Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
The atmosphere was suffocating, like the silence before a storm; the air itself felt dense enough to crush.
On the heavy mahogany desk lay an emergency report detailing the tragedy that had befallen the trainee ship, its presence like a searing brand, burning into everyone's nerves.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's face was as dark as iron, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
The calm and wisdom he was known for as a strategist had been replaced entirely by fury.
Behind his glasses, his sharp eyes seemed ready to pierce through the report and tear apart the man named Edward Weevil, the butcher responsible for the slaughter.
Bang!
His fist crashed down onto the desk, rattling the teacups violently.
"Edward Weevil! Whitebeard Jr.! How dare he?!"
His voice trembled, the edge of rage making it quiver.
Beside him, Garp with a look of grim in his rugged face, and a palpable killing intent radiated from his massive frame.
He said nothing, but it felt like the raw power within him could erupt at any moment and pulverize everything around him.
Vice Admiral Tsuru sat on the sofa, her expression equally grim. She twirled a report in her fingers, her knuckles pale.
"According to the information Ain and Binz risked their lives to send back," she said in a low, steady tone, "and judging from the traces left at the scene, the enemy possesses terrifying strength. His fighting style is… savage and cruel. He claimed to be Whitebeard's son, but there's no confirmation yet."
"I don't care whose son he is!" Sengoku roared, his voice like that of a wounded lion.
"He slaughtered the Marine's future, this grudge must be avenged! That monster will face justice, and the souls of those children will be honored!"
He abruptly looked up, his fierce gaze sweeping across the room, and stopped at the tall figure leaning lazily against the wall, hands in pockets, though his usual carefree look was notably absent.
"Borsalino!" Sengoku barked, voice full of command.
"You're the fastest! Depart immediately!"
"Based on the last known signal location, search that entire area for Edward Weevil! Track him! If possible, arrest him! And if he resists…" Sengoku's voice dropped to a growl, "…you are authorized to use any necessary force."
Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses. The usual smirk on his face faded, replaced by rare seriousness. He slowly straightened his body, and though his movements were languid, there was the unmistakable sharpness of a sword being drawn.
"Oooh~ how scary~," he drawled, but beneath the drawn-out tone was an icy edge. "But we can't let a murderer of our own walk free, now can we?"
He glanced at Sengoku and Garp, then gave a brief nod. "Understood, I'll be going then."
Before his words even faded, brilliant golden light burst from his body, particles of energy enveloping him completely.
"Wait!" Vice Admiral Tsuru interjected quickly. "The enemy's power is strange, possibly aided by allies. Don't underestimate him. Prioritize locating and identifying him accurately."
"Got it" Kizaru's voice distorted as his form turned to light. "I'll keep~ a close~ eye on him~"
Whoosh!
A dazzling beam of golden light shot through the office window, vanishing into the sky faster than any eye could track, leaving only a faint scorched scent in the air and trembling window frames behind.
Silence fell once more in the office, broken only by Sengoku's heavy breathing.
All of their hopes now rested on that single streak of light, the embodiment of the Marine's fastest force.
Time crawled by in tense, unbearable waiting.
Each minute felt like an eternity.
The air above Marineford, thick with grief and fury, now pulsed with anxious expectation.
Hours later-
That same golden light returned, streaking across the horizon like a shooting star, landing precisely at the office entrance.
The light faded, revealing Kizaru's figure once more. He brushed invisible dust off his shoulder and stepped inside.
All eyes immediately locked on him.
Sengoku's gaze was sharp and expectant.
Kizaru shook his head slowly, his expression carrying a rare hint of frustration, and annoyance.
"Hmm~ he runs real fast~ or maybe~ hides real well~"
His drawl lingered, but there was no amusement this time, only heaviness.
"I searched every possible island, reef, and sea current anomaly in that region~"
"The traces of battle were clear, extremely brutal. The level of destruction confirms it, very strong opponent~ but…" He spread his hands. "The man himself~ completely vanished~ like he'd never existed at all~"
"No trace of any support ships either~ It's like~ he appeared from nowhere~ caused chaos~ then disappeared into thin air~"
Sengoku's face darkened even more. "Not a single lead? A man that powerful can't just vanish without a trace!"
"There are traces, sure~ but all leading backward," Kizaru replied.
"As for his current whereabouts~ I've got nothing~ That area's weather's been a mess lately, turbulent currents, heavy fogs, might've erased some evidence~"
He paused, then added thoughtfully, "Either~ he's got an extraordinary way of moving or hiding~ or~ someone powerful helped erase every trace~ The more I think about it~ the more troublesome it seems~"
Even Kizaru's speed had turned up empty.
The result only deepened the heaviness in the room.
Their enemy was not only powerful, but also cunning, unpredictable, and hard to catch.
It meant one thing: the road to vengeance would not be easy.
"Keep digging!" Sengoku snarled through clenched teeth.
"Mobilize every intelligence network! Coordinate with the World Government! Draft the bounty, highest class! I refuse to believe he can hide forever!"
Frustration only made his rage burn hotter.
None of them noticed that, just below the office, by the library window, Renzo was still standing there, as if he hadn't moved at all.
He'd felt that burst of golden light shoot away… and then return empty-handed.
So Kizaru hadn't found him either?'
'That troublesome one… was hiding?'
A cold irritation rippled through Renzo's stagnant heart, spreading slowly like ink in still water.