"May 20th, overcast. Surveillance isn't going well today."
"Sand Crocodile Crocodile is back to major construction, building a massive structure next to the Flower Capital and locking up the NEO Marines (I wasn't going to tell you, but now I think it doesn't matter). Does Buggy not trust them?"
"There's definitely another force hidden in the shadows of Wano Country. Their Observation Haki is too strong; they've evaded my surveillance. Moreover, the Buggy Pirates probably don't know this force exists either."
"I'm keeping a straight face as you do, and the students are much more obedient, but Tsuru teases me for looking like a Yakuza boss."
"Another ship arrived at the port; it's the Red Hair Pirates' red force. Why would the Red Hair Pirates come to Wano Country? Damn it, Sakazuki, you're the death of me! If they find me, I'm done for!"
Slap! Akainu slammed his hand onto the desk, which immediately began to smell scorched.
The fax transponder snail on the desk trembled in fear.
"Damn that Borsalino! Why did he leave such important news for the end? And who the hell is this Tsuru! You're there to work, not to relax!"
Why is this guy so lax... The problem is, this lax guy is also one of the Marines' top combatants. Aside from him, there aren't many people left to use.
The Marines are getting worse with each generation. They can't cultivate their own talent and have to rely on a World Military Draft.
The Admiral Candidates don't have the combat power of an Admiral at all, and there are few among the truly useful rookies.
Smoker, whom he once had high hopes for, is gradually falling behind in strength. And what on earth are those two that Garp trained?
Afraid of blood? Afraid of death? Why become a Marine if you're afraid of sacrifice!
If they weren't so disappointing, why would he bother secretly cultivating the New Marines?
But now Ain and Binz are stuck in Wano Country... Did Buggy notice something?
As for the Red Hair Pirates landing in Wano Country, Akainu had no choice but to stay on high alert.
The Scientific Marine Force test failed; it's said that Vegapunk is undergoing a new round of modifications.
Borsalino, don't you dare let them find you! Even though he complained about Kizaru's laxness, Akainu still hoped his undercover mission would go smoothly.
"Mr. Bunta, you're amazing! You can do everything."
Tsuru held a towel and stood on her tiptoes to wipe away non-existent sweat for Kizaru.
"It's nothing. I used to do this kind of manual labor often," said Kizaru, who had completely renovated the school.
"Is that so? I thought you were some big shot," Tsuru said softly.
"Really? Haha~ Why would you say that..." Kizaru broke into a cold sweat.
"Your presence. Even though you look a bit lecherous..." Tsuru smiled slightly. "That kind of presence can't be hidden."
"My late husband was also a big shot in Wano Country, but his presence wasn't even a tenth of yours," Tsuru said wistfully. "However, he considered himself a samurai and never did this kind of manual labor."
Kizaru didn't expect Tsuru to be so sharp. Was his life in Wano Country about to end?
"Mr. Bunta, will you destroy the current peace of Wano Country?" Tsuru asked in a low voice.
"No..." Kizaru could only reply that way.
His purpose for coming was only to observe what the Buggy Pirates were doing, not to cause destruction.
"I understand. Take a rest, I'll go prepare the meal." Tsuru turned and left as if nothing had happened.
What a failure, to be seen through by a woman. But is Tsuru really just an ordinary woman?
Meanwhile, in the newly built [Transponder Snail Research and Breeding Center], Buggy also received news of the Red Hair Pirates' arrival.
"I have things to do. You stay here and breed the transponder snails well. The goal for the first phase is one million," Buggy said.
"One... million?" Ain was almost in tears. "Captain Buggy, do you know how massive that number is? Also, what about food for the transponder snails?"
"Don't we have him?" Buggy pointed at the ninja Binz. "His ability is to control plant growth, right? With him, will the transponder snails ever lack food?"
Ain was suddenly puzzled. Why did Buggy know so much about the NEO Marines?
Besides, they came to Wano Country on a mission, not to breed transponder snails.
"We don't want to waste all our time here, Captain Buggy," Ain said seriously. "We still have things we want to do..."
"This is a great cause that will change the world. Trust me, perhaps your name will be left in history—' Mother of Transponder Snails' Ain!"
"What kind of ridiculous title is that! I don't want it." Ain felt embarrassed just thinking about it.
"We still have enemies; we can't stay here long," Ain thought of an excuse.
"That white-bearded idiot Edward Weevil?" Buggy asked.
"Exactly, him!" Ain said resentfully.
"Just a brainless fellow. Anyway, leave the revenge to me; you just focus on breeding the transponder snails. I have business to attend to. Next time, I'll come see you with Edward Weevil's head."
After speaking, Buggy hurried away, leaving only the NEO Marines and Orochi in the breeding center.
"What do we do?" Ain asked Binz.
"I don't know either! How about we try working here first?" Binz said.
Although they couldn't complete Akainu's orders, they had no choice, did they?
"Gather all the officers. We're going to welcome the Red Hair Pirates; we can't let them look down on us."
Upon leaving the research center, Buggy issued the command.
"What are the Red Hair Pirates here for?" Crocodile asked.
"Huh? Did I not mention it? Our two Pirate Crews areallyinge to deal with the Blackbeard Pirates together," Buggy asked, feigning surprise.
"You didn't say it on purpose... You just wanted to see the attitude of us officers." Crocodile clearly knew his Captain's twisted sense of humor.
He had made many preparations for the upcoming war and studied all the officers of the Blackbeard Pirates, only to find out now that there was backup.
"Were you a bit nervous lately?" Buggy laughed loudly. "How could I make pointless sacrifices? Of course, I've made all the preparations to fight the Blackbeard Pirates."
Buggy whistled, and Onimaru, carrying Shusui on his back, leaped out.
"Are we going to fight?" Crocodile grew excited.
"It's a tradition. Let's see what the Red Hair Pirates, known as the 'Iron Wall' Pirate Crew, are made of."
"I'll go call the others right now." Crocodile turned into a sand tornado and flew off.
On the other side, King and Jack were with the members of the Red Hair Pirates.
"Boss King, are they really our allies?" Jack asked.
"Shut up. I was gone for just a moment, and you almost started a fight with the Red Hair Pirates. Don't you know the relationship between Captain Buggy and Shanks?" King snapped.
"We tried to talk him out of it, but we couldn't," Ulti said. "Jack took a liking to the Red Hair Pirates' ship..."
"Do you never look at who your opponent is?" King was somewhat speechless; no wonder Captain Buggy didn't want him going out to sea.
"You only know how strong they are after a fight. If it's just about fame, then whoever is most famous should just be the Pirate King," Jack said defiantly.
"I heard Shanks's arm was bitten off by a Lord of the Coast; maybe he's just a pushover..." Jack grumbled.
"Shut up!" King snapped, then quickly explained, "Sorry, he's not very bright."
"Hahahaha~ He has a point." Shanks didn't mind and instead laughed loudly. "Maybe I really am a pushover!"
"However... it seems my old friend wants to test the abilities of this 'pushover'!" Shanks had already spotted Buggy approaching with Shusui, along with the officers behind him.
"A little exercise before the friends' gathering?" Beckman stubbed out his cigarette. "Who's my opponent?"
"Pick for yourselves..." Shanks had already drawn his saber, Gryphon.
Two waves of Conqueror's Haki clashed.
"Kamusari!" x2.