Two hours after the battle ended.
The sun was sinking into the west, and the golden afterglow of dusk bathed the sea in brilliant hues, casting a breathtaking scene across the waves.
The Chris Pirates, having finished cleaning the battlefield, had withdrawn back to their ship. The massive Chris sailed away, rippling the water as it departed the bloodstained sea, leaving behind a shattered giant vessel, countless corpses, and scattered wreckage. The sea itself was dyed crimson.
The next morning, a Navy patrol vessel, flying the seagull flag, cruised into the area.
"Gulp... T-This place... what the hell happened here?"
"How many people died? Corpses everywhere... the entire sea's turned red!"
"Was there a war? And look at that giant ship—it's even bigger than our warship!"
"That ship's flying the World Government flag... Who would dare to attack a World Government vessel?!"
On the third-class Navy ship, hundreds of sailors rushed to the deck, frantically surveying the grisly scene. They were utterly stunned. A World Government ship had been attacked—something not even ordinary pirates would dare to attempt.
Most of the crew on board were fresh recruits, and it was their first time witnessing such sheer carnage.
This area bordered the Alabasta Sea, home to one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
With a nearby Marine base, Navy ships regularly patrolled the surrounding waters.
Generally, pirates who entered this region behaved discreetly—only a few reckless fools caused trouble. Even powerful rookie pirates chose to keep a low profile here.
As a result, the local naval division didn't see much combat. Many of the new recruits had little to no experience in real battle. That explained why over half the crew of this patrol ship were greenhorns.
But nobody could have predicted this—an entire World Government ship devastated, corpses littering the waters, blood turning the sea red.
It was far too much for the rookies to bear.
"Hisss... Whoever did this must be insanely bold! Attacking a World Government vessel?!"
A Navy officer draped in a coat of justice sucked in a cold breath, staring at the battle-scarred giant ship ahead.
He had served five years at the nearby division and patrolled this area dozens of times. Never had he encountered something this disastrous.
"C-Captain, what should we do?"
One trembling sailor clutching a musket turned to the officer, his face pale with fear.
"Get closer. Send a team to board the ship and investigate. And hand me the Den Den Mushi—I need to report this directly to headquarters!"
Snapped out of his shock, the Navy Captain quickly barked his orders.
"B-Board... board the ship?!"
The sailor nearly popped his eyes out in terror, thinking he must have misheard.
"Of course! Move your ass!"
The Captain glared and smacked the sailor upside the head.
The sailor clutched his throbbing forehead, quickly scurrying off to relay the command.
Soon, the Navy ship cautiously approached the giant wreck.
Marines pulled out ladders and grappling hooks, preparing to climb aboard.
"This ship... it looks really familiar... Ah, forget it. Better report first."
The Captain scratched his head, carefully studying the colossal vessel.
Still unable to recognize it, he picked up the Den Den Mushi and prepared to contact Marine Headquarters.
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"Moshi moshi, this is the Navy Headquarters relay station. State your number and name."
"I am Captain Asgai of the 73rd Division, commanding ship 207, class 73C. I have a Level 2 incident to report directly to Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
The Captain introduced himself swiftly.
Asgai—age 36, born in the South Blue. Five years ago, he was transferred to the Grand Line's 73rd Division and was promoted to Captain three years later.
"Verification complete. Transferring you to the Fleet Admiral."
"Thank you. Much appreciated."
Captain Asgai responded respectfully.
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In an office somewhere, a man with froglike eyes and a braided beard sat behind a desk, signing mountains of paperwork.
He wore a coat of justice draped over his shoulders, several prestigious medals gleaming on his chest.
At his side, a goat seemed to be chewing on something.
The Den Den Mushi on his desk suddenly rang.
Frowning slightly, he lazily lifted an eyelid, picked up the receiver, and said:
"Moshi moshi, this is Sengoku. What's the situation?"
"Sir! This is Captain Asgai of the 73rd Division! During routine patrols near the Alabasta Sea, we discovered a World Government vessel under heavy attack. The ship is severely damaged, and the surrounding waters are littered with corpses."
Asgai stiffened to attention the moment he heard Sengoku's voice, reporting nervously but crisply.
"What?! A World Government ship was attacked? Was it pirates?"
Sengoku's expression hardened, his brows furrowing tightly.
In recent times, over ten World Government ships had been assaulted—some were critical government vessels, others merchant ships under the government's protection, and even ships belonging to high-ranking officials.
Most of these attacks were the work of pirates displaced from the New World.
After Marine operations scattered many crews in the New World, those survivors who fled—while defeated—were still formidable.
Compared to the newcomers and third-rate pirates of Paradise and the Four Blues, they were living disasters.
With the Navy's main forces still entangled in the New World, there weren't enough resources left to chase these remnants.
The patrol and sweep fleets stationed in Paradise and the Blues struggled to keep up, and their successes were minimal.
Many of the attacks on World Government ships were carried out by these dangerous veterans.
The Navy and World Government were furious, but for now, their hands were tied.
"No idea, sir. The ship is a giant—on par with a first-class warship. No record of it passing through our division. No identification number found either."
Captain Asgai answered without hesitation.
"Tch... how troublesome! Could it be a covert government ship?"
Sengoku frowned even deeper.
No registration, no prior report to nearby Marine divisions... It was possible the vessel was part of some secret government operation.
That would complicate the investigation even further.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this ship... it feels strangely familiar. I can't quite place it, but I'm pretty sure it's not a government covert ship."
Asgai hesitated for a moment, then cautiously voiced his thoughts.
After all, the underhanded dealings between the Marines and the World Government were an open secret among the officers.
As a division Captain, Asgai knew better than most.
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
Sengoku's voice sharpened.
"Well... according to the reports from my men, the ship's design is extremely flashy. And it's built almost to the standards of a first-class battle cruiser."
Asgai answered honestly.
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