085 The Demon-Hunting Order, Erasing Ohara (2)

The lantern flames flickered and danced. With a dark expression, Xuanye pushed the door open and stepped straight into the office of the Navy’s highest authority, the Fleet Admiral.

But today, the man seated there was different.

Zeff also entered the room soon after, saying nothing, only nodding to the others. His attitude made it plain that he had come to back Xuanye up.

“Mission.” Standing on the floor, Xuanye ignored Garp and the others beside him. His face was blank, and there was not a trace of deference in him. He merely looked coldly at Sengoku, who had already become Fleet Admiral.

“Dead Bird, don’t you know enough to salute when you see the Fleet Admiral and a brigadier general? Have you no manners at all?” On the side, Akainu wore a vicious expression. He had long disliked Xuanye, and not just for a day or two.

“Dead Dog, you’d best shut your mouth.” Xuanye glanced sideways, not hiding the murderous intent surging in him, as though he would lunge forward the next instant.

“Yo—” Akainu showed no fear and was about to rise and snap back at Xuanye.

“Akainu, shut up!” On the platform, Sengoku, dressed in the Fleet Admiral’s coat, looked darkly at Akainu.

Couldn’t he see that Xuanye was in a foul mood right now? He clearly lacked the ability, yet he kept provoking him. Truly beyond reason.

“Looks like that guy is in a terrible mood,” Tsuru said, resting both hands behind her head and shaking it.

So long as one was not blind, anyone could sense how badly Xuanye was feeling. Under such circumstances, it was best not to provoke him. No one doubted that Xuanye would not dare explode in this room.

“I’m busy. What is the mission?” Xuanye looked up at Sengoku, his tone icy.

Without wasting words, Sengoku also understood Xuanye’s temperament, and he knew why Xuanye was so irritated.

“One year ago, Vice Admiral Jaguar D. Saul of Naval Headquarters, a giant, betrayed the Navy and privately released Nico Olvia’s archaeological team. In response, the World Government ordered both of them hunted down without mercy, and issued a Buster Call to erase Ohara completely.”

A document appeared in Sengoku’s hand, which he handed to Xuanye.

Lowering his head, Xuanye glanced at the information in his hand and gave a disdainful laugh.

Ohara lay in the West Blue. It was famed as a sacred land of archaeology, and because it defied the World Government’s prohibition, the government had issued a Buster Call to wipe it out entirely.

“Because they were secretly studying the lost century, they must destroy Ohara for it?” After reading the file, Xuanye gave it a shake.

“This is the World Government’s order. So, will you go or not?” Sengoku pushed up the frog-eye glasses on his nose bridge and looked at Xuanye calmly.

“Tell me whether what Kizaru said is true or false.” Xuanye glanced at the lazily seated Kizaru.

“It’s true. This is the first mission.” Sengoku nodded.

“Then say the second one as well.” Xuanye raised an eyebrow.

“Go to Water 7 and capture the fish-man Tom. Dead or alive.”

“Hmph.” Xuanye snorted coldly. He understood then that the World Government had begun cleaning up everyone connected to the Pirate King. Perhaps they had started years ago, and Tom might well be their final target.

“After I complete the mission, I’ll go directly to Enies Lobby. That’s all.”

With that, Xuanye turned and left without the slightest hesitation. He wanted to finish these two missions in the shortest possible time. As for anything else, he feared nothing.

For that, even if tens of thousands had to die, he would not hesitate.

Anyone who stood in his way, no matter who they were, he would destroy without mercy.

“Wait!”

Suddenly, a calm voice sounded. Aokiji stood up, hesitated for a moment, then looked at Sengoku and said, “Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I request to go with Xuanye.”

“Why? Could it be that Xuanye’s strength still isn’t enough to complete these two missions?” Sengoku looked at Aokiji and sighed.

“Aokiji, you must understand that Jaguar D. Saul has to die!” Tsuru tapped the armrest of her chair, reminding him.

“I know. I’m only going to send him off on his final journey. As a friend, that is the best farewell. Please, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, grant my request.”

“No need. Let’s go.” Xuanye curled his lip, pushed open the door at once, called to Aokiji, and walked out of the room.

“Master, I’m going.” Passing in front of Zeff, Xuanye said a few words to him.

“Go on, and be careful,” Zeff nodded.

“Mm.”

And Aokiji, the rascal, actually did follow Xuanye out, leaving only their backs for the others to see.

“Fleet Admiral Sengoku, that dead bird ignored orders and scorned his superior. Such an undisciplined vice admiral is a disgrace to the Navy,” Akainu said, not missing the chance, and harshly criticized Xuanye.

“Hahaha, he’s got character,” Garp said with a laugh, chewing on a doughnut.

Tsuru only shook her head.

“All right, today’s meeting ends here. Dismissed.” Sengoku waved a hand.

“Fleet Admiral!” Akainu still wanted to say something, but Garp cut him off.

“Kid Akainu, don’t let hatred blind your eyes, especially when you’re biting off more than you can chew.”

With that, Garp took the lead and strode out, laughing heartily.

“You...” Akainu’s face grew darker, veins bulging on his hands.

“Ah... truly fire and oil. Every time I attend one of these meetings, I can feel such immense pressure,” Kizaru said, patting his chest as though frightened, then slowly made his way out.

“Hmph...” In the end, Akainu only snorted coldly and left as well.

From beginning to end, Zeff had merely watched all this calmly. Before leaving, however, he turned his back to Sengoku and Tsuru and said, “Sengoku, Tsuru, do not disappoint me.”

“Zeff...” Looking at that familiar figure from behind, Sengoku sighed.

“Tsuru, do you really think Xuanye will betray the Navy?” Sengoku’s expression was somewhat troubled.

“Perhaps we are overthinking it,” Tsuru frowned, clearly having a headache as well.

“With Zeff here, and with the government’s intelligence capabilities still needed, by rights he has no reason to betray the Navy.”

“That’s true. Perhaps we really are overthinking it. After all, with Zeff here, and given Xuanye’s respect for his master, he would not let his teacher fall into such a dilemma,” Sengoku said, nodding in agreement.

“Still, this mission... why choose Xuanye? Kizaru and Akainu would both have been suitable.” Though she had already thought of the reason, Tsuru still could not help asking.

“There are only two possibilities. Either the Five Elders are testing Xuanye, or they are cultivating him.”

“Looks like the Five Elders value Xuanye highly.”

“Perhaps.” Sengoku gathered the documents on the desk.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first.” Tsuru seemed on the verge of saying more, but in the end swallowed the suspicion in her heart.

“Mm.” Sengoku nodded with a smile.

“Ah... Sengoku, I’m sorry. For Tashigi, for Zeff, I have to keep this hidden.” Turning away, Tsuru felt somewhat unable to bear it. This was the first time she had ever hesitated over something like this.

Several years ago, Tsuru had discovered that Xuanye might possess the qualities of a supreme king, because in Water 7, through a surveillance den-den mushi, she had noticed something unusual.

Yet she had kept this discovery buried in her heart. First, she was not certain; second, she was not quite willing to believe it. But after years of secret investigation, Tsuru was convinced there was more than a sixty percent chance that Xuanye possessed that rare kingly disposition.

She understood very well that a man with the qualifications of a king could not be manipulated at will. And yet, deep down, she still felt a measure of relief, because Xuanye had many attachments, and so far he had shown no sign of ambition.

So she planned to wait a little longer.

Among her friends, there was already one man who could use the power of a supreme king. Having seen that lesson before, Tsuru thought that perhaps Xuanye might become the next Garp.

Some say Garp can use the power of a supreme king; others say he cannot. But judging from Garp’s pursuit of Roger, Dragon, and Luffy, the odds that he can are certainly above eighty or ninety percent.

Well, perhaps some readers disagree, but there is nothing to be done. I can only ask for your understanding.

Also, starting from the next chapter, there will definitely be readers who want to curse me! I am truly helpless about it!

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