The humid air in Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office clung to me, thick with the scent of old parchment and the underlying saltiness of the sea I had served for fourteen years. Sunlight, heavy with dust, slanted through the window, illuminating the silver in the Fleet Admiral's goatee. I stood before him, Lazarus, nearing thirty-four, my jaw set with years of facing the Grand Line's dangers.
"Vice Admiral Lazarus," Fleet Admiral Sengoku began, his voice a low rumble. "Garp informs me you harbor... ambitions."
Ambitions. I simply just want farm pirates, to upgrade my Supreme King Haki who still stuck at novice level.
"Fleet Admiral, to make myself stronger I require practical application," I stated, my gaze meeting his. "Therefore, I respectfully request a warship to patrol and engage active pirate threats."
A faint twitch touched his lips. He knew my eagerness, the relentless drive Garp had both encouraged and restrained.
"Garp's protégé, still eager after fourteen years. Before I grant your request," he paused, his eyes sharp, "are you acquainted with the Marine's SWORD division?"
SWORD division? The name was foreign. "SWORD division? No, Fleet Admiral. I have no knowledge of such a unit."
Fleet Admiral Sengoku leaned forward. "It is a Marine Headquarters Secret Special Force. Currently, it exists merely as a name on old ledgers. No members, no leader. It faded some time ago." His gaze was piercing. "I intend to revive this division, Lazarus. And I want you to be its leader."
Leader? Of a secret, defunct division? Unexpected. My mind raced.
"Me, Fleet Admiral? But I possess no information regarding this division."
"Precisely," he countered, a hint of a smile returning. "It will be yours to shape. Furthermore," he continued, his voice lowering, "members of SWORD operate with unique autonomy. They can disregard orders detrimental to their objectives and act as they see fit, without conventional repercussions."
Freedom? Unfettered action? Exhilarating and unsettling after fourteen years of orders. The Marines were built on command. This was different.
A flicker of grim acceptance crossed my face. "Is this division sanctioned by the World Government, Fleet Admiral?"
"Officially, yes," he confirmed. "SWORD exists in name only in their records. Member identities are secret, known only to Admirals and above. However," his gaze intensified, "to formally join, you would need to officially resign or appear to betray the Marines. This charade is necessary for SWORD's clandestine nature and your freedom of operation."
Betray the Marines? The institution of fourteen years? Abhorrent. The camaraderie, the purpose… to cast it aside, even as a pretense…
A shadow fell over me. The idea of becoming a pirate, the very scum I fought, was repulsive. It defied my years of service. Yet… remaining a cog in the often-corrupt World Government felt like a betrayal of my own justice. SWORD offered a different path, to act with purpose, to strike at darkness without constraints. Even if it meant a loathsome facade.
"I understand, Fleet Admiral," I said slowly, my voice heavy. "Even though the thought of becoming a pirate sickens me after all these years, it is a better fate than being a lapdog of the World Government."
A wry smile touched his lips. "'A lapdog,' eh?" he chuckled softly. "Well, sometimes even lapdogs get to bite. So, Lazarus," he continued, his expression serious, "what is your plan? How do you intend to convincingly betray the Marines after fourteen years, especially considering the man you're targeting?"
My gaze hardened. My plan, Fleet Admiral, involves making a very clear statement – one that will resonate with the common people and shock the World Government. King Bekori of the Sorbet Kingdom... he's planning something similar to the atrocity that befell the Gray Terminal in the East Blue. The memory Ace shared, a horrific darkness, fueled my resolve. And knowing his connections to the World Nobles… It makes this even more critical. I intend to ensure he never carries it out. And in doing so, I want to make it undeniably clear where my loyalties don't lie, even if it means defying a figure favored by the Celestial Dragons.
A slow smile spread across his face. "Bekori, you say? King of the Sorbet Kingdom? Planning a repeat of the Gray Terminal, with ties to the World Nobles? That is… beyond unacceptable." His voice held a low growl. "And making the World Government squirm in the process, especially when it involves one of their pet royalty? Even better." He chuckled softly. "So, your 'betrayal' will involve… eliminating this threat within a sovereign nation with ties to the Celestial Dragons, and making it known you acted outside of Marine authority after all these years?"
"Precisely, Fleet Admiral," I confirmed, my eyes burning. The thought of stopping another Gray Terminal solidified my resolve, even against the World Nobles. I will deal with Bekori decisively. My actions will be undeniably 'piratical' – a direct defiance and a clear indication I am no longer their tool after fourteen years, especially when protecting the innocent from those they favor.
A thoughtful silence descended. "Fleet Admiral," I began, my brow furrowed, to make this 'betrayal' convincing, and dismantle Bekori's operation, I might encounter resistance… even from Marines unaware of my mission or loyal to the World Government's influence over Bekori. Would it… would it be acceptable to utilize a Marine warship, even if it meant engaging other Marines?
Fleet Admiral Sengoku's gaze sharpened. "Lazarus," he said gravely, "you undertake a clandestine operation of the highest order. Your 'betrayal' needs to be absolute. You operate outside command, with your actions your own. Given the circumstances, and the necessity of secrecy while eliminating Bekori, a World Noble's favored pawn… yes." He leaned forward. "If necessary to convincingly sever ties and eliminate Bekori, you have my tacit approval to utilize the Striker in any way fit, even if it unfortunately involves confronting misguided Marines. Remember, Lazarus, your priority is the mission and the facade. The ends, in this delicate situation, justify the means I have already sanctioned through your 'betrayal'."
A grim understanding settled within me. "Understood, Fleet Admiral," I replied firmly. "In that case," I continued, to effectively carry out this operation and neutralize Bekori's forces swiftly, I will require resources befitting a 'rising' pirate. Would it be possible to requisition… say, five thousand standard Marine rifles?
Fleet Admiral Sengoku raised an eyebrow. "Five thousand rifles, Lazarus? That is… substantial for a newly turned 'pirate'."
"Fleet Admiral," I countered, to appear as a credible threat capable of dismantling Bekori's operation, and to protect myself and future SWORD members recruited during this 'betrayal,' a significant arsenal would be… persuasive. It would further solidify my departure and ensure I have the means to deal with any resistance, be it from Bekori's forces or misguided Marines.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku steepled his fingers. "A bold move, Lazarus. Supplying a 'traitor' with such weaponry… it carries risk. However," he sighed, "it aligns with the need for a believable betrayal and impactful actions. Very well. I will authorize the transfer of five thousand standard Marine rifles to the Striker's armory. See to it they are used… effectively. And Lazarus," his gaze hardened, "ensure this 'betrayal' is swift and decisive. The longer it drags on, the greater the risk of exposure for SWORD."
"Understood, Fleet Admiral," I replied, a grim determination settling within me. Before I could leave, he placed a small, metallic object before me.
"One more thing, Lazarus," he said, his voice softening. "For communication. This is a special Den Den Mushi, disguised as a watch. It's tuned to a frequency only I monitor. Use it only when absolutely necessary."
I picked up the watch. "Understood, Fleet Admiral. Thank you." This hidden lifeline was crucial.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku leaned back, his gaze intense. "Lazarus," he said, his voice sharper, "while eliminating threats like Bekori is vital, understand this: your most crucial task as SWORD's leader will be to gather information. Specifically, information regarding the Four Emperors. Their movements, alliances, weaknesses… this is paramount. The balance of power in the Grand Line is fragile, and accurate intelligence is our greatest weapon against the chaos they represent. Your pirate persona will be your greatest asset. Use it wisely."
"Understood, Fleet Admiral," I affirmed, the weight of this responsibility settling upon me. Infiltrating the pirate world to strike at injustice was one thing, but to also become a vital intelligence asset against the Four Emperors… the task was immense.