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Just as Akado was reviewing Roger's remaining memories.
Loguetown Naval Branch — Admiral Sengoku's Office
The transponder snail's eyes blinked lazily as the deep voice of Fleet Admiral Kong echoed from the other end.
Before Sengoku could respond, a rapid knock rattled the door.
"Admiral Sengoku, sir! We've found a lead on the man who stole Roger's body!"
Sengoku froze for half a second, his eyes sharp. "Hold on, Kong. Something's come up."
He snapped the receiver shut and turned toward the door. "Come in!"
The door swung open and Major Roerna from Naval Headquarters stepped inside, saluting crisply.
"I believe I've pieced together the method the culprit used to infiltrate the execution platform," he began, his tone steady but urgent.
"Let's hear it," Sengoku said, leaning forward.
Roerna laid it out like a detective presenting the final reveal:
"First — the two official executioners, Ruhl and Sykes, were both long-time residents of Loguetown. Clean records, nothing suspicious in their histories."
He paced as he spoke, ticking the points off on his fingers.
"On the day of the execution, we arrested over three hundred troublemakers. Two hundred thirty-six were confirmed locals. The rest were pirates or drifters."
"The ability we saw during the chaos — phasing through walls — isn't something common. I believe the enemy is capable of complete physical assimilation. They likely swallowed one of the executioners — body, clothes, everything — then transformed perfectly into their appearance and simply took their place."
"Two patrol marines also vanished without a trace the night before the execution. I suspect they met the same fate. Which means the culprit could have been walking among us for hours — even days — before the execution began."
Sengoku's brow furrowed. "Go on."
"I reviewed all recent missing persons reports," Roerna continued. "In the past two months alone, over two hundred people have disappeared in or around Loguetown. Only one of those missing persons matches someone who was arrested during the execution day riots."
The major's voice hardened.
"His name is Carmel. Locals don't know exactly when he arrived in town. He claims he got drunk that night and passed out, but neither of the two taverns he's known to frequent saw him at all. It's possible Carmel never left the culprit's stomach… or perhaps Carmel is the culprit."
Sengoku considered this in silence for a long moment. "Your reasoning is sound. And if what you've deduced is true… then the enemy may also possess some form of resurrection. The red shadow we witnessed suggests a revival ability — otherwise, why allow themselves to be killed in the first place?"
Roerna's jaw tightened. "Then… they've already escaped."
Sengoku nodded grimly. "It's very likely."
But Roerna didn't move to leave.
"Admiral," he said quietly.
"There's… still one more thing."
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