Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Upon receiving the coded message from Rosinante, Sengoku's heart, which had been tense for many days, finally relaxed.
"Fortunately, I was prepared. Beelzebul truly has high standards; of all those who offered their allegiance, he only accepted three interns."
At the cost of one Logia Devil Fruit, he had successfully planted Rosinante in the enemy camp.
In one word: worth it.
When he remembered that two of the three people were undercover agents sent by the Marines, Sengoku covered his mouth to suppress his laughter, but his shaking shoulders betrayed him.
Garp had just returned from visiting relatives in the East Blue when he saw Sengoku in such a state.
"What's the matter? Why so happy?"
Sengoku coughed lightly and restrained his smile.
"Cough, I just thought of something happy. What about you? How is Dragon's... your grandson? Is he well-behaved?"
Garp scratched his head.
"He's alright. The little guy is quite mischievous; he peed on me right after I picked him up."
The two suddenly fell into silence. Sengoku thought Garp was unwilling to talk too much about Dragon's child for fear that the World Government would find out and target him.
Garp, on the other hand, was worried that he might accidentally slip up and let his old friend Sengoku discover the truth.
Ace was, after all, Roger's child.
If the World Government learned the truth, the situation for Rouge and her son would become very difficult, unless Beelzebul occupied another stronghold that was easy to defend but hard to attack.
At that time, even if the World Government discovered the truth, what could they do? He could simply secretly send Rouge and her son to Beelzebul's side.
Although Hachinosu Island's location was good, the surrounding waters were relatively flat, making it suitable for offense but not for defense.
Wano Country, on the other hand, was not only large enough and rich in mineral resources, but it was also the only producer of Sea Stone.
Garp couldn't understand it.
With the strength of Beelzebul and the Morning Star Pirates, they could completely seize Wano Country. Why did they settle for Hachinosu Island instead?
While Garp was lost in thought, Sengoku suddenly spoke.
"Garp, your vacation is over. The G1 Branch in the New World is short of a Vice Admiral to oversee things. Pack your things and head over there quickly."
"Nani?!" Garp's face was full of confusion.
"Is the Marine preparing to exert pressure in the New World?"
For many years, the Marine's focus had been on the Four Seas and the First Half of the Grand Line. In the second half, the New World, there were only two branches, G1 and G5.
Sakazuki led a group of hawkish headquarters officers to oversee the G5 Branch. Now that Sengoku was sending Garp to the G1 Branch, it was somewhat unexpected for Garp.
"Not exactly," Sengoku sighed.
"After Beelzebul occupied Hachinosu Island, pirate groups large and small in Paradise have gone crazy. Now the coating shipyards in Sabaody are overwhelmed."
Hearing this, Garp finally understood.
The small pirates of Paradise were preparing to head to the New World to join the Morning Star Pirates.
In that case, he had to go.
"Alright, I'll have Bogard get ready."
After packing up all the snacks in Sengoku's office, Garp was just about to head out with his bundle when Sengoku suddenly called out to him.
"Garp, how about bringing your grandson to Headquarters? It'll save you time from running back and forth."
It was true that Marine warships could cross the Calm Belt, but the straight-line distance from Marineford to Foosha Village was still quite far.
As the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku had both the responsibility and the right to make things convenient for his old friend.
Garp picked his nose and pondered.
"He's not even three yet. Wait another two years."
Watching Garp leave, Sengoku continued his duties as Fleet Admiral. Seeing the application that had been rejected by the World Government again, most of his good mood vanished instantly.
"The Gorosei... can't they see the situation? With the Marine's current high-end combat power, it's simply not enough to deter those great pirates."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Three Admirals Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru, the hero Garp, and the semi-retired Zephyr were the only top-tier combatants the Marine had.
If the Roger Pirates had disbanded, six Admiral-level combatants would have had no problem aweing the seas.
But now, the Morning Star Pirates possessed—
Captain Beelzebul, Honorary vice-captain Golden Lion Shiki, vice-captain Mihawk, Battle Commander Fujitora... According to the news sent back by his dear son: Golden Lion had successfully removed the steering wheel from his head, and his severed legs had somehow grown back.
Although Sengoku felt it was extremely strange and bizarre, he had already realized that a Golden Lion at his peak alone was enough to hold him and Garp back for a while.
Beelzebul could similarly hold back Sakazuki.
Fujitora and Mihawk might be at a disadvantage when fighting Kuzan and Borsalino, but a winner certainly wouldn't be decided in a short time.
Moreover, this assessment was based on the combat power of Beelzebul and the others during the Ohara Buster Call a year ago.
During the Sabaody Buster Call, Beelzebul didn't directly clash with Sakazuki and the others, but instead held back the Marine Buster Call fleet single-handedly.
Sengoku picked up the news sent back by his dear son again.
[Dad, you can't afford to be complacent.]
"Sigh, Mi Gyo."
"It's not that I'm being complacent, it's that the World Government won't allow the Marine to conduct a World Military Draft."
If they could go through a World Military Draft and gain even one or two top-tier combatants, the Marine would surely deter this sea once again.
But the World Government repeatedly rejected the application on the grounds of insufficient military funds.
"Being the Fleet Admiral is truly frustrating!"
(๑＞＜๑）
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Pangea Castle.
In the spacious and bright palace, the Gorosei took their positions one by one. This time Saint V. Nusjuro arrived late and could only stand and listen to Saint Jeygarsia Saturn speak.
"The undercover plan is very successful."
"According to the secret letter sent back by Lucky Star: the Morning Star Pirates are rebuilding Hachinosu Island. It can be foreseen that things will be much quieter for a while."
"And Beelzebul indeed has high standards, only accepting three apprentice crew members, including Lucky Star."
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn's words were telling the other Gorosei that by paying only one Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, they had already begun to see returns.
In the future, don't go around whispering that I'm an undercover agent planted by Beelzebul in the World Government.
Saint V. Nusjuro took over the conversation.
"Since that's the case, we can try to commission Beelzebul to handle some things that are inconvenient for us to show our faces but must be done."
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn nodded.
"I have a plan."
"Previously, Harald has been using the inability to obtain the legendary devil fruit as an excuse to stall us. We might as well commission Beelzebul to go."
"If successful, we pay the commission fee and get the Elbaf legendary devil fruit."
"If it fails, those rewards will serve to drive a wedge between Beelzebul and the Giant Race. Don't forget, he has four Giant Race crew members under him."
"In short, no matter the outcome, it's relatively beneficial for us."
Upon hearing this, the other Gorosei nodded one after another.
"Concur!"
"Concur!"
"Concur."
Saint Jeygarsia Saturn nodded with satisfaction and silently looked at Saint V. Nusjuro, signaling: quickly take out the den den mushi.
Saint V. Nusjuro blinked his eyes.
"Saint Jeygarsia Saturn, why are you looking at me?"