Chapter 108 : Sengoku's Request

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Through he had spoken to Sengoku before, this was Ikki's first time meeting the Marine Fleet Admiral in person, a man renowned as the "Resourceful General."

Sengoku was as imposing as Garp, with a similarly muscular build. His seagull hat sat prominently on his head, and the Marine's signature justice cloak draped over his shoulders. When Momonga led Ikki and the others into the room, Sengoku greeted them with a warm smile, like a friendly uncle welcoming his guests.

Sengoku's eyes landed on Luffy, and he asked, "You're Garp's grandson, Luffy, right?"

"Yep! I'm Luffy! Hello, uncle!" Luffy replied cheerfully.

Sengoku: …

For a moment, Sengoku was at a loss for words. He hadn't expected Luffy to address him in a way that made him sound a generation younger than Garp. Meanwhile, Garp, who had been munching on Sengoku's senbei, burst out laughing, thoroughly entertained by his grandson's unintentional cheek.

"First Whitebeard, now Roger, and now me," Sengoku muttered to himself, feeling as though Garp's network of "nephews" was steadily growing.

Still chuckling, Garp shot Sengoku a mischievous grin. "Looks like you've got yourself a new title, Sengoku!"

Sengoku sighed, giving up on correcting Luffy. Instead, he addressed the younger man directly. "Your grandpa and I are old friends, so you can call me 'Grandpa Sengoku' if you'd like."

Before Luffy could respond with something else unexpected, Sengoku quickly shifted his attention to Ikki.

He studied Ikki for a moment, nodding in approval. When his gaze fell on the bold words on Ikki's back, "In the Name of the People," his satisfaction grew even further.

"Hello, Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Ikki said with a firm salute. "I'm Private Marine Admiral Ikki."

"Yes, yes," Sengoku replied with a smile. "Your Private Marines have made outstanding contributions in capturing Crocodile. You've done well! It seems my instincts about you were right."

Sengoku's expression turned more serious as he continued. "You already know the main reason I've called you here."

With that, he produced a thick document. The first few pages bore the official Private Marine appointment letter, personally signed by Sengoku himself. The remaining blank pages were meant to record the names of future recruits.

Handing the document to Ikki, Sengoku said in a commanding tone, "Ikki, the Private Marines have now been included as part of one of Marine Headquarters' top initiatives. Don't let me down."

He paused for emphasis before continuing, "Additionally… while you'll have some autonomy in recruitment, don't engage in anything too sensitive or controversial—unless, of course, your Private Marines truly gain the power to overturn the established order."

The room grew tense at Sengoku's words. Everyone, except for Luffy, looked uneasy.

What was Sengoku implying? Was he hinting at the possibility of the Private Marines one day challenging the World Government itself?

Just as the atmosphere grew heavy, Sengoku let out a sudden laugh. "Relax! It's just a joke. You're all so serious!"

"Isn't that a good one?" he added, trying to brush it off.

But Ikki wasn't fooled. He locked eyes with Sengoku, sensing that the Fleet Admiral's earlier words carried more weight than he let on.

As for the others, nervous wasn't quite the right word for them. Zoro appeared entirely uninterested in the discussion, likely more focused on finding his next opponent. Conan, despite his age, was composed and calm, his mental fortitude on full display. And Luffy? He was nearly asleep in his chair, proving yet again that nothing fazed him.

However, Ikki had his own interpretation of Sengoku's words.

First, as long as the World Government remained unaware or unprovoked, Ikki believed he could exercise full autonomy in recruiting new members—even from groups like the Revolutionary Army. Sengoku's phrasing of "don't do sensitive things" left room for interpretation. He hadn't explicitly prohibited recruiting "sensitive people," which implied Sengoku might even have ways to shield such actions from scrutiny.

If this autonomy was genuine, it opened the door for disillusioned Marines—those who had left the organization to join pirates or the Revolutionary Army due to their loss of faith—to return to the cause of justice. Sengoku, after all, had likely considered this outcome as well, and it aligned with his hopes of revitalizing Marine ranks.

Second, Sengoku seemed to envision the privately-owned Marines as a potential opportunity for transformation—a way to break down and rebuild the Marine organization from the inside out.

As a strategist, Sengoku was acutely aware of the current state of the Marines, caught between their duty to justice and their obligations to the World Government. Since Roger's death, the pirate era had surged, with rising stars appearing in droves. By contrast, the Marines struggled to cultivate promising young leaders who could inspire change.

Was it because powerful individuals inherently leaned toward piracy? Of course not. The truth was that many capable individuals turned away from the Marines because the institution—and by extension, the World Government—was failing them.

When justice strays from its purpose, the Marines risk becoming little more than enforcers for the Celestial Dragons. This, Ikki realized, was the troubling direction the organization was heading toward.

Sengoku's earlier statement—"unless… the private Marines really have the power to overthrow everything"—carried a deeper hope. It was a gamble, a wish that these private Marines might one day possess the strength to reshape the world. Sengoku's ultimate goal, Ikki concluded, was to create a better future.

Of course, this was only Ikki's speculation, but he trusted his instincts.

After handing Ikki the official appointment letter, Sengoku turned to Momonga and Aokiji. "Momonga, Aokiji, step outside for now. I need a private word with them."

Without question, the two officers left the office.

"Do I need to leave too?" Garp asked, strolling over as he picked his nose.

"No, you can stay." Sengoku waved him off, then addressed Ikki in a serious tone. "Ikki, I need a favor from you."

Ikki blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected Sengoku to dismiss the others just to ask for his help.

"Tell me what you need," Ikki replied earnestly. "If it's within my power, I'll do it."

Sengoku nodded in approval and handed Ikki a bounty poster. "I want you to find this pirate and convince him to join the Straw Hats as part of the private Marines."

Ikki stared at the bounty poster, stunned.

The figure on it wore a black and yellow sweatshirt, with a white hat speckled with black spots. His chest bore a logo resembling a smiling face.

There was no mistaking the man. It was Trafalgar Law, captain of the Heart Pirates and the wielder of the Op-Op Fruit.

Law's reputation preceded him. Ikki, having read the original story, knew Law would eventually rise as one of the Supernovas, a key player in the New World. Two years later, Law would even ally with Luffy for a prolonged period.

As for Sengoku's connection to Law, Ikki knew the history well.

Sengoku himself had no direct relationship with Law. The bond came from Corazon, Sengoku's adopted son, who had not only saved Law's life but profoundly influenced him. Corazon had been the man who gave Law a second chance at life.

To Sengoku, Law was like a grandson. It was no surprise that Sengoku hoped Law would find the right path, away from piracy.

Sengoku had been quietly watching Law's journey, much as Garp had monitored Ace and Luffy. Despite being a pirate, Law had never committed atrocities or caused harm to innocent people. While he wasn't as openly heroic as the Straw Hat crew, he had his own moral code.

This gave Sengoku hope. He believed Law could go further and even walk the path of true justice someday.