33

After hearing Smoker's report, Sengoku was left speechless, shocked by the information. A Logia-type Devil Fruit user, capable of using Armament Haki, and immune to the effects of seastone—this was beyond anything he had ever expected. Cold sweat formed on Sengoku's forehead.

Such a powerful individual, yet completely unknown to the world. At just eighteen or nineteen years old... Sengoku was certain this boy had only just set sail.

To possess such immense strength at such a young age, and to be immune to seastone, was the most terrifying part. It meant that capturing him was virtually impossible unless he was incapacitated or completely deprived of his fighting ability.

And if this boy had a way to negate the effects of seastone…

Sengoku couldn't help but shudder. The thought of a Devil Fruit user who was immune to seastone was terrifying. If such an individual were to enter Impel Down, a riot would break out, and the deeper levels of the prison would be completely uncontrollable.

Sssss~!

Sengoku inhaled sharply, not daring to entertain such thoughts any longer. His immediate priority was to capture Tony and uncover the secrets he possessed.

But this was nothing more than a flight of fancy. There was no way Tony had a method to counteract the effects of seastone. If Tony knew what Sengoku was thinking, he would surely storm in front of him and say, "You're overthinking things, don't blame me for something that doesn't exist..."

However, Sengoku's caution was not unfounded. As the Admiral of the Marines, he had to guard against any threat to the Marines. If seastone could no longer restrain Devil Fruit users, the number of such individuals in the world would rise exponentially, and the crime rate would skyrocket.

Sengoku signaled Smoker not to make this information public, as it could provoke a rush from various factions trying to claim Tony. If news of Tony's powers spread, everyone would be curious to learn how he managed it, and the Marines would be severely weakened by it. For pirates, this would be nothing short of a blessing.

Seastone was a material the Marines had invested vast amounts of resources into researching, specifically to deal with Devil Fruit users. If seastone became ineffective, the losses would be devastating for the Marines.

Therefore, the Marines needed to capture Tony before anyone else found out.

"Understood, Admiral Sengoku," Smoker replied.

Smoker wasn't an idiot; he understood the gravity of the situation. After hanging up the transponder snail, Sengoku's frown didn't ease for a moment. Even with all his experience, he had never encountered a power like Tony's.

Sengoku's mind was heavy with worry.

"Garp, do you think it's possible for a Devil Fruit user to be immune to seastone's effects?"

The idea made Sengoku doubt whether Smoker was exaggerating or had misinterpreted what happened.

"...But Smoker's a cautious man. If he says it's true, then I don't think he would lie about it."

Garp, who had been listening to the conversation, chuckled and looked over at Sengoku.

"Sengoku, out on the sea, anything's possible. Isn't that what we're here to deal with?"

"If such a power really exists, I'd like to see it for myself!"

Sengoku, despite Garp's casual tone, couldn't shake the unease in his heart.

"Tony..." Sengoku muttered, the name echoing in his mind. He immediately ordered a bounty to be issued from the headquarters, raising it to 300 million Berries.

He dubbed Tony "The Flame Ruler" and gave him the title of the strongest new pirate king.

Meanwhile, Nami, his companion, was given a bounty of 15 million Berries, earning her the title of the "Little Thief Cat."

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T/N:

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