Because of Luffy's unexpected intrusion into Marineford earlier, the Navy Headquarters had immediately tightened security. Kizaru had been assigned the task of guarding the heart of the Navy.
Currently, Kizaru sat alone in his office, his face a mask of relaxed indifference as he leisurely clipped his fingernails.
Bulu-bulu-bulu...
The specialized Den Den Mushi on his desk rang out.
Click.
"Moshi moshi..." Raising an eyebrow as he took the receiver, Kizaru drawled, "Speaking."
"Kizaru, head to the Sabaody Archipelago immediately. A Celestial Dragon has been murdered. Investigate the matter; the Navy Headquarters must give the World Nobles an explanation," Commander Kong's voice drifted through the snail.
"Kong-san..." Kizaru froze slightly, his mouth twitching. "Uhh... Sengoku-san told me to guard the headquarters... about that..."
"Kizaru, this matter requires an Admiral. Since Akainu and Aokiji are both on missions, you're the only one who can go," Sengoku's voice chimed in from the other end. "As for guarding the base, set it aside for now. Marineford is heavily fortified; no one is going to do anything outrageous right now."
Kizaru realized he wasn't getting out of this one. "Understood, Sengoku-san. I'll go have a look."
He let out a small sigh. What a mess. The trouble with Straw Hat Luffy hadn't even settled yet, and now this happened.
"Oh, by the way," Sengoku added just before hanging up. "The Celestial Dragon who was killed is the same one Straw Hat Luffy punched last time. Deal with it as you see fit."
Click.
Listening to the sudden silence of the dead line, Kizaru's eye twitched violently. Talk about "catching a bullet while lying down." He was already having a hard time holding his head up in front of the Nobles because of the Luffy incident. Now, the guy was just... gone.
Getting punched was enough to make the Celestial Dragons lose their minds; a murder would be nearly impossible to smooth over.
"Truly a troublesome bunch..."
A dejected Kizaru left his office and set sail for Sabaody on a warship. Arriving at the archipelago, he felt a sense of déjà vu, though unlike last time, the island was eerily devoid of pirates. News of the murder had likely sent every criminal fleeing in terror before the Admiral's wrath could descend.
Yellow Monkey led a contingent of Marines through the streets. A soldier soon ran up to report.
"Admiral! We have conducted a thorough search of the island. No suspects were found. Witnesses say that everyone present suddenly lost consciousness; by the time they woke up, the Noble was dead."
"Based on witness descriptions, they sketched these two suspects," the soldier said, handing two sheets of paper to Kizaru.
"Mmm..." Kizaru took the papers and immediately stared in shock.
"The... drawings aren't very clear, sir. There weren't any professional artists among the witnesses," the soldier added quickly, seeing Kizaru's bewildered expression.
Indeed, the sketches only had about a 50% resemblance to reality. But Kizaru recognized them instantly. It was Dragon Soul and Kenshin.
The drawings were rough, but the clothing was unmistakable. Dragon Soul in his signature short-shorts and slippers, and Kenshin in his distinct Japanese-style garb with a long blade.
"Search the whole island anyway. Don't leave a single corner unchecked. Go," Kizaru ordered. He sat down and stared at the sketches of Dragon Soul and Kenshin, muttering under his breath.
"Straw Hat... Dragon Soul... those four brothers really love causing trouble for people..."
In the New World.
The Blackbeard Pirates, having just finished off Jewelry Bonney's crew, were taking a break. They wanted to use Bonney as leverage to trade for a Navy warship, as their own raft was a joke.
However, the Navy was currently seething with rage. You were that arrogant at Marineford and you think you can pull this in the New World?
Consequently, Akainu himself came sailing in.
"A Navy warship is coming, but it doesn't look like they intend to hand it over," Van Augur said calmly.
"Hmm?" Blackbeard asked, surprised. "How do you know?"
"Akainu is on the ship."
"..."
"It's too early to fight him. Let's move, lads!" Blackbeard ordered. The crew executed a "strategic withdrawal."
By the time Akainu stepped onto the island, Blackbeard was long gone. He looked at the bound Bonney, his face expressionless.
Bulu-bulu-bulu...
Akainu pulled out a small Den Den Mushi. "Sakazuki speaking."
"It's Kizaru. Do you have a moment?"
"Kizaru? What is it?" Akainu asked.
"You're in the New World right now, aren't you? Something unbelievable just happened here."
"What?"
"Three hours ago, a Celestial Dragon was murdered at Sabaody."
Both Akainu and the captured Bonney froze.
"You said... a Celestial Dragon was killed?" Akainu asked to confirm.
"Yes. And the suspect is confirmed: it's one of the four brothers. Specifically, the one called Dragon Soul." Kizaru couldn't help but gripe, "Seriously, these four brothers..."
"Him!" A sharp light flashed in Akainu's eyes. He looked down at the faint scar on his chest—a mark of absolute humiliation.
"The investigation suggests he's already submerged and heading for the New World. I'm telling you this because—"
"I understand!" Akainu interrupted. He wanted nothing more than to tear Dragon Soul apart. Coming to the New World? Perfect.
"Mmm... then I'll hang up..." Kizaru ended the call, his heart light. He had finally passed the buck.
"No anomalies!?" Kizaru asked the returning Marines.
"None, sir. The suspect is likely gone."
"Good." Kizaru stood up and waved his hand. "We're going back. Let someone else deal with the aftermath."