A dense silence had settled over the Fleet Admiral's office after Kuzan's shocking revelation.
The golden sunlight streaming through the tall windows of Marineford seemed almost ironic now, illuminating a room filled not with calm authority, but with rising tension, disbelief, and an undercurrent of reluctant pride.
At the center of it all, Sengoku leaned forward in his chair, his fingers pressing firmly against the wooden desk as if grounding himself. His sharp eyes remained fixed on the Den Den Mushi in Garp's hand.
Even after hearing it once, he could not accept it so easily.
Luffy had actually eaten a Logia Devil Fruit.
And not just any Logia, but the Goro Goro no Mi, the power of lightning.
It was a Devil Fruit that was actually called Invincible.
Sengoku said again, his voice slower now, more deliberate, "Kuzan, you just said that Luffy has actually consumed the Goro Goro no Mi…"
His gaze hardened. "Are you absolutely sure of it?"
The question was not born of doubt alone but was born of experience.
Sengoku had seen countless powerful individuals rise and fall across the seas, but something about this situation felt unprecedented.
From the other side, Kuzan's voice came without hesitation.
"Sengoku-san, I wouldn't joke about something like that." His tone, though calm, carried a rare seriousness. "I've seen it with my own eyes."
A faint static crackled through the Den Den Mushi as if emphasizing the weight of his words.
"And not only that," Kuzan continued, "I think even his Haki has grown stronger too."
That sentence caused a subtle shift in the room.
"He really has inherited Garp-san's monstrous talent."
For a brief moment, the office fell completely silent.
Tsuru's gaze sharpened as she processed the implications of Kuzan's words, understanding that Luffy had again grown stronger than he was a few days ago.
Zephyr's lips curled into a satisfied grin as he was quite proud and satisfied by the growth of his student.
Even Borsalino paused his idle movements, tilting his head slightly in mild curiosity. He had experienced Luffy's growth firsthand as just Kuzan; he, too, had spared a lot with the young prodigy.
He was completely familiar with Luffy's insane talent and strength.
And now, hearing his friend say that Luffy's Haki had grown stronger again really made Borsalino realize the true terror of Luffy's potential.
"Bwahahaha!"
Just then, the booming laughter of Monkey D. Garp shattered the silence completely.
The old Marine hero threw his head back, his chest shaking with unrestrained pride.
"As expected of my grandson!"
His voice rang loudly through the office, filled with absolute confidence and satisfaction, as if the revelation had only confirmed what he had always believed.
The tension in the room eased slightly, and even Sengoku, despite his initial frustration of Luffy's talent for causing trouble, felt the corner of his lips twitch faintly.
Tsuru's stern expression softened just a little.
And Zephyr looked thoroughly pleased.
Only Sakazuki remained unchanged, his face stern as ever while a thin stream of smoke curled upward from the cigar resting between his teeth. His silence was heavy, his disapproval clear even without words.
Just then, Zephyr's expression shifted, and the pride in his eyes was suddenly replaced by sharp realization.
Without warning, he stepped forward and snatched the receiver from Garp's hand.
"Oi—!" Garp blinked in surprise, but Zephyr was already speaking.
"How dare you leave such a talented gem of the Marines alone in Wano?!"
His voice thundered through the Den Den Mushi, echoing across the office walls.
"You bastard, Kuzan! What if something happens to my student?!"
The sudden intensity startled even Sengoku.
Zephyr's grip tightened, his knuckles turning white. "Luffy is still young! He lacks the experience to challenge a Yonko!"
The pride he had shown moments ago had completely transformed into concern.
Sengoku's eyes narrowed as Zephyr's words sank in, and the realization slowly dawned upon him.
Thud!
He slammed his hand against the desk once again.
"You're right!" His voice rose sharply in anger.
"Kuzan, you bastard! Luffy may be strong, but he is still young!"
The authority in his tone returned in full force.
"At least you know the horror of a Yonko crew!" He leaned forward, his gaze intense. His voice carried both anger and urgency. "Just because Luffy is causing trouble, does that mean you can act carelessly as well?!"
The office seemed to grow heavier under his command.
"You are an Admiral!" Sengoku's voice hardened further. "At least act like an adult!"
He pointed toward the Den Den Mushi as if Kuzan were standing right in front of him.
"I order you now... go back and bring Luffy with you, even if you have to use force!"
A tense silence followed.
For a moment, the only sound was the faint sound of waves from the other side of the Den Den Mushi.
"Uh… Sengoku-san…"
Kuzan's voice returned, but this time there was hesitation. "I'm sorry…"
He paused for a brief moment before he spoke in a small voice. "…but I don't think I can complete that mission."
The words dropped like a stone into still water.
Sengoku's brows furrowed deeply. "What did you just say?"
Kuzan exhaled softly and muttered in defeat. "I'm not confident that I can handle Luffy alone."
His words instantly made the room shrouded in silence.
From the side, Sakazuki let out a cold snort.
"Hmph… typical Kuzan excuse," He muttered under his breath. "Excuses for being lazy."
Yet no one immediately supported his remark this time.
Because they all understood something Sakazuki refused to acknowledge.
Kuzan was not making excuses, but he was stating a fact.
Sengoku leaned back slowly, his fingers pressing against his temples as he processed the situation.
The implications were clear.
If Kuzan, an Admiral, was uncertain about facing Luffy alone, then Luffy had already crossed a dangerous threshold.
"Tch…" Sengoku clicked his tongue in irritation, but his mind was already working. "Fine. I will send some reinforcements for your help!"
His voice steadied once more. "But you are not to move from your position."
There was no room for argument.
"Stay there and be ready to support Luffy." He paused briefly before delivering his next order. "I'm sending Borsalino to assist you."
At those words, every gaze in the room shifted toward Borsalino.
The Admiral scratched his cheek lazily.
"Eh… me?" He said with a faint pout.
Sengoku did not even look at him.
The decision was final.
"My, my… how troublesome…" Borsalino sighed dramatically, adjusting his sunglasses.
Despite his words, he slowly straightened his posture.
Because even he understood that this was not a situation where he could afford to slack off.
Without another word, Sengoku took the receiver back from Zephyr and placed it firmly onto the Den Den Mushi, cutting off the call with a decisive motion.
The soft click echoed in the quiet room.
For a moment, no one spoke as the weight of everything they had just learned hung heavily in the air.
Sengoku slowly lifted his gaze and looked directly at Borsalino.
There were no words exchanged, and none were even needed.
Borsalino nodded faintly, and then he turned and began walking toward the door. His pace was unhurried, as always, but there was a subtle difference now.
There was a hint of seriousness in his posture.
Because this mission involved a Yonko.
And more importantly, it involved Monkey D. Luffy, the unpredictable youngster who was an expert in causing trouble for his seniors.
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