Kizaru frowned deeply. He had always assumed the Raiden Ei was a Devil Fruit User, possessing the power to control lightning and the ability to freely retrieve objects. There was no way she wasn't a Devil Fruit User, right?
If she were a Devil Fruit User, why wouldn't she turn into a landlubber upon touching seawater? On this great sea, it had long been established.
Anyone who consumes a Devil Fruit will definitely be rejected by the sea.
It's fundamentally impossible for them to swim in the ocean like normal people. Yet, here appeared an anomaly who was likely a Devil Fruit User yet could swim in the sea.
Kizaru, whose mind hadn't quite caught up, took out a den den mushi and pressed a button on it. He needed to report this mission to the Fleet Admiral now.
"Poru poru."
"Kacha."
The den den mushi was connected in no time. Its expression became lively, as if it had gained a soul at that moment. The majestic voice of Kong came from the den den mushi's mouth.
"Moshi moshi! Who is this?"
"Moshi moshi, reporting to the Fleet Admiral, this is Kizaru."
"Oh! Kizaru, how did the mission go? Do you need any assistance now that you're contacting me?"
"That's not it, Fleet Admiral. This mission has failed."
"What happened! With your combat strength and that of CP, dealing with the Raiden Ei shouldn't have been difficult!"
"Uh... Hengkitari was killed by the Raiden Ei using Conquerors Haki Infusion."
"Pa!" A sound of a table slamming echoed from the den den mushi.
"What is going on? How does she possess Conquerors Haki? And she learned Conquerors Haki Infusion!"
"She said she saw Admiral Sengoku using it last night, and then she learned it while fighting us, even using it to kill Hengkitari."
"What was the entire process like? How did she escape?"
"The Raiden Ei was already exhausted. Who knew that a Devil Fruit User would jump into the sea and escape from the water? And she actually got away."
"What! Isn't she a Devil Fruit User? How could she have the strength to escape in the sea?
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
We must have made a mistake somewhere."
Kizaru calmly held the den den mushi, waiting for Kong's reply.
"Pa, I figured it out."
"Oh, Fleet Admiral, what did you figure out?"
"Kizaru, you know that the sea rejects Devil Fruit Users. So, ruling out all impossibilities leaves only one explanation."
Kizaru's expression also turned serious: "What is it?"
"The Raiden Ei is not a Devil Fruit User, but rather belongs to a race with special abilities.
A long, long time ago, there were many races with special abilities, but they have since gone extinct. However, there should still be a small number of survivors. I just didn't expect the Raiden Ei to be one of them."
"Oh, I understand."
"Alright, Kizaru, I will investigate this matter thoroughly. Don't worry about the CP issue; I will handle it.
You should go to Loguetown and await orders for now. I will send people to assist you. You absolutely cannot let her enter the Grand Line."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral."
"Kacha."
Kizaru put away the den den mushi. Having finished his report, he ignored the two warships stunned by the Conquerors Haki and leisurely flew towards Loguetown in his element form.
Toryu Island
Ever since being struck by the Raiden Ei's sword last night, Sengoku had expected his deep, bone-piercing wound to heal quickly. However, he could barely move until the Marine warship arrived.
Thus, the heavily wounded Sengoku was carried onto the warship's infirmary. Only now did he feel his body could move, though his movements were still very stiff.
"This is the first time I've sustained such a serious injury since becoming an Admiral!" Sengoku muttered to himself while lying on the sickbed, feeling a bit reflective about his predicament: "I wonder if she was killed?"
"Bang!" The door to the warship's infirmary was kicked open. The sound arrived before the person did.
"Hahahaha, Sengoku, you've become famous!"
A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a Marine coat, walked in through the broken doorway.
Hearing that voice, Sengoku knew who it was without even looking. He frowned deeply and roared at the newcomer: "Garp, stop destroying doors! How many times is this!"
"Haha, what's the big deal? If it breaks, just replace it with a new one." Garp said nonchalantly, walking to the bedside to examine Sengoku.
"Sengoku, what happened to you? Today's World Economic News Report headline is about you being defeated by someone in the East Blue. Which rookie is so strong? Where is he now? Let me go take a look."
Sengoku covered his face with one hand. Talking about being defeated by a rookie in front of his old comrade was quite embarrassing. But with an old friend, he could afford to be open about it. It was just one embarrassing incident; one more wouldn't make a difference. It wouldn't hurt to laugh about it after telling the story.
"It's a girl named the Raiden Ei. Judging by her appearance, she shouldn't be older than 20. But the slash she delivered was truly powerful; even using my full strength, I couldn't fully block it."
Garp looked at the bandages wrapped around Sengoku and used Observation Haki to sense him. He was indeed very weak now, probably because he hadn't eaten any meat: "Hahahaha, do you want me to take revenge for you? Why are you still lying here? A minor injury like this can be healed just by eating some meat and sleeping!"
The veins on Sengoku's forehead throbbed, and his afro twitched with anger as he roared at Garp: "Don't apply your standards to other people!"
"Hahahaha!"
Sengoku didn't bother arguing with the old rascal; he always managed to gloss over things like this: "Garp, aren't you on vacation? Why do you have time to come here?"
"Oh! I only found out you were defeated and seriously injured in the East Blue after seeing the newspaper today. I had to come see who beat you, and besides, it's not far."
"Hehe, you still have a little conscience. But revenge isn't necessary; the Fleet Admiral has already sent Kizaru to capture her."
"That lazy kid? If even you could be defeated by her, do you think he can handle it?"
"The Raiden Ei probably used some method to become so strong. There must be some limitation, otherwise, I wouldn't have survived. Kizaru should be enough."
"Hahahaha, then I really want to spar with her."
Just as Sengoku was about to retort to Garp, the clothes placed nearby started making noise: "Poru poru." He pulled out the ringing den den mushi from his pocket.
"Kacha."
After connecting, Kong's voice came through: "Sengoku, this is Kong. How is your condition now?"
"Fleet Admiral, I'm much better now, but my wounds haven't fully recovered, so I can't fight yet."
"I see! Then focus on recuperating! We have a result regarding the Raiden Ei.
Today, Kizaru and CP discovered her on a deserted island. They engaged in a fierce battle, and the Raiden Ei used Conquerors Haki Infusion to kill that CP agent.
She probably isn't a Devil Fruit User. She simply jumped into the sea to escape after being exhausted, and Kizaru ultimately failed to keep her."
Before Sengoku could speak, Garp asked first: "Conquerors Haki Infusion?"
"Hmm? Garp, are you with Sengoku?"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral. Garp is right next to me."
"That's perfect then. Garp, I'm assigning you the task of capturing the Raiden Ei. Go to Loguetown to ask Kizaru for the specifics.
You must complete this mission as quickly as possible. The World Government has already given the order—she absolutely cannot be allowed to enter the Grand Line."
Garp flatly refused: "I refuse to work for those trash."
Sengoku and Kong roared loudly: "Garp, stop speaking nonsense!"
"The Raiden Ei is now a great pirate with a bounty over a billion. Garp, you must go, even if it's just to kill her," Kong commanded Garp with a stern tone.
Garp finally had to comply: "I'll go. Whether I find her or not is not my concern; I am only responsible for taking action."
"Good, that settles it. CP will find her. Hurry to Loguetown, and Kizaru will assist you."
"Kacha."
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