Shanks listened carefully, then asked, "What are the two plans?"
"Forget it. That kind of thing can wait until after the World Government is overthrown," Marco replied, refusing to elaborate. It was not just a matter of choice, his instincts rejected the idea. He was a pirate, skilled at destruction, not governance.
In Marco's view, even if the World Government were truly overthrown, the Marines would still be necessary to maintain order. It was highly likely that the existing system of governance would continue in some form. After all, the World Government had ruled the seas for eight hundred years, which proved it had its strengths.
This was not his former world. In this world, power determined everything. As long as someone possessed overwhelming strength, even a flawed system could endure for generations.
Seeing Marco avoid the question, Shanks did not press further. He chuckled lightly. "Alright, then I'll be taking my leave."
Marco raised a brow slightly. "Leaving already? I thought you would stay for Luffy's funeral."
Shanks shook his head. "No need. With Ace around, he'll handle everything. I won't interfere."
Marco gave a small nod. "Alright. Until next time."
"Hmm." Shanks turned and called out, "Everyone, prepare to set sail."
"Boss, we're leaving already?" Lucky Roux asked in surprise.
"Luffy has a reliable older brother. That's enough," Shanks replied with a grin.
"Yeah, it's time to go," Benn Beckman added calmly.
With the formation of the Three Emperors Alliance, their combined strength had become overwhelming. In the New World, no forces could challenge them directly, not even the Marines. However, if Kaido and Big Mom discovered their current movements, unpredictable complications could arise.
Back in Wano, when the alliance was first formed, Kaido and Big Mom had already attempted to make a move. Only Marco's intervention had prevented a full-scale conflict. If those two were to act again under different circumstances, the outcome might not be so easily controlled.
Soon, the Red Hair Pirates departed.
Not long after, Marco, in his phoenix form, arrived at Amazon Lily.
Ace had already left ahead of him, using the Mirror World to return to the New World. His goal was clear, he needed the help of Vegapunk. With advanced technology, Ace hoped to preserve Luffy's body and prevent any deterioration before returning him to Foosha Village in the East Blue for burial.
Meanwhile, at Marineford, the aftermath of these events continued to ripple.
Despite Sengoku's efforts to suppress the news from Amazon Lily, Monkey D. Garp eventually learned the truth. The news of his grandson's death struck him like a fatal blow.
The Hero of the Marines nearly collapsed.
His anger had nowhere to go. He wanted to confront the Gorosei directly, but was stopped by Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru.
Their reasoning was simple.
Luffy was a pirate.
Those words shattered something inside Garp. From that moment on, his spirit seemed to wither. A man who had never fallen ill in his life was suddenly bedridden.
Sengoku could only watch helplessly.
He could not change the decisions of the World Government, especially now that a Celestial Dragon had risen to the rank of Admiral. Even as Fleet Admiral, his authority had its limits.
All he could do was hope Garp would eventually come to terms with it.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku sat behind his desk, buried in documents. Following orders from the World Government, the Marines had begun expanding recruitment to compensate for losses suffered during the Marineford War, the Whole Cake Island conflict, and the Egghead Island incident.
At some point, Tsuru had entered the office without him noticing.
Sengoku looked up, slightly startled. His awareness had dulled more than he realized.
Removing his frog-shaped glasses, he rubbed his eyes. "Tsuru, how is Garp?"
Tsuru sighed. "Physically, he's fine. Mentally, he's completely trapped by the news. He's like a shell of himself."
Sengoku frowned. "Spend some time with him when you can."
"I will," she replied with a nod.
Sengoku adjusted his glasses again. "Did you come with something important?"
Tsuru's expression turned serious. "It's from the Gorosei. A new mission."
She handed over a stack of documents.
"The Gorosei want a detailed combat plan as soon as possible. If you have objections or requests, you're to contact them directly or report to Mary Geoise."
Sengoku took the documents. The bold title immediately caught his attention.
Three Emperors Annihilation Plan.
His expression hardened as he began reading.
The report revealed that CP agents had already infiltrated the Three Emperors Alliance. Intelligence confirmed that the Phoenix Pirates had arranged a decisive battle against the Blackbeard Pirates. The clash was set to take place in Demon Valley Town on April 6th, Whitebeard's birthday, marking the final confrontation between the two forces.
Everything suddenly made sense.
The Phoenix Pirates' rapid response at Amazon Lily had not been coincidence. They had been preparing all along.
As Sengoku continued reading, the report detailed projections of the upcoming battle. The conclusion was unanimous, the Phoenix Pirates were expected to win. However, Marshall D. Teach had become something unprecedented, a user of three Devil Fruits.
Even in victory, the cost would be severe.
Sengoku lowered the document slightly, his gaze darkening.
"So they want us to strike while they're weakened… and eliminate the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates at the same time."
He exhaled slowly.
During the Marineford War, the entire force of the Marines had barely managed to handle Whitebeard alone. Now they were being ordered to take the initiative against two Yonko crews simultaneously.
A gamble that could decide the fate of the seas.
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