifting across the sea may be difficult to find, but a fixed island is far easier."
Tsuru nodded.
"That would be best. Do we know the island's exact location?"
"We already have a lead. I believe it will not be long before we find out."
Sengoku did not say more, but everyone knew he would never speak without basis.
At that moment, Garp flipped through the documents and asked,
"Rocks II! Sengoku, have you confirmed that this kid really has something to do with Rocks?"
"Mm. One of our spies planted in the Whitebeard Pirates heard it. Shiki said it himself. Fire Dragon Yemu's original name is Rocks D. White. On top of that, there is that fox named Lillilu. According to our intelligence, she was once a pet that stayed by Rocks's side... But as for the exact relationship between Yemu and Rocks, we still don't know. Based on our intelligence, that fox first appeared at Charlotte Linlin's tea party. Clearly, Charlotte Linlin knows the answer, but getting information out of her mouth will not be easy."
"Is that so? What a headache."
At that moment, Borsalino was also looking through the documents. When he saw the names on them, he asked with some curiosity,
"Why are there two plans, 'Eradicate Rocks II' and 'Eliminate the Sky Pirates'? Aren't they the same thing, Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"
The moment that question was asked, Sengoku felt the pressure of his position for the first time. Even so, he had no choice but to answer.
"The order from the Five Elders is that, if possible, Rocks II, meaning the captain of the Sky Pirates, Fire Dragon Yemu, should be captured alive. If we can take him alive, we are to do so..."
The instant he said this, the entire Fleet Admiral's office was filled with expressions of complete disbelief.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you can't be serious..."
After all, battles between top-level fighters were fought with the resolve to kill or be killed. But now, this order to capture Yemu alive meant everyone pursuing him would be placed at a natural disadvantage from the start.
"I'll explain."
Seeing Sengoku's troubled expression, Tsuru stepped forward on her own.
"The reason the World Government gave this order is related to a secret concerning Fire Dragon Yemu, also known as Rocks II... He does not possess the unknown Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit listed on his bounty. He is a dual Devil Fruit user..."
"How is that possible?!"
Cries of shock rang through the entire office.
Everyone knew that a person could eat only one Devil Fruit at most and possess only one ability. That was an ironclad rule of the sea when it came to Devil Fruits.
"This is only our speculation, and I cannot reveal the specifics. All I can tell you is that Fire Dragon Yemu may be a dual user of the Logia-type Mera Mera no Mi and the Paramecia-type Atsu Atsu no Mi. You already know the power of the Mera Mera no Mi. It allows him to control and create flames. The Atsu Atsu no Mi allows him to control his own body heat, with temperatures ranging from 0 degrees to 10,000 degrees. The perfect combination of these two fruits produces an effect greater than the sum of its parts. That is why Fire Dragon Yemu has been able to display all kinds of abilities that defy understanding..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's explanation also made Kuzan, a user of the Hie Hie no Mi who was hearing the reason for the first time, suddenly understand.
Kuzan let out a long breath, scratched his head in frustration, and said,
"So that's it. No wonder this guy's Devil Fruit abilities are so strong. Looks like those failures weren't really my fault after all..."