"Rumble-Rumble Fruit?!"
Sengoku frowned. This was a Devil Fruit comparable to the Glint-Glint Fruit. Even if the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user was a complete waste, he would at least possess the strength of a Navy Vice Admiral.
Aokiji was disturbed by his exclamation. He slightly lifted his eye mask and, half-asleep, glanced at Sengoku.
"Why did he abduct Hina?"
"According to the surviving Navy, they discovered Nico Robin's whereabouts at that time and were pursuing her. However, they were attacked and stopped by the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user. As soon as he boarded the ship, he claimed to be a god and wanted Colonel Hina to become his Goddess Consort…"
Nico Robin?
Aokiji's eyes instantly cleared, and he continued to eavesdrop without a sound.
"God? What big talk! It seems he's another lawless pirate." Sengoku snorted coldly, his tone filled with displeasure.
"Why are all these good Devil Fruits eaten by pirates? Has the intelligence department not investigated his identity?"
"As soon as the Navy returned, we had them describe the man's appearance, and finally sketched a picture. Please take a look."
The intelligence officer said, handing over Asmodeus's portrait.
The Den Den Mushi beside Sengoku's desk stared, and a portrait of Asmodeus was projected onto a screen on the adjacent wall.
He looked at the image and sighed internally. With such a gentle appearance, he didn't look like the casually dressed pirates. How did he end up on the evil path of abducting female Navy?
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! We are still trying to ascertain his identity. So far… not a single piece of information about him has been found, as if… he appeared out of thin air. There is no record of him in the information database."
"We are dispatching the Navy to investigate his information in the sea areas around the involved location, sending Marines to do so."
A trace of memory flashed in Sengoku's eyes. "Rumble-Rumble Fruit… it's been so many years since I've heard of it. Even its user, did he also appear out of thin air?"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, after discussion by the intelligence team, considering the special nature of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user and his malicious act of attacking the Navy as soon as he made a move, we unanimously decided to set his bounty at 100 million Berries!"
"100 million Berries… that's a bit low for a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user."
Sengoku murmured to himself. He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "First, investigate his origins. Do not issue his bounty order. I will issue a notice later."
"Yes!"
"Patta~"
"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, another troublesome fellow." Aokiji's lazy voice sounded, and he closed his eye mask again.
Sengoku sighed, saying somewhat helplessly, "In the past two years, many new pirates have emerged. I wonder what kind of trouble this Rumble-Rumble Fruit will stir up."
"Speaking of which, wasn't Garp supposed to return to the East Blue two days ago? I wonder if he'll encounter him."
"Who knows?"
"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit is a serious matter. It seems I must go meet the Gorosei."
Sengoku crumpled the paper on the table into a ball and handed it to the little goat beside him, who happily chewed it down in one gulp.
His expression became serious, and he rose to walk out the door.
.....
Holy Land Marijoa, Pangea Castle, Authority Room.
"Rumble-Rumble Fruit?!"
Warcury St., who had a two-pronged mustache, cried out in surprise.
Sengoku: "Yes, he appeared out of thin air, abducted a female Navy Colonel, and then disappeared without a trace."
The Gorosei exchanged glances. Peter St., with golden hair, said indifferently:
"The speed of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user is unmatched. Even sending Borsalino to apprehend him would only be a waste of time."
"What's the big deal about capturing a Navy Colonel? Let him be for now. If he threatens the World Government in the future, then we'll deal with him." Nasujuro St. wiped the shodai kitetsu in his hand, too lazy to even lift his eyelids.
"Perhaps he was overcome by lust…" Mars St.'s words were cut short by Saturn St., who wore a flat hat.
"That won't do. The Science Defense Force needs to study the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. If we can obtain his bloodline factor, the Seraphim's combat power will definitely reach a higher level!"
"Then recruit him and have him join the Shichibukai."
"Aren't the Shichibukai at full capacity?"
"No harm done. It's fine if the Shichibukai become the Hachibukai."
As the Gorosei babbled on, they discussed the final outcome.
"Since that's the case, let the Navy contact him. Doesn't he like beauty? Send a few CP agents or Navy over, and entice him to join the Shichibukai under the guise of sending him beauties."
"This…" Sengoku's face darkened. "What about the Navy Colonel who was abducted earlier?"
"She's just a Navy Colonel, Sengoku. Remember your place!"
Sengoku's face was ashen, but he didn't utter any words of protest.
"Then I will go issue the orders."
With that, he turned and left, his expression becoming even more gloomy and terrifying.
.....
Grand Line, Alabasta.
Crocodile was also a character whose defeat was plot-driven. In his early years, he could fight Douglas Bullet to a draw. After being defeated by Whitebeard, he managed to escape safely. His strength was quite mysterious.
Because he appeared too early, he didn't even know Haki, which made him an easy target for Asmodeus, like a beginner-level dungeon.
"Rainbase is ahead. Crocodile is there." Robin stood at the bow of the ship, pointing the way for Asmodeus.
Now, under Asmodeus's forceful arrangements and communication, she had reconciled with Vivi.
After all, they were sisters who would live together in the future. Robin subjectively had no intention of harming Alabasta, and Vivi was kind-hearted and reasonable, so she naturally wouldn't hold a grudge against Robin.
"I've already found him." Asmodeus chuckled softly.
Robin teased with a smile, "Do you need help, Lord God~?"
"There's no need for that." With that, Asmodeus stood up and walked to the bow, looking at the Rainbase ahead.
"Asmodeus, be careful!" Vivi's tone was concerned. At this point, Asmodeus had become her last hope.
Asmodeus nodded, glanced at Hina who was secretly watching him, and gave a wicked smile.
Hina, on the other hand, rolled her eyes at him. She was currently in a state of being kidnapped, but Asmodeus confidently hadn't restricted her personal freedom.
She felt ashamed of being captured and wrapped the cloak with the word "Justice" written on its back around her waist, protecting her last sanctuary.
Little did she know, this action only made Asmodeus more interested.
"You all wait on the ship. I'm going down to have some fun with Crocodile."
Asmodeus said, raising his arm and swinging it sharply upwards.
"Now, it's time to say hello~"
"God's Judgement!"
The next moment, a thick bolt of lightning crashed down, piercing through the Crocodile-shaped roof in the very center of Rainbase.
"Is it thundering?"
"Is it going to rain?"
People walking around the streets stared at the massive lightning pillar, frozen in stunned silence.