Chapter 105: Undercover Operation Activated

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Admiral’s office.

Setting down the latest edition of the News Report, Akainu’s expression was indescribable—three parts regret, three parts agreement, four parts gravity.

Akainu hadn’t expected it.

Barzab Seven, leading the Morning Star Pirates, had vanished mysteriously for days, yet in less than half a day, he decisively seized Hive Island.

He slaughtered every single pirate on the island, including Wang Zhi, leaving not one alive.

Such ruthless treatment of pirates deeply resonated with Akainu—

All pirates must die!

But after seizing Hive Island, the Morning Star Pirates would inevitably attract countless defectors and become the Marine Corps’ greatest future threat.

Though Barzab Seven had breached the Holy Wrath twice before, the total Marine casualties amounted to fewer than ten, Barzab Seven was still a pirate.

One day a pirate, always a pirate.

All pirates must die!

Akainu suddenly had an absurd thought: if only Barzab Seven had joined the Marines back then, how wonderful it would have been.

With Barzab Seven alone, the Marine Corps’ new generation could crush the so-called Golden Age of Pirates.

Crush them utterly!

What a glorious thing that would be!

Realizing this thought, Akainu laughed aloud—Barzab Seven might be an unusual pirate, but all pirates must die.

Barzab Seven would be no exception.

The change of control over Hive Island further proved the Morning Star Pirates’ extraordinary mobility.

The Gum-Gum Fruit user, the Door-Door Fruit user, the Float-Float Fruit user, and Barzab Seven’s suspected Mythical Zoan—Thunder-Thunder Fruit—

All are renowned for mobility.

And except for the aging Golden Lion, the rest of the crew have yet to reach their peak.

Once they mature, they’ll become even more troublesome.

According to Borsalino, the World Government’s ransom for Elaine Saint included another Paramecia-type Instant-Teleport Fruit.

Thinking of this, Akainu grew furious, wishing he could storm Pangu City and confront them face-to-face—

Are you five idiots, secretly planted by Barzab Seven inside the World Government?

You’d hand an Instant-Teleport Fruit to the enemy?!

Are you afraid their mobility isn’t high enough?

Or have you grown too complacent and crave excitement?

How can humans be this stupid? To maximize a pirate crew’s mobility?

What exactly are you trying to accomplish?!

Akainu didn’t need to think to know.

From now on, whether in the Four Seas, the Grand Line, or Mary Geoise, Barzab Seven and his crew will come and go as they please.

Even Marine Headquarters, Enies Lobby, and Impel Down—all prisons holding countless convicts—will be no barrier.

“It’s simply too foolish!”

Yet Akainu knew he could only vent in his office—the Five Elders didn’t even care about the Marine Commander’s dignity, let alone his own as an Admiral.

The only reassuring piece of news was—

Admiral Sengoku had launched the Xiao Mi Guo and Xiao Xian Bei plans, and they were progressing smoothly; the Marines would soon track the Morning Star Pirates’ movements.

The Marines would now have greater operational assurance, no longer stumbling blindly as before.

Not even knowing where their target was.

Akainu sometimes unconsciously ignored Barzab Seven’s age, but when he stared at the seventeen-year-old on the file, it felt strangely piercing.

“Time flies—I’m already thirty-three.”

Akainu believed he and Barzab Seven were reluctant rivals of the same era; as long as he remained a Marine, he would kill Barzab Seven with his own hands before he died.

At the Marineford harbor, an unremarkable corner.

As parting drew near, Sengoku felt unexpectedly reluctant, a quiet unease rising in him—he feared his precious son might never return.

Especially after Barzab Seven had just revealed his cruel, bloodthirsty side, slaughtering every pirate on Hive Island—

It deepened Sengoku’s dread, making him question whether their earlier plan had been too reckless.

“Decided?”

Rossy nodded.

“Dad, I can return to the North Blue anytime, but if I arrive at Hive Island too late, I likely won’t make it into the Morning Star Pirates’ inner circle.”

“The difference in classified information between a recruit and an officer is enormous.”

“One step behind, and you’re behind forever.”

Sengoku understood these truths, but understanding and acting on them were two entirely different things.

Just as some people know countless great truths yet still fail to live well.

Sengoku didn’t consider himself great enough to send his son to war without burden.

But in this Golden Age of Pirates, someone must do these things—and someone must do them.

Compared to infiltrating the Beasts Pirates or the Big Mom Pirates, the Morning Star Pirates were relatively safer and offered the greatest promotion potential.

“Borsalino will secretly escort you to the New World. Stay safe.”

Rossy suddenly hugged Sengoku.

“Dad, take care.”

Releasing the embrace, Rossy turned and walked away.

Sengoku, dazed, called out to stop his son’s departing steps: “Why not go to your brother instead? After all, he’s your brother—safer...”

Rossy smiled brightly.

“Dad, compared to petty skirmishes with Doflamingo in the North Blue, the Marines need to track Barzab Seven’s movements more than anything. Others can go undercover—I why can’t I join the Morning Star Pirates?

Don’t ruin your glorious image in my eyes, Dad.”

Rossy’s silhouette gradually blurred, then vanished completely from Sengoku’s sight.

Sengoku realized again how utterly frustrating being Marine Commander was—he’d rather be a plain old Headquarters Vice Admiral like his old friend Garp.

Ignore the Celestial Dragons’ orders.

Ignore the World Government’s assignments.

First half of life: obsessed with capturing Roger. Second half: wholly devoted to arresting Barzab Seven.

“Damn Garp!”

“Why do you get to live more freely than your own brother? You’ve got to carry more weight.”

To quickly forget the pain of parting, Sengoku prepared to burden his old friend.

The Marines currently had only G1 and G5 branches in the New World. Akainu volunteered to serve temporarily at G5; since Garp kept complaining about arresting Barzab Seven, he’d be sent to command G1.

After seeing off his precious son,

Sengoku went to another warship to meet the other component of the undercover plan: Xiao Xian Bei.

“Vergo, are you ready?”

The Marine called Vergo immediately snapped to attention, his salute fluid and precise.

“Admiral, for justice!”

“Vergo is always ready!!”

On the surface, a passionate teenager; in truth, Vergo was silently cursing inside.

Great—sent by the young master to infiltrate the Marines, then promoted so well he caught Sengoku’s eye, and now was being sent to infiltrate the Morning Star Pirates.

What the hell is this?

A Marine pretending to be a pirate, going to serve under the Sea Emperor Barzab Seven… as a pirate?

And he couldn’t refuse Sengoku’s grand promise: upon mission completion, direct promotion to Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral!

Moreover, due to Sengoku’s intense attention, Vergo hadn’t even had time to report to the young master.

Getting paid three salaries was certainly sweet.

But if his identity was exposed—whether by the Marines’ fury to cover their shame, or Barzab Seven’s wrath—

His puny frame would bear a weight too heavy for life to bear.

“Good.” Sengoku nodded in satisfaction.

Why insist on sending two undercover agents?

If Rossy ever faced exposure, Vergo’s role would become critical.

“The future is yours, Vergo.”