One Piece: The warrior of Justice

The grandiose walls of Navy Headquarters in Marineford exuded authority, their pristine white stone gleaming under the midday sun. At the heart of this fortress of justice, in a room lined with detailed maps and Den Den Mushi, sat Fleet Admiral Sengoku, his brows furrowed deeply. The tension in the room was palpable as the Den Den Mushi on his desk emitted the faint crackle of a recently disconnected call.

The Five Elders had spoken. The command was clear: capture or eliminate Gadgil D. Atharva, and issue a bounty of 100 million berries—a staggering amount for a first bounty.

Sengoku leaned back in his chair, letting out a weary sigh. His mind churned as he processed the implications of the name he had just heard. Atharva. His thoughts lingered on the "D" in the name. The "Will of D" was not something to be taken lightly—it was a burden, a mystery, and a harbinger of chaos.

His gaze drifted to a framed photo on his desk: Donquixote Rosinante, his adopted son. Memories of Rosinante's tragic demise stirred a pang of grief in his heart. He clenched his fists, shaking his head as if to dispel the painful emotions. Now wasn't the time for reflection.

Calling Vice Admiral Tsuru

Sengoku picked up another Den Den Mushi and dialed. Moments later, the calm yet commanding voice of Vice Admiral Tsuru, his trusted strategist, came through.

"Fleet Admiral. What is it?"

"I need your insight on this," Sengoku said, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "A new bounty is to be issued—Gadgil D. Atharva, 100 million berries. First bounty."

Tsuru was silent for a moment, then replied, "The Five Elders wouldn't assign such a bounty lightly. What do we know about this Atharva?"

Sengoku summarized what little they knew: the mask, the name, and the reported activities—freeing slaves, fighting pirates, and protecting islands.

Tsuru's brow furrowed as she pieced the information together. "A bounty this high for a first-time offender suggests a significant incident. He must have done something that directly threatens the World Government."

Sengoku nodded. "The timing aligns with his departure from the Frauce Kingdom. Open the map of East Blue."

A Theory Unfolds

Tsuru spread out a map, her finger tracing potential locations. Her experienced eyes scanned the region until her hand paused over a specific spot: Tequila Wolf, the colossal bridge under perpetual construction.

"This," she said, tapping the location, "would explain everything. If something happened here, the World Government would go to great lengths to cover it up."

Sengoku leaned over, his expression serious. "You think he attacked Tequila Wolf?"

"It's possible," Tsuru replied. "If slaves were freed, it would explain the bounty and the Elders' urgency. And the mention of 'D'... it all fits."

The two exchanged a glance, their thoughts aligning. Without another word, Sengoku reached for the Den Den Mushi, dialing Lieutenant Commander Jared Falk of the Frauce Kingdom's patrol.

The Call to Frauce Kingdom

The Den Den Mushi connected after a few rings, and a firm voice answered. "Lieutenant Commander Jared Falk, reporting."

"Falk," Sengoku began, "did anything unusual happen near your patrol zone recently? Any reports of disturbances?"

There was a pause on the other end before Falk responded. "Nothing abnormal during the day, sir. But…"

Sengoku and Tsuru straightened, sensing the hesitation.

"At night," Falk continued, "the patrol reported unusual weather near the Tequila Wolf bridge. The sky darkened, and red lightning streaked across the horizon. The air itself felt… heavy, as if something monumental was happening."

"Red lightning?" Tsuru echoed, her eyes narrowing.

"Yes, ma'am," Falk confirmed. "The patrol didn't investigate directly but noted that the phenomenon lasted about thirty minutes before everything returned to normal."

Sengoku's breath caught. He exchanged a sharp glance with Tsuru, who voiced what both were thinking:

"Conqueror's Haki."

The realization sent a chill through the room. Sengoku took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Good work, Falk. Continue your patrols and report any further anomalies." He ended the call, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

Analyzing the Situation

Tsuru folded her arms, her analytical mind racing. "If he used Conqueror's Haki, it explains the reports of freed slaves and the government's involvement. He likely fought a CP0 agent and escaped."

Sengoku nodded, his thoughts returning to the mask-wearing man who had been making waves in the East Blue. "His actions thus far—freeing slaves, fighting pirates, protecting villages—they point to someone with a strong sense of justice. But if he truly possesses Conqueror's Haki…"

"He's dangerous," Tsuru finished.

Sengoku frowned. "Should we deploy ships to search for the escaped slaves?"

Tsuru considered this. "That might be premature. Let's see how the situation unfolds. We'll monitor Tequila Wolf closely."

Sengoku leaned back, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The "D" in Atharva's name loomed over him like a shadow, a reminder of a will that could not be extinguished.

To Be Continued...