The Grand Line – Marineford
Marine Headquarters
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku frowned deeply.
He had just received a call from Hina. It immediately reminded him of when Smoker contacted him directly, bypassing the usual chain of command.
Now Hina was doing the same?
That could only mean trouble.
And sure enough—it was.
Hina had expressed deep disappointment with how Headquarters had handled the situation involving Smoker. She even requested a transfer to the 157th Branch. If that wasn't granted… she'd retire.
Unbelievable.
Was this really the same Hina? The one who had always been mature, tactful, and obedient?
All this... just for Smoker?
No, that didn't sound right.
And the 157th Branch? That was where Smoker had been sent after being effectively exiled.
Was she really upset over how Smoker had been treated?
Sengoku sighed, realization dawning.
Still, he approved her transfer.
"Your request is granted. But you're only allowed to remain at the 157th for one year. After that, you're to return to Headquarters."
"Understood, Fleet Admiral," came Hina's crisp reply.
To Sengoku, this was a small matter. Hinak was capable, but she wasn't one of the Navy's core combat forces.
What truly concerned him now—was the East Blue.
Though the World Government had reached an agreement with Morgans, the damage to their reputation was already done. Rebuilding the Navy's image would be no easy task.
What was worse, intelligence reports confirmed that the Revolutionary Army was now deeply involved in the affair—and actively moving in the East Blue. Whatever they were planning, it couldn't be ignored.
Brrrrrring...
As Sengoku was lost in thought, the Den Den Mushi on his desk rang loudly.
Brrrrrring...
"This is Sengoku."
"Fleet Admiral, it's Doberman," came a gruff voice from the other end.
Doberman, a Vice Admiral and one of the elite five who participated in the Buster Call on Enies Lobby.
"Aren't you stationed at G-1? What's going on?" Sengoku asked, puzzled.
G-1 was in the New World—one of the Navy's most crucial front-line bases, located dangerously close to the territories of the Four Emperors. It was the only branch routinely garrisoned by an Admiral.
So why was Doberman calling him, instead of reporting to the Admiral on duty?
Unless...
Something happened to Akainu?
No, that couldn't be.
"Fleet Admiral, Kaido of the Beasts has suddenly invaded Whitebeard's territory!"
"What?! He's picking a fight with Whitebeard again?"
Sengoku's head throbbed. Kaido, that madman. Every so often, he would go on a rampage—either attacking the Navy or harassing other Emperors.
His favorite target?
Whitebeard.
Every time, Kaido got thoroughly beaten, yet he never seemed to learn.
Under normal circumstances, a clash between two Emperors should be good news for the Navy.
But Sengoku wasn't smiling. Not at all.
Because now that he was Fleet Admiral, his concerns weren't just about defeating pirates anymore—it was about balance.
The balance of power between the Navy, the Seven Warlords, and the Emperors was what allowed the World Government to maintain global control.
Even within each faction, balance mattered: doves and hawks within the Navy, rivalries between Emperors among the pirates.
Disrupt any one of these balances, and you risked plunging the world into chaos.
And in a sea like the New World—with so few true powerhouses—balance was everything.
So when two Emperors fought, the Navy had to monitor the situation closely, ready to act if things spiraled out of control.
But…
"Why are you reporting this?" Sengoku asked. "Where's Sakazuki?"
"Fleet Admiral, Admiral Akainu has already departed with a fleet."
"What?!"
Not only had he failed to report, but Akainu had also immediately set out with a war fleet?
Sakazuki, what are you trying to pull…
"I'm sending Kizaru to the New World immediately," Sengoku said grimly. "Also, inform Sakazuki—he is to monitor the situation from the periphery. Under no circumstances is he to engage on his own!"
"Understood, sir. But... I fear Admiral Akainu may not obey that order."
"Then tell him this: if he disobeys, he'll be treated like Kizaru—permanently stationed at Headquarters on standby duty!"
"Yes, sir!"
Sengoku had had enough.
Why couldn't any of them just follow orders for once?
"Someone bring me a messenger!"
"Sir!"
A transmission officer rushed into the room.
"Send word to Kizaru—he's to depart for the New World immediately and rendezvous with Akainu."
"Um... Fleet Admiral, it's... night time."
"And?!"
Halfway through the outburst, Sengoku paused.
Anyone else, and it wouldn't matter what time it was—they'd get up immediately.
But Kizaru?
The man was notorious for clocking out on the dot and disappearing.
You couldn't even find him after hours.
"Forget it, I'll call him myself."
Sengoku waved the officer out and picked up the Den Den Mushi.
Brrrrrring...
Brrrrrring...
One minute passed.
Then two.
Then three.
No answer.
Meanwhile, in another part of Marineford...
Kizaru, reclining comfortably, pulled a Den Den Mushi from inside his coat.
"Hello, this is Borsalino."
Brrrrrring...
"Hello? This is Borsalino."
Brrrrrring...
He blinked in confusion.
"Hmm? Why's it still ringing when I already answered it?"
He hung up and tried again.
"Hello? This is Borsalino."
Brrrrrring...
Same result.
Scratching his head, Kizaru looked utterly baffled—until a figure walked over.
"Old man… you grabbed the wrong Den Den Mushi," said Sentomaru, exasperated.
"Oh? Really now? So this black one is the surveillance line…"
Sentomaru could only facepalm.
"Can't you ever grab the right one? Just once?"
What was worse, instead of reaching for the correct Den Den Mushi, Kizaru stayed there... studying the surveillance device with curiosity.
The real one—meant for official calls—was still ringing in his coat pocket.
Sentomaru couldn't take it anymore.
"Old man! The phone! THE PHONE!"
But right then… the ringing stopped.
Kizaru, completely unfazed, shrugged.
"Huh. Guess they gave up. Oh well… if it's important, they'll call back."
Sentomaru was speechless.
Only a handful of people ever called Kizaru directly—and 99 out of 100 times, it was Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Honestly...
That whole bit about grabbing the wrong snail?
Yeah.
He was totally faking it.
From the beginning…
He just didn't want to take the call.
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