Marine Headquarters – Marineford
In the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku sat rubbing his forehead as he stared intently at the military deployment map laid out on his desk, his brows tightly furrowed.
Ever since the Pirate King Roger's final words before his death, hordes of pirates had begun flooding into the Grand Line. The Navy's military forces were starting to be stretched thin.
Though the top-tier combat power was held down by the three Admirals—wielders of the Logia-type Devil Fruits—each of them had their own issues. Kizaru only clocked in to collect his monthly paycheck and spent most of his time idle. Aokiji was laid-back to the point of laziness. Only Akainu could be considered somewhat reliable in actually getting things done.
But even so, Akainu's methods were far too extreme for Sengoku's taste. That brand of "absolute justice" didn't sit well with him.
Then there were the pirates.
The Four Emperors of the New World all kept a close watch for any opportunity to strike. Each of them had the power to destroy an entire nation on a whim, not to mention the powerful subordinates under their command.
"The Navy needs fresh blood now more than ever—especially talents with real potential!" Sengoku muttered with a sigh.
"Talented people are hard to come by…"
Knock knock knock—
There was a knock at the door. A Marine from headquarters stepped in, saluted sharply, then presented a Den Den Mushi as he spoke in a serious tone.
"Fleet Admiral! Colonel Rhodes of the East Blue's 155th Marine Branch has sent word. He says he has critical information to report!"
"The East Blue? Don't tell me that damn Brand Pirates have started acting up again. Worthless sea trash…"
Sengoku's mood soured even more. Still, he gave a nod for the soldier to leave and then connected to Rhodes's Den Den Mushi.
"Moshi moshi, this is Marine Headquarters. I'm Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Colonel Rhodes, what's the important information you need to report?"
The Den Den Mushi mimicked Rhodes's face as it lit up with excitement and began to speak.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is Rhodes. A recruit with incredible talent just signed up at our branch's recruitment office! His name is Uchiha Kaito!"
"Incredible talent?" Sengoku's interest was immediately piqued. At a time like this, such news was a godsend.
But then he remembered it was from the East Blue—known as the weakest of the seas—and began to doubt. A truly gifted recruit emerging from that region was unlikely. Rhodes might've just spent too much time stationed there and was getting overly excited about a mildly capable newcomer.
With that thought, Sengoku's initial excitement waned again.
"Hmm, I see. Can you describe what exactly makes this recruit so 'incredibly talented'?"
"This Uchiha Kaito possesses numerous abilities. First, he has exceptional physical strength. Then, he seems to have powers related to gravity and repulsion—he can fly, and he lifted our entire Marine branch building into the air with ease... then gently set it back down!"
"Nani!?"
Sengoku could no longer stay calm. As the Navy's top commander and one of the few at the pinnacle of this world's combat strength, he knew exactly what that kind of power meant.
Flight, gravitational repulsion—either one on its own was fearsome. Could this be a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit?
And for Kaito to already be able to lift an entire branch building so easily meant he had complete mastery over his ability.
Could they really have stumbled upon a gem? Sengoku found it hard to believe.
Just then, Rhodes's voice rang out again.
"The Brand Pirates have already been completely wiped out by him alone! The captain was reduced to a piece of charred coal, and the rest were turned into some kind of black sphere. He claims he also has fire-based abilities! And…!"
Rhodes paused.
"He's only sixteen years old!"
"..."
Silence.
"F-Fleet Admiral Sengoku?" Rhodes asked nervously after the long pause, thinking perhaps Sengoku thought he was exaggerating too much.
"I'm here!"
Sengoku suddenly snapped back to himself. His face flushed red with excitement as he practically shouted into the Den Den Mushi.
"Colonel Rhodes, you've done well! Headquarters will immediately dispatch a warship to retrieve him. Until then, make sure he fully feels the sincerity of our Navy's welcome!"
"Understood, Fleet Admiral!"
As the line cut, Sengoku exhaled a long breath and began preparing the logistics for sending a warship to the East Blue.
BANG!
The door was kicked open violently.
"Sengoku! I'm going back to the East Blue to see my grandson!"
It was none other than Marine Headquarters' legendary Vice Admiral, Garp. He barged in while picking his nose, marching up to Sengoku's desk and shouting in his usual loud, boisterous tone.
Sengoku looked at his friend with a headache already brewing. This guy never took anything seriously and had even influenced Aokiji to adopt the same bad habits. On top of that, he always barged in uninvited and helped himself to Sengoku's senbei snacks!
Just as he was about to scold this troublesome geezer, Sengoku suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
Why not use this as an opportunity to send Garp to pick up the boy?
Despite how unserious Garp could be, his reputation alone would send a strong message about how much the Navy valued this recruit.
Sengoku inwardly praised his own brilliance.
A warm smile immediately spread across his face.
"Alright, I'll approve your leave!"
"Ah, it's been so long since I saw my grandson! This time you—huh?!"
Garp had already been prepared to argue. Normally, this was how it went: he'd stubbornly refuse at first, Sengoku would threaten and nag him, and eventually he'd cave.
But this time... it was granted so easily?
Sengoku's unusual behavior left Garp utterly confused, standing there blankly for a moment.
Realizing his response had been suspiciously fast, Sengoku awkwardly cleared his throat, then spoke in a serious tone.
"You can have your leave. But on your way, I need you to pick someone up. He's at the 155th Marine Branch in the East Blue."
"Pick someone up? Who?"
"A new Marine recruit. His name is Uchiha Kaito."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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