"Shut up! What are you panicking for?"
Akainu snorted, his opinion of Green Bull dropping several points in an instant.
If Marineford hadn't suffered repeated heavy losses, if top-tier forces weren't gone, would someone so spineless really deserve to be a Marine Admiral?
He fell silent, eyes dark, cigar clenched between his teeth as he walked to the window, staring down at the naval ships docked for repairs.
Over fifty vessels.
The losses from the last war had been brutal. Green Bull hadn't been entirely wrong—there was no chance of fully recovering in the short term.
After a long pause, Akainu finally spoke."That man… he won't come to Marineford."
"What?" Green Bull blinked. "But isn't this the perfect opportunity—?"
"Do you really think that man still cares about us at all?" Akainu's voice cut cold."Wake up, Aramaki. The Marine Headquarters alone has long ceased to be a match for him. Right now, there's only one target in his eyes…"
"The Holy Land, you mean?"
"Where else?"
Akainu turned, expression icy.
"Defeating the Marines is just the start. Taking down the Emperors is clearing obstacles. Among the Four Emperors, three are either gone or in hiding. As for the remaining Red-Haired… hm, that man has always been a staunch ally of the Curtain Call Adventurers."
"In one or two months? That's conservative. Aramaki, you don't understand him. At most, in a month, maybe sooner, the Curtain Call Adventurers will openly declare war on the World Government."
Akainu's eyes darkened."And during this time… this is the final window. Before Mary Geoise is surrounded, the Marines have one last chance to turn the tide."
Turn the tide?
Green Bull looked blank. How could they? Their last confident assault in the New World ended in failure.
Now, the Marine Headquarters was battered, while the Curtain Call Adventurers had practically conquered the New World. The Marines… what could they use to reverse it?
"You mean that?"
Kizaru, trimming his nails, suddenly looked up and spoke quietly:"The three so-called End Points in the lava lakes… if detonated with explosive rock, could they destroy the entire New World at once?"
"Hmph. Not bad. You've grasped my meaning, Borsalino."
Akainu exhaled smoke and squinted."On our own, the explosive rock we control isn't enough. But that old man we never bothered with—since his defection, hasn't he been collecting more of it everywhere? With what he has, destroying the End Points is more than feasible."
"That old man…?"
Green Bull frowned. Who was he talking about? Since becoming an admiral, he'd been busy with assignments and didn't know much about this.
Akainu didn't bother explaining, instead turning to the empty chair across his desk."Time is short. Let's implement this plan, Fleet Admiral."
The empty chair didn't answer immediately, hand stroking its beard in thought.
This plan didn't need Akainu to propose it. Before the last New World expedition, it had already been considered.
Back then, many regions weren't under the Curtain Call Adventurers' control. There were still over a dozen allied nations.
Destroy all of them at once? Even the Five Elders couldn't authorize that without consulting the Gorosei.
But now… the situation had changed.
According to CP reports, those allied nations had defected to the Curtain Call Adventurers.
The Beast Pirates had been crushed.
The entire New World was now under their influence.
All enemies. All pirates.
"There's nothing left to hesitate over."
"Exactly my thought."
The empty chair stood slowly, eyes sweeping the room."As Sakazuki said, this is our last chance. I will go to the Holy Land myself to persuade the Five Elders. You three start working on the operational plan immediately."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
The three saluted and watched as the empty chair strode from the office.
After the figure disappeared, Akainu returned to the window, crushing his cigar underfoot, eyes cold on the New World.
Foundations are hard to build, but easy to destroy.
Reaching where you are, a rookie from East Blue like you must feel proud… but even if this explosion doesn't touch you personally, losing your base and seeing your forces destroyed—can you remain as calm and detached as before?
He chuckled."I'll start immediately. Shane, prepare yourself to receive this… gift."
Flower Capital, Wano
Cold. Trembling.
When she awoke, the icy wind from the window made Yamato sneeze violently.
She rubbed her nose, slowly standing, still groggy, when suddenly a chill touched her forehead.
A cold blade pressed against her brow.
"Not bad. You're the strongest of this group." A rough, deep voice rumbled.
Familiar…
Squinting, Yamato turned to see a tall fish-man blocking the sunlight from the window.
The man grinned, revealing jagged teeth.
"Ah! It's really you!"
Yamato shouted, then seethed with anger."You coward! Shameful! Last night you attacked those villagers, and when I intervened, you didn't even have the courage to fight one-on-one! You let your friends ambush me!"
She had spent the happiest and freest years of her life roaming Wano's fields, helping villagers. Last night, she had just arrived in a new village when this violent fish-man appeared, destroying homes and attacking people.
She confronted him and even managed to subdue him using her skill.
But she hadn't expected an ambush. Hidden companions struck, leaving her frozen—not knocked out, but seemingly immobilized by some power. The chill still lingered, forcing her to bundle up.
"Me? Attack villagers? Cowardly?"
Jack blinked. Pointing at himself, he almost lost his voice as Yamato glared."Are you kidding? Last night, I was following Shane's orders to eliminate remnants of the Kurozumi family! Those ninjas disguised as villagers were hiding there. You barged in and ruined it, letting several escape!"
He still bore bruises from her attack.
Yamato frowned, shocked."Kurozumi ninjas?"
"Lies!" she shouted.
Jack dragged two unconscious "elderly villagers" from outside. With a twist of their ear, they revealed themselves as middle-aged ninjas.
"Wait… who did you say sent you?"
"Boss Shane. Why?"
Jack scowled, almost punching her in frustration."I'm a Curtain Call Adventurers officer. The Beast Pirates are destroyed, and Wano is under our control. You, a troublesome woman, were to be imprisoned—but Shane's orders said to watch over 'a woman named Yamato.' White hair, reckless, naive. That's you."
"Impossible!"
"How impossible?"
"I mean… you're impossible!"
Yamato glared."Shane is my idol! Even his officers are calm, pleasant-looking people. You, with that fierce face, couldn't be his subordinate. You look like one of Kaido's underlings!"
"Huh? Say that again!" Jack nearly erupted."I'm one of Shane's original followers from Paradise. One of the top officers. Do you even know the name 'Earth Rumbler' Jack?"
Yamato paused. Recognition clicked. The news reports matched. Could it be…
Jack's face twitched."No doubt. I reported to Shane. He'll come check personally. You're his fan, right? Now you'll meet him."
"What? Really?!"
Her heart pounded, cheeks flushed.
"They're here, captain."
Kuzan's voice sounded from behind Jack.
"Capt..."
Shane calmly cut off Jack."Go handle other matters. I'll take care of her and make her apologize."
Jack left, and Kuzan stepped back.
Only Shane and Yamato remained.
Yamato stepped forward, kneeling with her forehead to the floor."I'm sorry, Boss Shane! I didn't know they were Kurozumi ninjas and accidentally harmed your subordinate. I, Yamato Bell-mère, am ready to pay any price!"
Shane gently interrupted."It was a misunderstanding. The escaped ninjas have been caught. You meant well, so there's no guilt… wait? You said your name is Bell-mère Yamato?"