Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office
"I understand. I'll immediately arrange for reinforcements to rendezvous with you. Be cautious above all."
With that, Akainu ended the call.
"How's the situation, Akainu?" Vice Admiral Tsuru sat with her arms folded under her chin, her expression stern.
Glancing at her, then at the assembled Marine Headquarters officers, Akainu organized his thoughts and spoke:
"Rest assured, they've successfully intercepted Kaido's pursuit. Smoker is confirmed to be safe."
"However, it's not just Kaido in that region. Members of the Beasts Pirates are also actively searching for them. I've ordered full mobilization of G-5 and G-11 to provide support. I don't foresee any problems."
Akainu then frowned.
"Distance is still an issue. We have no real enemies left in the First Half of the Grand Line. Maybe... it's time to shift our focus to the New World."
Orrick's threat also comes from the New World. With a large-scale war looming, relying on a few regional bases won't suffice.
What Akainu was considering now was relocating Marine Headquarters to the New World. This move would not only boost morale and demonstrate resolve but also give them a strategic advantage in terms of proximity.
If not for the distance, they wouldn't be sitting in a meeting here, leaving everything to Rowen and Kizaru.
"These matters need further discussion," Tsuru said with a furrowed brow. "But it would be extremely difficult."
"Marineford's location is critical. It is the linchpin of the Grand Line's First Half iron defense line, protecting the Holy Land and acting as the first buffer zone."
"With the Revolutionary Army openly declaring war and constantly threatening Sabaody, the Five Elder Stars would never approve such a move."
Marineford is the Holy Land's strongest shield. Without it, one must scale the Red Line like Fisher Tiger or use the bubble elevator at Sabaody to reach Mary Geoise.
From the Marines' perspective, abandoning such a key position to address New World threats could be seen as a dereliction of duty, even though it might be strategically sound in the long term. But the Five Elder Stars and government officials would never agree.
Their safety is bound to this one location. As long as they're safe, they don't care what happens in the New World.
Tsuru had put it diplomatically.
What she didn't know was that Akainu was very clear about the Revolutionary Army's movements.
Until they achieve their goal of overthrowing the corrupt World Government, the Revolutionary Army would never complicate things further by forcing the Marines into disarray.
The Marines are the strongest and last line of resistance against the alliance of Orrick and Kaido. Disrupting them would only aid Orrick, something Dragon understands very well.
Of course, Akainu wasn't about to reveal that. He simply snorted, "Hmph! Cowardly trash!"
The others in the office acted like they didn't hear a thing, no one commented, each focused on their own matters.
After a pause, Akainu composed himself and asked, "Where is Aokiji now? The enemy is Kaido after all. If this drags on, it could become dangerous for them."
Only two Yonko remain at sea. Shanks has been silent for some time, Akainu couldn't care less, but Kaido is another matter entirely.
Kaido's decision to ally with Orrick warrants dispatching three Admirals to crush him.
"We received word that he's already crossed the Squardrian Sea and is headed toward G-5," Tsuru replied.
She unrolled the sea chart in front of her and traced a line with her finger.
"According to the plan, Rowen and Borsalino will fight and retreat simultaneously, drawing Kaido toward this side… At the speed of our war aircraft, if everything goes well, they should rendezvous thirty nautical miles southeast of G-11 by the afternoon of the day after tomorrow."
"Three days, huh? Got it…"
Akainu frowned. That duration, neither too long nor too short, would be a critical period of fierce combat.
It took ten days and nights for him and Aokiji to settle their fight, and Kaido, even in past defeats, often held out for an entire week even while being besieged.
Three days would land right in the intense phase of battle.
"Everyone else, be ready. If needed, we must be ready to join the battlefield at any moment!"
Just as Akainu was about to conclude the meeting, the Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
Buru Buru… Buru Buru…
His motion to stand paused. He picked up the receiver.
"Hello, this is Akainu."
"Ah, it's me, Fleet Admiral..."
"Aokiji? Why are you calling me now?!"
"Well, don't get mad yet. I wouldn't be calling you if it wasn't for a reason…"
On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Aokiji scratched his messy hair, his eyes barely open, leaning in the command room of an aircraft, staring at the vast ocean below.
"I'm calling to say... I don't think I'm going to make it to the battlefield."
"WHAT?!!"
Akainu's eyes bulged in rage. "You bastard, are you planning to disobey orders?!"
"Don't think that just because I didn't kill you back then means I'm fond of you."
Akainu tolerated Aokiji only because, as Fleet Admiral, he had to look at the bigger picture, his position dictated his mindset. But on a personal level, the two were still as incompatible as fire and ice.
"It's not that I'm disobeying orders... I don't want to either! It's just that something more important has come up, and I have to shift my target."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Akainu sneered coldly. "Let's hear it!"
"If it's not something absolutely necessary, then you might as well raise a black flag right now."
Black flag = pirate flag, the implication was clear: if Aokiji couldn't give a valid reason, he might as well openly rebel and become a pirate.
In response, Aokiji simply shrugged, looking completely indifferent.
"Of course it's necessary. For example…"
His previously lazy tone suddenly turned cold and sharp.
"For example... I've found Princess Shirahoshi's whereabouts!"
Far below, on the ocean surface a thousand meters beneath him, a massive Sea King resembling a giant hippo emerged, its mountain-like body looming with an imposing presence. Its eyes, each the size of a war behemoth, were half-lidded as it moved slowly through the sea.
And that wasn't all!
Surrounding the hippo-like Sea King were more than ten other enormous Sea Kings. These creatures, typically territorial and violently aggressive toward intruders, were now peacefully gathered, united in harmony, forming a regal procession around a colossal island turtle.
Atop the island turtle sat a sprawling palace complex, and through his monocular, Aokiji could clearly see a figure standing on the central platform of the palace:
It was the long-missing Princess Shirahoshi, seemingly gazing out into the distance.
"Princess Shirahoshi?!!"
A wave of gasping filled the office. The officers exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to comprehend how the princess, previously taken by Orrick, could now be seen out in the open sea.
What was going on?
Shirahoshi alone in the sea?
Had she escaped Orrick's control?
By herself?
"No matter the cost, Aokiji, I order you to bring her back!"
"And if that's not possible…"
Akainu's face darkened, and through gritted teeth he growled, "Kill her on the spot!!"
"Ah la la, I figured that would be your answer. That's why I hesitated so long before telling you."
Aokiji yawned. But before Akainu could erupt in rage, a chill swept over him, and half his body froze into ice.
"But I know how to weigh priorities. So leave it to me, Fleet Admiral."
(End of Chapter)
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