Fleet Admiral Sengoku looked up from his paperwork as Finn entered. "I could hear you shouting from all the way down the corridor. What's the situation?"
"Nothing critical," Finn replied, waving dismissively. "Apparently there are zombies causing problems in Paradise. I've already assigned people to investigate."
Sengoku's eyebrows rose fractionally, but he didn't pursue the topic. Instead, he set down his pen and steepled his fingers. "Regarding the New World operation. We're holding to the original plan. No large-scale deployment. You'll take a small team to support Smoker's position. He doesn't need military reinforcements."
Finn nodded immediately. "Understood. Any other orders? Technically, this whole operation falls under your authority as Fleet Admiral."
The assessment was accurate. Smoker didn't lack manpower. The man had spent years building his power base in the New World, and he had both money and loyal subordinates in abundance. What he needed was top-tier combat power. Heavyweight fighters who could help him secure territory and status against opponents like Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Kaido.
A small elite team would serve that purpose better than an army.
"Everything important was already covered in the strategy meeting," Sengoku said. "There's just one critical point I want to emphasize: nobody wins decisively. Not Whitebeard, not Charlotte Linlin, not Kaido. You need to maintain the balance. Walk that line carefully."
In other words, don't help Whitebeard crush Big Mom and Kaido. Don't let the alliance destroy Whitebeard either. Help Smoker maximize his gains, then engineer a three-way split: Smoker's forces, Whitebeard's crew, and the Big Mom-Kaido alliance. Keep them balanced, keep them occupied with each other, buy the Marines time to complete their internal reforms.
Create external enemies to divert attention.
Finn nodded without further comment. The strategy sounded complicated, but the execution would actually be straightforward.
Step one: Help Smoker and Whitebeard beat down Big Mom and Kaido. Just don't kill them.
Step two: When victory seemed assured, Smoker and Whitebeard would inevitably turn on each other. Whitebeard wouldn't tolerate a rival in his waters, and Smoker needed to establish himself as an independent power. The alliance would fracture, giving Big Mom and Kaido breathing room to recover.
If things went according to plan, the situation would stabilize there. Three roughly equal powers locked in perpetual competition.
If complications arose... well, they'd adapt.
"Alright, I'll head to the New World immediately." Finn turned toward the door.
"Wait, Finn!"
Finn paused, hand on the doorknob. He glanced back with mild confusion. "Something else?"
"Who are you planning to take with you?"
"Is there a question?" Finn rattled off names without hesitation. "Sakazuki, Borsalino, Gion, Kuzan, Vice Admiral Garp, that Chaton guy could work too..."
Sengoku's expression shifted from curiosity to alarm. He held up both hands in a stopping gesture. "Absolutely not. That's completely out of the question."
"Why not?"
"You're supposed to be making a show of support for Smoker, not conquering the New World!" Sengoku's voice rose slightly. "If you walk in there with that lineup, you could wipe out three-quarters of the competition before breakfast. Excessive force is as bad as insufficient force. Whitebeard isn't stupid. He'll see through the charade immediately, and he might even turn on you preemptively. Form an alliance with Kaido and Big Mom just to push you back out. No. This won't work."
He paused, visibly collecting himself. "You'll take two people. Three total including yourself. That's enough firepower to influence the outcome while maintaining plausible deniability and room to maneuver."
"You're being stingy," Finn muttered.
Sengoku glared at him. "Both Borsalino and Sakazuki are Admirals. Having all three Admirals deploy together would send entirely the wrong message. Besides, they have their own responsibilities here."
"I already talked to Sakazuki. He's willing to go."
"I'll talk to Sakazuki. The answer is still no." Sengoku's tone left no room for argument.
Finn considered pushing harder, but ultimately decided against it. He'd known the full roster was a long shot anyway. Part of him had hoped that after the operation concluded successfully, there might be opportunities for the Marines to claim additional benefits from the chaos. Overwhelming force would have made that easier.
But Sengoku clearly had his own plans and calculations. Finn had no interest in undermining his superior over personnel assignments.
"Fine," Finn said. "I'll defer to your judgment."
Sengoku nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Gion and Kuzan. Those are my choices."
Before Finn could respond, the Fleet Admiral continued. "Kuzan has both strength and capability, but he's gotten lazy. This deployment will be good for him. As for Gion..." Sengoku's lips quirked. "I don't need to explain her qualifications to you. You know her better than I do."
"Understood."
Finn placed his hand on the doorknob again, then paused and glanced back at Sengoku. "Nothing else you need to tell me, right? You're not going to send someone chasing after me once I leave?"
Sengoku looked at him with faint amusement. He shook his head, then grew serious. "Five years."
The words hung in the air.
"I want this operation to buy us five years of relative peace in the New World," Sengoku continued, his voice dropping to something almost reverent. "Five years to resolve our internal problems. After that, we can finally act openly. Do what needs to be done."
Ambition flashed in the Fleet Admiral's eyes.
Finn did the math quickly. Five years from now would put them around Sea Circle Calendar 1518. Which meant Sengoku was planning some kind of major move before 1520.
Was the goal to eliminate the New World pirates before that date? Clear the board of the Four Emperors and their crews?
Or was the plan to resolve the situation with Mary Geoise first, break the Marines free from World Government control, and then deal with the pirates?
Finn considered asking for clarification, but ultimately decided against it. Sengoku would tell him when the time was right.
Instead, Finn straightened and snapped a crisp salute. "Yes, Fleet Admiral. I'll complete the mission."
So it wasn't just about maintaining balance. He needed to hurt them. Injure all three factions badly enough that they'd spend years recovering instead of causing problems.
Sengoku smiled, the expression warm despite his weathered features. "Be careful out there."
"Don't worry." Finn returned the smile, then opened the door and stepped into the corridor.
Hina was waiting just outside, leaning against the wall. She straightened immediately when she saw him.
"What did the Fleet Admiral say?" she asked, curiosity bright in her eyes.
"Start preparing for deployment," Finn ordered. "Find Gion and Kuzan, tell them to assemble. We're heading to the New World."
Hina's face lit up. The Admiral was taking her along?
"Yes, Admiral!" She snapped a salute, then turned and hurried down the corridor.
Finn returned to his office, settling behind his desk. He picked up the Den Den Mushi and dialed a number he'd memorized years ago.
The line connected after several rings.
"Admiral?" Jinbe's voice carried surprise.
"Jinbe, I need you to arrange a ship to pick me up at Sabaody Archipelago," Finn said without preamble.
There was a pause. Then, carefully: "Admiral, are you in some kind of trouble? Are you... planning to run away?"
Finn's eye twitched. Run away? Run away?!
He'd served as Admiral for years now. Never taken bribes, never abused his authority for personal gain, never embezzled so much as a single berry. He'd worked himself half to death building the Marines into what they were today. His conscience was absolutely clear.
What would he possibly need to run from? Just because he'd taken a few trips on official business? That was hardly scandalous.
While thinking this, Finn remained completely oblivious to the fact that he was currently standing on a carpet gifted by Doflamingo, worth billions of berries.
"Run away from what, you idiot?" Finn snapped into the receiver. "I need to lead a team into the New World quietly. Going through Mary Geoise would be too high-profile. We're taking the route through Fish-Man Island instead."
Relief flooded Jinbe's voice. "Oh. Oh! I understand, Admiral. I'll arrange it immediately. Actually, I'll come pick you up personally."
"Good. I'll contact you when we arrive at Sabaody." Finn ended the call, then immediately dialed another number.
"Smoker," he said when the connection established.
"Yes, I'm here!" Smoker responded quickly, his tone eager.
"You've already committed to the offensive, haven't you? The arrow's been nocked."
"The war's already started, actually," Smoker confirmed. "I estimate Headquarters will receive reports by tomorrow at the latest. But this is just the opening phase. Neither Whitebeard nor I plan to commit fully yet."
"Good. That gives us time." Finn leaned back in his chair. "Send someone to Fish-Man Island on the 29th. We'll be arriving secretly, and I'll need pickup arranged."
Excitement crept into Smoker's voice. "Headquarters is deploying? We're really doing this?"
"The Fleet Admiral is tired of waiting. Be ready to initiate the decisive phase of the battle."
"Yes, Admiral!"
Smoker had been playing pirate for a decade now. What had started as reluctant duty had become almost comfortable over time. But he'd never forgotten his true purpose.
If he was going to maintain the pirate cover, he might as well do it properly. Become one of the New World's apex powers. Stand as an equal to Whitebeard himself.
The thought sent adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Finn set down the Den Den Mushi and picked up his tea, sipping slowly while considering how to approach the coming battles. The strategy would need to be flexible, responsive to shifting alliances and unexpected developments...
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
Hina entered, followed by Gion and Kuzan. The three of them formed a line before his desk.
Finn looked at them, then sighed softly. "Including me, even without the official titles, we're deploying a three-Admiral lineup to the New World."
He shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. When you really thought about it, the Marines were terrifyingly strong.