Crocodile stood frozen, struggling to process Roy's words.
Pluton, the ancient weapon he'd spent decades pursuing, wasn't a weapon at all.
No armaments. No power to level islands.
Then what had he been chasing?
His dream, to carve out a place in this chaotic world, had hinged on that legendary warship.
"Even though Pluton doesn't have the functions you imagine, I can tell you this: Pluton can make your dream come true," Roy said with a smile.
"It can make my dream come true?!" Crocodile looked at Roy, full of doubt, wanting to ask for an explanation. But Roy had already leapt away, standing on top of Atmos' head as they flew off into the distance.
Soon, the entire world learned of a shocking event.
Under Morgan's World Economy News, news-coo flew across the seas delivering papers everywhere.
"Today's newspaper is free?"
People looked up at the papers raining down from the sky. Some newspapers required payment, while others, those carrying world government propaganda or new bounty posters, were distributed for free.
Free papers were nothing new. They were usually filled with praise for the Marines or the World Government.
But for ordinary people, any overseas news was worth reading, no matter the content.
Someone picked one up, glanced at it, and their face instantly changed.
[MARINE ADMIRAL CAPTURED!!]
Those 3 massive words blazed across the front page headline, alongside a large photograph of Admiral Ryokugyu. Next to it were several smaller photos.
The large photo showed his face clearly: Marine Headquarters Admiral Aramaki, code name Ryokugyu.
The smaller photos told the story: Ryokugyu in Roy's grasp, the caption reading,
[Admiral Ryokugyu defeated and captured alive by Whitebeard Pirates' Vice Captain, one of the Four Emperors, Roy. Later handed over to the Cross Guild for a bounty reward of 3 billion Berries.]
Another photo showed Ryokugyu being traded to Buggy, followed by a mountain of cash worth 3 billion Berries.
Then came Buggy's smug grin, and finally, Ryokugyu imprisoned underwater, only his head visible above the surface.
"An Admiral… defeated?!"
"That's Impossible!"
"This has to be fake."
"Unbelievable. It can't be real news, right?"
"It's from the World Economy News, it must be true."
"First, Kaido and Big Mom were defeated… The Straw Hat Pirates and the Cross Guild became the new Emperor crews. And now a Marine Admiral has fallen? The world really is about to collapse into chaos."
"Damn the World Government! After the Great Draft, they conscripted all our soldiers into the Marines. Now we don't even have troops left to protect ourselves!"
At the Marine Headquarters, they had already received the report.
Inside Fleet Admiral Akainu's office, all the Vice Admirals present in HQ had gathered.
Fujitora, despite usually being unwelcome inside Marineford, was there too. The only absent Admiral was Kizaru, away on a mission.
"Aramaki's been captured. What's our next move?" Sengoku asked gravely.
"We must bring him back, whatever it takes," Akainu growled.
Ryokugyu was his most obedient subordinate. Without him, Akainu feared Fujitora's presence alone would drive him mad with frustration.
"Then I will go," Fujitora offered.
"And us as well," Vice Admiral Onigumo stepped forward.
Doberman had gone with Kizaru on his mission. With the Five Elders' recent mobilization, over half the Marines' forces had been diverted. Still, thanks to the Great Draft, they had enough manpower left to act.
"We'll join too," Momousagi said firmly.
"The Cross Guild is nothing. They're not Whitebeard's crew. We can crush them easily," Tokikae scoffed from his chair, legs crossed.
"Aramaki ignored orders and went to Wano on his own. Roy handed him to the Cross Guild deliberately. There were already rumors he was trying to pull them in, but now it's clear he just wanted to spark conflict between us." Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke with calm analysis.
"This feels exactly like Blackbeard two years ago, provoking a war between us and the Whitebeard Pirates, while he stirred trouble at Impel Down," she continued.
"You're saying Roy's true aim might be Impel Down?" Akainu frowned.
"It's possible. But I believe the bigger target is in the New World," Tsuru replied.
"Tsuru, quit keeping us in suspense. What do you think his goal really is?" Garp asked bluntly.
"Most likely… Egghead," she said quietly.
"Egghead?"
"Dr. Vegapunk?"
"Borsalino went there to escort the Five Elders. It should be fine."
Others muttered, reassured by Kizaru's involvement.
"I don't know if you've heard the latest intelligence spreading underground," Tsuru said coldly.
"You mean… that rumor?" Vice Admiral Yamakaji asked hesitantly.
Everyone present, Vice Admirals and higher, knew exactly what she referred to. They had all heard whispers of the Celestial Dragons' secrets.
The rumor was that the destruction of the Lulusia Kingdom was no accident; it was obliterated by the Ancient Weapon Uranus, controlled by the Celestial Dragons, in a single strike.
"Whether or not that's true, only technology can counter technology. Roy's target is surely Vegapunk. And this time, it might be the final battle."
"On one hand, he's pushing us toward war with the Cross Guild. On the other hand, once we're tied up in that fight, we won't be able to send reinforcements to Egghead."
"If his plan works, he not only weakens us but might even absorb the Cross Guild into his side. The last thing we should do is face them head-on," Tsuru warned.
"Then we negotiate. The Cross Guild can still be reasoned with. Unless absolutely necessary, we avoid direct conflict," Sengoku advised.
"But if we don't crush them, what reputation does the Marines have left?" Akainu roared.
"This isn't about some mere reputation! We must think of the bigger picture. The Five Elders are already en route to Egghead. If Roy gets Vegapunk… and if he gains control of an Ancient Weapon, what then?" Sengoku pressed.
"Ancient Weapons are in the hands of the Celestial Dragons. No way they fall to pirates. Not even the Whitebeard Pirates could succeed at Egghead. As for the Cross Guild, we should go all out and wipe them out!"
"They dared to put bounties on us! Around the world, people are already attacking us. Marines are supposed to be heroes who protect people from pirates. Do we now let those heroes become prey?!"
"Tap… tap… tap…!!"
Footsteps echoed down the corridor.
The door burst open. A Rear Admiral stumbled in, breathless, face pale with terror.
"Fleet Admiral Akainu! Bad news…"
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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