"Thunder Fruit?!"
Sengoku frowned. The Goro Goro no Mi was a Devil Fruit on par with the Pika Pika no Mi. Even if its user was unskilled, they would still possess the power of a Vice Admiral.
Hearing his exclamation, Aokiji stirred slightly. He lifted his eye mask just enough to glance at Sengoku, still half-asleep.
"Why did he take Hina?"
"I heard from the surviving marines that they had tracked down Nico Robin and were in the middle of capturing her. However, they were ambushed by the Thunder Fruit user. The moment he boarded their ship, he declared himself a 'God' and demanded that Colonel Hina become his consort..."
Nico Robin?
Aokiji's eyes sharpened, though he remained silent, continuing to listen intently.
"'God'? What arrogance! Another lawless pirate..." Sengoku scoffed, his voice full of displeasure.
"How do these powerful Devil Fruits always end up in the hands of pirates? Has the Intelligence Department identified him?"
"As soon as the surviving sailors returned, we had them describe his appearance and created a portrait for you to review."
The intelligence officer handed over the drawing.
The Den Den Mushi on Sengoku's desk projected the image onto the screen beside him.
Studying the portrait, Sengoku sighed. Why was it always the ones with a seemingly mild appearance who strayed down the path of piracy? And now, this one was abducting marine officers...
"Marshal Sengoku, we're still investigating his identity. So far... there's no record of him anywhere. It's as if he appeared out of thin air."
"We've dispatched patrol units to gather more intelligence on him in the surrounding waters."
A flicker of nostalgia passed through Sengoku's eyes. The Thunder Fruit... It's been years since I last heard of it. And now, its new wielder has seemingly emerged from nowhere?
"Marshal Sengoku," the intelligence officer continued, "after discussing the matter, given the Thunder Fruit's immense power and the fact that he attacked the Navy unprovoked, we have decided to set his initial bounty at 100 million berries."
"One hundred million?" Sengoku muttered. "That seems low for someone with the Goro Goro no Mi..."
After a moment of thought, he slowly said, "Hold off on issuing a bounty for now. Investigate his background first. I will make a formal decision later."
"Understood!"
"Click."
Aokiji let out a lazy sigh and closed his eyes again. "Another troublesome guy with a strong Devil Fruit..."
Sengoku rubbed his temples and exhaled deeply. "The number of new pirates has skyrocketed in the past two years. Who knows what kind of chaos the Thunder Fruit will bring?"
"By the way, didn't Garp return to the East Blue recently?"
"Who knows?"
Sengoku's expression grew solemn. "The Thunder Fruit is too significant to ignore. I need to meet with the Five Elders."
Taking the report from his desk, he crumpled it up and handed it to the goat beside him, which eagerly munched it down. Then, with a serious look, he stood and left the room.
Holy Land Mary Geoise – Room of Authority
"Thunder Fruit?!"
The mustached Elder, Vochuli, nearly shouted.
Sengoku nodded. "Yes. He appeared out of nowhere, kidnapped a marine officer, and then vanished again."
The Five Elders exchanged glances before the blond-haired Peter Saint spoke calmly:
"A Thunder Fruit user moves at an unmatched speed. Even if we send Borsalino after him, it would be a pointless chase."
Nasjuro Saint, absentmindedly polishing the First Generation Kitetsu, dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand. "So what if he kidnapped a marine colonel? If he doesn't threaten the World Government, we don't need to concern ourselves with him just yet."
Maz Saint smirked. "Perhaps he was simply drawn to her beauty—"
Before he could finish, Saint Saturn, wearing his usual flat hat, interrupted.
"That won't do. The Science Defense Force needs to study the Thunder Fruit. If we can acquire his bloodline factor, we could further enhance the Seraphim project."
"In that case, why not recruit him into the Shichibukai?"
"The Shichibukai is already at full capacity," one of them pointed out.
Peter Saint chuckled. "Then let's change it. Who says there have to be only seven Warlords? Why not make it eight?"
As the Five Elders continued their discussion, they eventually reached a conclusion.
"In that case, have the Navy contact him. Since he's a womanizer, send a few CP agents or female marine officers to tempt him into joining the Shichibukai by offering him beauties."
Sengoku's expression darkened. "And what about the marine captain he kidnapped?"
"You're just a Fleet Admiral, Sengoku. Know your place."
Sengoku's face paled, but he remained silent.
"Then I'll go give the order," he said, turning to leave. However, his expression became even more grim and foreboding.
Grand Line – Alabasta
Crocodile was a man who had once stood at the peak of the sea's strongest. In his younger days, he had fought Douglas Bullet without a clear winner. Even after losing to Whitebeard, he had managed to escape unscathed. His true strength remained shrouded in mystery.
However, because he had appeared so early in the Grand Line, he had yet to master Haki. To Hikaru, taking him down was nothing more than a beginner-level challenge.
"The Rainbase is just ahead. That's where Crocodile is," Robin said, standing at the bow and pointing the way.
Under Hikaru's insistence, she had reconciled with Vivi.
After all, they were going to be sisters in the future. Robin had never truly intended to harm Alabasta, and Vivi, being kind and understanding, saw no reason to hold a grudge against her.
"I've found him," Hikaru chuckled.
Robin smirked playfully. "Do you need any help, God~?"
"No need," Hikaru replied. He stepped forward, gazing at the city of Rainbase ahead.
"Be careful, Hikaru!" Vivi called out with concern. By this point, he had become her last hope.
Hikaru nodded, then glanced at Hina, who had been sneaking looks at him. He gave her a mischievous smirk.
Hina rolled her eyes in response. Even though she was technically his captive, Hikaru had never actually restrained her movements.
Still, the humiliation of being captured weighed on her. She wrapped a navy-issued shawl around her waist, the word "Justice" emblazoned on its back, as if trying to shield her dignity.
Little did she realize that her defiant attitude only made Hikaru more interested.
"You all stay on the ship. I'll go have some fun with Crocodile," Hikaru said casually, raising his arm.
"Now then, let's say hello~"
"God's Judgment!"
The sky rumbled.
A massive bolt of lightning tore through the clouds, crashing down upon the crocodile-shaped roof at the heart of Rainbase.
"Boom!"
Thunder roared across the city.
"Did it just thunder?"
"Is it going to rain?"
The citizens walking through the streets froze in shock, staring wide-eyed at the massive lightning bolt that had struck the center of the city.
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