Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Reporting, Admiral Sengoku,"
A Marine hurried into the office, gave a standard salute, and said seriously,
"The pirates who invaded Marineford have all been taken to Impel Down."
"Shiki is being escorted by Sakazuki, who will set off immediately."
Sengoku looked up from behind a desk piled high with documents, his brow furrowed, looking tired but still maintaining his authority.
"What about Jin'an? Any news?"
His voice carried a hint of nervousness and concern, his eyes fixed on the reporting Marine.
The Marine hesitated, took a deep breath, and then said:
"Not yet..."
Sengoku sighed, a trace of unconcealable disappointment flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.
"No news is sometimes good news, perhaps."
He tried to comfort himself with a steady tone, while also reassuring his soldiers.
Despite this, these self-comforting words didn't truly work deep down.
On the day of the decisive battle, when Sengoku and the others destroyed the floating island and returned to base with the half-dead Shiki, the battlefield was a mess.
The pirates who invaded Marineford were completely annihilated by other Marine branches that came to support them.
From the traces left at Marineford, it could be seen that the intensity of the battle here was beyond imagination.
However, as they busily tallied the number of deaths in the war, they realized that Jin'an hadn't been seen for a long time.
The unease in Sengoku's heart gradually grew, as if a huge stone was pressing on his chest.
Kuma, Kuzan, and Toki have been searching for Jin'an day and night these days without rest.
They have almost scoured every suspicious place around Marineford.
Kuma's tower-like figure shuttled through the battlefield ruins again and again.
Kuzan's cold gaze swept around, trying to find any clues.
And Toki constantly explored with her keen intuition.
But almost a week has passed, and there is still no news of Jin'an.
Time passed by, testing their patience and perseverance every moment.
"We can't give up, keep searching!"
Although Kuzan's voice was calm, it revealed an unwavering determination.
Toki nodded lightly, her eyes shining with firm light:
"Jin'an will not be easily defeated."
Kuma remained silent, his fists clenched, silently praying for Jin'an's safe return.
The sea breeze blew gently, as if telling the anxiety and unease in the hearts of Jin'an's subordinates.
When night fell, Sengoku stood at the window of his office, looking at the distant starry sky, a complex emotion flowing in his eyes.
Tsuru and Zefa walked into Sengoku's office side by side.
Sengoku was deep in thought, his face full of sorrow, and when he saw them come in, his expression did not ease.
Seeing Sengoku like this, Tsuru and Zefa couldn't help but feel heavy.
Tsuru spoke, her voice low but calm:
"Jin'an's Vivre Card has burn marks on it, his condition may not be very good..."
Sengoku nodded, his brow furrowed, his tone full of worry:
"The last time the Marines saw him, he was fighting Kaido."
"In that case, Jin'an's disappearance is most likely caused by Kaido."
Zefa was a little uncertain, a flash of confusion and unease in his eyes:
"But with Jin'an's skill, he shouldn't be defeated by Kaido."
Sengoku's eyes were deep,
"Maybe Kaido is hiding abilities we don't know about, or..."
"He also has very strong helpers."
Flames of anger flickered in Zefa's eyes, and he clenched his fists, "Let me go directly to Wano Country. If Kaido really did it, I will make him pay the price."
Sengoku looked deeply at Zefa.
Unconsciously, they had already been training Jin'an as the future Fleet Admiral.
The Marines also recognized Jin'an from the bottom of their hearts.
Tsuru gently patted Zefa's shoulder, her voice gentle:
"Zefa, calm down, don't make decisions in anger. We need a comprehensive plan. We can't let Jin'an get into a worse situation."
Zefa took a deep breath, the anger in his eyes subsided slightly,
"I understand."
"But we can't sit still and wait for death, we must take action as soon as possible."
Sengoku sighed and stood up, a trace of fatigue on his face.
"We don't want to see any of our comrades in a desperate situation. We will do everything we can to find Jin'an, no matter the cost."
The three were silent for a moment, each planning their next move in their hearts.
Sengoku walked to the world map on the wall, gently touched the location of Wano Country with his finger, and said deeply:
"We don't fully understand Kaido's details, but that's exactly where we need to investigate thoroughly. We can't act rashly, but we can't be indifferent."
Tsuru nodded,
"I will mobilize the intelligence department to collect all detailed information about Kaido and his forces as soon as possible."
Zefa was more direct:
"In any case, I will prepare for battle. If Kaido really moved him, I won't let him get away with it."
Outside the office door, Toki leaned against the wall, her heart pounding.
She heard everything Sengoku and the others discussed, knowing that Jin'an's situation was extremely grim.
Her silver teeth clenched tightly, her eyes full of anxiety and worry.
The long battle and the concern for her friend made her exhausted, but at this moment she felt that this was the best news she had received in a while.
Originally, the few of them suspected that Jin'an's disappearance was related to Kaido.
But it was never certain.
Now the conversation between Sengoku and the others gave her a reason to act.
Her slightly trembling hands clenched into fists, and the voices of Sengoku, Tsuru, and Zefa still echoed in her ears.
After hesitating for a moment, she opened her tightly closed eyes, and a firm light burst out from her eyes.
Without thinking any further, she turned and left without hesitation.
She knew that once she embarked on this path, it meant she would be taking a huge risk, but Jin'an was the person she cherished most, and she could never sit idly by.
Marine Headquarters meant safety to the Marines, and Sengoku and the others did not activate their Observation Haki.
And because they were too tired, they didn't notice Toki's arrival.
......
Toki quickly passed through the base.
The oncoming sea breeze hit her face, making her feel a little sober and cold.
Arriving at the exit of the base, her figure was a little lonely in the moonlight, her long hair fluttering in the wind.
Facing the unknown adventure about to set off, she did not flinch, and took out the Vivre Card she carefully treasured from her chest.
Looking at the scorch marks on it, she became even more determined.
"Jin'an, hold on, I'm coming."
"......"
Just as Toki was about to go to rescue Jin'an alone, several figures silently appeared behind her.
A slightly lazy voice came from the wind:
"Don't even think about going on an adventure alone."
Toki was slightly stunned, quickly turned around, and saw a group of familiar faces standing in front of her.
"Kuzan."
Kuzan had his hands in his pockets, not showing any nervousness. His usual calmness calmed the turbulence in Toki's heart.
Toki looked at the others in surprise,
"Kuma, Enel, Shiryu, Hancock..."
Standing in front of her were all Jin'an's friends and subordinates.
They may have different styles, but at this moment they stood together for the same goal.
Enel shrugged,
"Did you think we would let you go to your death so easily?"
Shiryu calmly added:
"We are a team, no matter how dangerous, we must face it together."
Kuma didn't speak, just nodded, his eyes full of determination.
Then Hancock came over, and said with her usual confident smile:
"We are all worried about Jin'an, and we are comrades, going together will give us greater hope."
Toki took a deep breath, feeling the unspeakable warmth and strength.
She pursed her lips, and finally showed a smile,
"You..."
Kuzan waved his hand, interrupting her:
"Let's go, we have more important things to do."
