What Dapus did not possess was an explanation.
He knew nothing of the system, Reiatsu, Zanpakutō spirits, Nozarashi's true nature, or any of the mechanisms Zaraki kept private.
All he knew was that the young Marine possessed an unfamiliar power the Government had repeatedly failed to classify.
"So we place something equally difficult to predict in front of him."
Nusjuro said nothing.
Dapus continued.
"If Zaraki dies before leaving Fish-Man Island, good."
"If he reaches the Holy Land and dies beneath the Red Line, equally good."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"Whether the irregular asset survives afterward is irrelevant."
Across the chamber, Saint Topman Warcury, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, and Saint Marcus Mars remained silent.
None objected.
Nusjuro looked down at the file once more.
In his mind appeared Zaraki's infuriatingly relaxed smile—the expression of a man who seemed to regard the authority of the World Government as an inconvenience rather than something absolute.
"Fine."
His fingers tightened around the paper.
"Use it."
Dapus inclined his head.
Nusjuro's thumb rested against Shodai Kitetsu's sheath.
"Let that brat learn there are still things in this world he cannot simply cut apart."
...
Three days later.
Somewhere on the Grand Line, a massive Marine warship sailed beneath the flag of Headquarters.
On deck, the sea breeze tossed Vivi's long blue hair behind her as she gripped the railing and stared toward the horizon.
"Vice Admiral Bastille."
She turned toward the enormous Marine standing nearby, his distinctive perforated mask covering most of his face and the massive Shark Cleaver strapped across his back.
"At our current speed, how much longer until we reach Sabaody?"
It was the fourth time she had asked that day.
A strange choking sound came from nearby.
Chaka hurriedly adjusted his collar as though he had done nothing.
His teasing eyes ruined the act.
"Your Highness, we don't control the wind."
He smiled.
"If you're that impatient, perhaps I should jump behind the ship and push?"
"Chaka!"
Color immediately rose into Vivi's cheeks.
"I-I only don't want us to miss the opening of the Reverie!"
"Ma-ma-ma-maaa!"
Igaram's curls bounced as he laughed.
"Of course, Princess. The Reverie is extremely important."
He paused deliberately.
"Although I hear a certain War Demon may eventually be there as well."
Vivi opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Being teased by two retainers who had watched her grow up left her completely defenseless.
She turned away with an offended huff, though the red tips of her ears betrayed her.
"If the wind holds, we should reach Sabaody by tomorrow evening," Bastille said.
His voice remained heavy beneath the mask.
"There is also something you should know regarding Zaraki's current assignment."
Vivi immediately turned back.
Bastille continued.
"Headquarters did not send him directly toward the Red Line."
"He went to Fish-Man Island."
"Fish-Man Island?"
King Cobra, who had been standing nearby in silence, frowned.
"Yes."
Bastille looked toward the sea.
"The Reverie was moved forward so abruptly that several kingdoms had already begun traveling according to the original schedule."
"Zaraki was ordered to deliver the revised timetable to King Neptune, confirm whether the Ryugu royal family would still attend, and coordinate their immediate departure if they agreed."
His gaze shifted toward Cobra.
"According to the latest report, King Neptune has accepted."
"Assuming no further complications, the Ryugu delegation should eventually meet the other royal parties near the Red Line."
Cobra's expression tightened.
"That boy Zaraki..."
He hesitated, then corrected himself.
"That man is extraordinarily powerful, but his temperament is far too unrestricted."
Cobra released a troubled breath.
"Mary Geoise is not some tavern where the strongest person can simply overturn the table whenever he dislikes the conversation."
His fingers tapped unconsciously against the railing.
The World Government was an enormous machine.
Anything caught between its gears tended to be crushed.
Zaraki might still be completing his final assignment under Marine authority, but escorting Fish-Man Island's rulers toward the Holy Land while his resignation remained unresolved placed him directly in the middle of forces far more dangerous than ordinary pirates.
"Father, you're worrying too much."
Vivi turned around.
"If Zaraki-niisan chose to go, then he must have some kind of plan."
Her eyes were firm.
"When Crocodile controlled Alabasta from the shadows, everyone thought that was hopeless too."
At the mention of Crocodile, both Chaka and Igaram lost their smiles.
Neither could argue with her.
Zaraki had an unsettling habit of taking situations other people considered impossible and surviving them anyway.
"That was different, Vivi."
Cobra gave his daughter a helpless smile.
"Pirates represent chaos."
"Defeating one can easily be called justice."
His expression grew heavier.
"But the Holy Land represents the political order of the world."
Cobra looked toward the distant horizon.
"Challenging monsters and challenging the structure holding the world together are two very different things."
Bastille shifted beside them.
"King Cobra."
His deep voice drew everyone's attention.
"I would not underestimate Zaraki's ability to survive a dangerous situation."
Vivi brightened immediately.
Bastille continued before she could celebrate.
"Vice Admiral Garp has personally vouched for his strength more than once, and Headquarters has seen him escape situations that would have killed most officers."
Then his tone darkened.
"But this situation is unusual."
Vivi's smile disappeared.
"The Warlord summons were issued far too suddenly."
Bastille rested one hand against the rough wrapping of Shark Cleaver.
"And Headquarters has received indications that the Government quietly added another high-level combat asset to the same operation."
Cobra's eyes narrowed.
"Another combatant?"
"Yes."
Bastille looked toward the Red Line.
"No normal recruitment process moved quickly enough to explain it."
His voice dropped.
"Which means the person was not brought in to fill a vacant Warlord seat."
That distinction mattered.
The Warlord charter provisionally represented by Dorry remained intact. Brogy remained his equal co-captain under that same charter.
This new fighter existed outside the Seven Warlords entirely.
Bastille continued.
"The Government summoned every available Warlord it could pressure into attending, accelerated the Reverie, and then quietly added an irregular fighter whose background is almost completely sealed."
Rigging creaked overhead.
Cobra's palm grew damp against the railing.
If this were merely a meeting, none of that made sense.
Unless the Government already knew who it expected to confront.
And right now, there was one obvious name sitting at the center of every strange movement.
"Vice Admiral Bastille."
Cobra turned fully toward him.
"When you said the situation was unusual..."
He paused.
"Were you referring to that newly contracted fighter?"
Bastille did not answer immediately.
That silence told Cobra enough.