Chapter 115: Good News from the Undercover Agent

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

The Fleet Admiral's office.

Upon receiving the code phrase sent back by Corazon, Sengoku's tightly wound heart finally relaxed.

"Fortunately, I prepared long ago; that fellow Barzab Seven truly has high standards—so many defectors, yet he only accepted three trainees."

Paying the price of a Natural-type Devil Fruit, they successfully infiltrated Corazon into the enemy camp.

One word: Worth it.

When he remembered that two of the three were Navy spies, Sengoku covered his mouth to stifle his laughter, but his constantly trembling shoulders betrayed him.

Garp had just returned from visiting family in the East Blue and saw Sengoku in such a state.

"What's so happy?"

Sengoku coughed lightly and reined in his smile.

"Ahem, I thought of something happy. What about you, Dragon... how is the grandson? Is he well-behaved?"

Garp scratched his head.

"Just so-so. The little rascal is very mischievous; he peed on me just after I held him for a moment."

The two suddenly fell silent. Sengoku thought Garp was unwilling to talk too much about Dragon's child, fearing the World Government would discover and target them.

Garp, meanwhile, worried that if he accidentally slipped up, his old comrade Sengoku would discover the truth.

Ace, after all, is Luo Jie's child.

If the World Government learns the truth, the situation for Portgas D. Rouge and her son will be very troublesome, unless Barzab Seven occupies another stronghold that is easy to defend but hard to attack.

By then, even if the World Government discovers the truth, what can they do? They would merely secretly send Rouge and her son over to Barzab Seven's side.

Although the geographical location of Honeycomb Island is good, the surrounding seas are relatively flat, suitable for offense but not for defense.

Wano Country, however, is not only large enough, but also rich in mineral resources and the sole source of Seastone.

Garp couldn't figure it out.

With the strength of Barzab Seven and the Morning Star Pirates, they could completely conquer Wano Country; why settle for second best and occupy Honeycomb Island?

While Garp was deep in thought, Sengoku suddenly spoke.

"Garp, your vacation is over. The G1 Branch in the New World still needs a Vice Admiral to hold the fort. Pack up and head over there quickly."

"Nani?!" Garp's face was completely blank.

"Is the Navy preparing to make a move in the New World?"

For many years, the Navy's focus has been on the Four Seas and the first half of the Grand Line; only two branches, G1 and G5, exist in the second half, the New World.

Sakazuki leads a group of hawkish headquarters officers holding the G5 Branch; now that Sengoku is sending Garp to the G1 Branch, it surprises Garp somewhat.

"Not exactly," Sengoku sighed.

"After Barzab Seven occupied Honeycomb Island, pirate crews of all sizes in Paradise have gone mad; even the shipyards in Sabaody applying coatings are too busy to handle the demand."

Hearing this, Garp finally understood.

The small pirates in Paradise are preparing to head to the New World to join the Morning Star Pirates.

In that case, I must go.

"Fine. I'll have Bogart make preparations."

As Garp packed up all the small snacks from Sengoku's office and was about to shoulder the bag and leave, Sengoku suddenly called him to a halt.

"Garp, how about bringing your grandson to Headquarters? It would save you from wasting time traveling back and forth."

It is true that Navy warships can cross the Calm Belt, but the straight-line distance from Marineford to Windmill Village is far enough.

As the Fleet Admiral, Sengoku has both the responsibility and the right to open the doors of convenience for his old comrade.

Garp picked his nose while pondering.

"He's not even three yet. Wait another two years."

Watching Garp leave, Sengoku continued his duties as Fleet Admiral, but his good mood vanished almost entirely upon seeing the application rejected again by the World Government.

"The Five Elders... can't they see the situation? With the Navy's current top-tier combat power, it is simply insufficient to deter those great pirates."

Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the three Admirals Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru, the hero Garp, and Zephyr in a semi-retired state are the Navy's only top-tier combat forces.

If this were after the Luo Jie Pirates disbanded, having six Admiral-level combat forces shaking the seas would be no problem.

But now, the Morning Star Pirates possess—

Captain Barzab Seven, Honorary Vice Captain Shiki, Vice Captain Mihawk, Combat Captain Master Tenghu...

According to the message sent back by his beloved son: After Shiki safely removed the ship's wheel from his head, his broken legs have inexplicably grown back.

Although Sengoku felt extremely surprised and strange, he had already realized that even Shiki alone at his peak would be enough to tie him and Garp up for a while.

Barzab Seven could similarly tie up Sakazuki.

Master Tenghu and Mihawk might be at a disadvantage against Kuzan and Borsalino, but a winner would certainly be hard to determine in a short time.

Moreover, this assessment is based on the combat power of Barzab Seven and others during the Ohara Buster Call a year ago.

During the Sabaody Buster Call, Barzab Seven did not directly engage Sakazuki and others; instead, he held off the Navy's Buster Call fleet single-handedly.

Sengoku picked up the message sent back by his beloved son again.

【Dad, we cannot rely on luck.】

"Sigh, Xiao Mi Guo."

"It is not that Dad relies on luck, but the World Government does not allow the Navy to conduct a world-wide conscription."

If they could conduct a world-wide conscription, even gaining one or two top-tier combat forces, the Navy would surely re-deter this sea.

But the World Government has rejected the application again and again, citing insufficient military funds.

"Being a Fleet Admiral is truly frustrating!"

(๑＞؂＜๑）

The Holy Land Mary Geoise, the Ancient City of Pan Gu.

Inside the spacious and bright palace, the Five Elders took their positions in order; this time Saint Volyu arrived late and could only stand while listening to Saint Saturn speak.

"The undercover operation has been extremely successful."

"According to a secret letter sent back by Lucky Star, the Morning Star Pirates are rebuilding Hive Island; it can be foreseen that things will be much quieter for some time to come."

"Moreover, Barzab Seven's standards are indeed high; he has only accepted three apprentice crew members, including Lucky Star."

With these words, Saint Saturn was informing the other Five Elders that they had already begun to reap rewards for the price of a single Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit.

In the future, do not badmouth me; I am the one Barzab Seven planted as an undercover agent within the World Government.

Saint Volyu took up the conversation.

"In that case, we can try entrusting Barzab Seven with handling certain matters that we cannot appear to deal with directly but must get done."

Saint Saturn nodded.

"I have a plan."

"Previously, Harald has been using his inability to obtain the Legendary Devil Fruit as an excuse to brush us off; it would be better to entrust Barzab Seven with the task."

"If successful, we pay the commission fee and obtain the Legendary Devil Fruit of Elbaf."

"If it fails, we can consider all that commission fee as payment to sow discord between Barzab Seven and the Giant Warrior Pirates; do not forget, he has four Giant Warrior crew members under his command."

"In short, regardless of the outcome, it is advantageous for us."

Hearing this, the other Five Elders nodded in agreement one after another.

"Seconded!"

"Seconded!"

"Seconded."

Satisfied, Saint Saturn nodded and silently looked at Saint Volyu as a signal: hurry up and bring out the Den Den Mushi.

Saint Volyu blinked his eyes.

"Saint Saturn, why are you looking at me?"