Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat in his large solid wood chair, the brim of his seagull-adorned Marine cap pulled low, concealing the thoughts in his eyes.
"Can we be certain?" Sengoku finally spoke, his gaze shifting from the photograph to Vice Admiral Tsuru sitting on the opposite sofa.
"Almost definitely." Tsuru nodded, pulling a yellowed photograph from a file folder and sliding it across to Sengoku. The young man in the photo wore a simple shirt, a cigar dangling from his lips, his eyes carrying a trace of careless arrogance. It was Ryan.
"Strange rumors have been circulating recently in the East Blue," Tsuru's voice remained calm and measured. "Villagers from several islands claim to have seen a peach-pink giant dragon."
"A giant dragon?" Sengoku raised an eyebrow, picking up the photo for closer examination. "In a place like the East Blue?"
"The descriptions are quite detailed." Vice Admiral Tsuru produced another file marked "TOP SECRET," its cover mostly obscured by red ink covering the words "Punk Hazard Experiment Subject No. 731."
Her eyes showed a flicker of distraction as she looked at the profile sketch inside the file. Ever since hearing the rumors about the "peach-pink giant dragon," she had inexplicably recalled the report from two years ago about the "Crimson Drake" at Punk Hazard. Upon investigation, she had indeed discovered clues.
Returning to the present, Tsuru looked up at Sengoku and said, "Although the physique has changed dramatically, these facial features highly match the test subject who escaped from Punk Hazard back then. Even the name matches."
She paused, then pulled out another stack of documents: "What's more coincidental is that in all the sea areas where the giant dragon was sighted, people have also seen this man named Ryan. Look—"
In the sketch in the documents, the man wore a black jacket with a careless smile playing on his lips.
Tsuru's finger traced the records below the sketch: "Our agents sent to verify in the East Blue reported that almost all the villagers of Cocoyasi Village know him, speaking of him with great respect. Some remember the day he left the village, which happened to be the same day Captain Nezumi met his demise."
"The timing and capability both match." Tsuru's tone grew more certain. "In the entire East Blue, you won't find another person who could silently destroy a fully manned warship while still commanding such respect from villagers. Captain Nezumi's unit was undoubtedly taken down by him."
Sengoku remained silent, picking up the file about Branch 153, his finger tracing the words "complete annihilation." "Nezumi was corrupt and had been colluding with Arlong for years. The villagers held deep resentment against him. They're likely protecting whoever did this."
Tsuru nodded calmly, reminding him: "We can basically confirm it was this man named Ryan who did it. Moreover, he's an escapee from Punk Hazard. You understand what being able to transform into a dragon represents."
Sengoku's expression instantly turned grave.
Two years ago, when Punk Hazard exploded, the final report did mention that a crimson drake had broken through the wall of flames and disappeared.
They knew it was the Artificial Dragon Fruit ability created by Vegapunk using Kaido's sample, which had been deemed a "failure." They never expected someone could successfully master that power and hide away in the East Blue.
"And there's news from Mihawk's side." Vice Admiral Tsuru pulled another document from the pile: "The world's greatest swordsman Hawkeye specifically mentioned that this Ryan 'is qualified to challenge his throne'."
Sengoku's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.
Hawkeye was never one to casually praise others. For him to say the words "qualified" was enough to prove that Ryan's swordsmanship was absolutely extraordinary.
"A test subject, able to develop skills capable of challenging top-tier swordsmen in just two years..." Sengoku tapped his finger lightly on the photo: "Not simple."
"That's why I came to discuss with you." Vice Admiral Tsuru picked up her teacup, the steam blurring the sharpness in her eyes: "Rat was Marine scum, his death means nothing, but rules cannot be broken. This brat daring to attack a branch base is challenging the Marines."
The office fell quiet for a moment, only the faint sound of waves outside the window could be heard. Sengoku placed the photo back on the desk and said in a deep voice: "Issue a bounty!"
If he were merely a test subject, they might have turned a blind eye. But having attacked the Marines, possessing the same dragon transformation ability as Kaido, plus remarkable swordsmanship - who knows what kind of trouble he might cause if left unchecked.
"What should the bounty be set at?"
"Set it at sixty million Belly for now." Sengoku's voice wasn't loud, but carried undeniable resolve: "This bounty isn't high. We're testing the waters to see what this brat's true intentions are."
"I'll make the arrangements immediately." Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded, organizing Ryan's documents. As she stood up, she suddenly remembered something: "By the way, the villagers of Cocoyasi Village..."
"Just have the East Blue branch ask them a few symbolic questions." Sengoku picked up his pen again, his gaze returning to the documents on his desk. The pen tip hovered over the paper for a moment: "They've been oppressed for so long, no need to rub salt in their wounds."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded without another word, turned and left with the document folder.
The office returned to silence. Sengoku watched the seagulls circling outside the window, his fingers lightly tapping on Ryan's photo.
.......
In the office of the Marine base at Loguetown.
"Knock knock knock—" Just as the knocking sound faded, Tashigi entered carrying a stack of organized nautical logs, her blue short hair neatly combed with the ends tucked neatly behind her ears, her face wearing its usual serious expression: "Captain Smoker, you asked for me?""
Smoker was looking through case files with his head down. Without looking up, he gestured with his chin toward the corner of the desk: "Take a look at that."
Tashigi put down the logs and picked up the paper that still smelled of fresh ink at the edges - it was a newly issued bounty poster.
"This is... Mr. Ryan? A sixty million Belly bounty?" When she clearly saw the young man's face in the photo, her pupils slightly contracted. She unconsciously let out a soft "Huh?" full of astonishment: "What exactly is going on?"
"Mr.?" Smoker snorted derisively, the smoke rings he exhaled slowly dissipating before his eyes as he said in a deep voice: "Tashigi, you should call him 'the perpetrator of the 153rd Branch Destruction Case'."
"Impossible!" Tashigi's voice suddenly tightened. Her fingers gripping the bounty poster tightened slightly, crumpling the edges of the paper: "Just a few days ago I heard that even Hawkeye acknowledged his swordsmanship, saying he's qualified to challenge the world's greatest swordsman... How could he do something like this?"
"Approval doesn't equate to innocence." Smoker rose from his chair, his gaze settling on Tashigi's face with a grave seriousness. "Don't forget you're a Marine. Judging someone shouldn't be based solely on appearances. Don't let your guard down easily just because they know a few sword techniques and say some pleasant words."
Tashigi's cheeks flushed instantly—not from shyness, but from barely concealed frustration.
She recalled her recent encounter with Ryan in East Blue. At the time, he had casually asked her, "Has there been any major activity in East Blue lately?" Without much thought, she had offhandedly mentioned the abnormalities at the branch.
"And I actually thought he was a good person..." Tashigi bit her lower lip, her voice carrying a hint of grievance she hadn't even realized herself.
"That's why you're too trusting." Smoker turned and sat back in his chair, picking up the case file on the desk again, his tone laced with a subtle warning. "There are more ruthless characters in this world hiding behind a 'good person' facade than the Pirates you've ever encountered."
"But!" Tashigi abruptly lifted her head, a stubborn light flashing in her eyes. "No matter who he is, attacking a Marine branch is a serious crime! Even if his sword skills are impressive, he can't place himself above the rules!"
She carefully folded the Bounty notice and solemnly tucked it into her uniform pocket, straightening her back resolutely. "I will arrest him with my own hands."
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