Buru buru buru…
Click.
The Den Den Mushi's face wriggled and transformed into Riberra Sami's likeness, perfectly mimicking his expression as he spoke.
"Mosimosi, is that Kahaylo?"
"Ababa… A—ba—"
"Oh, Alberto. It's Riberra Sami. We've already returned from the Sky Island. Put Kahaylo on—I'll tell you where to regroup."
The Den Den Mushi in front of him became animated, babbling excitedly as it relayed the message.
"…Mm, got it. I'll bring everyone to Hein Cape immediately."
Click.
Marine Headquarters — Marineford
Inside a simply furnished office, Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi, his brows slightly furrowed as he fell into thought.
Several documents and a sea chart lay scattered across his desk.
"What's wrong, Sengoku?"
A rough voice sounded from the side.
On the sofa, Monkey D. Garp sat cross-legged, crunching on a bag of rice crackers.
Sengoku looked up at his longtime comrade.
"According to intelligence from our informants… the captain of the Jellyfish Pirates—the one who escaped from the G-10 base and was deliberately guided toward the Sky Island…"
" · Riberra Sami has returned to the Blue Sea."
"Oh?"
Garp dumped the rest of the crackers into his mouth and grinned.
"That kid's got guts! And luck too. That route's been dead for decades, and he actually made it up and back."
"So, what's your plan now?"
"Based on intelligence analysis, they'll regroup at Hein Cape next."
"Hein Cape?" Garp scratched his thick hair. "Still in G-10 territory, right?"
"Correct," Sengoku replied.
"A mid-sized island along a major route in the first half of the Grand Line, known for its bioluminescent seaweed."
His gaze sharpened.
"My plan is to set a trap there."
"If they dare walk into it…"
His fingers slowly clenched into a fist.
"This time, they won't escape."
"Waiting for them to walk right in? Not bad!"
Garp laughed and dusted off his hands.
"I've got nothing going on anyway. Might as well stretch my muscles."
Sengoku glanced at him with mild amusement.
"Not going after your old rival Gol D. Roger?"
"Didn't your G-3 report say he slipped away from you again?"
"Hahaha!"
Garp laughed it off.
"He just got lucky last time. The sea's huge—it's a pain tracking him."
"I'll help you catch this little jellyfish first—call it a warm-up!"
Just then—
"R-Report!"
A messenger rushed to the office door, barely catching his breath.
Seeing the two vice admirals inside, he snapped to attention.
"Calm down. Come in," Sengoku said.
"Yes, sir!"
The messenger stepped forward urgently.
"Vice Admirals Garp, Sengoku!"
"Latest reconnaissance confirms—the Roger Pirates have appeared near the Broken Spear Strait!"
"Broken Spear Strait?!"
Garp sprang up like a coiled spring, eyes blazing.
"Haha! Finally showed themselves!"
"Relay my orders! Fleet on standby—full combat readiness! I'm setting sail in five minutes!"
He grabbed his Marine coat and dashed out like a gust of wind.
As he reached the door, he shouted without looking back:
"Sengoku! You handle that jellyfish crew yourself! I've got real business to deal with!"
His figure vanished down the corridor, leaving behind the echo of heavy footsteps—and his excited laughter.
"Rogeeeer! You're not getting away this time! Hahaha!!"
Sengoku stared at the open doorway for a moment.
Then he sighed and turned his attention back to the map—specifically, Hein Cape.
He opened a drawer and pulled out a classified dossier.
Inside was complete intelligence on the Jellyfish Pirates.
His fingers skimmed through the pages before stopping on one.
Two wanted posters were placed side by side:
Wild Shark BarnesGale Lyon
According to reports, the two veteran undercover agents he had planted had successfully infiltrated the Jellyfish Pirates—but their situation had deteriorated.
Communication had been lost.
Recent intelligence suggested their identities had likely been exposed—or at least heavily monitored.
Sengoku tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
Under normal circumstances, the Marines wouldn't know their cover had been blown.
Which meant—
Appearances had to be maintained.
No inconsistencies could be allowed.
By Marine protocol, when a pirate with an existing bounty joins a rising crew, their bounty is reassessed and usually increased.
If Barnes and Lyon had joined the increasingly dangerous Jellyfish Pirates—
yet their bounties remained unchanged—
that alone would be suspicious.
And someone like Riberra Sami… would definitely notice.
"Details determine success… especially against an opponent who doesn't follow the rules…"
Sengoku murmured, a cold glint in his eyes.
To preserve the integrity of the "script"—
to ensure everything appeared natural—
he needed to add an official touch.
"Someone."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
An aide stepped in.
"Update two bounty posters."
"Wild Shark Barnes—raise from 99 million to 115 million Beli."
"Gale Lyon—raise from 34 million to 45 million Beli."
He paused, then added:
"In the updated records, clearly mark them as officers of the Jellyfish Pirates."
"Process it immediately and distribute worldwide."
"Yes, sir!"
As the aide left, Sengoku leaned back in his chair and exhaled softly.
Riberra Sami's caution and unpredictability had already left a deep impression on him.
This was no ordinary pirate.
Against such an opponent—
even the smallest oversight…
could unravel everything.
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