Tsuru nodded solemnly and immediately ordered her aide to investigate the situation on Sabaody Archipelago. Then she said gravely:
"Sengoku, are you saying Luo Yu might not be able to handle Aramaki?"
"He's surrounded by a number of special combatants right now."
"Don't forget—Fujitora, in your own words, is Admiral-level just like Aramaki. With him and Luo Yu working together, they should be more than enough to suppress him."
The Vice Admirals present fell silent.
In their eyes, the special combatants Luo Yu had gathered were so numerous and powerful, they could practically be called Marine Headquarters' Second Division.
Aramaki might be Admiral-level, as Sengoku claimed.
But he was still just one man. Compared to Luo Yu's assembled force, the gap was obvious.
If someone told them that even with all that, Luo Yu couldn't handle Aramaki, no one would believe it.
"No, Tsuru, you don't understand," Sengoku said gravely.
"Defeating Aramaki isn't the problem. Between Fujitora and Aramaki, if we're talking raw destructive power, Fujitora wins."
"But if we're talking about who's harder to deal with—it's Aramaki, without question."
"His Mori Mori no Mi lets him merge with trees and root himself into the land. As long as he's on solid ground, he's practically immortal. And if he escapes, trying to find him again would be harder than finding a needle in the sea."
Sengoku sighed, a trace of helplessness on his face.
"Once he sets his sights on someone, with his obsessive personality, he's like a piece of gum stuck to your boot."
"That's why I rated him Admiral-level—not for his power, but because he's more troublesome than most Admirals."
The gathered officers turned pale.
An enemy you can fight, kill, or defeat isn't scary.
The terrifying ones are those you can't kill—those who lurk in the shadows like venomous snakes, always watching.
If Aramaki was truly as difficult as Sengoku described, then yes—he was worse than an Admiral.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, looks like that rookie's stirred up trouble again."
A deep voice rang out.
Sakazuki (Akainu), wearing his Justice cloak and a red floral shirt, strode in with a grim face.
"But since this time it's in the name of Marine justice, I'll help him out."
"I've got some history with Aramaki. He might give me some face and let Luo Yu go. But if he demands compensation or an apology to the Celestial Dragons—that's beyond my control."
"If you're okay with that, Fleet Admiral, then Vice Admiral Tsuru, please contact Luo Yu and ask him to tell Aramaki this: 'Give Sakazuki some face.'"
"My face still counts for something."
"You want Aramaki to give you face?" Tsuru blinked.
Sengoku paused, then nodded.
"Tsuru, do as Sakazuki says. According to reports from those who've dealt with Aramaki, he has a strange, almost fanatical admiration for Akainu. It might work. Let's hope we're not too late."
As he spoke, Sengoku turned to Tsuru's aide, who had just returned.
"Lilan, connect to Luo Yu's Den Den Mushi. Tell him Akainu is helping him save face."
As Fleet Admiral, Sengoku knew full well that Akainu had always harbored resentment toward Luo Yu's unorthodox promotion.
For Akainu to set that aside and intervene in the Aramaki situation was, to Sengoku, a good sign.
But before anyone could say more, Lilan's expression turned bitter.
"Lilan, what's wrong? You don't think my face is worth anything?"
Akainu's tone darkened.
"Or are you saying you can't reach Luo Yu and I need to go to Sabaody myself?"
"Calm down, Akainu," Sengoku interjected.
"Lilan probably doesn't mean that. Lilan, Tsuru asked you to gather intel—did Luo Yu and Aramaki already clash?"
"Even if Luo Yu's at a disadvantage, there's no shame in that. Just let him know Akainu's offering support. Maybe that'll help."
"Yes," Tsuru added. "Tell him. I'm sure he'll understand our intentions."
Lilan's expression grew even more strained.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Admiral Akainu… it's not that I don't want to say it. It's just… Admiral Akainu's face doesn't seem to be as useful as Admiral Luo Yu's."
"I just received a report from Tashigi. Aramaki encountered Admiral Luo Yu. Luo Yu… cut Grove 1 of Sabaody in half."
"During the pursuit, Aramaki not only surrendered—he personally asked to board Luo Yu's ship and even offered a very loud and clear token of allegiance."
Everyone froze, stunned.
Tsuru couldn't hold back.
"Lilan, this isn't the time for jokes."
"Tell Tashigi not to joke about things like cutting Sabaody in half or Aramaki boarding Luo Yu's ship. This concerns the Navy's reputation—we can't afford jokes like that…"
Her voice trailed off as she looked at the photo in Lilan's hand—Grove 1 of Sabaody, split cleanly in two.
Suddenly, the unbelievable seemed very real.
"Lilan, are you serious? Aramaki really boarded Luo Yu's ship?"
"And what was that 'loud and clear' token of allegiance?"
Tsuru pressed urgently.
This was something even Sengoku himself had never managed.
Even Akainu had only hoped Aramaki would show him some respect.
But Luo Yu had not only defeated him—he'd recruited him.
Lilan's face was full of bitter resignation. But under the weight of everyone's gaze, she forced a wry smile and said:
"The Celestial Dragon was Aramaki's gift of introduction."
"Admiral Luo Yu already had him sent back. And he asked me to pass along a message to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
"Aramaki… kidnapped a Celestial Dragon?"
Everyone was stunned.
They all knew Aramaki was a die-hard Celestial Dragon loyalist.
That's why the Five Elders had sent him after Luo Yu in the first place.
And now… he'd tied one up and handed him over?
Sengoku snatched the fax from Lilan's hand.
When he read the final line, he froze.
Then he exhaled.
"This job was done beautifully.
He wants a bonus."