Marinford.
In Aokiji's office.
This office had a slightly unorthodox look to it, with a sleeping mat surprisingly laid on the floor. Aokiji lay lazily on the mat, slowly closing his eyes.
"What a bother..."
Ever since returning to his office from the meeting, Aokiji had maintained this position, mumbling: "Making a single move just to capture three pieces... Is this what that guy considers his most valued subordinate?"
Initially, Aokiji thought Yakushi Kabuto's plan was to help alleviate Hoshigaki Kisame's troubles while also stirring up tension between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Hundred Beast Pirates...
But Yakushi Kabuto took this chance to lure away Kizaru as well.
No...
Or perhaps, this was Yakushi Kabuto's true purpose!
The Akatsuki really wanted to completely ensnare the Admirals of the Navy Headquarters!
If Kizaru also had to join the Akatsuki, then all three Admirals at Marinford, along with a Navy Staff Officer, would all be undercover agents for the Akatsuki...
Well, evil would thoroughly infiltrate the stronghold of justice.
"Should I contact Sakazuki?"
Aokiji slowly picked up his Radio Snail and sluggishly dialed Akainu's Radio Snail: "Uh, Sakazuki, there's something I wanted to ask you..."
"You... what do you want?"
Akainu's tone sounded not too pleased.
But the fact remained...
After both Aokiji and Akainu had become undercover agents for the Akatsuki, the relationship between the two had slightly softened, and they were clearly contacting each other more frequently.
Perhaps it was because of the shared secret?
Without much hesitation, Aokiji conveyed the situation from the Marinford meeting to Akainu: "Uh, Yakushi Kabuto and Borsalino are going on a mission together. I feel like he might also not escape our fate..."
"..."
On the other end, Akainu fell into silence.
What the hell is going on? They had barely managed to come to an understanding to stay away from Marinford as much as possible, to thereby ensure Kizaru could smoothly advance in the future...
And now Kizaru might join the Akatsuki too?
If all three Admirals became undercover agents for the Akatsuki, then who would uphold the Navy's justice? Could Aokiji and Kizaru, who loved to slack off, manage to maintain justice under the Akatsuki's pressure?
"I understand."
Akainu grumbled a response and then angered, "Every single one of them... They're going to be unreliable in the end..."
If all three Admirals are undercover, then Aokiji and Kizaru really can't be counted on!
The Navy might as well declare the end!
"..."
Aokiji glanced at the disconnected Radio Snail, his expression turning somewhat subtle. Can he be blamed for this? As if they could stop the Akatsuki...
Yakushi Kabuto of the Akatsuki had now completely blinded Marshal Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru, even officials from the World Government, and a large number of navy officers were very convinced by him.
What could an ordinary Admiral do?
New World.
G1 Branch Base.
After Akainu hung up on Aokiji's Radio Snail, he lit a cigar for himself, trying to dial Kizaru's Radio Snail. Unfortunately, the call went unanswered after a few rings.
Akainu's face couldn't help but darken, gritting his teeth, "Could that guy... have picked up the wrong Radio Snail again?"
After a long while, the Radio Snail finally connected.
A somewhat young man's voice reached Akainu's ear: "Admiral Akainu, this is the Navy Science Squad. I am the world's most tight-lipped man, Sentomaru. The old man just left here and forgot to take the Radio Snail with him. He left with Yakushi Kabuto, Vice Admiral..."
"I know... That bastard!"
Akainu couldn't help but curse before hanging up the Radio Snail forcefully.
Akainu puffed on his cigars one after the other, slowly filling the entire room with smoke.
So that means...
To contact Kizaru, he must reach Yakushi Kabuto first?
Sitting in his room, after exhausting his cigars, Akainu slammed the cigar butt on the table, picking up his Radio Snail again, slowly dialing someone he had never contacted before.
The leader of the Akatsuki, Uehara Naraku.
To speak frankly, it was strange. Ever since Uehara Naraku forced him to join the Akatsuki by implanting the Four-tailed into his body, he never contacted or used him.
Their first contact...
Was initiated by Akainu.
As Akainu watched his Radio Snail get connected, a complex expression flashed on his face. Just as he was about to lower his head and say something, the other end of the line spoke first.
"Admiral Akainu?"
Uehara Naraku's leisurely voice came from the Radio Snail, greeting before sounding a bit impatient: "Uh, I suppose this is our first contact—is there any important information you wish to relay to me?"
"..."
Akainu shook his head, speaking in a deep voice to the Radio Snail, "No information. I just wanted to discuss the Navy with you..."
"Oh, don't worry."
The Radio Snail conveyed Uehara Naraku's soft laughter: "I happen to have some good news to share with you too. We'll soon be able to recruit Admiral Kizaru...
Perhaps at the next Akatsuki meeting, you'll see both of your colleagues there. In the future, we can transform the Navy into any way we want."
"..."
Akainu clenched his fist tightly.
Damn, what else can the Navy become?
Akainu is worried that the Akatsuki will turn the Navy into something weird, that's why he wants to contact Uehara!
Yakushi Kabuto's actions are too fast!
Indeed, the meeting at Marinford wasn't about discussing the war between Whitebeard and Kaido, the real purpose was clearly to lure out Kizaru and force him to surrender!
"..."
Akainu grabbed the Radio Snail on the table, his voice suddenly much louder, he spoke in a deep voice: "Borsalino, that guy is my contemporary and friend, but his personality is unpredictable, totally not trustworthy..."
Back then, Akainu and Kizaru were contemporaries.
The two were also called monsters among the new recruits.
Even without Devil Fruit abilities, they possessed incredibly strong power, naturally, the two monsters would appreciate each other.
Actually, the relationship between Akainu and Kizaru was pretty good, they would occasionally drink tea and soak in hot springs together, they were truly harmonious colleagues.
Heh heh...
As for Aokiji, he was definitely excluded by them.
Akainu gripping the Radio Snail in his hand, continued in a deep voice: "Borsalino's ability is the Glint-Glint Fruit, Lord Uehara Naraku, even if you can use the same ability, you might not be able to completely capture him.
If you show force to recruit Borsalino but he escapes, it could easily alert Marshal Sengoku, maybe even expose my and Kuzan's identities...
This is very dangerous for me!"
"Hmm..."
Uehara Naraku's voice remained incredibly relaxed, calming Akainu's mood: "Rest assured, this won't happen..."
"That's for the best."
Akainu forcefully hung up his Radio Snail, not hearing Uehara Naraku's last words on the other end.
"He definitely won't escape."
On the other side.
Wano Country, Flower Capital.
Uehara Naraku sat in a conference room, staring puzzled at his Radio Snail, daring someone to hang up on him?
"What's wrong?"
Otsutsuki Kaguya sitting next to Uehara looked at him and softly asked: "Hogoromo... did something happen? Did someone offend you?"
"No, it's fine, I'm not Hogoromo either."
Uehara Naraku shook his head, casually putting away his Radio Snail, glancing at all the members present, he instructed: "The Whitebeard Pirates have already left their territory, Mr. Shikaku, immediately let Kaido and Uzumaki Naruto set out, leading the Hundred Beast Pirates to Punk Hazard to intercept the Whitebeard Pirates!"
"Yes."
Nara Shikaku nodded and then raised a question: "Do we need the Ninja Alliance to participate? No matter what..."
"Not necessary, Wano Country must continue its isolation."
Uehara Naraku interrupted Nara Shikaku, speaking lowly: "Aside from Naruto, at least until the real war erupts, the Ninja Alliance that knows my identity will temporarily stay in Wano Country, diligently learning Haki!"
When he said this, Uehara Naraku's gaze slowly fell on everyone present: "If any ninja wants to travel the seas here, they must go through an audit... even those present are no exception..."
Just as Uehara Naraku planned to say a bit more, his brows furrowed uncontrollably, suddenly raising his fingers, a Reanimation Being that had been sent out a long time ago connected with him.
It's truly strange, what is going on today...
Some people who barely contact him are reaching out...
This time contacting Uehara Naraku was Uchiha Itachi, as the connection between them transmitted Uchiha Itachi's thoughts to Uehara Naraku swiftly.
"Uehara Naraku, I met someone named Charlotte Katakuri here, we hit it off well, this person wants to join the Akatsuki organization..."
"Hmm?"
Uehara Naraku's expression was somewhat nuanced, casually brushing off Uchiha Itachi: "That Katakuri guy? Don't disclose my information... really, you older brothers sure have some common language..."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi fell into silence.
On the other side of the sea.
BIG MOM's territory.
Charlotte Katakuri lay on the ground, his body covered in messy burns, his menacing mouth exposed, clearly, he had just been through a big battle.
Moreover...
Katakuri was defeated.
This man who was almost considered a hundred percent perfect in the Charlotte Family had failed in this battle, left to the disposal of the enemy.
Uchiha Itachi stood beside Katakuri, slowly lowering his finger, opened his eyes, a pair of scarlet eyes settled on Katakuri: "The leader has agreed for you to join the Akatsuki, you can survive now..."
Uchiha Itachi spoke and then spread his palm, speaking softly: "Moreover, I thoroughly understand your actions to protect your sister... I will not kill you and will keep your secret... even if you don't join the Akatsuki, it's fine."
"Is that so?"
Katakuri closed his eyes and shook his head, speaking softly: "Really a tricky person, oh well, at least for your willingness to spare Brulee, I'll do a few things...
After all, you're also kind of a loose organization, according to the intelligence I've gathered privately, it seems you can leave the organization anytime..."
Uchiha Itachi couldn't help but fall into silence, then spoke, "Who told you about Akatsuki? Has anyone invited you to join Akatsuki before?"
Katakuri tilted his head to gaze at the sky, softly answered: "About two months ago, a guy named Black Zetsu showed up in Totto Land, stealthily infiltrated my room, actively invited me to join Akatsuki, telling me Akatsuki could help protect my family..."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi fell into silence again.
At this moment, he was unsure whether to tell Katakuri the truth.
The Akatsuki organization was never a loose organization, and currently, any members wanting to leave Akatsuki generally don't meet good ends...