On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Kuzan shifted slightly, his tone calm but curious.
"Forgive me for asking, Fleet Admiral Sengoku," he said, "but what does Gold D. Roger have to do with Benn Beckman becoming a pirate?"
There was a brief pause, followed by a sharp exhale.
"You really are slow sometimes, Kuzan," Sengoku replied dryly. "Just like that Borsalino."
Kuzan scratched his cheek, offering no protest.
Sengoku continued, his voice firm but heavy with experience. "Benn Beckman has been an infamous bounty hunter for a very long time. The man has the strength of a Yonko commander. He once fought Charlotte Katakuri, the number two of the Big Mom Pirates to a draw."
Smoker's eyes widened slightly as he listened in silence.
"If someone like Beckman wanted to become a pirate," Sengoku went on, "he would have done so long ago. The only reason a man like him would choose to sail now is because the era has changed. He would start his own crew to find Roger's One Piece."
Kuzan hummed in understanding. "Ah… I see. So that's why."
Sengoku snorted. "You should pay more attention to these things, Kuzan. I intend for you to succeed me as Fleet Admiral one day. Borsalino is unreliable, and Akainu…" He paused, his tone darkening slightly. "I don't like how he does things. That leaves you as my only trusted successor."
Kuzan laughed awkwardly. "Come on, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I just became an Admiral, and you're already trying to push that exhausting position onto me?"
"It's never too early to think about the near future," Sengoku replied flatly. "You were trained by Garp, the Hero of the Marines. Just that on your résumé is already impressive enough."
He then leaned closer to the Den Den Mushi, his voice sharpening. "Now then, tell me more Captain Smoker. Do you know how many are in Beckman's crew?"
Smoker cleared his throat. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I believe I should clarify something first."
Sengoku frowned. "Clarify what?"
"Benn Beckman does not have his own crew," Smoker said. "He is part of someone else's."
There was a sudden, heavy thud on the other end of the line.
Sengoku had dropped back into his chair.
"…You mean to tell me," Sengoku said slowly, his voice low and strained, "that someone commands that monster?"
Kuzan's interest visibly piqued. "Hm. Now that is interesting."
Smoker nodded, even though they couldn't see him. "I had the same reaction, Fleet Admiral. I assumed someone of his caliber would lead his own crew."
Sengoku exhaled deeply. "Then it seems we'll need to start issuing bounties sooner rather than later. Captain Smoker, do you know who the captain is?"
"Unfortunately, no," Smoker replied. "I disengaged shortly after encountering Beckman and reported here immediately. However, there is another member named I fought named Giovanni."
Kuzan listened quietly as Smoker continued.
"He doesn't seem particularly strong," Smoker added. "But he possesses excellent Observation Haki. Despite sustaining severe injuries, he was able to read my movements and keep up with me."
Sengoku's brow furrowed. "And you call that 'not strong'?"
Smoker hesitated. "I was speaking in terms of Armament Haki, Fleet Admiral. He appears to have none. As a Logia user, I was never harmed once."
Sengoku's voice hardened. "Just because he couldn't harm you doesn't mean he can't harm other Marines."
Smoker straightened. "Forgive my oversight, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
The Den Den Mushi fell silent for a moment, the weight of the information settling heavily over the room.
Kuzan paused, a faint crease forming between his brows. "Wait a moment," he said slowly. "The name Giovanni… it sounds familiar."
Sengoku turned toward him at once. "Do you know him?"
Kuzan hummed, thinking. Then he spoke into the Den Den Mushi again. "Smoker. This Giovanni. Did he have mid-length blonde hair, blue eyes, and light-toned skin?"
Smoker answered immediately. "That's exactly him, Admiral Aokiji. Do you know him?"
Kuzan let out a quiet chuckle, almost amused. "So his mother really did think it would be better for him to become a pirate rather than a Marine."
Sengoku's eyes sharpened. "What do you mean by that?"
Kuzan leaned back slightly. "Sengoku, this pirate crew might become truly terrifying if it's left to grow."
Sengoku frowned. "Explain."
Kuzan's voice grew more serious. "I once traveled all the way from the West Blue to the North Blue to recruit a certain kid into the Marine division I was captaining at the time. I wanted to take him under my wing. He was about nine years old back then."
He paused for effect.
"That kid had already become famous in the North Blue for knocking out seventy pirates using Conqueror's Haki… at eight years old."
Sengoku shot up from his chair. "Supreme King Haki?" he barked. "Are you telling me this Giovanni possesses Supreme King Haki?"
Even through the Den Den Mushi, Smoker's shock was clear. "Admiral Aokiji… you have to be joking."
Kuzan shook his head, even though they couldn't see it. "Nope. I'm sure of it."
Sengoku slammed a hand on his desk. "Kuzan!" he roared. "If you were going to recruit the boy for the Marines, why did you fail?!"
Kuzan raised his hands defensively. "I tried. His mother said he was too young to make a decision like that. It's not my fault."
Sengoku scowled. "Did you ever return and try again?"
Kuzan shrugged. "No. That would've been too troublesome. Traveling from the West Blue to the North Blue over and over again isn't exactly convenient."
Sengoku pressed his fingers to his temples, visibly restraining his frustration. "We could have had another Conqueror in the Marines," he muttered. "Aside from me and Garp. Kuzan, you idiot."
He let out a long sigh. "Whatever. The boy is an enemy of the Navy now. There's no point arguing about what could have been."
Sengoku straightened, his tone turning sharp and authoritative. "Captain Smoker. This is a direct order from me as Fleet Admiral."
Smoker stood straighter instinctively. "Yes, Fleet Admiral."
"I want you to investigate this mysterious pirate crew," Sengoku commanded. "Learn their numbers, their members if possible. But your number one priority is unmasking the captain."
"I will not disappoint you, Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Smoker replied firmly.
"Do not engage them," Sengoku added at once. "If the captain of that crew possesses strength equal to, or greater than Benn Beckman, then you may not survive an encounter."
Smoker nodded grimly. "Understood."
The Den Den Mushi clicked as the call ended.
Back in his office, Smoker lit another cigar, taking a long drag before exhaling a thick cloud of smoke into the air.
"This usually boring Logue Town," he muttered, eyes narrowing, "has suddenly become a lot more interesting."