In an unknown location, a woman abruptly opened her eyes and gazed into the void. Suddenly, an eerie laugh echoed through the air.
"Hahaha! I never expected those foolish beings to send someone to kill me. But it's all good! Hehehe! This makes my plan so much easier," she chuckled, licking his lips. "Very soon, your divine body and mutated soul will be mine."
Meanwhile, aboard the Mary Geoise, the Five Elders gathered, and Kong spoke solemnly.
"Fellows! Lord Im has issued a decree. Kill the Purple Demon and retrieve his body." A powerful aura swept across the hall, and the Sword Elder stood up and spoke.
"It has been a long time since wrath descended upon the world. Perhaps it's time to show my worth. I shall go!"
"Wait!" one of the elders interjected. "Let Gluttony accompany you. Fetch him immediately. We must not underestimate this Purple Demon. Remember, Lord Im has just awoken to this matter, and it is far from a simple affair."
Reluctantly, the Sword Elder agreed and vanished from his spot. The four remaining elders continued the meeting, deciding to increase the bounty on the Purple Demon and issuing an order for the Marines to prioritize the capture of Azrael D. Franz.
Somewhere on the island of Wano, Kaido suddenly stood up and smiled. "Looks like old brother Wrath is coming too. I wonder who I'll get to feast on this time."
"Garp, what's going on? How can you look younger again? Explain!" Sengoku exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.
"Gyahahahaha! When I battled the Purple Demon, he wasn't satisfied with my strength. So, for the sake of a fair fight, he gave me healing water to restore my youth and bring me back to my peak condition. We battled for two days and two nights, and the outcome was a draw. So, I decided to let him go!" Garp laughed, clearly stretching the truth.
Sengoku furrowed his brows and turned to Aokiji, asking, "Is this true?"
Aokiji simply shook his head and replied, "I can't say. They left me alone with our crew!"
Tapping his finger on the table, Sengoku finally spoke, "The higher-ups have ordered an increase in the bounty on the Purple Demon and the prioritization of his capture. Garp, can you tell us about the abilities and strength of the Purple Demon so that we can strategize our plan?"
Garp's expression turned serious as he replied, "The Purple Demon can be compared to the combined strength of two Yonko in terms of raw power. His fighting ability is on par with our Fleet Admiral, proficient in Observation Haki, possesses Conqueror's Haki, and his Armament Haki is comparable to, if not better than, mine. He doesn't possess any Devil Fruit abilities, but the strange part is he can manipulate the elements through his body, levitate, fly, and even breathe and swim underwater. He is also highly skilled with a sword, reaching the mastery level. Right now, Shiki and the Purple Demon are on the same boat, so we should consider that as well."
Vice Admiral Tsuru chimed in, pondering the information. "Based on your description and the reports, you alone can stand on equal footing in combat with the Purple Demon. Furthermore, his battle-hungry nature and preference for direct confrontation can be used to our advantage. However, I suggest that to capture the Purple Demon, we need at least three Admirals and ten Vice Admirals, including Shiki. But both of our opponents can take advantage of their ability to fly, making escape easy for them. Therefore, we need to find a Devil Fruit user who can immobilize and restrain them. Perhaps we can call on Doflamingo to use his string-based abilities as a web, or even reinstate the former Admiral Issho and utilize his gravity fruit to hold them down."
"Hmm, the plan seems feasible!" Sengoku exclaimed, stroking his chin in contemplation. "Take heed of my words. This month, we must locate our targets and monitor them at all costs while preparing our task force for their capture. Once all the pieces are in place, we will proceed according to plan. This meeting is adjourned."
As the meeting adjourned, Sengoku's mind was filled with thoughts about Azrael D. Franz, the infamous Purple Demon. The reports and Garp's account had painted a vivid picture of a formidable adversary. Sengoku knew that capturing Franz would be no easy task. The man possessed an unparalleled strength, combining the might of two Yonko. It was a staggering power that demanded respect and caution.
Sengoku couldn't help but feel a mixture of awe and concern. The Purple Demon's mastery of Haki, particularly his proficiency in Observation, sent shivers down Sengoku's spine. It was as if Franz had an uncanny ability to foresee his opponents' every move, making him an elusive and unpredictable adversary.
But it wasn't just his Haki prowess that made Franz a fearsome opponent. The ability to manipulate the elements through his very body, levitate, fly, and even navigate underwater demonstrated an extraordinary range of skills. It was a combination of talents rarely seen in any individual, let alone someone with no Devil Fruit abilities.
And then there was the Purple Demon's skill with a sword—a true master of the blade. Sengoku knew that facing Franz in a direct confrontation would be a perilous endeavor. It would require a strategic approach, pooling the collective strength of their finest Admirals and Vice Admirals. Even then, success was far from guaranteed.
Sengoku pondered Vice Admiral Tsuru's suggestion of enlisting Devil Fruit users to counter Franz's aerial advantage. Doflamingo and his strings or Issho and his gravity fruit were both formidable choices. The challenge would be convincing them to aid the Marines, considering their past affiliations. Nonetheless, it was a risk worth taking if it meant increasing their chances of capturing the Purple Demon.
As Fleet Admiral, it was Sengoku's responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the world. The Purple Demon posed a threat that couldn't be ignored, and Sengoku was determined to see him brought to justice. He knew that the upcoming mission would require meticulous planning, unwavering resolve, and the coordination of their best forces.
Deep down, Sengoku couldn't help but admire Franz's strength and tenacity. There was a part of him that respected the Purple Demon's indomitable spirit, even as he recognized the danger it posed. It was a conflicting sentiment, but one that only served to fuel his determination to capture the enigmatic figure.
As he rose from his seat, Sengoku's eyes hardened with a steely resolve. The hunt for the Purple Demon would begin in earnest, and he would do everything in his power to ensure the mission's success. The fate of the world rested on their ability to bring Franz to justice, and Sengoku would not falter in the face of this daunting challenge.