The Marine intelligence division remained extraordinarily busy over the next several days.
Shiki currently commanded the most powerful pirate fleet in the New World.
Between his personal strength, vast forces, and global influence, every move he made had the potential to disrupt the balance of the seas.
Now, nearly every major force under his command was converging on the waters surrounding Edd War.
There was no possibility that such a movement was meaningless.
A gathering of senior Marine officers assembled inside Fleet Admiral Kong’s office.
Kong studied the report in his hands for several moments before looking up.
“So the Whitebeard Pirates have shown no unusual movement?” “None,” a rear admiral from the intelligence division answered immediately.
“The most recent confirmed sighting of the Moby Dick was near Fish-Man Island half a month ago.
Fish-Man Island is quite far from Edd War, so the likelihood of Whitebeard being Shiki’s target is low.” “Our analysis also suggests that Whitebeard and his main forces may no longer be in the New World.” The Whitebeard Pirates possessed established territories, but Edward Newgate preferred living aboard his flagship, the Moby Dick.
Newgate was not the sort of man who remained in one place for long.
He spent most of his time sailing wherever he pleased.
One month, he might be in the New World.
The next, he might cross the Calm Belt and appear in the South Blue.
He was a pirate who followed his whims.
Marine Headquarters maintained an extensive independent intelligence file on the Whitebeard Pirates.
After years of observation, the intelligence division had concluded that Whitebeard did not appear particularly interested in ruling the seas.
That did not make him harmless.
Once a pirate crew reached a certain level of power, ambition became almost irrelevant.
When Whitebeard himself grew strong enough that no one could easily restrain him, and his crew expanded into one of the greatest forces on the seas, they became a dominant power whether they wanted the title or not.
That was why Marine Headquarters continued monitoring them closely.
“So it isn’t Whitebeard,” Kong murmured, stroking his beard.
At present, Shiki ranked among the most powerful figures in the New World, both personally and militarily.
He was also fiercely ambitious.
Shiki wanted to become the supreme ruler of the pirates—and eventually seize the entire world.
Several pirates could rival him in fame and individual strength.
Gol D.
Roger, Whitebeard, and the Red Count were all formidable enough to challenge him personally.
But when military forces were considered, Whitebeard was the only pirate who posed a genuine threat to Shiki’s supremacy.
Roger commanded a single ship and a relatively small crew.
His actions had never suggested that he wished to conquer the world, so his strategic threat to Shiki appeared limited.
Patrick Redfield was even more extreme.
He operated entirely alone.
He was monstrously powerful, but as an organization-level threat, he might rank below even Roger.
In the future Doflamingo remembered, Shiki’s greatest mistake had been provoking Roger, a man seemingly favored by fate.
Had he avoided that confrontation, Shiki might have remained the dominant pirate power of the New World even after Roger’s crew eventually disbanded.
From a purely strategic perspective, Roger posed little threat to Shiki’s empire.
For that reason, when Shiki first began gathering his fleets, Marine Headquarters had assumed that he was finally preparing for war against Whitebeard.
Several days of intelligence analysis had now made that theory increasingly unlikely.
“Could Roger be the target?” Garp asked suddenly.
“Tsuru already said Shiki has been searching for him.” “Information on the Roger Pirates is extremely difficult to obtain,” one vice admiral replied after some thought.
“Their organization is too small, and Shiki has searched for Roger more than once before.” That was true.
Shiki and Roger had encountered each other in the past.
But this was the first time Shiki had mobilized his main fleets on such a massive scale.
“What progress have we made tracking the Roger Pirates?” Kong asked the intelligence vice admiral.
“Vice Admiral Tsuru is currently compiling the reports.
We should have a complete assessment by tomorrow at the latest—” The Whitebeard Pirates were relatively easy to locate because of their size.
The Roger Pirates were smaller, moved unpredictably, and generated far more complicated intelligence trails.
Tsuru had therefore taken personal responsibility for the investigation.
Before the vice admiral could finish, the door to the fleet admiral’s office opened.
Tsuru entered with a grave expression.
“The Roger Pirates appeared at Vilana Island two weeks ago,” she announced.
“They stopped there briefly to replenish their supplies.” “Vilana Island is not particularly far from Edd War.” “Vice Admiral Tsuru, with respect, that still seems rather weak,” another vice admiral said after hesitating.
“We cannot conclude that Shiki is targeting Roger merely because Roger’s crew passed through the surrounding region.” Tsuru nodded.
“You’re right.” “But we also obtained intelligence from a confidential source indicating that the Roger Pirates are attempting to acquire something from the Big Mom Pirates.” “If they travel from Vilana Island to Whole Cake Island, the shortest route takes them through the waters of Edd War.” Before anyone else could respond, Tsuru continued.
“Based on everything we currently know, Roger is now the most likely target of Shiki’s mobilization.” “But ultimately, the identity of Shiki’s target changes very little.” “We already know that something major is developing at Edd War.” “Regardless of whom Shiki intends to confront, the Marines must focus their attention there.” “I believe it is time for us to act.” “Tsuru is right.” Sengoku immediately rose to his feet.
“We may not know Shiki’s precise objective, but we know where his fleets are gathering.” “Whatever he intends, we cannot simply ignore a military buildup of this scale.” With both Tsuru and Sengoku supporting intervention, the other officers raised no further objections.
Kong considered the matter for a moment before surveying the room.
Garp suddenly straightened in his seat and placed his rice crackers aside.
His entire posture seemed to say that there was no better candidate.
After all, when Roger was involved, who possessed more experience than him?
Kong’s gaze passed directly over Garp and settled on Sengoku.
“Sengoku, you will take personal command of this operation.” “Understood.” Sengoku adjusted his glasses and accepted the order without hesitation.
“What about me?” Garp demanded, leaping to his feet.
Kong ignored him.
“Sengoku, assemble sufficient forces to respond to the situation.” “The rest of you will suspend any nonessential assignments and prioritize deployments toward Edd War.” “That will be all.
Return to your duties.” Then Kong added: “Garp, remain here.” Everyone else appeared entirely accustomed to such scenes.
They departed without comment.
Once the office had mostly emptied, Kong looked directly at Garp.
“Garp, Marine Headquarters has established procedures for responding to emergencies and major threats.
You understand that, correct?” “I do,” Garp answered.
He did not understand why Kong had suddenly chosen to discuss regulations.
“Under those procedures, when a pirate of Shiki’s threat level creates a crisis, Marine Headquarters must initially dispatch an admiral to handle it.” “Am I wrong?” Garp paused.
He now understood exactly where this conversation was going.
Still, he could only answer honestly.
“No.” “Therefore, assigning Sengoku to command this operation is entirely reasonable.” “Correct?” “Yes,” Garp replied helplessly.
“Then if you want to receive the authority and responsibilities granted to an admiral, start behaving like one.” “For years, one of Marine Headquarters’ admiral positions has remained—” “All right, all right.” Garp turned toward the door before Kong could finish.
“So that’s what this was about again.” “If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.” Kong’s patience finally broke.
“Garp!
Could you show your fleet admiral a little respect?
I haven’t finished speaking!” Garp opened the door and walked out without looking back.
“You may not have finished talking,” he called casually, “but I’ve finished listening.” The door slammed shut behind him.
Kuzan had been waiting outside.
He approached Garp with an amused smile.
“Mr.
Garp, did you reject another promotion to admiral?”