The Konoha Pirates' ship was bustling with activity.
Uchiha Madara had already activated his Sharingan, carefully staring at the white anti-eavesdropping Radio Snail in front of him, using his Sharingan to begin documenting the transcription seal.
Because the Konoha Pirates were about to have their first exchange with the Navy Admiral, it was also their first dialogue with the higher-ups; this initial contact had to be recorded.
Navy Headquarters, Marineford.
Admiral Sengoku the Buddha leisurely sipped his red tea and enjoyed his favorite rice crackers, savoring the brief joy before work began.
Before starting work, he received a piece of good news from Lieutenant Akihara Kagura. The battleship escorting Clown Buggy had already crossed the Inverted Mountain and entered the Grand Line. They would stop at the Drum Kingdom to treat Smoker and, on the way, arrest Straw Hat Luffy, sending both Luffy and Buggy to Impel Down.
"I hope Garp won't be too upset."
While Sengoku was self-soothing about his old friend and planning to call Aokiji to inquire about his news, a call came in.
"Bulu bulu bulu..."
The Radio Snail's voice was somewhat dull.
Sengoku put down his rice crackers and answered the snail call, seeing the appearance of his Radio Snail gradually transform into that of Aokiji.
"Kuzan, are you still aware of reporting in?"
Sengoku's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction, sternly rebuking, "Since the Log Town incident, I've been waiting for your news, detailed intelligence..."
"Apologies."
Aokiji proactively apologized to Sengoku, his voice sincerely saying, "The situation changed a bit. I was captured while pursuing the enemy..."
"Don't joke about that!"
Sengoku's face quickly drooped.
In the entire world, no enemy could capture Aokiji. As an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, his combat power was among the world's best. Even if defeated, he couldn't be captured!
Such a joke...
Is this guy intentionally teasing him?
Using such a lame excuse to avoid answering calls for a few days!?
After all, I know him. I'd only scold him a few times; it's not like I could punish him at this moment, right?
"Alright, you don't need to make excuses. I won't pursue what happened these past few days."
Sengoku directly bypassed this exchange, asking in a deep voice, "First, tell me what exactly happened at Log Town. I heard that damned Dragon also appeared there, and an unknown pirate injured Smoker..."
"I'm sorry..."
Aokiji did not answer Sengoku's words, his voice just subsided, "Admiral Sengoku, I wasn't joking just now..."
"Hand me the Radio Snail."
A voice came from the other side of the snail.
Someone took Aokiji's Radio Snail and straightforwardly said, "Is this Admiral Sengoku? This is the Konoha Pirates, and we have your admiral."
"..."
Sengoku's mind instantly went blank.
Impossible...
Someone actually captured a Navy Admiral!
No...
That's not the focus right now...
The fact that the World Government's highest combat power was captured is more shocking than the death of a Heavenly Celestial Dragon. If this becomes known, the whole sea will become chaotic!
The balance of power in the sea is maintained by the balance between the World Government and the Four Emperors of the New World. The capture of a Navy Admiral has already disrupted this balance!
"What do you want?"
Sengoku quickly composed himself.
As a mature Navy Admiral, he cared more about maintaining order and was never concerned about the embarrassment of compromising with pirates.
"First, release Clown Buggy."
The voice from the snail was calmer than Sengoku the Buddha, as if they had thought of something and casually said, "Hmm, then prepare a hundred Devil Fruits and a hundred Devil Fruit Users..."
"Be realistic."
Sengoku coldly interrupted him.
Stop dreaming!
Even on the entire sea, Devil Fruit Users are quite rare, and the Navy isn't a Fruit factory. How can they obtain so many fruits!
"Make a counteroffer."
The person on the other end of the snail directly suggested to Sengoku.
"..."
Sengoku the Buddha was rendered speechless by that suggestion.
Of course, I want to negotiate!
But your asking price is way too high!
At least give a reasonable price first, so I can negotiate reasonably!
Still...
The situation isn't completely terrible.
Sengoku's eyes slightly narrowed. He could roughly gauge that this pirate crew urgently needed Clown Buggy, with other demands being additional...
But...
Clown Buggy isn't suitable for an exchange.
Because Clown Buggy killed a Heavenly Celestial Dragon, the whole world knows about it, and the World Government has ordered that he must be executed as a warning!
If even Clown Buggy cannot be dealt with, where is the Heavenly Celestial Dragon's and the World Government's dignity? Who would respect them?
Sengoku could only use this negotiation to try to gain their trust. After rescuing Aokiji from the pirate crew, he would personally lead Admirals and Vice Admirals to quickly eliminate this burgeoning pirate crew!
If he wanted to gain the other side's trust through negotiation...
He had to use some tactics, rather than simply agreeing to what the other side asked for!
After all...
Empty promises come across as insincere!
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