Palini Island, deep in the night.

On a chaotic, wreck-strewn patch of ground.

Sengoku sat on the ground, a wooden stick in hand, poking at the fire in front of him.

He stared into the flames, lost in thought.

Beside him, Rosinante was curled up into a ball, leaning against Sengoku, fast asleep.

Garp, sporting a black eye, sat across from Sengoku.

Looking at the deeply pensive Sengoku, he opened his mouth:

"What's wrong, Sengoku?"

Sengoku looked up at Garp, his expression unreadable.

A deep voice rumbled out:

"Sakazuki… there's something off about him."

Garp blinked in surprise.

"What could be wrong with Sakazuki?"

"Don't tell me you think he's an undercover pirate or something."

The firelight cast shadows across Sengoku's face.

After a long silence, he shook his head.

"I wouldn't say there's definitely a problem... but I'm suspicious."

Garp asked:

"What happened?"

Sengoku said gravely:

"After integrating the memories from drifting for over half a year..."

"I found something troubling."

"The lower-ranking soldiers and even the general public... their admiration for Sakazuki has gone too far."

"The people might not know who the Vice Admirals, Admirals, or even the Fleet Admiral are, but they all know Sakazuki."

"And among the soldiers, Sakazuki seems to have become their ideal."

Garp scratched his head.

"Sakazuki spends most of his time slaughtering pirates."

"Add to that his overwhelming strength—seems normal to me."

Sengoku spoke in a deep tone:

"No, it's not normal."

"His influence is too great."

"So great that it surpasses all the Marine leadership."

"Even Fleet Admiral Kong..."

"If Fleet Admiral Kong and Sakazuki issued orders at the same time..."

"I suspect most of the lower ranks would follow Sakazuki's orders."

"And not Kong's."

"Isn't that terrifying?"

"What if one day he goes down the wrong path..."

Garp froze, his face turning serious:

"If that happens... yeah, it's definitely terrifying."

"That could drag the whole world into war."

Then he frowned again.

"But with Sakazuki's personality, that doesn't seem likely."

Sengoku furrowed his brow tightly.

"Right."

"Sakazuki's always been charging into the frontlines."

"Just in the Skegli naval battle alone, he nearly died several times."

"If he was putting on an act, the price was too steep."

"I shouldn't doubt him."

"But this concerns the government's rule and global stability."

"I have to consider it seriously."

Then Sengoku sighed.

"The problem is, there's no evidence."

"I don't know if this is something Sakazuki deliberately orchestrated..."

"Or just a coincidence."

Garp thought for a moment and said:

"Whatever, it's just speculation anyway."

"If that day ever comes, we'll deal with it then."

"There'll always be a way."

Sengoku looked at the firelight, nodding with a complicated expression.

Still... I need to find a chance to test him...

...

New World, Golden Lion Fleet.

A massive floating island drifted through the sky, surrounded by several pirate ships.

Golden Lion stood at the edge of the island, two famed swords hanging at his waist.

His golden cloak and long hair fluttered in the wind.

He stared into the billowing sea of clouds.

Frank walked up behind him.

Standing beside Golden Lion, he said:

"Boss, it's done."

Golden Lion narrowed his eyes slightly, the corner of his mouth curving into a grin, as if something amusing came to mind.

At that moment, Frank hesitated and said:

"Boss... are you sure this is a good idea?"

"That great war just ended. If we provoke the Marines like this..."

Golden Lion shot a sideways glance at Frank.

Frank broke into a cold sweat and lowered his head.

Golden Lion tossed away the cigar in his mouth.

He exhaled a puff of smoke and said with a cold sneer:

"Don't worry."

"It's just a probe."

"That old bastard Kong fooled us."

"Latest intel says Sengoku's been missing for months."

"Garp's still scouring the world looking for him."

"Right now, the only ones holding up the Marine front are that old man Kong..."

"And that magma brat."

As he spoke, a surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Golden Lion.

He let out a snort, laced with anger:

"Damn it. If only the intel had come sooner."

"That magma brat was unconscious for over half a year too."

"That was the perfect time to wipe out the Marines."

"The entire Marine Headquarters was supported by only that old man Kong."

The violent surge of Conqueror's Haki revealed his inner unrest.

A godsend of an opportunity! Damn it!!!

After the outburst, Golden Lion took a deep breath:

"Let's probe them first. See how the Marines respond."

"Prepare for war at any moment."

Frank's heart tightened.

"Yes, sir!"

...

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

BZZZ—BZZZ! BZZZ—BZZZ! BZZZ—!

The alarm suddenly blared.

All soldiers entered combat readiness. The high-ranking officers quickly gathered in the meeting hall.

At the same time, communications officers began dialing one Den Den Mushi after another.

All officers stationed outside were ordered to return to HQ immediately.

Aboard Sakazuki's warship.

After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Sakazuki called for Bullet.

He grabbed Bullet by the shoulder, and with energy surging at his feet, launched straight into the sky.

Flying toward Headquarters.

Meanwhile, Karol remained on the warship, steering it toward Marineford.

...

Marineford.

A streak of fiery red tore across the sky.

It landed directly on the fortress walls of HQ.

Sakazuki let go of Bullet's shoulder and led him toward the meeting hall.

The meeting was already halfway through.

Sakazuki and Bullet entered through the rear door.

He nodded toward Fleet Admiral Kong, then took a seat on the edge.

He turned to the Vice Admiral beside him:

"Vice Admiral Grosa, what exactly is this meeting about?"

Grosa clicked his tongue.

"One of Golden Lion's pirate captains attacked our G3 Branch in the New World."

"Casualties weren't high, but the main gate was breached."

"They're basically rubbing our Marine pride into the dirt."

Sakazuki nodded in understanding.

He looked at the projection on the large curtain ahead.

The test has begun...

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