After parting with Liltotto, Beltz hurried back to Wano at maximum speed.
He found Rukia, who had just finished the extraction surgery. Vegapunk had successfully removed the Hogyoku from her body. However, Beltz didn't attempt to fuse with it immediately. The Hogyoku's extraction triggered a seal placed by Urahara, which would take time to undo.
Though the situation was urgent, Beltz knew he couldn't do this alone; he needed Shiki and Rukia. While Rukia rested, Beltz went to see Shiki.
"One look at you and I know you're about to stir up trouble again," Shiki remarked. He had just returned to Hachinosu, accompanied by three... children?
Calling them children wasn't quite right. They weren't normal humans: two were clearly Minks, and the third was a "Kappa" wearing a straw hat.
Noticing Beltz's gaze, Shiki laughed. "Jihahahaha! I was coming back from outside Wano and saw the people of Kuri had caught these three. They were about to burn them alive. I thought these Minks were interesting, so I brought them along."
He ended up doing Oden's job, Beltz realized. These three were none other than Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Kawamatsu—future members of the Nine Red Scabbards. In the original timeline, Oden saved them from being executed as "monsters." Now, having been saved by Shiki, they would naturally follow him instead.
"Not bad. All three have great potential," Beltz noted. "Train them well, and they'll become top-tier pirates."
"You rank them that high? Well, you've never been wrong about talent. Enel and Alber have done great under me. You three brats are lucky; stay with me from now on."
"We can talk about their training later," Beltz cut in. "This is urgent. You need to head to Whitebeard's location."
"Newgate?" Shiki frowned. "What's happened to him?"
"The World Government is moving against him."
"So? What's that to do with me?" Shiki rolled his eyes. They had both been in the Rocks Pirates, but there was no love lost between them. Shiki only truly respected Roger.
"Usually, I wouldn't care," Beltz explained, "but the Government wants to capture Whitebeard and turn him into a weapon. If they succeed, their strength will skyrocket before our final confrontation."
"Fine, fine! Stop lecturing me. I'll go," Shiki huffed. Despite his grumbling, he wasn't truly resistant. He loved any excuse to ruin the Government's day, especially after his frustrating encounter with the Five Elders at Elbaf.
"I won't be there at first," Beltz added. "I have to handle something else, so I'm counting on you to hold the line."
"What?! You're playing me?" Shiki's face darkened. Beltz suggested the rescue but wasn't coming?
"I'll get there as soon as I can," Beltz promised as he turned to leave. "The battlefield is Whitebeard's home, Sphinx. See you there!"
"Don't give me orders, you brat!" Shiki yelled at his back. Nevertheless, he took flight immediately, leaving the three youngsters behind for the moment.
Back at Onigashima, Rukia had recovered some of her color.
"Can you handle it? If not, stay here," Beltz said.
"I'm fine," Rukia insisted. "I've been here so long, and this is the first time I'll get to fight by your side."
Beltz was preparing for the worst in the North Blue: the elite of the Navy and CP. Even for him, facing Garp and Sengoku simultaneouslywas a losing proposition, especially since his power had dipped after creating his clones.
He needed reinforcements: Rukia and Harald. Rukia was now Captain-level, and while she couldn't beat an Emperor, she could certainly stall high-level threats. His plan was simple: He would take Garp, Harald would take Sengoku, and Rukia would handle Tsuru or CP0.
They flew at full speed toward the North Blue. Usually, flying didn't drain much stamina, but "combat-speed" flight for hours was exhausting even for Beltz. He had to reach them before the transport ship made it to Mary Geoise.
He planned to return Rukia to Hueco Mundo after the battle. Keeping her and Liltotto in this world drained his "residency time." Harald's presence was even more taxing, which is why he was only summoned for emergencies.
...
New World, Sphinx
This impoverished island was once a "negative example" Beltz used to teach Kuma and Ginny. Despite Whitebeard's financial support, the people remained destitute. Now, a massive Marine fleet surrounded it.
In the thick clouds above, Erensig watched the horizon. Several large ships were approaching. Whitebeard had arrived.
Even though Beltz's main body was in the North Blue, his Hollow clone was here to provide a "beacon." Using Garganta, Erensig could teleport Beltz, Keiko, or himself instantly between locations, effectively bypassing the world's natural travel limits.
On one of the Marine warships, Liltotto sat in a cabin. She had used her Mirror-Mirror Fruit to leave a clone behind while she met Beltz earlier, but she had to return quickly to avoid detection.
"He's here..." she whispered, sensing the massive Haki in the distance.
In the room with her were the other four Five Elders. They looked grim. Following Imu's orders, they were about to be devoured by Liltotto. It was a protective measure; inside her stomach, they were safe from permanent death, and Imu wouldn't suffer the backlash he felt when Harald died.
"Do it," Saint Mars said solemnly. "With our power, you will crush Whitebeard. But remember: do not kill him. Capture him."
"I heard the order the first time," Liltotto replied. Her mouth distorted, stretching unnaturally wide.
She swallowed Saint Mars whole, then proceeded to stuff the remaining three into her stomach one by one. With every Elder consumed, her aura grew more terrifying. Her Gluttony ability allowed her to tap into the strength of those she "stored" without fully digesting them.
She felt her power reaching its absolute limit, her stomach feeling as if it might burst. But in this state... she was arguably the most powerful being on the sea.