A Massive Manhunt!
12: The Marines Are Shaken!
A Massive Manhunt!
Chapter 12: The Marines Are Shaken!
A Massive Manhunt!
The clock turned back to a little earlier.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s residence.
Sengoku was sound asleep when an urgent Transponder Snail call suddenly woke him.
It took him only a single second to become completely alert.
Anyone calling him directly at this hour definitely wasn’t doing so over something minor.
Sengoku immediately grabbed the Transponder Snail beside him and answered.
“This is Sengoku.
What happened?” “Fleet Admiral Sengoku!” A panicked voice came from the other end.
“Urgent report from Impel Down!
The prisoners have started a riot!
Many of the monsters imprisoned on Level Six have escaped!” “WHAT?!” Sengoku’s expression changed instantly.
Most of the criminals inside Impel Down were insignificant nobodies.
But there were also two truly terrifying monsters locked away down there.
“Did Douglas Bullet and Baloric Redfield escape?” Sengoku immediately demanded an answer.
“We’re not sure yet.
Impel Down is still in complete chaos.” The voice on the other end hurriedly continued.
“Chief Warden Magellan is already mobilizing forces to suppress the prisoners.” “Contact Impel Down immediately and confirm the situation.” Sengoku gave the order without hesitation.
Then he added another.
“Prepare a warship and open the Gates of Justice.” “Finally, notify Kuzan, Zephyr, and Tsuru.
Tell them to meet me in my office.” “Yes, sir!” The call ended.
Sengoku drew a deep breath.
‘Hopefully it isn’t the worst-case scenario.’ Fortunately, Impel Down’s response came much faster than he’d expected.
By the time Sengoku reached his office, Magellan was already calling him personally.
After ending that conversation, Sengoku couldn’t help rubbing his brow.
‘So that’s what happened…’ “Did something happen at Impel Down, Sengoku?” The office door opened, and three figures entered together.
The first was a tall man with messy curly hair and a sleep mask resting on his forehead.
Marine Headquarters Admiral—Aokiji.
Beside him walked a thin but energetic elderly woman with white hair.
The Marines’ Great Staff Officer—Vice Admiral Tsuru.
The last was naturally Marine Headquarters’ Chief Instructor, Zephyr.
“Sit down first.” Sengoku gestured toward the couches.
“Has the riot at Impel Down already been suppressed?” Tsuru sat down and studied Sengoku.
Since he no longer looked especially rushed, that seemed like the most likely explanation.
“Quite the opposite.” Sengoku sighed.
“Magellan failed to stop them.
The escaping prisoners got away.” “What?!” Zephyr had barely touched the couch before shooting back to his feet.
“Then why are we sitting around in here, Sengoku?!” His expression hardened.
“What exactly happened?
Did Redfield and Bullet escape too?” “The situation is bad, but not quite that bad.” Sengoku exhaled.
“Every other Level Six prisoner involved escaped.” He paused.
“But Redfield and Bullet are still safely locked inside Impel Down.” “Arara.
So the two strongest guys were the ones who stayed behind?” Aokiji yawned lazily.
“Wow.
Poor guys got left out.” “Kuzan.” Zephyr glared at him.
“Take this seriously.” The kid had been such a passionate young man when he first joined the Marines.
“Oh, okay.” Aokiji raised both hands in surrender.
“What exactly happened?” Tsuru frowned.
“More importantly, who’s behind all of this?” Sengoku fell silent for a moment.
Then he answered.
“Barring some unexpected twist, Byrnndi World.” “World?” Zephyr blinked.
“Hasn’t that guy been frozen for more than twenty years?” “Impel Down doesn’t know the exact details either.” Sengoku shook his head.
“But all the escaped prisoners were calling him ‘my lord.’ And there’s something else.” His expression became even more serious.
“According to Magellan, World demonstrated another Devil Fruit ability in addition to the More-More Fruit.” “What?” All three of them reacted at once.
Even Aokiji raised his voice.
“Is Magellan serious?” A person could only possess one Devil Fruit ability.
That was supposed to be an absolute law.
“There’s no mistake.” Sengoku continued.
“According to Magellan, World could somehow create invisible physical objects.” His brows furrowed.
“Even if the More-More Fruit had Awakened, it shouldn’t produce an ability like that.” “That’s…” Zephyr frowned deeply.
“Then how did World escape from the ice in the first place?” Tsuru immediately asked.
“We don’t know that either.” Sengoku shook his head again.
“Redfield and Bullet witnessed everything, but neither of them is willing to talk.” “And trying to make those two submit through torture is impossible.” He paused.
“However, Magellan has a theory.” Sengoku turned toward Zephyr.
“He believes the mother and son you captured may be connected.” Zephyr froze.
“You mean those two?” “They were also calling World ‘my lord.'” Sengoku nodded.
“And the son was imprisoned on Level Six.” “When he was first locked up, World was still frozen inside that block of ice.
Yet only a few hours after the son arrived, the riot began.” Sengoku crossed his arms.
“Magellan suspects that woman may have once been a member of World’s pirate crew.” “The two of them might have intentionally allowed themselves to be captured so they could infiltrate Impel Down and rescue him.” “…” Zephyr pressed his lips together.
‘If that’s true…’ “This group has become far too dangerous.” Sengoku’s voice turned grave.
“Byrnndi World, who even Magellan couldn’t stop.” “The powerful ‘Whitebeard’s Son.'” “Swift Sword Solt, whose bounty exceeds 400 million Berries.” “Usurper General Anthony.” “And on top of them, the other Level Six prisoners plus more than a hundred criminals released from the upper levels.” His expression hardened.
“We need to eliminate them as quickly as possible.” “I’ll have Borsalino return.” Sengoku turned toward Aokiji.
“Until then, Kuzan, take a force to Impel Down.” “Search outward from the prison while leaving part of your troops behind as reinforcements.” He sighed.
“Most of Impel Down’s Jailers were wiped out this time.
They desperately need replacements.” “I’ll give you every Marine Headquarters unit I can currently mobilize.” “Arara.” Aokiji scratched his head.
“That’s a rough assignment.
Searching the Calm Belt isn’t exactly easy.” He stood.
“Fine.
I’ll head out immediately.” Sengoku continued.
“I’ll also notify every nearby Marine branch and have them send ships to assist with the search.” “As for the World Government, I’ll head to Mary Geoise and meet with the Five Elders personally.” “The Cipher Pol divisions will need to mobilize as well.” “That’s about all we can do for now.” Tsuru slowly nodded.
But then— “I’m going too.” Zephyr suddenly spoke.
“Zephyr?” Sengoku looked at him in surprise.
“I was the one who escorted that mother and son to Impel Down.” Zephyr’s expression was completely serious.
“I can’t pretend I bear no responsibility for what happened.” “How is this your fault?” Sengoku frowned.
“Who could’ve known those two were that cunning?” “Besides, I’m already giving all available manpower to Kuzan.” He looked at Zephyr.
“Are you planning to search alone?” Zephyr paused.
Then he smiled faintly.
“Aren’t those kids still around?” “You mean the recruits?” Sengoku thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
“Actually…
that could work.” According to Zephyr, the recruit named Nate possessed extraordinary strength.
He was already comparable to a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
Nate had also played a major role in capturing the mother and son in the first place.
With someone like that assisting Zephyr, leading the recruits on a search mission wouldn’t be unreasonable.
“All right.” Sengoku made his decision.
“Zephyr, take the recruits to the Sabaody Archipelago.” “If those criminals intend to enter the New World, Sabaody will be one of the places they must pass through.” Then his tone became more serious.
“But remember, your mission is reconnaissance and search.” “That group is extremely powerful.
If you actually encounter them, don’t act recklessly.” Zephyr had already struggled with the mother and son during their previous encounter.
This new group was far stronger.
Sengoku felt the warning was necessary.
“You’re really underestimating me.” The usually composed Zephyr pushed up his glasses, looking somewhat annoyed.
Still, he nodded.
“Fine.
We’ll disguise ourselves as civilians.” “Good.” …
A short while later.
Nate, who had been sleeping peacefully, was awakened by the blaring alarm for an emergency assembly.
He dragged himself onto the training field with barely open eyes.
Groans and complaints surrounded him from every direction.
‘We already graduated.’ ‘They’re seriously still making us do emergency assemblies?’ But the moment Zephyr spoke, everyone fell silent.
“Emergency mission!” Zephyr’s voice echoed across the training ground.
“There has been a prison break at Impel Down.” “A group of dangerous criminals has escaped onto the seas, and they may attempt to reach the New World.” “Our mission is to travel to the Sabaody Archipelago and search for their whereabouts!” Shocked cries immediately erupted throughout the group.
The recruits were completely unprepared for such a sudden assignment.
Only Nate continued yawning.
‘Couldn’t this have waited until tomorrow morning, Instructor Zephyr?’ He had finally managed to get those prisoners safely out of the Calm Belt.
‘Do you have any idea how exhausting that was?’ He’d only just returned to the Dream World and started enjoying himself again.
Then Nate processed Zephyr’s destination.
‘Sabaody Archipelago?’ His sleepy eyes opened slightly.
‘Wait.’ ‘Aren’t we about to run straight into each other?’ … …