Marineford.
Navy Headquarters.
Sitting at the topmost level of the tallest and largest central building within the Headquarters is the office of the Fleet Marshal.
Within this room, which faces an outside balcony offering a panoramic view of the buildings below and the sea, and under the plaque that reads 'Justice Reigns Supreme', Sengoku wore a grim expression as he listened to the report from the Radio Snail.
"The Sisomia Kingdom, including its Royal City, has seen three cities completely destroyed. Many valuable assets of the kingdom's prominent citizens were plundered, and the King was killed by a natural disaster on the spot. Now the entire kingdom is in chaos. The citizens within the kingdom have even begun to show signs of rebellion, no longer obeying the orders of the nobles."
"What is the government's stance?" Sengoku's eyes darkened, and he asked, holding the receiver.
"The higher-ups' stance is... since there is no king to ask for aid, we cannot intervene in the internal affairs of allied nations, and for now, we are still waiting."
"Waiting... once war breaks out, everything will be in turmoil. What are we waiting for! Alright, I'll go and communicate with the higher-ups, thank you for your hard work."
Sengoku hung up the phone, lifted his eyes to gaze at the vast and blue sea, and gritted his teeth, saying: "Damn natural disaster, causing such a huge mess right after escaping from prison!"
"Oh~ that's really frightening, another kingdom destroyed?"
Sitting leisurely on the sofa in front of the office desk, Kizaru was slowly trimming his nails. Hearing the words, he pouted and said:
"I've heard about that kingdom, it's quite interesting. Classifying commoners within the kingdom into ranks; although they weren't slaves, it didn't differ much from slavery. The World Government clearly prohibits slavery, though not completely..."
"Don't talk too much, Borsalino."
Sengoku shook his head and said: "We are the Navy, do our duty."
Kizaru shrugged, "You're right..."
Sengoku said: "And that natural disaster... Byrnndi World was in the same prison with him and has died, and it seems Magellan might have acquired an acceleration ability."
"Byrnndi World?" Kizaru pondered, "I seem to have some impression, the Navy Pirate United Army?"
Sengoku nodded: "That was an event from when you were still recruits; that guy was too much of a threat. On the sea, there was almost no one who could counteract him, and he was filled with destructive tendencies. That's why a united army was formed, but those special agents made us retreat, and later he was frozen..."
Thirty years ago, the Navy was not at its peak as it is now.
Although the Navy's numbers were always the strongest, the top-tier strength at that time was not like it is now.
It is only now that the Navy has truly entered the golden age, the most peak generation, precisely because of the existence of the current Admirals, the highest combat power of today's World Government.
Regarding Vald, like Kizaru, who was a recruit at that time, might not understand, but Sengoku was a firsthand witness; he knew Vald's threat and what Vald's abilities were.
Acceleration ability, with Vald dead...
"If that guy got hold of this power..." Sengoku covered his head.
Thinking of this possibility made his head hurt.
The Devil Fruit chooses its owner actively; as the Navy Fleet Admiral, he understands this better than anyone.
If an exceptionally compatible quality appears, the demon within the fruit, whether it's destiny or coincidence, will appear before its chosen host.
That natural disaster was not a Devil Fruit Ability User before, no matter how miraculous the report described, he definitely wasn't. People couldn't distinguish between body techniques and abilities, but the three surrounding him absolutely could.
But now, a suspected acceleration ability emerged...
That makes it hard to say.
"Oh~ that sounds terrifying."
Kizaru chuckled and said: "Are you going to increase his bounty?"
"No... the government's intention is to suppress the incident of the prison escape, and I share the same sentiment. He escaped alone, the impact isn't huge, at least compared to what's happening now; this can be postponed."
Sage's escape was known to them the day he got out.
But the matter was suppressed.
Even though the destruction at Impel Down was severe, they had just reported it to the world; increasing his bounty now would purely be a slap in the face of the World Government.
And compared to this matter...
Sengoku's expression turned solemn, "War, is about to come."
...
Boom!
From the gloomy, night-like sky, flashes of silver snakes burst forth, amidst the massive rumbling, fierce winds swept below the sky, stirring towering waves, crashing onto the Black Ship sailing on the sea's surface.
After a long-awaited seven days, the storm...
Once again descended upon the faithful Death Star.
Inside the banquet hall on the first floor, there was a commotion no less than the thunder and lightning roaring outside.
Chefs were carrying food back and forth between the banquet hall and the kitchen, and subordinates holding wooden wine cups were shouting and making a ruckus with their arms around each other's shoulders. At the center, even some drunken female pirates had a great time, clumsily dancing.
The previously gloomy atmosphere due to Sage's absence had completely changed.
"Hohahaha! Stop dancing, even if you're women, there's no elegance in your moves!"
Upon the throne, Sage drained the wine in the Gemstone Wine Glass and laughed heartily: "Hey, Kumadori, come and dance a bit, and Jabra, show me a transformation!"
"Being able to freely exhibit the way of Kabuki is my honor, yon yon yi!"
Drinking wine, Kumadori held the cup and hopped on one foot to the center, neck twisting as five fingers stretched out, straightening his head as he did so, revealing an exaggerated expression.