The site of the World Government vessel's sinking.
Snow continued to fall heavily across the dull grey sky, blanketing the vast sea.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong—I've reached the crime scene as per the route provided by the CP division."
On the deck of a Marine battleship, Sengoku held a military transponder snail in one hand, his expression dark as he gave his report.
Adjusting his black-rimmed glasses, he swept his gaze across the sea.
"There aren't any obvious signs at the scene."
After ending the call, Sengoku exhaled a long breath.
"The dive team has been dispatched. The higher-ups are taking this incident very seriously."
A figure in a silk robe, wearing a mask marked with strange patterns, appeared beside Sengoku like a ghost. A hoarse voice came from beneath the mask.
Sengoku nodded, though he remained unimpressed.
The sea was choppy. Only a few burnt and rotting pieces of wreckage floated nearby, along with occasional severed limbs—none of it identifiable.
Mary Geoise had already determined the exact time of death by tracking the moment Saint Shaldes' vivre card turned to ash.
It had already been three full hours since the incident.
Three hours was more than enough for the ocean to swallow every last piece of evidence.
At this point, even a dive team would be pointless.
To think they went to such lengths for a dead Celestial Dragon... and let Byrnndi World slip away in the process. Sengoku felt a twinge of frustration.
Still, no matter how absurd, this was a direct order from the World Government. Whatever his personal feelings, Sengoku would fulfill his duty seriously.
A gag order had already been issued.
After all, if this incident got out, it would damage the Government's authority and reputation.
And because it involved a Celestial Dragon, the situation was incredibly sensitive and troublesome.
Sengoku glanced at the deck and twitched involuntarily.
Here he was, a Marine admiral running himself ragged—and what was his vice admiral doing?
Borsalino was lounging in a beach chair, sipping watermelon juice had nothing to do with him.
Sengoku ground his teeth and roared.
Hearing the shout, Borsalino raised both hands in surrender and smiled lazily.
He slowly put down his drink and sauntered over.
"Found anything yet?!"
"Let me have a look..."
Stroking his stubbled chin, Borsalino pushed up his sunglasses and carefully "inspected" the scene.
Two seconds later, his mouth parted theatrically.
"Wow, scary stuff... that Celestial Dragon sure died clean. Not a scrap of meat left~"
Silence fell over the deck.
A few crows flapped overhead.
Sengoku twitched, feeling CP0's killing intent rising beside him. He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to punch the yellow monkey into the deck.
"You bastard! Get lost, Borsalino!!"
Hands still raised innocently, Borsalino ambled away, muttering:
"You're the one who asked me to help..."
He flopped back into the chair, picked up his juice again.
"No helping it, huh..."
Hearing Borsalino's mumbling, Sengoku's face turned green and white in turns. He clenched and unclenched his fists.
Should've chosen Sakazuki to be my adjutant!
Back in the academy, both had graduated top of their class, dubbed "monsters" of the new generation. At least that gloomy brat Sakazuki wasn't this aggravating!
Why had he chosen this damn clown?
Sengoku massaged his temple in agony.
Then again, he couldn't undo it now.
Sakazuki was overly extreme—his justice was absolute, and his methods merciless, even disobeying orders.
Sengoku couldn't tolerate that.
Annoying as Borsalino was, at least he followed orders.
Sengoku let out a long breath.
He turned to CP0's silent, masked agent and gave a sheepish smile, about to speak when—
Pururururu... pururururu...
The military transponder snail rang.
Sengoku frowned, shot CP0 an apologetic look, and answered.
A loud, cheerful voice roared through the line:
"BWAHAHAHAHA Sengoku!! How's your end going?!"
"You got Byrnndi World, right? I'm all done over here. You wouldn't believe it—I smashed Chinjao's drill head in with my Iron Fist!"
"What a glorious fight, WAHAHAHA!!"
The transponder snail mimicked a nose-picking, laughing face.
"Don Chinjao, the Drill Head of the Happo Navy, huh? He must hate you with a passion now, Garp."
"I failed. Something urgent came up and Byrnndi World escaped."
"Urgent? What happened?"
Garp scratched his head, then made a teasing face:
"Don't tell me you lost to Byrnndi and made up an excuse~?"
"Scram," Sengoku grumbled. "A Celestial Dragon died in North Blue. I'm under orders to investigate."
As soon as he said it, he regretted it.
Sure enough, Garp burst into booming laughter:
"WAHAHAHAHA!! A Celestial Dragon died? Serves him right!!"
"I don't know who did it, but I'd love to shake their hand!"
As Garp's laughter rang out, Sengoku's face darkened.
CP0's killing intent was now suffocating.
"Come on, Sengoku, it's just one Celestial Dragon. Who cares? There's a whole nest of them in Mary Geoise."
"Just do a quick investigation, fake a report. Those bastards deserve to die anyway, WAHAHAHA..."
Sengoku glanced nervously at CP0, whose mask was unreadable.
He gritted his teeth and cut Garp off:
"GARP!! The CP0 rep is standing right next to me!!"
"Uh, forget what I said. Redacted! Redacted!!"
The transponder snail mimicked a sheepish wave.
He blinked, coughed, put the transponder snail away, then turned solemnly to CP0.
Expression dead serious, voice full of righteous fire:
"Let's begin the investigation!"
Facing CP0's empty, cold gaze beneath the mask, Sengoku raised a fist and declared:
"We will investigate! Thoroughly! Until the truth is found!!"