Luffy's cries of pain traveled through the Den Den Mushi to Sengoku at Marine Headquarters.
Hearing the sound, Sengoku already knew what Garp was doing.
He was actually spending time with his grandson back home.
"Come back as soon as possible. While you're at it, go look for that man. I don't believe you don't know where he is."
Sengoku finished speaking into the Den Den Mushi and hung up in frustration.
That man really was hopelessly irresponsible.
"You still haven't gotten used to it?"
Vice Admiral Tsuru, Headquarters Vice Admiral and Chief of Staff, smiled as she looked at Sengoku. Her hair had already turned mostly white.
Sengoku glanced at Vice Admiral Tsuru and shook his head with a wry smile.
"Forget it. I know what he's like, but I still can't help myself."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded, then changed the subject. "According to the information we've received, that young Pirate Hunter is indeed very likely to be a Logia Devil Fruit user with fire-related powers. It's quite possibly the Flame-Flame Fruit."
As Tsuru said this, her smile faded, and her expression grew serious.
Sengoku nodded.
"That seems to be the case. Being able to ignore sword strikes makes it very possible. Regardless, any Devil Fruit user is worth trying to recruit, so they don't spend too long at sea and turn into pirates. That would be a real headache."
It was a matter of gaining strength while the other side lost it.
That was what Sengoku was concerned about.
If a young man who might be a Logia user became a pirate, he would definitely give the Marines a headache.
But if he joined the Marines, they would gain a powerful new combatant.
"Forget it. Let's see what Garp brings back. We need to speed up the selection of the Shichibukai candidates," Sengoku said, shaking his head before turning to Tsuru.
At the mention of the Shichibukai, Tsuru studied Sengoku's expression.
"Doflamingo is one of the candidates, too. The World Government brought him up, so they must have been in touch."
Tsuru knew Sengoku had never gotten over Corazon's death at the hands of his older brother, Doflamingo. If Doflamingo really became a Shichibukai, Sengoku wouldn't be able to go after him.
Sengoku fell silent.
"Let's speed up the selection. Once Akainu and the other two become Admirals, we'll need to stop pirates from entering the New World. The Shichibukai serve that purpose as well.
"At the very least, Paradise and the Four Blues need to remain under Marine control."
Ever since Roger's death, the number of pirates had exploded. It would be difficult to curb their growth.
The simplest solution, of course, was to expand the Marines, but the World Government wouldn't agree. An expansion would mean a huge increase in spending.
"Understood. I'll keep an eye on it. Also, Crocodile and Boa Hancock have both explicitly refused to come to Marine Headquarters."
Sengoku wasn't surprised by what Tsuru had said.
Even as Shichibukai, they were still pirates. Why would they willingly come to Marine Headquarters?
"Go take care of it."
Sengoku waved a hand. His eyes fell on the mountain of documents on his desk. He picked one up and casually handed it to the elderly goat beside him.
The elderly goat didn't hesitate. It took the document in its mouth and chewed slowly.
Tsuru nodded and left Sengoku's office.
"Ma'am!"
Outside, a Marine woman who looked quite young stood at attention and called out.
"Mm. Let's head back first."
Tsuru waved a hand and left with the Marine woman.
The change of Fleet Admiral and the news that three new Admirals had been appointed naturally caused a huge stir across the seas.
But in the Four Blues, the news didn't cause much of a stir.
Most people didn't care at all.
Shimotsuki Village, for example.
No one even discussed it.
Dunn's training continued steadily.
[Body Digitization: Your body has no vital points; when attacked, damage is converted into a reduction in HP; panel attributes change according to your own strength; you will not die before your HP reaches zero] [Current body age: 14] [Constitution: 29 (rapidly transforming due to certain influences)] [Current HP: 100% (recovering; eating can speed up recovery)] [Innate Talent (Indomitable): When your HP reaches zero, you enter a brief enhanced state; all your physical attributes increase tenfold; your HP will no longer decrease; all negative status effects are cleared; current duration: 10 minutes; cooldown: 1 day] [Abilities] [Flame-Flame Fruit (Proficient): A powerful Logia Devil Fruit that grants the ability to become and control fire; continuously enhances the body; the fruit's drawbacks have been removed (weakness and a host soul); current fruit development (17%)] [Swordsmanship (Proficient): You have mastered the basic sword techniques and training methods; you have a vague understanding of the path you wish to follow in the future] [Observation Haki (Basic Mastery): You have a basic perception of the energy of all things in the world] [Armament Haki (Basic Mastery): You can slightly control the energy within your body for offense and defense]
His Constitution had increased by a full 8 points compared to a few days ago—more than it had grown in the entire previous month. Perhaps it had something to do with awakening Armament Haki and keeping it active.
His understanding of his Devil Fruit abilities had also improved a little.
Even without using his fruit, his Two-Color Haki, physique, and swordsmanship were enough to let him put up a fight.
If he used his fruit as well, then at least in the East Blue, there shouldn't be anyone who could beat him outright—unless he ran into someone like Garp.
Dunn thought about it, then shook his head and drove the idea from his mind.
No, no. He couldn't think that way. He had to stay humble.
As he thought, he casually knocked away an incoming Bamboo Sword.
After blocking the two Bamboo Swords Zoro thrust at him, Dunn spun his own Bamboo Sword around and caught Kuina's wooden sword as she brought it down toward his head. The force of the rebound sent Kuina stumbling back several steps.
"Opening!"
Zoro shouted indistinctly. He lowered his stance and swept both Bamboo Swords toward Dunn's legs.
Smack!
Without even turning around, Dunn struck backhanded.
The Bamboo Sword smacked Zoro on the head. Dazed and dizzy, he couldn't keep the Bamboo Sword clenched in his teeth and fell flat on the ground.
"This won't work!"
Zoro got straight back up after taking the heavy blow. Though he was still reeling, he spoke up anyway.
"What won't work?"
Dunn turned around, as though he could see through the black cloth covering his eyes.
"You keep using Observation Haki and Armament Haki. We can't beat you like this."
Zoro hated feeling so powerless.
"Do you think that when you face an opponent at sea, you can ask them to give up their strengths and fight you on your terms? Do you think they'll agree?"
Dunn answered bluntly, leaving Zoro speechless.
That was true. An enemy wouldn't reason with you.
"Again!"
Kuina's voice rang out. Dunn flicked the Bamboo Sword in his hand, sending Kuina flying.
"I get it!"
Zoro shouted at Dunn, who still had his eyes covered.
"Why are you shouting?" Dunn said, exasperated, as he dug at his ear. "If you're going to fight, then win. You don't need to warn your opponent before you attack."
Dunn's words left Zoro embarrassed.
Just as he was wondering what to say, Dunn abruptly turned toward the docks and yanked the black cloth from his face.
"So he came after all."
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