Sengoku's Shock

Babus recounted his trip to the Kingdom of Sorbet to Sengoku in full detail. After listening, Sengoku stroked his chin and pondered for a moment before speaking, "The Kingdom of Sorbet alone garnered so much attention? I've heard of Spandine; he holds a significant position in the World Government, though he's not exactly likable."

Babus nodded in agreement. On the way to the Kingdom of Sorbet, he had lost count of how many times he'd wanted to kick Spandine overboard.

Sengoku picked up a document from his desk, gave it a final glance, and then tossed it to the small white sheep beside him. The sheep munched away, acting like a living shredder.

After the sheep swallowed the paper with a gulp, Sengoku patted its head and said, "Never mind. Since the World Government has made its decision, the rest is no longer our concern as Marines. Babus, do you have anything else?"

Babus quickly nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he pulled out three resumes from his embrace, arranging them neatly on Sengoku's desk.

Sengoku leaned back in his chair, glancing at the resumes on the desk, and asked with confusion, "Resumes? Zephyr is in charge of recruitment, isn't he? Why are you showing these to me?"

"Admiral Sengoku, among these, there are two Devil Fruit Ability Users. One of them is even a Logia type, the Dark-Dark Fruit!"

"Nani!? A Logia type!?"

Sengoku shot upright, leaning forward and staring intently at the three resumes on the desk. His gaze finally settled on Gigue's resume, and he murmured, "The Dark-Dark Fruit? Is it the dark element, the counterpart to Borsalino's Glint-Glint Fruit? Balus, you've truly brought me a surprise!"

To reiterate, the news Ginny had spread earlier at God Valley only explicitly mentioned the Paw-Paw Fruit and the Azure Dragon Fruit; other fruits were not specified.

The World Government had no intention of involving the Marines in God Valley from the start, and information about the Devil Fruits had always been kept under wraps.

Therefore, besides the Buddha-Buddha Fruit obtained from Garp and the publicly known Azure Dragon and Paw-Paw Fruits, Sengoku was unaware of what the remaining fruits were.

Especially the Dark-Dark Fruit, a treasure stolen from Rocks' stronghold by the World Government. It was the most precious and powerful Devil Fruit they had prepared, and its security measures were the most stringent.

Gigue had not showcased the abilities of the Dark-Dark Fruit extensively at God Valley, so Sengoku hadn't thought much of it.

All he was thinking now was: the Marines were truly going to prosper this time!

Including Gigue, the Marines had acquired three Logia-type Devil Fruits at once: light, darkness, and magma. Anyone with common sense knew that these three elements couldn't be weak!

Once these three individuals grew, to what extent would the Marines' power expand!

Before becoming Fleet Admiral, Sengoku was quite passionate. He didn't have to expend much energy dealing with the World Government; that was the current Fleet Admiral Kong's concern.

What he thought about most was how to strengthen the Marines and eliminate pirates.

Gazing at Gigue's photo on the resume, Sengoku's eyes grew increasingly fervent.

Babus had been observing Sengoku's expression. Seeing the usually composed Admiral Sengoku display such uncharacteristic behavior, Babus couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, yet he feigned a troubled look and said, "Admiral Sengoku, normally, recruiting new members like this wouldn't require your report. However, Gigue is only fifteen years old, which doesn't meet the recruitment regulations. I fear Admiral Zephyr might be displeased if he sees it."

"Regulations? What regulations? Didn't you see Gigue is already one meter ninety tall? If he's that tall, why bother with age? Besides, this is the Dark-Dark Fruit! Zephyr isn't that pedantic; he understands what this fruit means to the Marines!"

"With Admiral Sengoku's words, I am reassured. However, there's one more thing. Gigue's background is quite extraordinary. You didn't see how humbly the arrogant Spandine behaved in front of him."

"That's no big deal either. Since Gigue has the resolve to join the Marines, it means he's a passionate youth who yearns for justice. Besides, how deep can his background be? Could he possibly be a Celestial Dragon?"

At this point, Sengoku chuckled to himself. A Celestial Dragon applying to join the Marines? That would be utterly preposterous!

Shaking his head slightly, dispelling the absurd thought from his mind, Sengoku glanced at Kuma's resume again.

Hmm? Paramecia type, Paw-Paw Fruit?

Sengoku was taken aback and finally remembered the events at God Valley.

He recalled that Charlotte Linlin had been blocked by Saint Garling at the time, and the fruit was eventually eaten by a tall child, who then disappeared with three other children.

Sengoku frowned, his mind beginning to calculate.

Could this Kuma be that child from back then? Judging by his height, it's highly possible... Was he a former slave of the Celestial Dragons? That's a bit troublesome!

He didn't suspect Gigue of being one of them. In his opinion, Gigue had connections with the World Government, so how could he have been thrown into God Valley as prey?

Sengoku pointed at Kuma's photo and asked, "What's Kuma's relationship with Gigue?"

"The three of them are friends. From my observations, their relationship is very good. Kuma and Ginny call Gigue 'Big Brother'."

Sengoku couldn't help but think of Tsuru, Garp, and himself from back then, a nostalgic expression appearing on his face. He nodded and said, "I see... It's fine. First, take them to the accommodation area and find them a place to stay. In a couple of days, bring them to report to Zephyr."

"Yes!"

"Oh, right. You've worked hard this time, bringing back such talent. I'll report your efforts to Fleet Admiral Kong."

"Thank you, Admiral Sengoku!"

Babus excitedly saluted, picked up Gigue and the others' resumes, and happily left.

After he left, Sengoku stood up from his chair and paced back and forth in his office, hands behind his back.

Anything involving Celestial Dragons became extremely troublesome. If it weren't for Gigue, Sengoku, upon learning of Kuma's identity, wouldn't have agreed to Kuma joining the Marines, though he might not have sent Kuma to Mary Geoise.

There was no helping it; the allure of the Dark-Dark Fruit was simply too great for the Marines. This was no exaggeration at all.

In the words of Earth, a powerful Logia-type Devil Fruit was equivalent to a nuclear weapon!

Sengoku didn't want this matter to create any ill feelings in Gigue's heart towards the Marines, considering Gigue was a future human nuclear weapon.

He comforted himself mentally, "There are already enough slaves of the Celestial Dragons, and so many years have passed. As long as we're a little discreet, they shouldn't notice..."