"Sengoku, you keep sending that girl to handle this kind of work. Are you sure she won't become angry?"
Tsuru had been feeling inexplicably uneasy lately.
She couldn't explain where the feeling came from, but her instincts were warning her that Saint Roselith Seraphina might eventually bring disaster upon the Marines.
And if it wasn't the Marines, then perhaps the entire world.
The thought was absurd.
Tsuru knew that Seraphina wasn't some reckless monster who would destroy the world simply because she possessed overwhelming strength.
Yet that was precisely what made the situation so frightening.
If Seraphina eventually became the strongest individual within the Marines, and her influence continued to grow alongside her strength, then she could potentially become one of the most powerful people in the world.
At that point, who would be capable of restraining her?
The World Government?
The Marines?
The other great powers of the sea?
Tsuru couldn't give herself a definite answer.
Power concentrated in the hands of a single individual was always dangerous.
Even if that individual had no intention of becoming a tyrant, the balance of the world could eventually depend upon that person's choices.
If such a person possessed enough strength, their decisions could determine the lives and deaths of countless people.
That was what worried Tsuru.
Not that Seraphina would deliberately destroy the world, but that the world might one day become too dependent on her.
"Sengoku, you keep sending her into situations that are increasingly dangerous," Tsuru said, her expression serious. "Are you really certain this won't eventually backfire?"
"Backfire?"
Sengoku raised an eyebrow.
"What's there to be angry about? Being a Marine means understanding that dangerous missions are part of the job."
Sengoku didn't seem particularly concerned.
Or rather, he understood Tsuru's concern but didn't share her conclusion.
He had known Saint Roselith Seraphina for a long time.
He knew her personality.
He knew her principles.
And most importantly, he knew that despite her overwhelming strength and her status as a Celestial Dragon, Seraphina had never shown any genuine desire to rule the world.
Sengoku believed that she would continue walking the path she had chosen.
The path of justice.
"Tsuru, don't worry too much about it," Sengoku said earnestly. "I can see Seraphina's resolve clearly."
"After knowing her for so long, I can tell that she's a very principled person."
Tsuru remained silent for a moment.
Then she sighed.
"I know."
"But that's exactly why I don't understand her."
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone seems to know that she wants to go to the New World."
Tsuru's expression became more serious.
She didn't necessarily believe sending Seraphina to the New World was a bad idea.
If Seraphina's Celestial Dragon status were ignored, there was no reason for a Vice Admiral of her caliber to avoid the New World forever.
In fact, considering her strength, experience, and ability to survive against powerful pirates, the New World was arguably where she could contribute the most.
The problem was her identity.
Saint Roselith Seraphina was not merely a Marine officer.
She was a member of the Celestial Dragons.
And that status made her situation fundamentally different from that of an ordinary Marine.
Nevertheless, the New World had become increasingly chaotic.
The great pirates were consolidating their territories.
Conflicts between powerful pirate crews were becoming more frequent.
The Marines were under increasing pressure to maintain their influence across the sea.
The situation had become so serious that even two Admirals had been deployed to the New World.
Tsuru understood why Seraphina wanted to go.
What she couldn't understand was why Seraphina had been avoiding the matter until now.
"Kizaru would probably be delighted to receive a mission like that," Sengoku said with a sigh. "So why does Seraphina avoid the New World like it's some kind of punishment?"
Tsuru gave him a sideways glance.
"If Kizaru accepted the mission, he'd probably spend several days wandering around before sending you a report about how difficult the assignment was."
Sengoku's expression darkened.
"That sounds exactly like him."
The two of them fell silent.
Then Tsuru looked toward the blue sky outside the office window.
"Still, if you give Seraphina another mission like this, considering how competitive she is, she might decide to simply capture that pirate named Ace."
Sengoku immediately shook his head.
"Seraphina probably won't do that."
"Then what will she do?"
"If Ace refuses to cooperate, she'll probably send him directly to Impel Down."
Tsuru's mouth twitched.
"That isn't much better."
"At least it's following Marine procedure."
Sengoku folded his arms.
"Besides, Ace is the captain of the Spade Pirates. If he commits a serious crime, she has every right to pursue him."
Tsuru didn't answer.
While the two senior Marines continued speculating about what Saint Roselith Seraphina might do next, neither of them noticed one important detail.
Seraphina had not even invited Ace to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
She had already let the pirate leave.
And now, apparently, she had made another decision entirely.
Bang!
The office door was suddenly pushed open.
Sengoku and Tsuru both turned toward the entrance.
Saint Roselith Seraphina walked inside.
Her expression was dark.
She had clearly endured a considerable amount of frustration.
The hours she had spent waiting on that lonely glacier had left her patience thoroughly exhausted.
The more she thought about it, the more irritated she became.
If she had known that Ace and the others would waste so much of her time, she would never have waited there passively.
She should have gone directly after them.
She should have caught up with the Spade Pirates.
She should have dragged those troublesome brats back herself.
Those wretched pirates!
The moment Seraphina entered the room, Sengoku immediately sensed the irritation radiating from her.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Seraphina said coldly. "Please don't send me after another pirate crew to recruit them."
Her tone carried obvious disdain.
"…"
Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged a glance.
Seraphina had clearly reached her limit.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I request permission to enter the New World."
She walked directly to Sengoku's desk and placed a document in front of him.
The application had already been written.
It was obvious that she hadn't come here to ask whether she could go.
She had come here to inform him that she intended to go.
Sengoku looked down at the document.
Then he looked at Seraphina.
Then he looked back at the document.
Tsuru quietly turned her head away.
Seraphina's attitude was as blunt as ever.
If anyone else had barged into the Fleet Admiral's office and slammed a transfer request onto his desk like this, Sengoku would have thrown them out without hesitation.
Unfortunately, this was Saint Roselith Seraphina.
And dealing with her required a completely different level of patience.
"Ahem."
Sengoku cleared his throat.
"Vice Admiral Seraphina, are you certain you don't want to reconsider?"
"No."
Her answer came immediately.
"I won't wait any longer."
There was no hesitation in her voice.
This time, Seraphina was determined to enter the New World.
She wanted to see the most chaotic sea in the world with her own eyes.
She wanted to experience the battlefield where the strongest pirates gathered.
And more importantly, she wanted to contribute directly to the Marines' efforts there.
The New World was different from the first half of the Grand Line.
There, even the Marines couldn't exercise absolute authority.
The influence of the Four Emperors stretched across enormous territories.
Powerful pirate crews controlled entire islands.
Independent nations could be caught between competing forces.
Even experienced Marines could disappear if they underestimated the dangers of the sea.
Seraphina understood all of this.
That was precisely why she wanted to go.
"Seraphina," Sengoku said in a low voice.
"You need to remember one thing."
"You're a Celestial Dragon."
The room became quiet.
Seraphina's expression immediately hardened.
She hated being reminded of that fact whenever someone wanted to restrict her.
"I know what I am."
"The problem is that you don't seem to understand the danger."
Sengoku's voice became more serious.
"The New World isn't like the first half of the Grand Line. The pirates there aren't ordinary criminals."
"Among them are monsters who can challenge Admirals, Yonko commanders, and even the strongest powers of the sea."
"If your identity were exposed during a major confrontation, the consequences wouldn't be limited to you."
"The World Government would be forced to react."
Seraphina crossed her arms.
"So what if I'm a Celestial Dragon?"
Sengoku's eyebrow twitched.
"I'm not saying you should be afraid."
"I'm saying your position makes the consequences of your actions greater than those of an ordinary Marine."
"I understand."
Seraphina's tone softened slightly.
"But I've already spoken with my father."
"He has agreed to let me enter the New World."
Sengoku's eyes widened slightly.
"Victor agreed?"
"Yes."
Seraphina had spent considerably more effort persuading Victor than she cared to admit.
When she first called him, the conversation had lasted far longer than expected.
She had explained the situation.
She had argued her case.
She had reassured him repeatedly that she could protect herself.
She had even promised to remain under Marine protection whenever possible.
Victor had initially refused.
But eventually, faced with Seraphina's persistence, he had no choice but to compromise.
After all, even if Victor had continued refusing, Seraphina could have entered the New World on her own.
The difference was that obtaining his approval allowed her to do so openly and with the Marines' cooperation.
Sengoku rubbed his chin.
"If Victor has given his approval, then I suppose there's no reason for me to continue arguing."
Seraphina nodded.
"Good."
"Then give me some manpower."
Sengoku froze.
Tsuru immediately looked at Seraphina.
So that was the real reason.
Sengoku slowly slapped a hand against his forehead.
"That's why you submitted the application so confidently."
Seraphina tilted her head.
"Of course."
"You're asking me to provide you with Marines for the New World."
"Exactly."
Sengoku sighed.
"We don't have enough personnel to spare."
Seraphina frowned.
"What?"
"The Marine forces currently stationed in the New World are already stretched thin."
"We can't simply pull another large group of Marines away from their current assignments."
Seraphina crossed her arms and thought for a moment.
"Then what can you give me?"
Sengoku fell silent.
He considered the available options.
There weren't many.
Then a name came to mind.
"Kuzan."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"Kuzan is already in the New World."
Sengoku leaned back in his chair.
"How about you join him?"
"Kuzan?"
"Yes."
Sengoku nodded.
"He's already operating there, and having you accompany him would make things considerably easier."
He had previously assigned Kuzan to investigate the situation surrounding Dressrosa.
Now that he thought about it, sending Seraphina there as well could solve several problems at once.
Kuzan would have another powerful ally.
Seraphina would have the support she wanted.
And the Marines wouldn't need to divert an entirely new force to accompany her.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed as she searched through her memories.
"That lazy Admiral?"
Sengoku's expression stiffened.
Seraphina remembered Kuzan from her time at the Marine training facilities.
She had interacted with him several times and had sought his guidance concerning the Six Powers.
Kuzan had always appeared relaxed.
Too relaxed.
He possessed the strength of an Admiral, yet his attitude often made it seem as though he were on vacation rather than serving as one of the most powerful officers in the Marines.
Sengoku silently cursed her choice of words.
What lazy Admiral?
He was your instructor.
But he couldn't deny that Kuzan often gave off exactly that impression.
Sengoku cleared his throat.
"He's not lazy."
Seraphina stared at him.
Sengoku quickly amended his statement.
"Not exactly."
Tsuru covered her mouth to hide a smile.
Sengoku ignored her.
"Regardless, Kuzan is exceptionally powerful and experienced. If you're going to the New World, having an Admiral nearby is an excellent arrangement."
Seraphina considered the proposal.
Although she didn't know exactly what Kuzan had been investigating, she knew enough about his strength to understand the value of having him nearby.
And there was another reason the arrangement made sense.
Kuzan was a user of the Hie Hie no Mi, the Ice-Ice Fruit.
Seraphina's own combat style had long been associated with ice, though the source and mechanics of her abilities were different from those of Kuzan's Devil Fruit.
Their abilities were not identical.
But there was enough overlap in their combat environments that they could potentially coordinate effectively.
"I don't know the full nature of your Devil Fruit or how your ice techniques work," Sengoku said thoughtfully, "but I suspect you and Kuzan will cooperate well."
Seraphina thought about it for another moment.
Her previous interactions with Kuzan had mostly occurred during her time at the Marine training camp, where she had repeatedly sought his guidance regarding the Marines' Six Powers.
Although Kuzan's laid-back personality had often tested her patience, his strength and understanding of combat were undeniable.
He was an Admiral.
A monster of the sea.
And if she was truly going to enter the New World, having someone like him nearby was far better than entering completely alone.
"All right."
Seraphina finally nodded.
"I'll go with Kuzan."
Sengoku released a quiet sigh of relief.
At least one troublesome problem had been solved.
Or so he thought.
Because neither Sengoku nor Tsuru realized that allowing Saint Roselith Seraphina to enter the New World would soon place her directly in the middle of conflicts far larger than either of them expected.
The sea ahead was vast.
The strongest pirates in the world were waiting there.
And for the first time, Seraphina was preparing to step into the territory where the Marines' authority could no longer guarantee her safety.
The New World awaited her.
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