Tashigi stole a cautious glance at her direct superior, Captain Smoker. Seeing that he rely tossed the docunts aside without saying a word, she adjusted her glasses and continued her briefing.
"This is 'Buggy the Clown', bounty: 25 million Berries. He and his crew had originally occupied Orange Town, but later, they were absorbed by Davy Jones. As a result, his pirate crew disbanded. He's a Devil Fruit user—the Chop-Chop Fruit, which allows him to split his body apart at will."
There was actually more classified information on Buggy, but Tashigi didn't have clearance to access it. If Vice Admiral Garp had been present, he could've revealed certain secrets about Buggy's past without hesitation.
"And lastly, the key figure in this entire operation."
Tashigi pinned a photograph of Davy Jones to the whiteboard, positioning it above the others to signify his role as their leader.
"'Deep Sea Reaper' Davy Jones, bounty: 50 million Berries. Suspected to be a fish-man. No confird signs of a Devil Fruit ability, but considering he has managed to subdue Buggy, Kuro, and Alvida, his combat prowess should not be underestimated."
"Officers, this concludes the intelligence briefing on Davy Jones and his crew. No new confird mbers as of yet. Thank you."
Tashigi bowed to the room, then quietly stepped aside to stand in the corner.
Everyone silently flipped through the bounty posters and docunts. For a long mont, the entire conference hall was filled with nothing but the sound of turning pages.
Eventually, Smoker broke the silence.
"Captain Lippa of the 153rd Branch, are you present?"
Lippa imdiately began rising from his seat.
"No need to stand." Smoker's voice froze him mid-motion. "Stay seated. Your branch was the first Marine unit to engage with Davy Jones' crew. I want you to explain what happened in detail."
"Yes, sir, Captain Smoker!"
For the next ten minutes, Lippa gave a concise summary of the entire incident—how forr Captain Morgan had led his troops to engage Davy Jones' Black Ship, and how it all fell apart.
"So, what you're saying is… you never actually saw how Morgan died, correct?" Smoker calmly zeroed in on the key point. "Also, you said it was storming at the ti. Was it raining when your ships first departed?"
"Uh… no." Lippa shook his head. Under Smoker's gaze, his throat itched and lips dried up. He instinctively picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Smoker narrowed his eyes. "So the storm appeared out of nowhere. And none of your cannon fire hit the Black Ship, right?"
"Y-yes… that's correct." Sweat trickled down Lippa's forehead.
"When your ships approached the Black Ship, its cannons suddenly appeared from nowhere—no warning, correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"After your ships were sunk, most of the wreckage mysteriously vanished. You said the Black Ship seed to 'eat' the debris, is that right?"
"Yes…" Lippa could only answer stiffly, lowering his head in sha.
The others around the long table exchanged discreet glances but remained seated in silence.
"Captain Phil (OC)," Smoker called on another officer, finally giving Lippa a mont of relief—while Phil tensed up imdiately.
"Captain Smoker, sir!"
"That notorious Black Market at Sea—it was destroyed in your jurisdiction, wasn't it?"
"Yes, sir."
"And what did the wealthy rchants say afterward?"
Phil recounted the events truthfully, though he avoided ntioning who had leaked the intel.
Smoker didn't press. He already knew such a question would yield nothing.
"Now we know the following: Davy Jones and his crew can summon storms, the Black Ship is extrely agile, equipped with hidden cannons, and capable of devouring enemy ships. It can even slice through hulls with ease. Onboard, there are at least two confird Devil Fruit users, and nearly every crew mber is a forr infamous pirate from the East Blue."
His sharp gaze swept across the room.
"Does anyone else know more?"
Under the pressure of his stare, the officers all lowered their heads—except Tashigi, who raised her chin slightly, lips pursed in thought.
At that mont, Captain Nezumi suddenly shifted in his seat, just enough to be seen by Smoker.
"Captain Smoker, sir. I have sothing to report to you… and to everyone here."
"If you have sothing to say, say it quickly!" Smoker snapped, having never had much patience for Nezumi's oily, sycophantic deanor.
"Y-yes." Nezumi licked his lips nervously. "Not long ago, survivors from Captain Hepody's unit reached my jurisdiction and inford … that he was killed in action."
"What?!"
The room instantly erupted—like a pot of boiling oil splashed with water. Everyone broke into stunned chatter, shock on every face.
Smoker slamd his fist on the table, silencing the crowd. His brow furrowed tightly.
"Captain Nezumi, explain. What exactly happened?"
"Here's what I know: Lieutenant Helppo was leading two Marine ships in pursuit of the remnants of the Don Krieg Pirates. Everything was going smoothly… until they encountered Davy Jones' Black Ship."
Davy Jones again?
That man again?!
Since Nezumi hadn't witnessed the event firsthand and had only received the report via Den Den Mushi from his district, he could only give a rough summary.
So officers sighed. Others clenched their fists in anger. Another Marine dead—and at the hands of the sa pirate, no less.
More than anything, the news cast a dark shadow over the upcoming operation. Based on the outcos of the last two confrontations with the Black Ship, it was becoming increasingly clear that firepower and speed alone wouldn't be enough.
Their eyes t across the table. Compared to the confidence they felt upon first arriving in Loguetown, doubts were beginning to creep in.
Smoker stood up and finally pulled out his cigars, lighting one without caring who was watching.
"I know there've been rumors—stories—circulating within the Navy recently."
Tashigi didn't stop him this ti. Even she felt like lighting a cigarette right now.
"Things like 'the invincible Deep Sea Reaper has awakened from his seal,' or 'Davy Jones' Locker brings misfortune,' or 'the cursed Black Ship'… or 'the Hive Island gas that spawned the terror.' With World Economy News adding fuel to the fire, morale among our own troops has started to crack."
He exhaled a slow puff of smoke, aiming it directly at Davy Jones' photo on the whiteboard.
"I don't want to hear any more of these absurd tales. Rumors and legends only breed fear in soldiers' hearts. Don't forget what the word 'Justice' on the back of your uniforms stands for. We have no excuse to retreat."
Smoker's stern tone silenced the room. The air was so still, you could hear soone gulp.
"Besides, this operation is being led by Vice Admiral Garp himself, with Captain Tashigi and assisting, supported by every branch commander in the East Blue. If Davy Jones and his crew make it past Reverse Mountain into the Grand Line, we'll be made a laughingstock."
Everyone's heart tightened. They now fully grasped the stakes.
If they failed to capture or eliminate Davy Jones, the fallout in public opinion would be catastrophic—just imagining the headlines was enough to raise goosebumps.
"Ahem." The pink-haired Tashigi stood up as well. "Captain Smoker ans to say: While this mission will be difficult, the Navy still holds a trendous advantage."
"That's right," Smoker turned to face them. "Dozens of Marine ships versus one Black Ship. Thousands of n against four pirates. The advantage is ours! I, Smoker the White Hunter, will stake my entire career as a Headquarters Captain—these pirates will not reach the Grand Line!"
The others rose from their seats as well.
"I'll stake my honor as a Marine too!"
"We must uphold the na of Justice!"
"We'll take Davy Jones' head, and avenge our fallen comrades!"
Whether out of true conviction or public posturing, the room was now filled with determination. Everyone swore to win this annihilation battle.
After the eting ended, Smoker stood alone by the window, gazing out at the horizon. Even his trusted subordinates, Tashigi and Hina, had been dismissed.
"All that's left now… is the final and most important piece of the puzzle," Smoker murmured, tapping the windowpane with a finger.
"Once Vice Admiral Garp arrives… the net will be fully cast. Then all we need to do is wait—Davy Jones and his crew will walk right into it."
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