Red-Hair's Judgment

New World, on the boundless sea.

A large number of ships belonging to the World Government and navy are moored there.

Sengoku stood at the bow of the warship, gazing at the giant ship that was already half-submerged in the sea, looking exhausted.

Beside him stood Garp, who also wore a solemn expression.

The world's largest entertainment city, and a 'country' recognized by the World Government as having a status even more special than that of ordinary member states... has disappeared.

Dozens of Celestial Dragons were killed in this battle... The Navy and government personnel have been searching for them, but many bodies are still missing.

On another warship not far from them were Kizaru and Aokiji.

The atmosphere among all the naval personnel was extremely oppressive.

After the Summit War, the Hell Pirates became known as the 'enemy of the world,' because everyone realized... they were a group of lawless individuals, and under Oboro's leadership, there was nothing they wouldn't do. Moreover, unlike ordinary One Piece, their behavior didn't seem to be after the One Piece; they were clearly after the Celestial Dragons... or rather, the World Government.

They wanted to overthrow the Celestial Dragons' rule, but only in the name of One Piece... The deaths of the Celestial Dragons run through an entire 'thread,' starting from Sabaody Archipelago, then moving to the East Blue, and finally to Gran Tesoro, who is about to sink to the bottom of the sea.

Just like the Rocks Pirates back then.

The God Slayer wants to become the king of the world.

Over the past few centuries, powerful One Piece crews have emerged, but the World Government has never suffered such a loss... The reason lies solely in the God Slayer's monstrous intellect. He always manages to exploit loopholes, seemingly possessing uncanny foresight, perfectly understanding and controlling human nature, timing, and external factors. Even Sengoku, renowned as a Sengoku, and his advisor Nagatsuru, found themselves exhausted and overwhelmed in their battles of wits against him.

Putting aside the past, after the Summit War, the World Government dispatched a large number of agents and mobilized all its connections, forming an almost inescapable net, waiting for the Hell Pirates to enter the game and come to the New World, so as to conduct close surveillance... But strangely, God Slayer seemed to have foreseen this, and the entire Hell Pirates mysteriously 'disappeared'.

They were certain that the Hell Pirates had entered the New World... but a long time passed without any word from them.

Not to mention the World Government, even the One Piece... have absolutely no clues.

The same is true of the underground world.

Vanished into thin air...

It was precisely because they couldn't track the movements of the Hell Pirates that Gran Tesoro and the Celestial Dragons suffered such a heavy blow.

How could they disappear? The New World is the territory of the Yonko, Shanks, Kaido, and Big Mom's people are all searching for them... plus the Navy and the government's spies. Based on Tsuru's speculation, the only explanation is that the Hell Pirates are not on land or sea, but like the Skypiea, they've gone to the heavens! God Slayer do indeed have the ability to do that, just like Shiki.

In short, the Sengoku was exhausting.

He felt he was getting old...

Since the end of the Summit War, his hair has turned completely white.

"This is too serious... This time, I'm afraid I won't have the face to continue sitting in this position." Sengoku sighed deeply.

Upon hearing this, Garp remained silent.

Both of them were well aware that with the advent of a new era, the Navy also needed to undergo a 'generational overhaul'.

"It's just a pity... although they are capable, they can't possibly be his match..."

Sengoku looked at Kizaru and Aokiji with a melancholy gaze.

These elders knew the younger generation of the Navy all too well... If it were an ordinary One Piece, even one like one of the Yonko, Aokiji and the others could handle it. But to 'spar' with God Slayer requires far too much mental fortitude and cunning... that person's schemes were simply too outrageous.

In Sengoku's memory, neither the Navy nor the World Government possessed the wisdom to reach the level of the God Slayer.

To be honest, up until now, both he and He have felt like they've been manipulated by the God Slayer -slayer.

They were always being led by the nose.

Look... since when have the Navy and the government needed to rely on One Piece to deal with another One Piece?

Although Shanks requested it himself, it would still damage the reputation of the Navy and the World Government if word got out.

This news is currently unknown to others.

The last time we relied on One Piece to fight another One Piece was during the God Valley Incident... The people who stepped forward back then were the Roger Pirates.

But having lived through two Sengoku, both of which he personally experienced, from his perspective... the danger level of the God Slayer was far beyond what Rocks could compare to.

Rocks D. Xebec was all brawn and no brains, but he wasn't exactly a brilliant strategist.

"From now on... I'm leaving it to you."

Sengoku left behind a cryptic remark, appearing as if he had aged ten years in an instant. He patted Garp on the shoulder, glanced at the crane standing behind him, and turned to leave.

Garp and Tsuru exchanged a glance.

"Don't look at me... If it weren't for the fact that the commander-in-chief wouldn't allow it, I would also like to retire."

The crane said something lightly and walked away.

"..."

Garp.

Not far from the sea where Gran Tesoro sank, there was a One Piece crew's flagship anchored.

The Red Hair Pirates.

"Has it been found?"

Shanks asked Ben Benn Beckman with a serious expression.

The latter put down the Den Den Mushi and shook his head. "No... We've searched all the navigable routes and magnetic islands that can be guided by the pointer, centered on Gran Tesoro, but there's not a trace left. He most likely left from the air... Given his personality, he wouldn't leave us any clues."

"Kaido and Linlin have also investigated their respective territories and many other forces... but they found nothing."

"With this level of search intensity, not even a fly could escape, let alone that well-known group..."

Ben Benn Beckman, puffing on his cigarette and exhaling white smoke, glanced at Shanks' expression and said coldly, "What others can't do, is a piece of cake for God Slayer... They should be in the heavens."

"No... not in the sky."

Shanks was quite certain of it.

"Even in the sky, from the moment they entered the New World until now, those people on the ship must have needed supplies... Since it's for supplies, they'll definitely show themselves. Or, someone is providing them with supplies... and that person is the key!"

Shanks stroked his chin and muttered to himself.

"Who can hide this from the World Government, from us... and from the underground forces?"

Doflamingo.

The next second, Shanks and Ben Benn Beckman uttered the same name simultaneously.

"Joker has a close relationship with Kaido and can be considered half of him for now. If it were really Doflamingo, Kaido would never even think of him. It would be like being blind to his own shadow. Moreover, with this relationship, every move we make with Kaido is exposed to his watchful eye."

"The problem is that Joker is very important to Kaido, and he might not let us make a move... We're all allies now. Besides, that guy is Celestial Dragons, just like you."

Ben Benn Beckman emphasized this point.

The Shanks narrowed his eyes, clearly deep in thought.

"Actually... we don't need to get involved in this mess. Those five people have managed to stay put even after what happened... it's clear the World Government still has a trump card to deal with the Hell Pirates, or rather... they need time to prepare some hidden cards. It doesn't really concern us, so why bother?"

Ben Benn Beckman suddenly asked.

"No... God Slayer..."

Shanks looked at his friend with a serious expression, took a deep breath, and carefully considered his words, "The kind of person he is... is going to destroy this world."

"Once the Hell Pirates become the masters of this world, have you ever thought about what they might do, given their personalities?"

"Killing, destruction...that's all."

"Although I don't like those guys in Mary Geoise either... at least the world situation will be stable at a relatively peaceful level."

"Besides..."

At the end, Shanks said in a low voice, "I received some information... it was Rayleigh who told me, and I also gathered some information myself... we both have a feeling that the God Slayer may be targeting Luffy."