"It seems we might really be in trouble..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at the battlefield, watching the duel between Sengoku the Buddha and Senju Hashirama, then looked at Garp and Uchiha Madara slowly moving away, her eyes growing graver: "The enemy's strength is formidable, and they harbor more mysterious and bizarre abilities. Sengoku and Garp may not be able to handle the enemy. The victory of this battle might depend on you, Kuzan, Borsalino..."
"..."
Then we are surely going to lose this time...
This thought subconsciously flashed through the minds of Aokiji and Kizaru.
Could the victory of this battle really depend on two undercover agents? No matter how strong they were, how could two Admirals truly decide the outcome?
"What a bother... Do we have to fight even in a losing battle?"
Kizaru's gaze shifted back and forth, landing on Senju Tobirama, the corner of his mouth curling into a knowingly understated smile: "Well, I'll carry out the military order a bit, since orders are hard to defy, it seems this time I'll be counting on your guidance~"
"Fighting with you is interesting..."
Senju Tobirama leisurely gripped his Ninja Sword.
In the next moment!
Kizaru and Senju Tobirama charged at each other simultaneously!
A golden light sword formed of photons suddenly appeared in Kizaru's hand, directly clashing with Senju Tobirama as the two promptly and swiftly engaged in a swordfight!
Aokiji shook his head, sighed silently in his heart, and had no choice but to focus on Red Sand Sasori, an ice knife appearing in his hand: "Until the final outcome is clear, I'll have to hold you off..."
"Unexpected..."
Red Sand Sasori shook his head yet still proactively approached Aokiji.
On this battlefield...
Only two people remained inactive.
Orochimaru, looking at the elderly person opposite with a playful grin, said, "Hehehe... It seems our fight is not that important in the grand scheme of things, how about we just wait for them to settle the result?"
"..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru gave a slight nod to Orochimaru.
In the past, Vice Admiral Tsuru wouldn't mind moving a bit, but unfortunately, she's quite old now, and her opponent's suggestion fits in well with her current state...
Now...
Everything has already started...
All that's needed is to wait for the battles to conclude.
Beyond the desert.
The mastermind behind this war has only just begun to act.
Akihara Kagura and Karin tossed Smoker into a nearby town, notifying Smoker's assistant Tashigi to come with reinforcements, then headed to a restaurant in town where Akihara Kagura met a long-lost acquaintance.
A black and white creature slowly emerged, sitting opposite Akihara Kagura. This was White Zetsu Awei and Black Zetsu, who had been gathering information across the vast sea.
"Awei."
Akihara Kagura always treated her old friends courteously, pouring it a cup of pear juice: "Have you gathered any interesting intelligence recently?"
"I have some information you'll certainly find intriguing..."
Black Zetsu spoke with an eerie voice, rushing to answer: "A traitor has emerged from the world's strongest pirate crew, the Whitebeard Pirates. A man named Marshall D. Teach killed a captain named Saki and defected from the Whitebeard Pirates..."
"..."
Akihara Kagura frowned.
Isn't that...
How outdated is this piece of intelligence?
"Never mind."
Akihara Kagura sighed, waving her hand: "You two go look at the historical records I've prepared in the Golden Underground Palace I created in the desert. Once the battles there are over, deliver all the stories from Alabasta to the World Economic News Agency. I'm worried that Mr. Buggy and Mr. Crocodile, who escaped Alabasta, might not think of this..."
"Alright."
White Zetsu Awei nodded in agreement, grinning: "Boy, the stories from Alabasta will certainly ignite the entire world..."
"A new era is upon us..."
Akihara Kagura, supporting her chin, spoke leisurely: "I can't remain this weak forever. The next stop isn't far from Demon Valley Town on Gaya Island, I'll find a way to get to Sky Island from there, and acquire the name associated with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, firmly establishing my position in the Navy..."
"Demon Valley Town on Gaya Island?"
Black Zetsu suddenly recalled something, proactively mentioning: "While gathering intelligence, Awei and I noticed that Donquixote Doflamingo from the Seven Warlords of the Sea sometimes frequents that place..."
"Stretching his influence so far..."
Akihara Kagura sighed quietly, somewhat regretfully: "So when I head to Demon Valley Town, I'll need to prepare an appropriate gift for him, otherwise, his subordinates might cause trouble for me there..."
"Would his subordinates dare to bother you?"
White Zetsu Awei curiously eyed Akihara Kagura, suggesting a thought: "I've heard that Doflamingo values his crew highly, treating his senior officers much like family members..."
"I'll ponder it carefully..."
"You both head to the Underground Palace first."
Akihara Kagura waved a hand, softly saying: "By the time you arrive, I estimate I'll have Kuzan and Kizaru take action together, to let our Navy Admiral and Vice Admiral Tsuru taste despair..."
"When they are hopelessly thinking that the battle has reached its bleakest point..."
Akihara Kagura placed her cup down heavily as she spoke: "As soon as there's a slight favorable turn in the situation, it will far exceed their psychological expectations, allowing them to comfortably accept reality..."
"The Navy Admiral may not yield so easily..."
Black Zetsu sounded skeptical, having heard various things about Sengoku the Buddha while gathering intelligence: "It is said that Sengoku is quite shrewd in handling situations, unlikely to yield even in the face of overwhelming force..."
"Even gods have weaknesses."
Akihara Kagura shook her head, remaining firm in her perspective.
"Marshal Sengoku believes in a justice that reigns supreme, which implies having an absolute power capable of suppressing everything. He has always believed that the power of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons and the World Government can allow the Navy's influence to reign supreme..."
"Marshal Sengoku is not a stubborn old man lost in his thinking, so he promoted a lucky person like me after the East Sea incident; however, what he urgently requires is the Navy's ability to maintain world order through the force he can harness, regardless of the evils committed by the World Government or the Heavenly Celestial Dragons. He is more aware than anyone of their wicked deeds, yet stubbornly enforces the World Government's orders..."
"Luckily..."
"What we lack the least is precisely the power he can use to maintain the world's balance..."
"Marshal Sengoku doesn't care who is above him..."
"As long as the person above him can maintain the balance of the vast seas."
Akihara Kagura looked at the black-and-white creature sitting opposite her, chuckling: "Of course, we also need to let Marshal Sengoku know one thing, that we will be more powerful than the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, and our methods will be sharper, making him obedient and compliant..."
"If Marshal Sengoku is willing to submit, tell him that he is merely an appetizer before the main course..."
"Alabasta is the real major event, and it might draw the attention of the Five Elders or even more powerful figures..."
"..."
White Zetsu Awei curiously pondered and suddenly proposed a plan: "Boy, you aren't planning to have Madara and them stay here to attack the Five Elders, are you?"
"I wouldn't dare have such bold aspirations..."
Akihara Kagura couldn't help but laugh, outlining an audacious plan: "Why not seize the opportunity when the Five Elders might come to Alabasta to view the Golden Underground Palace, a chance for the Holy Land Mary Geoise to be inadequately guarded, and directly launch an attack on it?"
"Seize the opportunity to capture more Heavenly Celestial Dragons..."
"The Heavenly Celestial Dragons have always viewed other humans as inferior beings and are unwilling to sulliedly tread upon the lands inhabited by common folk, causing bloodshed whenever they appear..."
"Most of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons reside in the Holy Land Mary Geoise, with too few venturing out on tours..."
"There's not nearly enough for others at sea to attempt assassination..."
Akihara Kagura, staring at the empty cup before her, seemed to contemplate the aftermath of her plan succeeding: "Allow all those who join us to participate in the game of assassinating the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, lest they always believe the Heavenly Celestial Dragons and the World Government will forever be their masters..."