Marineford — Marine Headquarters.
"Don left together with the Dark King Rayleigh? On the same ship?"
Sengoku's eyes widened, staring at the Den-Den Mushi before him.
At the moment, the Den-Den Mushi's face mimicked a slightly sleazy expression.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. They didn't bother hiding their identities when they departed."
Kizaru's voice came from the other side.
The news caused Sengoku's brows to tighten. He turned toward Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"They shouldn't be… up to anything."
Vice Admiral Tsuru instantly understood what that look meant and shook her head.
"Do we know where they're heading?"
Sengoku took a deep breath and asked the Den-Den Mushi.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku… do you think anyone could tail them without being noticed?"
Kizaru's reply made Sengoku fall silent.
Indeed.
No one could tail either of them unseen — not even from afar.
But Rayleigh leaving together with Don… that was something that couldn't be ignored.
Even if Rayleigh seemed truly retired, he was once the right hand of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Someone like that… you could never be too cautious.
"I understand. Keep an eye out for any news of their return. If they come back to the Sabaody Archipelago—"
"I'll notify you immediately," Sengoku said in a low tone.
"Sure thing, Fleet Admiral~"
Kizaru didn't reject the job — after all, he didn't need to personally stand guard.
Just as Sengoku was about to hang up, Kizaru spoke again:
"Oh—Fleet Admiral Sengoku. They're back."
Sengoku: ???
He stared silently at the Den-Den Mushi in his hand.
"The news just came in. Their ship has already returned to the Sabaody Archipelago. Everyone's back."
Kizaru explained calmly.
"…Then how about you head over again?"
Sengoku hesitated, clearly wanting Kizaru to gather intel.
"You sure about that?"
Even the sleazy expression on the Den-Den Mushi collapsed.
"Ahem… forget it. Just assign someone to monitor Area 13. Also, put surveillance on Crocodile."
Sengoku gave up the idea of sending Kizaru personally, and instead mentioned the Desert King.
He knew Don had been in contact with Crocodile, but judging from the situation… their relationship was far from simple.
He also remembered the message Garp had passed along — something Don had told him.
Was Don planning to establish a base on the Sabaody Archipelago?
And Crocodile was involved?
"No problem. I already know where they're staying. They're not hiding themselves."
Kizaru accepted this task with zero hesitation.
"Report immediately if anything happens."
Sengoku hung up and looked at Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"What do you think they were doing while they were away?"
"Too little intel. Impossible to determine."
She shook her head.
"But… they weren't gone long, and they didn't travel far. If we scatter scouts around the surrounding sea, we may uncover something."
Sengoku nodded.
"But from the look of things, he likely won't be leaving Sabaody again anytime soon. I can't see through this young man. His behavior is unpredictable. It's best we avoid provoking him at all costs."
Tsuru warned, clearly troubled.
Don now required the Marines to treat him with utmost seriousness.
He had no hesitation in striking at World Government officials.
"I've already warned the Holy Land, but you know how those people act."
Of course Sengoku understood what Tsuru was worried about — he was worried too.
But he couldn't control the Celestial Dragons… and he couldn't control Don.
Avoiding contact between the two sides was the only way to prevent a disaster.
"Recall Sakazuki and have him remain on standby. We must prepare for the worst."
Tsuru advised with a calm but grave tone.
"Agreed."
Sakazuki had been dispatched to the New World — not to oversee the war between Shanks and Big Mom, but to hunt the pirates affected by it.
A convenient clean-up operation.
His absence wouldn't affect the New World significantly.
With Garp and Kuzan present, they could still respond when needed.
New World
"Great Eruption!"
Sakazuki leapt from his battleship, soaring hundreds of meters into the sky, then slammed a molten fist downward.
Flames and magma rained from above, engulfing more than a dozen pirate ships.
The sea exploded under the impact, steam rising violently as seawater flashed into vapor.
Sakazuki landed, staring at the fog-covered waters ahead.
"Clear it out. What's our next target?"
He bit down on his cigar.
"Nearby, sir! One of the Supernovas who fled the war — bounty at 167 mill—"
Before the adjutant finished, a marine sprinted over with a Den-Den Mushi.
"Admiral Sakazuki! Fleet Admiral Sengoku is calling!"
Sakazuki grabbed it.
"Cease all operations in the New World. Return to Marineford immediately."
Sengoku's voice was decisive.
"…Is there a mission?"
Sakazuki frowned, instantly sensing it.
"You'll hear the details when you return. Hurry."
"Understood."
Sakazuki handed the Den-Den Mushi back.
"Relay my orders. Halt everything. Set course for Marineford."
"Yes, sir!"
No one questioned it. The fleet turned around at once.
Sabaody Archipelago
"The outcome wasn't very good."
When Rayleigh returned to Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Mihawk glanced at Don and spoke.
"I didn't expect to master it in a single attempt anyway."
Don replied calmly.
He had burned more stamina than planned — and Rayleigh had clearly spent too much as well.
Victory hadn't been the point. There was another purpose behind the bout.
"But tomorrow won't be this easy."
Don looked at Mihawk.
His swordsmanship was still far below Mihawk's.
And Rayleigh excelled in both swordsmanship and Haki — there was no way his blade was weak.
Today may have been their first clash, or perhaps Rayleigh was simply rusty after not fighting for so long.
But after the battle ended, Don could tell Rayleigh was already analyzing his weaknesses.
Of course, Don was doing the same.
In his current base state, without going all out, Rayleigh was still difficult to face head-on.
The old problem remained.
Don exhaled quietly. He would need to put more work into his swordsmanship.
Not everyone was going to fight him with brute force alone.
END OF CHAPTER
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