Chapter 462: Analysis, Carmel Surfaces!
Sakazuki understood perfectly—if the rumors spreading across the seas were confirmed as truth, then even finding the real culprit later would be meaningless. The Navy's reputation would already be destroyed.
This matter needed to be investigated quickly, before it spread any further. And more importantly, they needed to show the world that the Navy was taking action.
"Have you contacted Morgans?" Sakazuki asked after a moment's thought.
When it came to intelligence, there was no better choice. Morgans had thrived for years in both the light and the shadows because everyone needed him—the World Government, the Navy, even the pirates. His reach was wide, and his survival depended on it.
"We've already reached out," Zikas replied. "Morgans agreed to assist in the investigation, but most of his attention right now is focused on the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
Sakazuki frowned slightly.
Zikas hesitated, then added, "Do you think… the Dragon Hunter Pirates might be involved?"
The question lingered in the air.
It wasn't unreasonable. The Dragon Hunter Pirates were the strongest independent force on the seas now, powerful enough to rival the Navy itself. Their recent behavior had been suspicious too—they had handed over Heracles and offered cooperation in naval operations.
Were they planning something? Or was it the World Government making its move again, now that they'd lost control over the Navy?
Still, even if the World Government was behind it, why now? Why wait so long to act?
Zikas's suspicions leaned heavily toward the Dragon Hunter Pirates.
"The Dragon Hunter Pirates?" Sakazuki said, his voice firm. "No. They wouldn't stoop to something this low."
He stood, eyes steady. "A man who could say 'Are kings, princes, generals, and ministers not all equal beneath the same sky?'—and who freed countless slaves—wouldn't do something like this. Frankly, compared to them, we might be the ones who've lost our sense of justice."
Zikas blinked, caught off guard by the Admiral's words.
"Go," Sakazuki ordered after a pause. "If there's any new information, report immediately."
Zikas hesitated as if wanting to speak again, but seeing Sakazuki's expression, he simply bowed and left.
As the doors closed, Borsalino stepped out from the shadows.
"Well, what do you think?" Sakazuki asked, rubbing his temple.
Though he'd spoken confidently before, doubt still gnawed at him. He trusted the Dragon Hunter Pirates more than most—but what about the rest of the world?
If enough people were manipulated into believing the pirates were responsible, the tide of public opinion would turn instantly. The Dragon Hunter Pirates wouldn't be the ones struggling to clear their name—the Navy would.
The Navy had only just started rebuilding its relationships with smaller nations, earning back bits of trust and resources. Another scandal could shatter all of that progress.
Borsalino, ever calm, finally spoke. "It's obvious this wasn't the Dragon Hunter Pirates' doing. Massacring civilians? That's far beneath their style."
He tilted his head lazily. "If they wanted to deal with the Navy, they'd just infiltrate from within—slowly, methodically. Not like this. Still, Zikas's suspicions are worrying. You should look into him quietly."
Sakazuki nodded. "Agreed. We'll verify everything once Fujitora sends back his report."
Just then, a soldier entered the room. "Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, sir! Someone requests an audience—claims to be from the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
"The Dragon Hunter Pirates?" Sakazuki's expression sharpened. "Let them in."
If they were reaching out directly, perhaps they had answers. And truthfully, only the Dragon Hunter Pirates had enough influence to push Morgans into taking this investigation seriously.
Two figures stepped through the doors shortly after.
They were both young but carried a presence that commanded respect. Sakazuki recognized them immediately.
Captain Levi—leader of the Dragon Hunter Pirates' logistics division, the man who single-handedly repelled a fleet of wandering giants that threatened sea trade routes.
And beside him, Kirito—the Black Swordsman, once a world-recruited warrior who rose through the chaos of the World Government war to become captain of the Celestial Dragon Guard.
Seeing them, Sakazuki's unease softened slightly. At least it wasn't a confrontation.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki. Admiral Borsalino." Levi spoke first, cutting straight to the point. "You've heard about the massacres spreading across the Grand Line, haven't you?"
Sakazuki nodded. "We have. Do the Dragon Hunter Pirates know anything?"
"We do." Levi placed a small folder of documents on the desk. "Our investigation suggests the attackers aren't human. They appear to be modified beings—part human, part machine. And the strands of scarlet hair left at the scenes? They match no known species or race."
He paused, his voice dropping. "Preliminary conclusion: the attackers are creations of the World Government's special research division."
Sakazuki exchanged a sharp look with Borsalino, scanning the papers quickly.
Cyborgs. Enhanced humans.
Borsalino had seen this before. Back when Vegapunk still worked with the Navy's Science Division, these projects were just beginning to take form. But after Vegapunk's disappearance, all communication with the research branch had been severed.
And now… this.
"This reeks of him," Borsalino muttered darkly.
"Who?" Sakazuki asked immediately.
"Carmel," Borsalino said. "The World Government's chief research scholar. His work is different from Vegapunk's. Vegapunk focused on bloodline factors and mechanical enhancements. Carmel, though…" He exhaled slowly. "He specializes in direct biological alteration—modifying humans into something unrecognizable."
He remembered the man well. Cold, brilliant, and terrifyingly unhinged. Even then, Borsalino had sensed something dangerous about him.
"It's possible," he continued grimly, "that Carmel's research has reached a breakthrough—and he's using these massacres to collect experimental material."
Levi's jaw tightened. "So the missing villagers… they weren't killed. They were taken."
Kirito, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward and drew a photo from his coat. "Carmel, right?" he asked, showing the image.
Borsalino's eyes narrowed. "That's him."
Kirito's voice dropped cold. "Our second division captain, Chrollo, once crossed paths with this man. Said he was insane—a monster wearing a scientist's face."
He clenched the photo in his fist. "Looks like we'll be facing plenty more like him before this war is over."
[TL: You can also check out my newly released fanfic, Bleach: Ichigo Takes Over the Soul Society – just visit my profile if you want to read it.]
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