At that moment, the conference room at Marine Headquarters fell completely silent. Most of the people present were deathly pale, and some even had beads of cold sweat on their foreheads.
For some reason, everyone's gaze instinctively turned to the three Marines who were also Logia-type Devil Fruit users.
"Hey, hey… that's way too over the top. Even I couldn't pull something like that off!"
Although Borsalino was also a Logia-type Devil Fruit user with considerable destructive power, it was impossible for him to unleash such a devastating attack on the spot.
He glanced at Kuzan and Sakazuki, fellow Logia Devil Fruit users standing beside him, and asked,
"What about you two!?"
Neither of them looked particularly confident. Kuzan shook his head first. In terms of area of effect, he believed his Hie Hie no Mi wasn't weak, but when it came to sheer destructive power… Sakazuki clenched his fists tightly, yet said nothing.
Now everyone had a clear idea of the situation.
At that moment, the Navy Rear Admiral presiding over the proceedings, having completed his task, saluted Fleet Admiral Kong and stepped down from the stage.
Seeing this, Kong stood and strode forward to the front of the stage. His first words were a furious shout that snapped everyone present back to reality.
"Don't make such a disgraceful spectacle of yourselves! Are you still the righteous Marines?!!"
After this, he began to explain in detail.
"I admit this technique is indeed terrifying, but there's no need to worry. According to the intelligence we've received, executing this move isn't exactly a simple matter."
Kong pressed the Den Den Mushi. The screen displayed Yemu transformed into a fire dragon, spewing flames into the sky, as Kong continued.
"According to the Science Division's analysis of this technique, the Sky Pirates' attack requires their captain to first use the Mera Mera no Mi's ability to rapidly heat the surrounding air, creating an updraft. This updraft then generates thunderclouds. Their First Mate, a user of the Goro Goro no Mi, then uses his abilities to both amplify the lightning within and control the thunderclouds to unleash the attack. Therefore, as long as we prevent the thunderclouds from forming, this move cannot be executed—and Kuzan's Hie Hie no Mi can accomplish that."
Feeling all eyes on him, Kuzan's expression turned slightly awkward. He recalled the scene at the Sabaody Archipelago. Could he really pull it off? That man's Mera Mera no Mi abilities had already reached a level beyond his own. And now, even the Goro Goro no Mi had produced such a terrifying technique.
Still, he remained silent, not wanting to dampen the morale of his comrades.
Seeing this, Kong waved to bring everyone back to their senses.
"Alright, the reason I've gathered you all here today is not only to finalize our future Navy strategy, but also because the Sky Pirates can no longer be left unchecked. Although we attempted to deal with them over a month ago, due to manpower shortages and our limited understanding of their capabilities, they escaped. But things are different now. This time, I've decided to form a special task force dedicated to the Sky Pirates, led by Admiral Zephyr and Vice Admiral Tsuru. I'm granting you military resources on par with the Buster Call—including 20,000 Marines, eight special warships, and the freedom to select officers from Marine Headquarters. My goal is singular: to head to the New World and wipe the Sky Pirates from existence. Any objections…?"
"No problem. Leave it to me and Tsuru!"
Zephyr said coldly. The failure at the Sabaody Archipelago was still fresh in his memory, even after more than a month had passed.
Tsuru nodded as well, though her thoughts ran deeper.
"Just in case, could Kuzan join this special task force? After all, this is a naval operation, and we need to guard against those two making a last-ditch effort before they die."
"No problem. Aside from Kuzan, Borsalino, you'll head to the G1 Branch to provide central support. The moment you spot any trace of the Sky Pirates, rush to their aid immediately."
Borsalino nodded nonchalantly.
At that moment, Sakazuki suddenly spoke up.
"I'll go too. Villains like these must be eliminated."
Everyone turned in surprise. Even Kong was slightly taken aback—Sakazuki was being surprisingly proactive. Yet he made no objection.
"In that case, Borsalino, you'll remain at G1. Sakazuki, you'll head to G5, and Zephyr and Tsuru as well. Although we've withdrawn from the New World for strategic reasons, that doesn't mean we'll let those pirates run rampant there."
Everyone nodded, their previously gloomy expressions brightening considerably.
Kong then slammed his fist down on the table and said,
"Well then, since it's been decided, get everything ready as soon as possible and set out immediately. We can't give them any more time to grow..."
...
Since this was a meeting for admirals and above, it was naturally impossible to keep the news under wraps. From the very beginning, Kong hadn't expected to hide it from everyone—after all, it was such a large-scale Marine deployment.
But when, three days later, Kong saw the Marines' complete operational plan in the newspaper—even the personnel roster had been published—he couldn't help but explode with rage.
"Damn Morgans!"
Yet even Kong hadn't anticipated that the one who leaked the intelligence wasn't Morgans at all; in fact, Morgans had even obtained their intelligence from Yemu.
...
New World.
On the deck of the Twin Goddesses, which had just departed from Shaman Tora Island, home of the Longleg Tribe, the scene was one of bustling activity.
Captain Yemu and First Mate Enel each found a spot for themselves at the bow of the ship. A practitioner, bare-chested and dripping with sweat, his skin gleaming, his hands shackled with Seastone cuffs, trained relentlessly.
Tiger, the navigator, and Erik, the swordsman, were sparring. Tiger's arms, covered in Armament Haki, clashed with Erik's twin swords, also enveloped in Armament Haki. In this pure combat, the two honed their Haki skills against each other, practicing both Armament and Observation Haki.
Meanwhile, Kuroli, a user of the Kama Kama no Mi, had shed his disguise and returned to his form as a young warrior, observing and learning from the sidelines.
At the stern, a small garden had been cleared. Ayala was delighted. With the help of Kurota, Ron, and Gaos, she planted the precious seeds she had received from Shamantra Island as a token of gratitude. In addition, she planted rare herb seeds collected from various places, as well as rare plant flowers she had gathered from Big Mom's library.
The Dwarves' affinity for plants proved remarkable. The seeds took root and sprouted before their eyes, growing at a speed that could only be described as wild. The stern of the Twin Goddesses was transforming into a small forest almost unbelievably fast, drawing gasps of wonder from everyone who visited.
Lillilu, the Cloud Fox, seemed to love the environment, staying there day and night as if it were her home. Accompanying her were hardworking ants and bees of various kinds—some large, some small, some fierce-looking, others cute.
...
Below deck, in the training room, Flare and BABY-5, both Devil Fruit users, had begun training in the Sea Cloud Gravity Chamber, though Seastone still exerted too much suppressive force for them.
Kuromi, a user of the Baku Baku no Mi, was in the treasure room, consuming various metallic materials according to the notes left by Tom-san in Water 7, attempting to synthesize them into new creations.
Kuromu, a user of the Doa Doa no Mi, stayed by his older brother's side. Inspired by the Mira Mira no Mi user they had encountered on Whole Cake Island, he began experimenting with the Doa Doa no Mi to create a permanent alternate dimension within the Twin Goddesses.
All in all, everyone was working hard for a better future. Seeing this, Yemu felt it was time to give everyone a goal for the future. Only then would their efforts truly have meaning....