Chapter 10: Eager Sengoku

Marine Headquarters, Mary Geoise

In the Marshal's office, Sengoku supported his forehead as he looked at the military deployment map on the table, his brows furrowed.

With the words spoken by the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, before his death, a large number of pirates had started pouring into the Grand Line, and the Marine forces were starting to feel strained.

Although they had the Three Admirals as the top combat power, these three individuals were obviously problematic. Kizaru, who simply clocked in and collected his monthly salary, spent most of his time idling around. Aokiji was lazy compared to the previous two but still got things done to some extent. However, some of Akainu's actions were too radical, and Sengoku didn't particularly appreciate his absolute sense of justice.

And then there were the pirates.

The Four Emperors of the New World were watching, each possessing the power to casually destroy a country, not to mention the powerful pirates under their command.

"The current Marines need an infusion of fresh blood, especially individuals with exceptional talents!" Sengoku sighed again, feeling the scarcity of talent.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocking came, and a Marine soldier entered the office. After saluting, he took out a Den Den Mushi and solemnly said, "Reporting to the Marshal! Colonel Rode from the 155th East Blue Marine Branch has sent a message, saying he has important information to report to headquarters!"

"East Blue? Is it about that Brand pirate crew causing trouble a few days ago? Those damn trash on the seas!" Sengoku's mood worsened. He nodded to dismiss the soldier and then connected the call with Rode.

"Moshi moshi, this is the Marine Headquarters. I am Marshal Sengoku. Colonel Rode, what important information do you have to report?"

The Den Den Mushi on Rode's end immediately simulated an excited expression as he opened his mouth and said, "Marshal Sengoku, I am Colonel Rode. We have received a new recruit with extremely powerful talent at our recruitment office! His name is Uchiha Chika!"

"An extremely talented new recruit??" Sengoku became excited. Hearing such news during this period was truly a great help.

But when he realized it was from the East Blue Marine Branch, he couldn't help but doubt it. After all, it was difficult for any new recruit with exceptional talent to appear in the weakest sea region. He thought that Rode might have been overly excited from spending too much time in the East Blue and seeing someone with a bit of strength.

With that thought, Sengoku's emotions that had just risen fell back down.

"Well, I understand. Can you describe specifically what this exceptional talent of Uchiha Chika is?"

"This Uchiha Chika possesses many abilities. Firstly, he has strong physical abilities, and he also has a suspected ability to control gravity and repulsion. He can fly and easily lift the entire Marine Branch building into the sky, and then gently put it back down!"

"What!?"

Upon hearing this, Sengoku became agitated. As the highest-ranking officer of the Marine Headquarters and one of the most powerful individuals in the world, Sengoku had a keen eye for talent.

Flight and the ability to control gravity and repulsion were all incredibly powerful abilities. Could it be a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit power?

Moreover, the fact that Uchiha Chika was able to effortlessly lift an entire Marine Branch building into the sky indicated that he was highly proficient in using his abilities.

Could it be that they had truly struck gold? Sengoku found it somewhat unbelievable.

At that moment, Rode's voice resounded once again.

"He single-handedly annihilated the Brand pirate crew! The captain turned into a charred corpse, and the other pirates were turned into black balls. He claims to have the ability to control fire! And...!" Rode paused for a moment.

"He's only sixteen years old!"

"..."

Silence.

"Marshal... Marshal Sengoku?" Rode, sensing the lack of response for a while, thought that he might have exaggerated too much. He cautiously asked, "Are you there, Marshal?"

"I'm here!"

Sengoku snapped back to reality, and then his face turned red. He shouted loudly into the Den Den Mushi, "Colonel Rode, you've done well! Headquarters will immediately dispatch warships to escort him. During this period, make sure he experiences the sincerity of our Marines!"

"Understood, Marshal Sengoku!"

After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku took a deep breath and prepared to arrange the issue of sending warships to the East Blue.

Bang!

The door was forcefully pushed open.

"Sengoku! I want to go back to the East Blue and see my grandson!"

The person who entered was Vice Admiral Garp, a legendary figure in the Marine Headquarters. He walked up to Sengoku's desk with his finger in his nose, casually shouting at Sengoku.

Sengoku looked at his annoying friend with a headache. This guy not only neglected his duties but also influenced Aokiji to become mischievous. He even enjoyed disturbing Sengoku and stealing his manju!

Just as Sengoku was about to reprimand this bothersome fellow, suddenly, an idea brightened his mind.

He could take advantage of this opportunity and send Garp to escort him. Despite Garp's usual lack of discipline, his reputation was well-known. Wouldn't it be a better demonstration of the Marines' sincerity to send him?

Sengoku realized his own wisdom!

A gentle smile appeared on Sengoku's face.

"Alright, I agree!"

"Oh, it's been a long time since I last saw my grandson. This time, you... Huh?!"

Garp was about to offer some excuses. As per usual, Garp would definitely refuse sternly, and then Sengoku would use persuasion, threats, and other means to make him compromise.

But unexpectedly, it went so smoothly this time?

Sengoku's unusual behavior left Garp bewildered, and he stood frozen in place for a moment.

Sengoku also realized that his actions were out of character. He coughed awkwardly twice and then said seriously, "I'll allow you to go, but you have to help me pick up someone on the way. He's stationed at Marine Branch 155 in the East Blue."

"Picking up someone? Who?"

"A new Marine recruit named Uchiha Chika!"