Marine Headquarters,
Kuzan's return went unnoticed by most, as the return of an injured Admiral from a mission would have caused too much of a stir.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office,
Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru and the injured Kuzan were all gathered in the conference room.
However, their expressions were grim, each sitting in silence as if a storm were brewing.
The air was thick with tension, so heavy that even breathing sounds seemed audible.
After a long pause, Sengoku stood up from his chair, breaking the silence first.
His voice was low but firm, "Kuzan, are you absolutely certain you didn't missee anything?"
Kuzan lifted his head, his gaze lazy yet steady as he replied.
"Arara~ I'm sure."
Hearing Kuzan's confirmation, Sengoku rubbed his temples in frustration.
He knew exactly what this meant.
If Kuzan wasn't mistaken, then Marineford—and by extension, the entire world—would faced a colossal threat.
One that could not only jeopardize their security but also shake the very foundations of the world order!
"This situation is really troublesome. Garp, don't you have anything to say?"
Garp stuffed a handful of rice crackers into his mouth, chewing aggressively before swallowing.
"Say what? What do you want me to say? Ace has always been headstrong since he was a kid. I wasn't even there when he set sail.
After that, he got his hands on the Mera-mera no mi and joined the Whitebeard Pirates.
You all know what happened next and as for that Phoenix thing? I'm just as clueless as you are."
Garp grinned widely, clearly enjoying the chaos, though inwardly he was proud—Ace had grown strong enough to hold his own against an Admiral.
Not bad at all.
Kuzan shook his head at his former mentor's reaction.
Ace had indeed surprised him.
"Hmph! Garp, this is all your fault!" Sengoku glared at Garp's infuriating smirk, itching to punch his face.
"A dual-Devil Fruit user… To think the Whitebeard Pirates would produce someone like that!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's expression tightened.
"This is a serious situation."
She then began analyzing.
"First, the Whitebeard Pirates acted out of character, choosing a small island as their base and staying there for months.
Then, those three strange golden lights appeared.
And now, Ace has become a dual-Devil Fruit user.
Anyone with half a brain can see these events are connected."
Sengoku nodded in agreement, his gaze turning toward the window as he said coolly.
"Ace's transformation is definitely linked to those golden lights.
Do you think it's possible that some kind of scientific research allowed him to eat a second Devil Fruit?"
Sengoku's speculation suddenly reminded Kuzan of something, and he interrupted him.
"Wait—during the battle, they were unusually fixated on my blood... even at the cost of injuring themself, they were determined to obtain my blood, constantly shouting about becoming a dual or even triple Devil Fruit user."
His words struck like thunder.
Sengoku abruptly sat up straight, slamming the table as he exclaimed.
"It must be true. I'm now absolutely certain that the Whitebeard Pirates have a method to grant someone the power of two or even three Devil Fruits!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's brow furrowed deeply.
"If that's the case, the situation is far more severe than we imagined. We must act immediately, or the entire seas will be thrown into chaos."
"It's likely they've recruited some kind of scientiest. The Whitebeard Pirates have never displayed such capabilities before," Garp added solemnly, recognizing the gravity of the situation.
"Wait!"
Tsuru's face suddenly paled as a dreadful thought took hold in her mind.
"What if... Whitebeard himself has also become a dual or even triple Devil Fruit user?!"
"WHAT?!"
"...That is indeed possible."
The office fell into a chilling silence as the atmosphere thick with tension.
The implications were terrifying—Whitebeard was already a Yonko powerhouse.
If he gained another Devil Fruit ability, the balance of power would be overturned completely.
"It seems unlikely. Using Devil Fruit abilities consumes stamina and wielding two would require an immense amount of energy. Given Whitebeard's current physical condition, he shouldn't be able to handle dual abilities."
"Don't forget Marco's Phoenix power! Not only is it a Zoan-type, but a Mythical Zoan at that! Its regenerative and healing capabilities are among the strongest in existence!"
Tsuru analyzed the situation, realizing the reality might be far worse than they had anticipated.
Kuzan rubbed his temples in frustration.
"Well, well... if that's true, the seas are about to get very interesting."
Sengoku adjusted his glasses.
"Marco's Phoenix power grants extraordinary healing and recovery. Judging by Ace's case, Whitebeard must have acquired this ability as well. His physical condition has likely been restored significantly—possibly even back to his prime..."
"Sengoku, don't be so pessimistic. All of this is just speculation. Maybe Whitebeard doesn't want to push himself and is still the same sickly old man. Who knows?" Garp laughed heartily, though even he didn't believe his own words.
"To determine the truth, we need to send someone to investigate more."
With that, he turned and picked up the Den Den Mushi on the desk, making a call to someone.
Soon after, the sounds of footsteps and muffled complaints could be heard outside the door.
Then, with a creak, the door swung open.
"Now, now, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I'm currently on legitimate vacation. Interrupting my vacation like this means you owe me compensation."
Kizaru slumped into a chair, grumbling, before noticing the room was packed with people.
"Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Kuzan?"
He quickly realized something serious must have happened.
"What's going on? Why is everyone gathered here?"
Then, spotting the blood at the corner of Kuzan's mouth, his eyes narrowed.
"Kuzan, you're injured?"
"Enough, Borsalino. There's been an urgent situation."
Sengoku cut off Kizaru's musings and briefed him on the situation, emphasizing its severity.
He glossed over the compensation issue—promising it would be handled, though when remained unclear.
Kizaru wasn't in a hurry.
After all, he still had a few years left before retirement.
"It's really terrifying, if all pirates on the sea become dual Devil Fruit users, then we're in a serious situation."
Then he looked thoughtfully at Sengoku,
"So, you want someone to go gather intelligence and investigate the truth behind this matter, right?"
Sengoku gave him a sidelong glance.
His gaze inadvertently shifted to Aokiji and Kizaru also turned to look at him.
"Arara, I'm already seriously injured, why are you looking at me? Cough... cough cough!"
"Alright, fine! I'll go!"
Kizaru's face twisted in misery, his expression was really unpleasant.
He was supposed to be on vacation, and now he was dragged here for no reason at all.
Not only was he forced to work overtime, but who knew when he'd even get his overtime pay?
What rotten luck!
.....