Marine Headquarters — Marineford — Sengoku's Office
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat behind his desk, fingers interlocked beneath his chin.
The round glasses on his nose reflected the pale light from the documents spread across the desk.
He had just finished reviewing an urgent intelligence report compiled by the Marine intelligence division. The report originated from Rear Admiral Basquerville of the G12 Base, along with observation records from the patrol ship and an analysis of the pirates' navigation route.
A thick stack of papers lay before him.
Sengoku's expression revealed little.
"Crunch… crunch…"
Across the room, sprawled comfortably on a sofa, Monkey D. Garp munched loudly on rice crackers, completely out of sync with the tense atmosphere.
"The Predator—Riberra Sami— has been confirmed active again," Sengoku said calmly.
"The sighting occurred near the outer waters of the G12 Marine Base jurisdiction."
He lifted a map marked with red ink showing the approximate area where the Arrowfish had been seen and later disappeared.
"According to the G12 observation data and course reconstruction, they are not traveling along any of the seven standard Grand Line routes."
"They're moving… outside the conventional routes, toward an unknown destination."
"Oh?"
Garp had already finished his crackers and strolled over, brushing crumbs off his hands.
"That's the kid you people kept analyzing in the war room, right?"
"He slipped through the net you set up once already, and now he disappears again right under a Marine base's nose?"
He grinned.
"Sounds like he's stirring things up nicely. The seas are getting lively again. Hahaha!"
Sengoku's brow twitched slightly.
Technically the earlier misjudgment hadn't been entirely his, but as the commander responsible for the operation, he had accepted the responsibility.
He didn't bother correcting Garp.
Instead, he slid the navigation analysis chart forward.
"Garp, Sami's crew has existed for nearly seven years now."
"During that time, their strength has grown at an exponential rate."
"According to the G12 report, their navigator possesses remarkable skill—able to use terrain to instantly shake off Marine ships."
"Ambition. Strength. Intelligence. Organization. Excellent navigation skills…"
"A group with such a clear development trajectory does not wander aimlessly."
"They deliberately abandoned the main routes—routes with easy supply access—and sailed toward unknown waters."
"There must be a reason."
Garp casually dug his finger into his nose and flicked something invisible away.
"Maybe you're overthinking it, Sengoku."
"Pirates change direction on a whim all the time."
"Maybe they heard about treasure somewhere remote."
"Or maybe they just got lost."
"You're making pirates sound too complicated. Most of them are simpler than you think."
"Simple?"
Sengoku raised his head.
"A crew that survived a year on Little Garden, dramatically increased their strength…"
"A crew that caused incidents in Drum Kingdom and Alabasta and escaped afterward…"
"A crew capable of easily evading Marine pursuit…"
"You think they're simple?"
"Garp, don't underestimate them."
Sengoku's eyes moved across the map—
Drum Kingdom.
Alabasta.
Jaya Island.
Finally stopping at the region mentioned in the G12 report.
"Look at their operational logic."
"The trip to Drum Kingdom could be explained as seeking top-tier medical resources."
"The attack on Alabasta was clearly meant to rescue their crewmate Leon and strengthen their internal cohesion."
"Both actions served their survival and expansion."
He tapped the blank region on the map.
"So now they abandon every known route and head toward unexplored waters."
"What is the purpose?"
"If there is no deeper goal behind it, that contradicts their previous pattern of high-efficiency growth."
Garp's joking expression faded slightly.
"You think they're searching for something?"
"Something connected to their year on Little Garden?"
"Maybe those giants told them something?"
"That possibility cannot be ruled out," Sengoku replied.
"Little Garden is a prehistoric island."
"And the captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates are living legends."
"Sami's crew might have gained more than combat experience there."
"They could have learned ancient records… heard certain legends…"
"Or received information from the giants themselves."
He leaned back slightly.
"Perhaps they're chasing that lead now."
"What might exist in that region that could attract them?"
"An Ancient Weapon?"
"Lost history?"
Garp opened Sengoku's desk drawer without asking—just as he always did.
Sure enough, it contained snacks.
He grabbed another bag of crackers.
"Sengoku… you're starting to sound like a novelist."
"You should write adventure stories."
Sengoku answered calmly.
"When every impossible explanation is eliminated…"
"Whatever remains—no matter how unbelievable—may be the truth."
"The patrol ship lost them, but I will order nearby bases to expand reconnaissance in that northwestern region."
"And increase intelligence gathering on legends and unofficial routes connected to that area."
"Sami's crew…"
"…must be placed back on the priority monitoring list."
Silence returned to the office.
Only the rustle of Garp's snack bag and the scratch of Sengoku's pen broke the quiet.
Several Days Later — Waters Near Drumcap Island
After shaking off the Marine pursuit, the Arrowfish continued sailing northwest for several more days.
The sea breeze gradually grew warmer.
The air became increasingly humid.
"Captain! Island ahead!"
After checking the map and the log pose, Hans nodded.
"The direction matches."
"The climate matches the description."
"Captain, that should be Drumcap Island."
"Alright."
"Men, prepare to dock!"
"Refill fresh water and gather supplies!"
Cheers erupted across the deck.
The Arrowfish dropped anchor near a gentle bay along the shoreline.
The moment they stepped onto land, everyone instinctively took a deep breath.
Drumcap Island was—
A kingdom of mushrooms.
Vegetation grew unbelievably dense.
Under layers of green foliage sprouted mushrooms of every imaginable color and size.
But the most striking sight was in the distance.
At the island's center stood a colossal mushroom, towering like a landmark.
Its enormous cap spread wide enough to block the sky, casting a shadow that covered nearly half the island.
"Holy hell… that mushroom is huge!"
"What kind of island is this?! Mushrooms everywhere!"
"Even that tree has mushrooms growing on it!"
"Who cares! Finally land!"
"I've been eating fish for days! I want meat!"
"Let's go hunting!"
"Hey, calm down," Kahailuo said while adjusting his sleeves.
"Intelligence says people live on this island."
"Don't scare the locals."
Sami quickly organized the crew.
Isaac stayed behind with a group to guard the Arrowfish.
The remaining officers each led teams into the forest to hunt.
Then Sami turned toward Kahailuo and the ship's doctor Hiriluk, who was examining mushrooms on the ground.
"Kahailuo."
"You're experienced. Take the cooks and the medical team."
"Gather edible fruits and vegetables—and identify safe mushrooms."
"Hiriluk, you're responsible for verifying them."
"I don't want anyone collapsing in the infirmary because they ate the wrong fungus."
Hiriluk immediately stood straight.
"Yes, Captain!"
Just then—
A commotion erupted from the direction of Marcus's hunting team.
"Grab it! Don't let that wild boar escape!"
"Holy crap! Why is that pig so fast?!"
"It's running that way! After it!"
Sami shook his head helplessly.
"Watch out!"
"Some mushrooms here are poisonous!"
"Got it!" someone shouted back.
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