Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Inside the Marshal's office, Sengoku sat at his desk with a deep frown, massaging his temple as he stared at the sprawling map of naval deployments laid out before him.
Ever since the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, uttered those fateful words before his execution, a tidal wave of pirates had surged into the Grand Line. The seas had never been more chaotic, and the Navy was stretched dangerously thin.
On paper, the Navy's high command remained formidable anchored by the three Marine Admirals, each wielding the might of Logia-type Devil Fruits. Yet Sengoku knew all too well the problems beneath the surface.
Borsalino, the indolent Kizaru, treated his duties like a monthly paycheck showing up, doing the bare minimum, and slipping away as soon as the clock struck his shift's end. Aokiji, ever laid-back, spent more time dozing under the sun than enforcing justice. And while Sakazuki, the hot-blooded Akainu, could always be relied upon to act, his brand of "Absolute Justice" was far too ruthless for Sengoku's taste.
The Navy didn't just need power it needed balance.
But on the other side of the sea, the situation was dire.
In the New World, the Four Emperors loomed like mountains on the horizon each capable of razing a kingdom to the ground. Their fleets were brimming with monsters in human form, warriors who could crush entire naval divisions without breaking a sweat.
"The Navy needs new blood," Sengoku muttered, sighing heavily. "We need people with talent, with potential... warriors who can stand against the tide."
He leaned back in his chair, the weight of his position pressing down like an anchor. "Geniuses are so rare…"
A sharp knock cut through his thoughts.
"Come in."
A marine officer stepped in smartly, saluting before holding out a transponder snail. "Report, Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Colonel Roderick of the 155th Branch in the East Blue has an urgent message for you."
"The East Blue?" Sengoku's brow furrowed. "Don't tell me that worthless Brande Pirates are acting up again… those sea rats."
His mood soured further. Still, he waved the soldier off and took the call.
"Moshi moshi. This is Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Colonel Roderick, what's your report?"
The snail's expression shifted, mirroring the colonel's excitement. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, sir! We've discovered an incredibly gifted recruit at our branch someone extraordinary! His name is Kane Uchiha."
Sengoku sat upright, his eyes narrowing. "An exceptionally gifted recruit?"
That was the kind of news he needed right now a flicker of hope amid a sea of problems. But then again, the East Blue wasn't exactly known for producing prodigies. The weakest sea, as the world called it. Perhaps the colonel had simply been stationed there too long and was exaggerating the abilities of a slightly capable newcomer.
Still, curiosity flickered in Sengoku's eyes. "Go on. What kind of abilities does he have?"
Roderick's voice carried both awe and disbelief. "Sir, this Kane Uchiha possesses immense physical strength and what appears to be control over gravity and repulsion forces. He can fly actually fly! And he… he lifted our entire branch headquarters into the air, held it there effortlessly, and then set it down gently without causing any damage!"
"What?!"
Sengoku shot to his feet, his chair scraping across the floor. His heart pounded in his chest.
He was no fool. As one of the world's strongest men, Sengoku understood power better than most. The ability to fly control over gravitational force those weren't ordinary feats. That kind of ability was on par with the most powerful Paramecia or Logia-type Devil Fruits.
If what Roderick said was true, this boy was already using his powers with astonishing precision and mastery.
Had the Navy just stumbled upon a treasure?
Before Sengoku could process further, Roderick continued excitedly, "The Brande Pirates were completely wiped out by him alone! Their captain was burned to a crisp, and the rest were crushed into some kind of black sphere. He said he could also control fire!"
The colonel's voice dropped to a near whisper. "And… he's only sixteen."
The room fell silent.
Even the ever-composed Fleet Admiral froze for several seconds, the snail's eyes blinking uncertainly in the quiet.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Are you still there?"
"…I'm here," Sengoku said finally, his voice low but trembling with restrained excitement. Then, suddenly, his tone shifted, firm and decisive.
"Colonel Roderick, excellent work! You are to treat this recruit with the utmost respect and hospitality. Headquarters will dispatch a warship immediately to escort him here. Until then, make sure he understands the Navy's sincerity!"
"Yes, sir!"
The call ended.
Sengoku exhaled deeply, the tension draining from his body as he turned back toward his desk. His mind was already racing who to send, how fast they could arrive, and how to secure this boy before someone else got to him.
Just then
BAM!
The door slammed open with thunderous force.
"Sengoku! I'm heading to the East Blue to see my grandson!"
Standing in the doorway was none other than Vice Admiral Garp, legendary hero of the Marines, casually digging at his nose as he marched in with his usual lack of decorum.
Sengoku's temple throbbed.
"Garp…" he muttered through gritted teeth.
This man was both his oldest friend and his greatest headache. Not only did Garp shirk official duties whenever possible, but he had also managed to turn Aokiji into a lazier version of himself. To make things worse, he always barged into Sengoku's office to steal senbei snacks!
Sengoku opened his mouth to scold him, but then a spark of inspiration lit up in his mind.
Wait.
Why not send Garp?
Despite his eccentricities, Garp's reputation was unmatched across the seas. Sending him would not only guarantee the safety of this recruit but also show the Navy's absolute sincerity.
Sengoku's lips curved into a rare, almost mischievous smile.
"All right," he said smoothly. "Permission granted."
"Eh? Really?" Garp blinked, suspicious. "I haven't even finished making up my excuse yet…"
Normally, Sengoku would argue, threaten, and cajole before finally giving in. But this time, there was no resistance.
The abrupt compliance left Garp standing awkwardly at the door, completely thrown off.
After an awkward pause, Sengoku cleared his throat and continued seriously, "You're free to visit your grandson but you'll also be picking someone up on the way. A new recruit, stationed at the 155th Branch in the East Blue."
"Pick someone up? Who?"
Sengoku leaned back, his voice calm but firm. "A young marine named Kane Uchiha."
Garp tilted his head, half-interested. "Never heard of him."
"You will," Sengoku said with a faint smile.
And for the first time in months, hope flickered in his tired eyes.