Chapter 120 Strength Exposed

After a week of sailing, Gumir returned to Marineford with the captured Marine officers.

Meanwhile, the G2 Branch was now being guarded by Vice Admiral Momonga.

Because they had been captured by pirates, the Marines had lost a great deal of face.

Gumir and his subordinate officers all needed to return to Marineford to undergo investigation and receive disciplinary action.

When they arrived at Marineford, the atmosphere at the port was exceptionally heavy.

With an operation this large, everyone at Marineford knew about the news of Gumir and the others being captured.

They also knew that the Marines had spent a fortune to ransom them back.

Although the Marine soldiers at the port maintained their military posture, a strange look flickered in their eyes.

Gumir could feel those gazes mixed with sympathy, doubt, and disappointment, making his already heavy steps even more difficult.

“Admiral Aokiji, Vice Admirals, Fleet Admiral Sengoku is waiting for you in his office.”

A messenger waiting at the port stepped forward quickly, spoke after saluting the group.

Aokiji nodded, scratched his messy curly hair, and led the group toward the headquarters building.

Upon arriving at the Fleet Admiral’s office, Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru were already waiting.

The atmosphere in the office was heavy. Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat behind a large desk, hands clasped under his chin, his deep gaze scrutinizing the group as they entered through his glasses.

Vice Admiral Tsuru stood to the side, her expression calm yet exuding authority.

“Fleet Admiral, we’re back.”

Aokiji greeted Sengoku lazily.

Sengoku nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the group.

“Sit down.”

Aokiji, Onigumo, Doberman, and the others all took their seats.

Only Gumir remained standing, head lowered, hands clenched into fists.

“Gumir, why aren’t you sitting?”

“I’m sorry! Fleet Admiral Sengoku! I am guilty! I have brought shame upon the Marines!”

Gumir suddenly dropped to one knee, his voice choking up.

“Not only did I fail to rescue Colonel Hina, but I also put my comrades in danger and forced the Marines to pay such a price… I request the most severe punishment!”

A brief silence fell over the office.

“Your punishment will be discussed by everyone later. For now, tell us about the strength of Kaguyas Group. Information on them has always been scarce. I didn’t expect a rookie pirate who just came out of the East Blue to be able to defeat even you.”

Sengoku slowly took off his glasses, rubbed his brow with his fingertips, a hint of fatigue flashing in his eyes.

“According to the intelligence we have, the Kaguya Pirate Crew has been formed for less than half a year, but has already shown astonishing potential.”

Gumir took a deep breath, recalling that fierce battle.

“Their Captain, Kaguya, is a Devil Fruit User. Based on my judgment, it might even be a Mythical Zoan.”

“Mythical Zoan?”

Sengoku’s brow furrowed.

“That’s right. It’s a creature that looks like a dragon but isn’t one; I don’t know what it is. However, Kaguya isn’t just powerful because of his Devil Fruit; his Haki is also terrifying. When fighting me, he didn’t even use his Devil Fruit ability. He defeated me using only Armament Haki and Observation Haki. Furthermore, he also possesses… Conqueror’s Haki!”

Sengoku’s pupils contracted sharply, and the air in the office seemed to freeze instantly.

The teacup in Vice Admiral Tsuru’s hand paused slightly, the tea rippling gently against the rim.

Aokiji’s usually lazy expression also became uncharacteristically serious as he slowly sat up straight.

“Haoshoku…”

Sengoku repeated the word in a low voice, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the desk.

“A rookie from the East Blue actually possesses the qualities of a king?”

Gumir nodded heavily.

“In the final stages of the battle, he unleashed a terrifying aura that instantly incapacitated my subordinates.”

Vice Admiral Onigumo suddenly spoke in a cold voice.

“It seems he’s another arrogant person who wants to throw the world into chaos. Such dangerous elements should be eradicated as soon as possible.”

Doberman bit his cigar, squinting through the swirling smoke.

“A Mythical Zoan fruit combined with three types of Haki is indeed a troublesome opponent.”

Sengoku rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

“I didn’t expect such a figure to emerge from the East Blue again…”

Vice Admiral Tsuru set down her teacup, her gaze piercing as she looked at Gumir.

“Tell us in detail about his crew.”

Gumir nodded.

“He has five core combatants.”

“First is a blue-haired female swordsman with superb swordsmanship who can use Flying Slashes. She also possesses two types of Haki and an Ancient Species Devil Fruit, allowing her to transform into a pterosaur. She is very strong and can easily defeat the commodores under my command.”

“The second is an orange-haired woman who possesses two types of Haki and the Barrier-Barrier Fruit. She is also very strong and likewise easily defeated my commodores.”

“…”

Gumir recounted all the information he had gathered from his subordinates.

After hearing Gumir’s account, everyone in the office frowned.

“Aside from the ship doctor and chef who didn’t fight, even the weakest has the strength of a headquarters Major. This is quite a significant force.”

Sengoku tapped the desk with his finger and said in a deep voice.

“What’s even more worrying is that they’ve only just entered the Grand Line. If they are allowed to grow, they might become another Emperor’s crew.”

“There are also quite a few Devil Fruit Users in Kaguyas Group. Of the women who fought, all of them were Devil Fruit Users except for that ‘Marine traitor’ Tashigi.”

“Kaguya capturing Hina might have been because he was after her Devil Fruit ability.”

“There are indeed quite a few.”

Sengoku nodded at this, then thought of the ransom the Marines had handed over.

“And that Tashigi won’t be long before she becomes a Devil Fruit User as well.”

“Fleet Admiral, can we demand that Devil Fruit from the Kingdom of Alabasta? Kaguyas Group certainly wouldn’t dare go to Alabasta to retrieve that Devil Fruit right now. Since Gumir and the others are already back, we might as well demand the Devil Fruit and Berries back.”

Vice Admiral Doberman exhaled a smoke ring, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

Onigumo, Yamakaji, and the others were somewhat moved by Doberman’s proposal.

That was an Ancient Species Devil Fruit; if it were given to them, their strength would definitely increase significantly.

Sengoku looked at the expectant gazes of his subordinates but slowly shook his head.

“Alabasta is a member nation of the World Government. Once something is in their hands, the Marines have no right to demand it back.”

“Can’t we put pressure on Alabasta?”

Onigumo pressed, somewhat unwilling to let it go.

Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at the somewhat irrational Onigumo and explained.

“The Marines are the military organization used by the World Government to maintain the stability of the seas and the dignity of the World Government.”

“And Alabasta, as a member nation of the World Government, can actually be considered one of the Marines’ masters.”

Upon hearing Vice Admiral Tsuru’s explanation, Onigumo and the others, who were still somewhat reluctant, fell silent.

Only the sound of Sengoku’s knuckles tapping the desk and the faint crackle of Doberman’s burning cigar remained in the office.

….

“Rajivbk”