Chapter 147: Black Horse Tianzheng! Another Horse-Horse Fruit

Navy headquarters rarely employs an all-black design for its warships.

The large black three-masted warship in front of them was the first of its kind to appear in the sight of ordinary Navy soldiers.

As the black warship docked, a naval officer dressed in a black suit, wearing sunglasses, and sporting a slicked-back hairstyle—resembling a World Government official—leapt from the ship to the ground where Sengoku and the others stood. In his right hand, he held someone as if carrying an object.

Sengoku glanced at the person he was holding and raised an eyebrow.

"Isn't this Berkeley, the president of the famous auction house? Why is he in your hands? I heard from Gringo Saint that neither he nor the nobleman's so-called Rayleigh was found."

The man in the black suit, named Tianzheng, was the director of the Navy's Criminal Investigation Bureau and bore the codename "Black Horse."

His position was second only to the Navy's three admirals, on par with the prison warden of Impel Down.

Hearing Sengoku's question, Tianzheng tossed Berkeley to the ground and chuckled lightly.

"This guy was sneaking away on a small boat all by himself when I ran into him. I casually tested my ability on him and discovered his identity and intent."

As he spoke, Tianzheng pulled a long blade from his waist and threw it on the ground.

"This fellow tried to flee amidst the chaos, not only consuming a Devil Fruit but also taking this fine blade with him."

"You used your ability on him?"

Sengoku frowned slightly, glancing at Berkeley, who was slumped on the ground with drool dripping from the corners of his mouth, wearing a foolish grin.

"Your ability is still a double-edged sword. While it uncovers the most truthful intelligence, it also damages the person's spirit."

"Enough! Since you're here, these people are now your responsibility. Use your ability to investigate everyone on Sabaody Archipelago who had contact with the Rozwad family."

Gringo Saint turned his head toward the tent's direction. "Especially those three Navy brats."

Just as he finished speaking, his gaze caught Akainu standing coldly with arms crossed, his towering figure blending into the twilight shadows on a nearby hill.

The petite Hibari, exhausted from the day's tension, was curled up on a bamboo mat next to her father, sleeping soundly.

"Two," Gringo Saint corrected himself.

"Hehehe, Gringo Saint, I forgot to mention that the talented young doctor is now my adopted grandson. Remember the outstanding Marine I mentioned to you before, Rosinante? Well, it's like this…"

Sengoku leaned in close to Gringo Saint and began a lengthy ramble, causing the latter to feel a headache brewing.

Rubbing his forehead, Gringo Saint squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth.

"The other two Navy officers may skip Tianzheng's investigation, but that brat Rorschach must undergo a dream interrogation."

"Hey, hey, hey! Gringo, you old bastard—mmmph! Let go of me, Sengoku! This ungrateful scoundrel has forgotten how I once saved his life! Rorschach is my disciple. I'd like to see who dares lay a hand on him!"

Garp emerged from the tent, cursing loudly, but Sengoku quickly covered his mouth and dragged him away before he could finish.

"So strict, Gringo Saint~. By the way, didn't your CP0 already interrogate everyone this afternoon? The details of the incident should be mostly clear by now."

In the darkness, Kizaru's tall figure approached from a distance.

Kuzan, hands in his pockets, also walked over.

"Witnesses, physical evidence, and timelines all align, and there appears to be no hidden conspiracy targeting the World Nobles. If there was any unexpected element, it would only be the brief encounter between the Rozwad family and 'Dark King' Rayleigh at the auction house."

Kuzan pushed up the visor on his forehead as he faced the stoic Gringo Saint.

"I disagree with Gringo Saint's claim that Rorschach displayed gross negligence."

"In my view, as a Navy officer, he has already done his utmost."

Kuzan gestured toward the captured pirates restrained with Sea Prism Stone cuffs.

"He apprehended all the Supernova pirates of this year. Even while gravely injured, he fought valiantly against Aristos, and later risked his life to intercept Dafilons' attack. He has done everything within his power."

"Protecting the World Nobles is fundamentally the responsibility of the CP guards assigned to them. The Navy fought desperately despite lacking orders. Does Gringo Saint consider this a crime?"

Gringo Saint's gaze swept across the faces of Kizaru, Aokiji, and Zephyr.

He hadn't expected such a strong pushback from nearly the entire Navy leadership over the handling of a mere Navy Major.

What frustrated Gringo Saint even more was that the usually indifferent trio—Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu—were, for the first time, standing up for a junior officer.

Rorschach, that young Navy officer, was the most troublesome individual Gringo Saint had encountered in years.

If today's matter wasn't handled properly, it could stir discontent among the Navy's top brass.

Although the World Government prioritized uncovering the cause of the Rozwad family's death, alienating the Navy leadership over it would be a significant loss.

After all, the Rozwad family was already dead.

The cause and effect surrounding the attack were clear, and no unusual factors had been uncovered.

Yet, an instinctive feeling told Gringo Saint that the Rozwad family's death wasn't so simple.

And that young officer, Rorschach, had survived two slashes from him.

With such resilience and vitality, how could Rorschach possibly lose to someone like Dafilons, with a mere bounty of two hundred million Beli?

Even if Rorschach claimed to have been severely injured beforehand, it didn't add up.

Resolving to act, Gringo Saint stiffened his expression.

"Regardless, Rorschach must undergo Tianzheng's dream interrogation. I can let the other two go, but not him."

"Why?"

Zephyr, who had remained silent until now, spoke in a deep voice.

Gringo Saint ran through several excuses in his mind, but as he looked into the eyes of Kizaru, Aokiji, and Zephyr, all he could muster was:

"My intuition."

Zephyr stared at him for a few seconds before nodding quietly.

"Fine. But it will have to wait until tomorrow. Rorschach's current physical condition is too weak to endure Tianzheng's mental pressure."

Gringo Saint hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

"Fine."

Zephyr then turned to Tianzheng.

"Tianzheng, be mindful. Rorschach is the future of the Navy."

Tianzheng grinned, baring his teeth.

"My apologies, Teacher Zephyr. My principle is to give my all in everything I do, even when dealing with my own people."

Zephyr nodded silently and returned to the tent.

Tianzheng removed his black gloves, smiled, and walked toward the crowd of hundreds gathered by CP0.

"Tonight will be an unforgettable night. Everyone can look forward to a good dream."

As he approached, his body began to grow larger and stretch, flames igniting in his eye sockets.

Within moments, on the grass of Red Tree Area 40, a magnificent black stallion appeared.

The horse's mane flowed like leaping flames, and its hooves left fiery prints on the ground as it moved.

"Like Rorschach, this is a Zoan Horse-Horse Fruit of the Mythical Type, but it manifests as the Nightmare Horse, a creature symbolizing evil and darkness."

"An ability capable of stealing and manipulating others' dreams, destroying their sanity within the dreamscape to extract every secret."

"This is Tianzheng, the Black Horse, Director of the Navy's Criminal Investigation Bureau."

(End of Chapter)

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