The phone call almost made Sengoku spill his tea.
After a moment of silence, Sengoku asked gravely, "Where's Kizaru? Have you contacted him?"
"Report, we've been unable to reach Admiral Kizaru..."
"That guy..." Sengoku sighed, rubbing his temple. "Alright, give me the coordinates of that island. I'll handle contacting Kizaru."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
After hanging up, Sengoku immediately called Kizaru five times, but no one answered... Just as he was about to call for the sixth time, Kizaru finally called back.
"Hmm? Sengoku? This is quite surprising, you haven't contacted me for over a month," Kizaru's unhurried voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
Sengoku's mouth twitched. In a displeased tone, he asked, "What have you been up to? Why haven't you answered the phone?"
"Nothing much, just went out for a meal."
Sengoku sighed, "You... never mind. Where are you now?"
"Near Water 7. Is there a mission?"
"We've found a lead on Takumi and his crew. I'll send you the coordinates, and you need to go and capture them immediately."
"Right now? But it's already dark."
"Just think of it as overtime and get going!"
"Alright, alright, I got it," Kizaru replied lazily. "But, you know, those three were formidable back when they were in Amazon Lily, and after more than five months, they may have grown even more dangerous. Going after them alone might be tough, so I'm requesting backup from Headquarters."
"Don't give me that," Sengoku snapped. "Whether they've grown stronger or not, I don't believe you can't at least retreat if necessary. Just head to that island first. I'll see if there's anyone available to support you from Headquarters."
---
Meanwhile, at Baras Island—the island where the Revolutionary Army had taken Enel and Kaku to buy supplies.
The Revolutionary Army members had mostly finished purchasing their goods. Kaku had returned carrying a lot of supplies, but Enel and Sabo were still nowhere to be seen.
As time ticked on, Bellu frowned, growing anxious. "Why aren't those two back yet...? Did something happen to them?"
"Don't worry just yet," Kaku said, glancing toward the town. "You all wait here. I'll go look for them."
With that, he began stretching his arms and legs.
Before Bellu could say anything more, Kaku sprinted toward the town at full speed, leaving Bellu and the others stunned at how fast he could run.
When Kaku reached the town and used his Observation Haki to find the two missing men, he found Enel and Sabo slumped over a long table, fast asleep.
It wasn't just the two of them. Many others were passed out here as well. Bottles and cans were scattered across the table, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol.
"What on earth are these two idiots doing?" Kaku muttered, his lips twitching in frustration.
A bystander nearby chimed in, "Today, a barbecue place in town held a drinking contest. Whoever had the highest alcohol tolerance could eat there for free for a week. Loads of people joined, but everyone passed out eventually. If your friends are among them, you'd better take them back now."
Kaku sighed. He didn't know about Sabo's drinking capacity, but Enel's was abysmal. The man could get drunk even on fruit wine. Where did he get the confidence to join a drinking contest? What a fool. This kind of competition should be left to Takumi, at least...
"What a couple of idiots. None of them are ever worry-free," Kaku muttered. With a resigned sigh, he rolled up his sleeves and headed over to carry Sabo and Enel.
When Kaku finally managed to haul the two back, Bellu thought something had gone seriously wrong and rushed over to help.
As he approached, Bellu caught a strong whiff of alcohol and blinked. "Huh? They drank?"
Kaku silently nodded, too exhausted to even complain.
Though Bellu was just as speechless, he ultimately shrugged. "Oh well. As long as they're alright, let's just head back."
With that, he helped Kaku carry the two intoxicated men onto the supply ship.
---
Takumi and his crew ended up staying on Baltigo for another half a month.
Their daily routine returned to what it had been for the past five months, except that Enel and Kaku's brawls now occasionally featured a third participant.
Sabo often sparred with Kaku in martial arts. Despite being a few years younger, Sabo could consistently push Kaku into a corner, nearly forcing Kaku to reveal his Devil Fruit power.
"I never would've guessed you were this skilled in martial arts," Kaku commented after yet another bout.
Sabo rubbed the back of his head, smiling bashfully. "I guess I just have a knack for it, and I've had some excellent teachers guiding me along the way."
"Boring," Enel yawned disdainfully as he watched from the sidelines. "Watching you two fight is almost enough to put me to sleep."
He even exaggerated the statement by letting out a loud yawn.
Sabo glanced over at Enel, his gaze landing on the golden staff Enel was twirling absentmindedly. A sudden thought struck him, and he asked, "Takumi has a staff too, with gold at both ends. It looks plain, but it seems even stronger than your golden staff."
Hearing this, Enel and Kaku both paused.
"A staff?" Kaku asked, confused. "What staff?"
"You guys don't know about it?" Sabo replied, equally puzzled.
"Heh, we've known him longer than you have. It's just a stick, right?" Enel shrugged knowingly. "He probably picked it up somewhere, then tossed it when it didn't suit him."
"But I don't think it's just any staff," Sabo mused, a hint of interest piqued in his eyes. "If he really did just pick it up, I'd love to know where he found something that good."
"If you want to know, just ask the captain," Kaku suggested with a smile. "As for me, I already have a weapon and have no interest in that staff. But Enel, aren't you overlooking something important?"
Enel blinked, pulling his finger out of his ear. "Overlooking what?"
Kaku smirked. "Do you really think something ordinary would catch our captain's eye?"
"Huh?" Enel froze.
Sabo was already jogging back toward the base.
Kaku nudged Enel. "What are you waiting for? I'm not a hundred percent sure, but if the staff Sabo mentioned is really something good the captain kept hidden, and if you dawdle now, you'll regret it when he gives it to Sabo."
Enel's eyes widened in realization, and without another word, he sprinted off after Sabo.
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