"How did it go?"
At the summit of the Red Line, within Pangaea Castle in Mary Geoise, the Five Elders sat around an ornate tea table inside a lavish office.
Below them, a masked agent clad in a white suit knelt respectfully on one knee. Even his breathing was carefully controlled, for fear that the slightest misstep would cost him his life.
"All thanks to the wisdom of the Five Elders, the first phase of the mission was completed perfectly! Marine Headquarters has no concrete evidence linking the incident to us. In fact, they may not have discovered anything at all. Former Marine Admiral Zephyr has sustained significant injuries. The next stage of the plan can proceed smoothly."
The Five Elders nodded in satisfaction.
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn set down his teacup and spoke after a brief pause.
"Do not grow careless. Zephyr's strength runs deep. He was once a Marine Admiral. The next phase must not fail in the slightest. You may leave. And be sure to clean up any loose ends."
"Yes, sir!"
After the agent departed, Saturn's lips curled into a sneer.
"Utter fool. The Marines didn't notice? Impossible. Arrogant idiot."
Everything that had befallen Zephyr was orchestrated by the Five Elders.
Due to Zephyr's past insubordination—and the Marines' gradual drift away from their absolute control—the Five Elders had resorted to their usual method:
A severe warning.
As for the agent's belief that the Marines had failed to notice—
They did not believe it for a second.
The Marines were no fools.
They were the World Government's most powerful military force. In terms of intelligence and strength, they stood at the pinnacle of the seas.
They had certainly noticed.
They may have even secured substantial evidence.
But the newly appointed Fleet Admiral Sengoku was a clever man.
He had chosen not to tear open the curtain between the Marines and the World Government.
Because even if he did—
It would be meaningless.
The World Government could simply deny everything outright.
In the end, the Marines would only suffer further suppression.
At worst, they would replace Sengoku with a more obedient Fleet Admiral.
As for a temporary decline in Marine strength?
The World Government's foundations were deep enough to endure until the Marines rose strong once more.
"According to intelligence, that brat Roldy has returned to Sabaody Archipelago. His ship and subordinate were spotted there—the 390,000,000-Berry 'Raging Shark' Sheen. He must have obtained reliable information. He's likely already infiltrated Marine Headquarters."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter tapped his finger lightly against the table.
The others' expressions shifted subtly.
There was no denying it—
Roldy was the greatest variable in their plan.
That monstrously talented brat had grown to a level that demanded their attention.
With his top-tier physical prowess and that troublesome Devil Fruit ability, he was now an uncontrollable force—
Much like Golden Lion Shiki.
"So what?" Saturn replied coolly. "Wasn't he accounted for in our plan from the beginning? Rest assured—after so much preparation, this situation is unsolvable."
Confidence radiated from his face.
The other four looked puzzled.
Saturn seemed to enjoy their curiosity.
With a faint smirk, he produced a transfer order from within his robes.
Its contents—
"Appointment of Marine Headquarters Officer Borsalino as Vice Commander of the 'Scientific Combat Unit'?"
Saint Ju Peter read it aloud.
"Correct. The Scientific Combat Unit is vital to our plan. I shall personally oversee it. As for Borsalino—I have already promised him certain incentives. Combined with his nature, he is entirely trustworthy."
"But Borsalino… can he truly pose a sufficient threat to Roldy?" one of them asked.
Saturn chuckled.
"If he weren't worthy of such treatment, would I entrust such a position to a Marine? That brat's Pika Pika no Mi…"
"…has already awakened."
The room fell silent.
Shock spread across their faces.
Logia awakenings were exceedingly rare—second only in difficulty to Mythical Zoan awakenings.
Even prodigies like Sakazuki or Monkey D. Dragon had not reached that stage with their Logia abilities.
Which meant—
Borsalino's talent surpassed them both.
With the fastest Devil Fruit in existence fully awakened—
His strength had firmly reached Admiral-tier.
If the current Borsalino were to restrain Roldy—
It would undoubtedly succeed.
After all, Zephyr had already set out. By tomorrow, he would encounter the so-called "powerful enemy."
According to their calculations—
Even if Roldy had already arrived at Marine Headquarters—
Borsalino would only need to delay him for half a day.
That was all.
The plan was flawless.
If Borsalino was truly reliable.
High above, demons laughed in the heavens.
At the center of the coming storm—
Zephyr knew nothing.
He had already led his graduating Marine recruits to the mission's designated waters.
Their final training assignment was simple:
Eliminate a pirate crew.
The highest bounty among them was the captain—worth only 30,000,000 Berries.
With Zephyr present, there was no danger.
More importantly, this mission would evaluate the recruits' performance—
And their ability to rescue hostages.
Yet—
Zephyr felt uneasy.
In the quiet of the night, his heartbeat was erratic.
Fast.
Unsettled.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789