"So that's how it is!" Sengoku nodded, finally understanding.
Unless it was a top-secret mission of extraordinary importance, the World Government would never deploy a massive battleship built to the highest naval standards just to transport personnel. Even if it was a covert operation requiring such a colossal ship, it wouldn't be so flashy and conspicuous. Moreover, for the sake of speed, any such vessel would have fewer cannons than a standard Navy battleship. That said, the firepower of a ship this size—even with reduced armament—was still ferocious enough to decimate most ordinary ships with ease.
"Sounds like they're using ships registered under the World Government's merchant fleet or something similar. Describe the ship's appearance to me," Sengoku instructed sharply over the Den Den Mushi.
"Yes, sir. The ship has five decks, painted a base color of yellow, with a blood-red man-eating flower emblem..."
Standing just five meters from the massive vessel, Captain Asgai described what he saw in painstaking detail.
"What did you say?! Painted yellow with a blood-red man-eating flower emblem?" Sengoku abruptly cut him off, his voice tense. He seemed to recognize the ship.
"Uh... yes, sir. Is something wrong?" Colonel Asgai stammered, startled by Sengoku's reaction.
Once he received confirmation from his subordinate, Sengoku's demeanor turned cold, his voice chilling as he spoke:
"That's the Saint Florent—belonging to the Crimson Man-Eating Flower. That ship should've been scrapped after severe damage. Looks like they took a major hit."
Although technically operating under the World Government's banner, Sengoku couldn't have cared less about the fate of those slavers. Even if they were backed by the Celestial Dragons, if they crossed paths with Sengoku himself, he wouldn't hesitate to order their immediate annihilation.
"No wonder it looked so familiar. It really is the Saint Florent from the Crimson Man-Eating Flower..." Captain Asgai muttered, finally recognizing the ship himself. However, the moment he saw his men carrying two bodies down from the ruined vessel, his brows furrowed tightly.
"What is it?" Sengoku pressed, sensing something was off.
Gazing at the two corpses before him, Asgai's face twisted in disbelief. His throat went dry, and he rasped out,
"We've recovered the bodies of Fat Bear—Nisaro Elver—and their Butler Agent—Paradi. It's confirmed: Crimson Man-Eating Flower has been completely wiped out."
"What?!" Sengoku, who had just taken a sip of water, nearly spat it all over himself.
As much as he despised the Crimson Man-Eating Flower, Sengoku had to admit they were no small threat. Especially their leaders: Nisaro Elver had strength comparable to a Vice Admiral of Navy Headquarters, and Paradi wasn't far behind, matching the level of an elite Rear Admiral. For the Navy to exterminate them, it would've taken no less than two patrol fleets, each commanded by a Headquarters Vice Admiral, stationed along the Grand Line's Paradise routes.
As for rookie pirates or those who had fled the New World, while they might challenge the Crimson Man-Eating Flower, defeating them entirely was almost impossible. The slavers had superior numbers and firepower.
Wiping his mouth hurriedly, Sengoku barked,
"Any idea who did it? Were there any survivors?"
"I'm sorry, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, but there were no survivors. We don't know who was responsible," Captain Asgai replied apologetically, surveying the sea strewn with corpses before glancing grimly at Elver's shattered body. "Fat Bear's upper torso looks like it was smashed by a giant hammer... it's completely unrecognizable."
Sengoku's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, grim and unyielding:
"Investigate it. I'm authorizing Division 73 to get to the bottom of this—even if it means entering the Kingdom of Alabasta. I'll negotiate with Alabasta's government myself. If you encounter Crocodile, tell him to call me directly. Your mission is to uncover exactly who wiped out the Crimson Man-Eating Flower. Report back once you have the answer."
"Also, after a full autopsy, transport the bodies and the Saint Florent back to Marineford."
With the Navy's forces stretched thin, Sengoku needed to account for every emerging power, whether pirate crews or Revolutionary Army cells. The Crimson Man-Eating Flower wasn't just a slaver ring—they had tangled connections: World Government backers, wealthy magnates, and even New World pirates. Whether they were simply crippled or utterly annihilated would trigger very different chain reactions across the seas. This matter couldn't be left unresolved.
"Yes, sir! Understood, Fleet Admiral!" Captain Asgai saluted sharply at the Den Den Mushi, his expression solemn. Though not the strongest officer by far, he understood the stakes.
Both sides hung up in quick succession.
"Captain Asgai, based on preliminary assessment, it's likely pirates did this," reported a young officer in a Justice coat, striding up and saluting crisply. "Everyone aboard is dead. All valuables, including supplies and even twenty-four-pound cannons, have been stripped clean. Eighteen cannons are missing."
"Major (Lieutenant Commander) Bolton, tell me..." Asgai closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Is there any pirate crew in the first half of the Grand Line capable of wiping out the Crimson Man-Eating Flower?"
"I—what?" Major Bolton's eyes widened in shock.
"I just broke protocol and contacted Marineford directly," Asgai said grimly. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku ordered a full investigation. Even if we have to step into Alabasta's territory, so be it."
"Why would the Fleet Admiral issue such drastic orders? They're just a bunch of slavers!" Bolton exclaimed. The Kingdom of Alabasta wasn't just any World Government member—it held high standing among the member nations. Trespassing would be a serious diplomatic incident.
"Bolton," Asgai said, opening his eyes to fix the younger officer with a serious look. "You know the Crimson Man-Eating Flower's background: they have the backing of the Celestial Dragons, major nobles, and wealthy elites. They've even collaborated with pirates from the New World. And now... someone wiped them out without warning."
Bolton froze—then drew a sharp breath through his teeth.
"S-Sir... Is a storm about to sweep the Grand Line?"
"That's right," Asgai replied, his gaze narrowing sharply.
"The winds are rising—and it's happening just when the Navy's strength is stretched to its thinnest."
With the Navy's main forces locked in conflict against the New World's pirates, even the supposedly 'safe' Grand Line—the so-called "Paradise"—was now spiraling out of control.
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