The meeting room of Marineford Headquarters was vast and silent.
At the center sat Steelbone Kong, the Marshal of the Navy, his imposing figure wrapped in a white coat of justice. Beneath it, a dark crimson shirt clung to his broad, muscular frame. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, veins bulging, the weight of authority radiating from him. His sharp, tiger-like eyes were fixed on the two figures seated across the long table: Sengoku the Buddha and Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"You both know about the recent attack on the West Blue branch," Kong said, his deep voice rumbling through the room. "In less than a month, first the South Blue, now the West Blue two naval bases crippled back-to-back. This is a humiliation for the Navy."
Sengoku, calm and calculating as ever, adjusted his glasses and asked, "And what did the Five Elders say?"
Kong's expression hardened. "What else could they say? They're furious. The destruction caused by that man Emperor Tian is being seen as a direct provocation against the authority of the World Government. They've issued a command: no matter the cost, he must be captured."
Sengoku frowned slightly. "Easier said than done. This man isn't ordinary prey."
"Doesn't matter," Kong replied, slamming his palm against the desk. "The order stands. Failing to act is not an option."
For decades, Sengoku had worked beside Kong, and he knew that tone meant the order came from the very top. When the Five Elders issued a directive, even the Fleet Admiral had little room to object. Still, this time was different the enemy wasn't a pirate crew or a known outlaw, but a ghost hidden in the shadows.
Kong turned his gaze to the third person in the room. "Tsuru, what's your assessment?"
It was no surprise she had been summoned. Known for her intellect and composure, Vice Admiral Tsuru was one of the few who could match Sengoku's strategic mind. Karp, on the other hand, would have been a disaster in a meeting like this his idea of "strategy" usually involved punching first and thinking later.
Tsuru sat upright, her expression thoughtful. She wore the navy's long coat, her light-blue blouse crisp beneath it. Resting her elbows on her knees, she clasped her chin, her eyes sharp as a hawk's. "First," she began, her voice clear and precise, "we know almost nothing about Emperor Tian's true power. Attacking blindly would cause more harm than good.
Second, this man is elusive. We don't even know where he's hiding. For all we know, he could still be among our ranks. Without intelligence, any action we take is as good as swinging in the dark."
Kong and Sengoku both nodded in agreement.
They had hunted the Pirate King, captured notorious criminals, and crushed rebellions across the seas. But this time, the enemy wasn't a flag they could chase or a bounty they could track. Emperor Tian was an enigma a single man who moved like a shadow, vanishing as soon as he appeared.
Kong sighed. "We caught Roger, the most dangerous pirate of his time, but against this man, we've found nothing. It's maddening."
Sengoku shook his head. "Roger was a pirate with a crew and a ship. That made him traceable. Emperor Tian is different he's a lone wolf. A phantom. Striking from the darkness, disappearing before we can react. To deal with a serpent like him, we must aim straight for the heart."
He paused, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.
Kong noticed the glint in his eyes. "You've thought of something, haven't you, Sengoku?"
Sengoku nodded. "A few things, actually." He raised one finger. "First, we've confirmed that the same person who ambushed Admiral Akainu and attacked the West Blue branch is indeed Emperor Tian. That means he has the ability to vanish from plain sight. The question is how? Could he have eaten the Clear-Clear Fruit?"
Kong's brows furrowed, and Tsuru leaned forward slightly. Sengoku continued, his voice steady. "Second, if he possesses the power of invisibility, how does he also control earth? His attacks at the West Blue branch were elemental. Two abilities shouldn't coexist. No man can wield the power of two Devil Fruits at least, that's what we've always believed."
The room grew silent. Both Kong and Tsuru exchanged grim looks. It was a terrifying thought someone who could defy the laws of the world itself.
Sengoku didn't stop there. "And third," he said, pushing up his glasses, "based on our gathered intelligence, Emperor Tian's actions suggest a deep infiltration. He's been near the Navy multiple times during the Golden Lion incident, and again at Little Lia. He's always appeared near Marine operations. That's not coincidence."
Kong's eyes narrowed. "You think he's hiding on one of the patrol fleets?"
"That's one possibility," Sengoku replied. He'd spent days reviewing surveillance footage, incident reports, and firsthand accounts. Even with Vice Admiral Kuzan's updates, the conclusion wasn't clear. "At first, I was seventy percent sure he was hidden among the patrol fleets. But when he suddenly attacked the West Blue branch while the admirals were investigating those very fleets… I began to doubt."
He leaned back slightly, frowning. "It's almost too convenient. Like he wanted to draw us away on purpose."
Tsuru spoke softly, her tone thoughtful. "A fox that clever won't be trapped easily. If we strike without precision, we'll only end up chasing our own tails."
Sengoku smiled faintly. "I agree. That's why I've devised a plan. It's still in early stages, but it may be our best chance."
Kong's stern expression softened with curiosity. "Let's hear it."
"Two days ago," Sengoku began, "CP9 sent a report. They discovered the whereabouts of the so-called Demon Child, currently hiding within the fortress of a West Blue crime lord Capone Bege. Recently, Bege's syndicate crushed two rival gangs and seized total control of the West Blue underworld."
He paused, letting the information sink in. "Don't you find that strange? The Demon Child was once rescued by Emperor Tian. And now, suddenly, she's in the hands of a mafia boss who rose to power almost overnight. Two powerful gangs fall, one after another too clean, too fast."
Tsuru's eyes lit with understanding. "You think Emperor Tian is behind Bege's sudden rise?"
Sengoku nodded. "It's possible. If there's even a ten percent chance, it's worth the risk. I've already sent agents to investigate. If Emperor Tian truly has ties to Capone Bege, then we'll use that connection as bait. Once he bites, we'll drag him out of hiding."
Kong's lips curled into a rare, approving grin. "Clever. Once he's exposed, we'll crush him with full force. Well done, Sengoku."
Sengoku adjusted his small round glasses, the reflection of the light flashing across his calm, analytical eyes.
He rose slowly from his seat, voice firm and deliberate.
"I call this plan... The Hunt."
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