Marinford.
Inside the Navy Admiral's Office.
After the World Government's news of Ace's arrest was released, Vice Admiral Garp learned of Portgas D. Ace's secret arrest, and he also became aware of the Navy's plan.
Garp stood in front of the desk, his face full of anger, clenching his fists, staring at his old friend: "Sengoku, if I hadn't seen the news, I still wouldn't know that my grandson is going to be on the execution platform…"
"..."
Sengoku the Buddha lowered his head in silence.
Yakushi Kabuto, sitting in the chair beside him, adjusted his glasses and softly spoke: "Vice Admiral Garp, Portgas D. Ace is being held at Enies Lobby.
As for before, we kept Ace's arrest secret because we hadn't decided whether to start this war.
Now, execution is inevitable. If Vice Admiral Garp wants to visit him, he can go now. If Ace wishes to surrender to the Navy… the son of the Pirate King joining the Navy would be far more beneficial than executing him."
Yakushi Kabuto made a compelling argument.
If the Pirate King's son chooses to surrender and join the Navy, it would indeed be far more valuable than executing him. Even the Five Elders wouldn't want to execute Ace and might even expend resources to protect him.
The pity is…
Everyone knows this is impossible.
Even Monkey D. Garp knows that given Ace's stubborn nature, Garp had hoped since childhood that Ace would join the Navy and become a Navy Admiral. Even as Roger's son, he would surely live safely…
But Ace chose to set sail…
He would rather die than join the Navy.
"I want to see Ace…"
After saying this, Monkey D. Garp didn't wait for Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru's answer and immediately left the Navy Admiral's Office.
Garp had gotten the information he wanted and immediately prepared to board a warship from Marinford to Enies Lobby.
Yakushi Kabuto didn't speak to stop him, just watched Garp's departing figure, slowly adjusted his glasses, and smiled.
It was perfectly timed…
Perhaps when Vice Admiral Garp visits his grandson on Enies Lobby, he might meet another grandson offering himself up. Would he take action then?
Marinford's harbor dock.
Garp stood on the bow of his warship, gazing at Marinford's bustling harbor and the Navy troops saluting him…
The old man's expression gradually became complex.
He…
Was also a member of the Navy…
He had devoted most of his life to justice.
"Let's go, to Enies Lobby!"
Garp firmly clenched his fists and quietly instructed his deputy, as the dog-headed warship sounded its horn, slowly leaving Marinford.
After Garp's warship departed, Marinford remained busy with ships coming and going.
Navy warships docked at Marinford's port, with teams of Navy soldiers disembarking and entering Marinford's barracks under officers' guidance.
This global war is targeted at the Whitebeard Pirates and the Revolutionary Army, and may even involve the Red Hair Pirates, making it larger in scale than any previous war!
Even the Battle of Divine Valley and the Edwar Sea Battle over thirty years ago were far smaller than this war!
According to Yakushi Kabuto's plan, over a hundred thousand elite Navy forces will be deployed, leaving the Four Seas and Grand Line's elite naval forces nearly empty.
Many headquarters Vice Admirals were also summoned back to Marinford.
Besides…
Yakushi Kabuto's CP Department is also involved.
Most CP0 members near Mary Geoise have been assigned to Enies Lobby and Marinford, leaving the Holy Land's defenses remarkably thin.
Luckily, Mary Geoise isn't too far from Marinford.
The World Government wants to win this war to decisively gain an advantage over pirates, gradually ending the Great Pirate Era!
According to Yakushi Kabuto's prediction…
The alliance of BIG·MOM Pirates and Hundred Beast Pirates with the Akatsuki, their wars should be protracted. With these forces too occupied to join the war, the Navy and World Government have nearly a hundred percent chance of victory.
Furthermore…
A short while ago, Yakushi Kabuto interestedly reported this early pirate war to the Five Elders.
If the BIG·MOM Pirates and Hundred Beast Pirates weaken each other, the Navy might seize the opportunity to sweep across the seas, eliminating all Great Pirates…
It must be said…
Yakushi Kabuto's vision is very enticing.
And indeed everything seems to be progressing according to Yakushi Kabuto's plan.
According to CP0's intelligence, the Akatsuki's and Hundred Beast Pirates' strongholds are vacant, as the entire Hundred Beast Pirates heads to battle the BIG·MOM Pirates.
CP Agents infiltrating the pirate groups will continuously monitor the Hundred Beast Pirates and BIG·MOM Pirates' movements, allowing the World Government to focus on the Whitebeard Pirates and Revolutionary Army with some reassurance.
The only problem is...
The meddler of the great sea, Red Hair.
After Red-haired Shanks learned of the war between the Hundred Beast Pirates and the BIG·MOM Pirates starting, he was no longer worried about Hundred Beast Kaido potentially interfering.
Shanks did not head to the Hundred Beasts Sea Region but instead directly boarded the Red Force to Holy Land Mary Geoise, hoping the Five Elders would release Portgas D. Ace.
This request was naturally rejected.
If they were to release Portgas D. Ace at this time, it would mean the World Government is weak against the Whitebeard Pirates, tarnishing the dignity of the entire World Government!
Moreover, the World Government has long been fully prepared, having mobilized a large naval force in advance, making meticulous plans for victory in the war!
Now, releasing Ace is absolutely impossible!
Once the arrow is on the string, it must be released!
However...
Considering the situation, the Five Elders proposed another suggestion to Shanks, agreeing to secretly judge Crocus innocent via Enies Lobby, thereby releasing the former ship doctor of the Roger Pirates.
This was meant as a goodwill gesture towards Red-haired Shanks.
Unfortunately...
Red-haired Shanks wanted to rescue Crocus as well as Portgas D. Ace; this guy wants everything!
Thus...
Negotiations naturally broke down.
After leaving Mary Geoise, Red-haired Shanks planned to board the Red Force to dive from Fishman Island and head to the First Half of the Grand Line.
Benn Beckman helped with coating the ship while furrowing his brows: "Shanks, it seems your influence isn't working, this war is unavoidable..."
"Hahahahaha..."
A group of pirates couldn't help but laugh loudly.
Red-haired Shanks scratched his hair, grinning as he continued, "But it's okay, I've already found out where Ace is held..."
"Should we tell Whitebeard this information?"
Benn Beckman put down his tool and lit a cigarette: "By the way, how did the Five Elders reveal this secret to you? Before the public execution, Portgas D. Ace's holding location should be top secret..."
If the Whitebeard Pirates secretly rescued Ace before the World Government's planned execution, it would undermine the whole plan...
Of course...
It might also bring the war forward.
Currently, the Navy is especially vigilant about the Whitebeard Pirates' movements and will absolutely not ignore their mobilization.
"Let's not tell them."
Shanks shook his head, smiling as he spoke: "Even though the World Government strictly guards this information, it's no secret in the residential area of the Heavenly Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise… let's head directly to Enies Lobby!"
After the Red Hair Pirates finished coating the Red Force, the pirate ship quietly submerged into the sea, diving through Fishman Island, bypassing the Red Earth Continent, heading to the First Half of the New World.
Just after Red-haired Shanks left Mary Geoise, a CP Agent stationed there immediately sent the information to the CP Department's main base at Enies Lobby.
[Information dispatched: Red-haired Shanks has learned of Portgas D. Ace's holding location.]
At Enies Lobby.
This CP Department's main base gathers numerous elite forces.
Compared to Marinford, the defenses here are equally strict, including CP agents codenamed Madara - Uchiha Madara, the Second Mizukage - Hozuki Gengetsu codenamed Water, the Third Raikage A codenamed Thunder, the Second Tsuchikage Wu codenamed Earth, and Fourth Kazekage Rasa codenamed Wind.
Furthermore, many Anbu Ninja from the Ninja World have joined the CP Department, with over fifty elite squads consisting of more than two hundred members, all composed of Elite Jonin or Special Jonin.
Assisting these Anbu Ninjas in battle are Yakushi Kabuto's army of Reanimation Ninjas, hundreds of Undying Reanimation Ninjas lurking in the dungeons of Enies Lobby!
Without reservation...
This force alone is enough to destroy a nation!
According to Yakushi Kabuto's plans for the CP Department over the years, this special force ensures they won't fall behind in terms of top-tier and balance of power.
Therefore...
After Yakushi Kabuto thoroughly purged the CP Department, all agents in the CP Department were replaced by ninjas to ensure no secrets are leaked without permission.
Currently, while Yakushi Kabuto is in Marinford, this CP Department is led by Hatake Kakashi, stationed at Enies Lobby, tasked with guarding Portgas D. Ace and Sabo, as well as gathering and summarizing intelligence from around the world.
Inside the CP Department's main base.
Hatake Kakashi put down a Radio Snail, adjusted his mask, and spoke gently: "Hey, Tenzo, open the Gate of Justice at Enies Lobby, we shouldn't need to close it for the next few days, our guests will be arriving soon..."
"Yes, Kakashi-senpai."
The man seated opposite Hatake Kakashi nodded slowly, it was Yamato, a Wood Release Ninja from another world, now codenamed Tenzo.
Tenzo nodded slowly and spoke softly: "Then the first to arrive should be Vice Admiral Garp, right?"
"Hmm, I'll personally go meet him!"
Hatake Kakashi scratched his head, stood up, and spoke slowly: "Be careful, don't say anything unnecessary, to avoid any flaws being noticed, it's said that this Navy Hero once perceived Uehara's danger just from photos..."