Chapter 105: Undercover Operation Launched

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Admiral's Office.

Putting down the New Issue newspaper, Akainu's expression was indescribable—three parts regret, three parts agreement, four parts Serious.

Akainu had not expected it.

Barzab Seven, leading the Morning Star Pirates, after vanishing and reappearing for so many days, took Hive Island by force in less than half a day.

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

Such ruthless methods against pirates earned Akainu's strong agreement—

All pirates must die!

But after seizing Hive Island, the Morning Star Pirates will inevitably attract countless defectors and become the Navy's greatest future threat.

Although Barzab Seven had breached the Shichibukai's Purge twice before, the total Navy casualties were fewer than ten, Barzab Seven was still a pirate.

One day a pirate, always a pirate.

All pirates must die!

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

Just by himself, Barzab Seven could crush the so-called Golden Age of Pirates.

Crush them utterly!

How magnificent that would be!

Realizing this thought, Akainu laughed aloud—Barzab Seven might be a different kind of 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 grow stronger, it will be even more troublesome.

According to Borsalino, the World Government's ransom for Elaine Saint included another Superhuman-type Teleportation Fruit.

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

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

You'd hand a Teleportation Fruit to the enemy?!

Are you afraid their mobility isn't high enough?

Or have you grown too comfortable and are seeking thrills?

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

What exactly are you trying to do?!

Akainu didn't need to think to know.

From now on, whether in the Four Seas, the entire 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—the prison holding countless convicts—will be no barrier.

"It's simply too stupid!"

But Akainu knew—he could only vent his frustration in his office. The Five Elders didn't even care about the Fleet Admiral's face, let alone his as an Admiral.

The only reassuring piece of good news,

was that Fleet Admiral Sengoku had launched the Xiao Mi Guo and Xiao Xian Bei Plan, which was proceeding smoothly—the Navy would soon gain full awareness of the Morning Star Pirates' movements.

The Navy's future operations would have greater assurance, no longer stumbling blindly as before.

Not even knowing where the enemy was.

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

"Time flies—I'm already thirty-three."

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

At Marineford's harbor, in an unremarkable corner.

As departure neared, Sengoku felt unexpectedly reluctant, a quiet unease stirring in his heart—he feared his beloved 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 trainee and a cadre is enormous."

"One step behind, and you're behind forever."

Sengoku understood these truths, but understanding them and being able to act on them were two entirely different things.

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

Sengoku admitted he wasn't great enough to send his son to war without burden.

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

Compared to infiltrating the Beasts Pirates or the Big Mom Pirates… the Morning Star Pirates were relatively safer, with greater future promotion potential.

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

Rossy suddenly hugged Sengoku.

"Dad, take care."

Releasing his embrace, Rosinante turned and departed.

Sengoku, his expression dazed, called out to stop his beloved son's departing steps: "Perhaps you should go to your brother's side after all; he is your brother, so it's safer..."

Rosinante flashed a brilliant smile.

"Dad, compared to the petty squabbles with Doflamingo in the North Blue, the Navy needs to master Barzab Seven's movements more. Other comrades can lie low; why can't I go to the Morning Star Pirates?

Please, don't tarnish the glorious image you hold in my mind, Dad."

Rosinante's figure gradually grew blurry until it completely vanished from Sengoku's sight.

Sengoku realized once again that serving as Navy Admiral was truly a stifling experience; he might as well be an ordinary Headquarters Vice Admiral like his old comrade Garp.

The Celestial Dragons' orders? Ignored.

The World Government's appointments? Ignored.

In the first half of his life, he devoted himself entirely to catching Roger; in the second half, he dedicated himself wholly to arresting Barzab Seven.

"Damn Garp!?"

"On what grounds do you live more freely than your own brother? I must add some weight to your old shoulders."

To quickly forget the pain of parting, Sengoku prepared to torment his old comrade.

The Navy currently has only two branches in the New World: G1 and G5. Akainu has volunteered to go to G5 Branch for a while. Since Garp is clamoring to arrest Barzab Seven, then he should go to command G1 Branch.

After seeing off his beloved son.

Sengoku went to another warship to meet the other link in the undercover plan: Xiao Xiao Xian Bei.

"Vergo, are you ready?"

The Navy officer called Vergo immediately snapped to attention and saluted, the entire sequence of movements flowing smoothly.

"Admiral, for justice!"

"Vergo is always ready!!"

Outwardly a hot-blooded youth, but inside Vergo's heart, he was cursing nonstop.

Great! Sent by the Young Master to undercover in the Navy, but because his performance was too outstanding, he was valued by Sengoku and sent to the Morning Star Pirates to continue undercover.

What kind of thing is this?

A pirate who is outwardly Navy, heading to the Emperor Barzab Seven's ranks to continue being a pirate?

And he cannot refuse the big pie Sengoku Admiral painted: once the undercover mission ends, direct promotion to Navy Headquarters Vice Admiral!

Moreover, because he was under Sengoku's special focus, Vergo didn't even have time to report to the Young Master.

Earning three salaries from one person is certainly cool.

But once his identity is exposed, whether it's the Navy's rage to cover up the shame, or the wrath of the Emperor Barzab Seven...

His small frame is about to bear a weight life cannot bear.

"Very good." Sengoku nodded in satisfaction.

Why insist on sending two undercover agents?

If Rosinante risks exposure of his identity in the future, Vergo's role will come into play.

"The future is yours, Vergo."