"Bruce... Banner?"
Sengoku repeated the name, his brow furrowing into a deep frown.
He quickly scanned through the bounty lists in his mind.
From the crews of the Four Emperors in the New World to the Supernovas in Paradise, and even the list of Revolutionary Army officers.
Nothing.
The name was as unfamiliar as a fisherman from some obscure village in the East Blue.
"It's normal that you haven't heard of it."
Vice Admiral Tsuru sat back on the sofa and picked up the half-eaten senbei.
"If Dr. Vegapunk hadn't specifically mentioned it, I wouldn't have noticed this name either."
"He is a scientist, not a brute like you."
"A scientist?"
Sengoku's brow relaxed slightly, though suspicion still lingered in his eyes.
On this sea, those who call themselves scientists are a dime a dozen.
But for that arrogant old man Vegapunk to remember him, and even specifically ask for him, that was quite intriguing.
Tsuru pulled a photo from the pocket of her thick notebook and pushed it gently toward Sengoku.
Sengoku glanced at it.
The photo showed a somewhat dull-looking middle-aged man.
Messy curly hair, thick glasses covering half his face, wearing a lab coat that was clearly two sizes too big, and clutching a stack of documents.
He looked like an ordinary nerd who would disappear in a crowd.
"This is the person Vegapunk specifically asked for?"
Sengoku threw the photo back on the table, his voice full of doubt.
"He looks less energetic than the goat I keep."
The goat in the corner let out a cooperative "baa" and continued chewing on a discarded proposal regarding the Shichibukai.
Vice Admiral Tsuru ignored Sengoku's teasing and slowly tore open a new pack of senbei, taking a crunching bite.
"Don't judge a book by its cover, Sengoku."
"According to Vegapunk, this Bruce Banner's expertise in the field of 'biological radiation and genetic mutation' is even beyond his own."
Sengoku's hand, which was about to reach for the teacup, suddenly stopped in mid-air.
He looked up sharply, staring at Tsuru's calm face.
"Beyond his?"
"That egomaniac Vegapunk actually admitted someone is better than him?"
This was more unbelievable than the resurrection of Pirate King Roger.
That old man, who claimed to possess wisdom five hundred years ahead of humanity, usually looked at everyone as if they were monkeys that hadn't fully evolved.
Tsuru nodded and swallowed her food.
"To be precise, it's in the subfield of 'gamma-ray induced mutation of biological cells'."
"Vegapunk said he read a paper published by Banner in the last issue of 'World Science Weekly,' and the two communicated through a secret line for three full days and nights."
"In the end, Vegapunk reached a conclusion."
Tsuru paused, her gaze becoming sharp as she looked directly into Sengoku's eyes.
"If there is anyone else in this world who can analyze that virus called 'Blacklight,' besides Vegapunk himself, it's this Bruce Banner."
The office fell into a brief, dead silence.
Only the wall clock made a monotonous ticking sound.
Sengoku picked up the photo again, and this time, his expression changed.
He was no longer looking at a loser, but at a strategic weapon capable of swaying the world's situation.
Blacklight virus.
The nightmare that caused heavy losses to Marineford, nearly defeated Admiral Kuzan, and even attracted the terrifying existence of the "SCP Foundation."
If they could master its antidote, or... master its power.
Sengoku's breathing quickened slightly.
"In that case, send someone to pick him up."
Sengoku made a quick decision, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Where is he? Vegapunk's research institute? Or at the Science Academy of some kingdom?"
"If he's within the territory of a member nation, issue a mobilization order directly. If they refuse, let the CP organization 'invite' him."
For talent of this level, Sengoku didn't mind using some strong-arm tactics.
However, Tsuru sighed.
She pulled a crumpled map from the bottom of the pile of documents and spread it out on the table.
Her withered finger pointed to a red circle in the first half of the Grand Line.
"If it were that easy, Vegapunk wouldn't have asked us for help."
"Banner is not in a safe place."
"In fact, his current situation is very dangerous."
Sengoku leaned over to look at the map, his pupils shrinking slightly.
"This is... Calebari Island?"
"That chaotic zone known as the 'Mercenary Graveyard'?"
"What is a research nerd doing in a place like that?"
It was a notorious lawless area on the Grand Line, filled with arms dealers, bounty hunters, fugitives, and various illegal laboratories.
Even Marine branches were unwilling to set up bases nearby.
"Supposedly because of an experimental accident."
Tsuru flipped through the intelligence in her hand, her tone flat.
"Banner was leading a human enhancement experiment regarding 'Super Soldiers' in his original country, but something went wrong and a massive explosion occurred."
"He was accused of blowing up half the royal capital and became a wanted criminal."
"To escape pursuit, he fled all the way to Calebari Island and lived under an assumed name as an unlicensed doctor in an underground clinic."
Speaking of this, Tsuru paused and looked up at Sengoku.
"But the bad news is, his whereabouts have been exposed."
"It's not just us; others have their eyes on him too."
A sense of foreboding rose in Sengoku's heart.
"Who?"
"Beasts Pirates."
Tsuru uttered a name that would give the entire Marine Headquarters a headache.
"According to intelligence, one of Kaido's 'All-Stars,' Jack, happens to be active in the nearby waters."
"They also seem to have learned of Banner's talent in 'biological enhancement' through some channel."
"You know how obsessed that madman Kaido is with his army of Zoan-type ability users."
"If Banner falls into Kaido's hands..."
There was no need for Tsuru to continue; Sengoku could already imagine the scene.
Kaido's Beast army, plus Banner's enhancement technology, plus the potentially analyzed 'Blacklight virus'... that would be the end of the Marines.
"Absolutely not!"
Sengoku slammed the table, splashing the tea in his cup.
"We must snatch him before Kaido's people do!"
"As long as he's alive, whether he's tied up or carried, he must be brought back to Marineford!"
"Phew..."
Sengoku let out a long breath, took off his round-rimmed glasses, and rubbed his aching eyes.
"As for this matter, let Borsalino go."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded slightly; this was indeed the most secure arrangement at the moment.
"At this critical juncture, we don't have extra troops to waste."
"Since the Beasts Pirates are also making a move, it's good to let Kizaru go and intimidate them."
Sengoku nodded. What truly gave him a headache were the five "Great Figures" he would have to face next.
The mess in the North Blue must have a perfect explanation.
Especially those three CP0 agents who died without a trace.
Their deaths were nothing to the Celestial Dragons, but the issues exposed by this incident—the loss of face for the Celestial Dragons and the situation spiraling out of control—were absolutely unacceptable to them.
If something wasn't done, the Marines would face unprecedented accountability.
Cutting the military budget would be the least of it; it might even shake his command over the Marines.
Someone must be held responsible for this.
But it must not be the Marines!
A look of resolute determination flashed in Sengoku's eyes. Since this bucket of dirty water was destined to be poured...
Then don't blame this old man for striking first!
He took a deep breath, adjusted his breathing, and wiped the fatigue from his face.
In its place was a sky-high rage.
He reached out and grabbed the golden Den Den Mushi on the table.
That was the direct line to the highest authority in the Room of Authority at the Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
Puru puru puru...
The Den Den Mushi was picked up after only two rings.
Clearly, the top of the power structure was also closely monitoring the situation in the North Blue.
The features of the Den Den Mushi began to distort, mimicking a serious and elderly expression.
It was the one among the Gorosei wearing a deep blue suit and sporting a handlebar mustache.
"Sengoku..."
A low, majestic voice came from the other end of the line, carrying a sense of high-and-mighty scrutiny.
"Regarding the North Blue..."
"What on earth are you thinking!!!"
Before the Gorosei could finish, Sengoku let out a deafening roar into the receiver.
The sound was so loud that even the Den Den Mushi shrank its neck in fear.
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Room of Authority.
The five old men, who were drinking tea, wiping swords, or resting with their eyes closed, were all stunned by this roar.
They looked at each other, their faces showing an extremely rare expression of bewilderment.
Since Sengoku became Fleet Admiral, although there were occasional disputes, he had never lost his composure like this.
Not to mention an opening like this, pointing fingers and cursing.
"Sengoku, mind your status!"