After reviewing the intelligence personally verified by Smoker, Sengoku immediately convened a top-level meeting involving only the core leadership.
A channel capable of consistently producing Devil Fruits.
No one understood the weight of those words better than Sengoku.
This was a power that could overturn the balance of the entire world.
If the Four Emperors in the New World were to learn of this, the fragile equilibrium that had only just stabilized would be thrown into chaos once again.
At that point, the scale of conflict that could erupt was unimaginable.
Very quickly, the three Admirals assembled inside the Fleet Admiral’s office.
“Sengoku, what is so urgent this time that you called all of us here?”
Vice Admiral Tsuru, the last to arrive, looked around the room with clear surprise.
The Fleet Admiral, the three Admirals, the Hero of the Marines Garp, and herself as Chief of Staff.
The decisions of these six individuals could directly influence the entire Marine organization.
Could it be that a major figure had emerged in the New World?
Her gaze immediately sharpened.
Seeing that everyone had gathered, Sengoku spoke in a grave tone.
“Just now, an urgent intelligence report from the East Blue was delivered to me.”
“The East Blue?”
Akainu and Aokiji exchanged glances, both visibly puzzled.
When they received the summons, they had assumed it was related to movements among the Four Emperors.
Or perhaps the emergence of a rising powerhouse worthy of Marine attention.
But the East Blue?
What could possibly warrant such a gathering?
Ignoring their confusion, Sengoku began recounting Smoker’s report in full detail.
The location of the shop, its rules, and the nature of the jars.
The specific rewards obtained by Smoker, Tashigi, and Captain Nezumi.
As well as Smoker’s personal judgment and speculation regarding the mysterious Shop Owner.
When he finished, Sengoku’s gaze swept across the room.
Akainu’s stern intensity, Aokiji’s contemplative calm, Kizaru’s absentminded expression, Tsuru’s quiet focus, and Garp, who was still crunching rice crackers without a care.
“This is why I called all of you here,” Sengoku said heavily.
“I trust everyone understands the seriousness of the situation.”
“For only 100,000 Berries, anyone can purchase a jar from that shop.”
“And so far, two Devil Fruits have already been obtained there, something exceedingly rare in the Four Seas.”
Although Smoker had not yet located the villager who defeated the Arlong Pirates,
combined with the Dice-Dice Fruit obtained by the Marines, it was already enough to confirm one fact.
This Jar Shop could indeed produce Devil Fruits in a stable manner.
“Bang!”
Akainu suddenly slammed his fist onto the table, faint magma heat radiating outward.
“They intend to sell to pirates and the Revolutionary Army?”
“This uncontrollable factor must be eliminated.
At the very least, the Marines must take full control of it.”
Sengoku frowned immediately.
“Akainu, that would only push the Shop Owner directly to our enemies.”
“Do you believe someone capable of such methods would be weak?”
Akainu snorted but did not continue arguing.
He understood that a person who could openly operate such a shop, allow Marines to leave freely, and act without fear must possess both confidence and strength.
But precisely because of that, such a threat should be removed entirely.
Sengoku then turned his attention to Kizaru, who seemed lost in thought.
“Papers that can store techniques, items that grow stronger with the user, and disposable cards that grant attributes.”
“Kizaru, as someone familiar with scientific development, have you ever encountered anything like this?”
Kizaru slowly crossed his legs and spoke lazily.
“No, I haven’t seen anything like that before.”
“These young people are quite frightening.
At around twenty years old, they can already shake the balance of the world.”
“Perhaps in the future, even more monsters will appear, ones capable of rivaling the Four Emperors before they even reach that age.”
Aokiji rested his chin on his hand, his tone calm.
“So how should we handle this Shop Owner?”
“For now, the other party appears neutral.”
“I oppose immediate force.
We should send someone to make contact and establish a relationship first.”
Sengoku nodded slightly.
This aligned with his own thinking.
The Marines already held the initiative.
They could send officers in batches to the East Blue and continuously open jars.
In this way, even if the information eventually spread, the Marines would still gain the greatest advantage.
However, one concern still weighed on his mind.
The World Government.
At that moment, Vice Admiral Tsuru opened her eyes.
“Since everyone has spoken, I will add something.”
“Smoker mentioned a detail.
Captain Nezumi obtained something called an Artificial Fruit.”
Her gaze swept across the room.
“This means someone in this world possesses the technology to create artificial Devil Fruits.”
“And coincidentally…”
She paused briefly.
“A number of Devil Fruit users with unstable abilities have recently appeared within the Beasts Pirates, most of them Zoan-type.”
The room fell silent.
Sengoku’s expression darkened immediately.
Even Aokiji’s relaxed demeanor disappeared.
“Vice Admiral Tsuru, are you suggesting the Beasts Pirates possess this technology?”
“I am not stating that directly,” Tsuru replied calmly.
“But there is clearly a connection.”
“Additionally, we must consider other questions.”
“Is there a limit to the number of jars?”
“What kind of items surpass Devil Fruits?”
“These are matters that require careful investigation.”
Sengoku nodded.
The Beasts Pirates would need to be monitored closely.
But more importantly, the existence of this Jar Shop must be contained for now.
Even Mary Geoise should not be informed yet.
This was the approach most beneficial to the Marines.
He made his decision.
“We proceed with Aokiji’s proposal.”
“Under strict secrecy, establish contact with the Shop Owner.”
“At the same time, suppress all related information to the greatest extent possible.”
“Any objections?”
“Hmph.”
Akainu closed his eyes, clearly dissatisfied, but did not oppose.
“Crunch!
Crunch!”
Garp finally finished the last of the rice crackers and burst into laughter.
“Gahahaha!”
“Didn’t expect such an interesting fellow to appear in the East Blue!”
“Perfect timing, I was planning to visit my grandson anyway.
I might as well stop by and open a few jars for fun!”
He scratched his head, grinning.
“I just wonder if that young Shop Owner plans to stay in the East Blue forever.
He seems like the type who enjoys attention.”
“Attention?”
Sengoku suddenly looked up.
“Oh?
Isn’t that obvious?” Garp shrugged casually.
“If he’s a merchant, he wants more customers.”
“Letting Smoker report this…
isn’t that just advertising to the Marines?”
Sengoku’s expression stiffened.
Garp’s tone shifted slightly, losing some of its usual carefree humor.
“We weren’t the first ones to open jars.”
“By now…
the news may have already spread across the entire East Blue.”