(The story about crossing a dangerous bridge just to get there has gotten even more perilous...)
Robin slams the door open.
Bege rushes off to wake his subordinates who are sleeping in the port facilities.
From here, I need to explain just how troublesome our enemies are.
(After the incident in Perona's village, I was prepared for the Navy to pursue us even more relentlessly...)
The war with the allied nations is about to begin in earnest.
Back when we first took Robin in, we could still manage with a small crew. But now, with Amis and many other subordinates under our command, and with security tightened around the waters near Reverse Mountain, we need to demonstrate to the Navy—to the World Government—that we possess enough power to make them hesitate before taking action against us. Otherwise, we'll run out of options.
That's exactly what happened to Ohara, which was surrounded by overwhelming forces and destroyed.
(In terms of direction, it's right there in front of us.)
He placed his hands on the balcony railing—worn down and somewhat unstable to lean against—and gazed out toward the sea.
There lay Ohara.
He had rushed here too quickly, but he had believed that island wasn't doomed to destruction.
"Robin... Leaving that child behind and making that decision knowing you might die... I can't bring myself to call that 'admirable.'"
Somehow, I feel connected to Ohara and speak to her, who is likely sleeping there eternally.
If Olvia had escaped with Robin, perhaps there would have been a chance to save her.
Perona seemed to feel sympathy or empathy for Robin and paid her considerable attention, but even so, during our first voyage, she was a bundle of caution beyond her years. She appeared obedient and compliant, but she even feared sleep itself.
If it had been a completely male-dominated crew without Perona, she might have been even more guarded or might have escaped somewhere.
"But... it must be so frustrating. It must be so heartbreaking. Such a precious daughter. You must have wanted to be a true 'mother' to her for so much longer."
"I am not her real guardian, and the twenty years that could have led to her happiness are now meaningless."
I have no idea where this path leads, and it's terrifying in its own way...
"At the very least, I will do everything in my power to protect your daughter until her true guardian emerges twenty years from now."
Honestly, if Luffy and the others start causing their usual chaos, it would be a relief in many ways. Then I could plan a natural way for her to meet the Straw Hat Pirates—
—Please... please, take care of my daughter...
He whirls around suddenly.
The only entrance connecting the balcony to the interior, where Bege and Robin had departed from.
No one is there.
Robin, who should be closest, is probably waking Thunder Sonia and the others who were sleeping with her.
But for a moment, he thought he glimpsed an adult woman who resembled Robin...
A woman with different height, different clothes, and most importantly, different hair color—he was certain he saw her standing there.
"Captain, Robin is causing a commotion saying there's an emergency. What's happening?"
Daz appeared.
Our eyes met briefly, and he tilted his head questioningly.
"Ah... don't worry about it. I was just adjusting my pack."
Well, in this One Piece world, such phenomena do occur. After all, there's someone like Brook wandering around.
Anyway, this isn't the time for that.
"It's as I said. Gather the executives in the conference room. Bege and the others are coming too."
Realizing this was indeed an emergency, Daz quickly turned and ran off.
Well... let's go.
I donned my coat bearing the black cat emblem, stepped onto the balcony, and turned to bow once more.
Toward Ohara.
***
"Germa... the evil empire from those stories?"
"It wasn't just fiction?"
(Well, I suppose that's the reaction I should expect.)
The executives are half-believing, half-doubting, while the mafia executives are either laughing at us or looking down on us with disdain.
Well, it can't be helped.
The only one who truly understands how dangerous they are is Bege. Mihawk... he might consider them dangerous, but also entertaining.
Hack and the fishmen, along with Hancock, have no prior knowledge of them.
"Some marines might know, but there was a group of scientists called MADS. They were arrested and disbanded recently."
"Is that scholar among our enemies?"
Bege furrows his brow and asks.
Yeah, but in a way, that's better... or maybe not.
"The enemy's leader is one of those scientists."
"The leader? That's troublesome... Kuro, Germa refers to the empire, right? So the leader must be the king."
"Correct."
"Damn, if he's a king, he should just live in luxury and be content... What's his name? Something like Germa the Whatever or something?"
"No, it's different."
Bege is also a leader of an organization. Sensing that his subordinates' morale was beginning to waver, he asked questions to gather intelligence and clarify the situation.
"The family name is Vinsmoke. Vinsmoke Judge. That's our enemy's name."
To be honest, I'm not sure how strong Judge is as an individual.
No, I think he's at least at the level of a Yonko's officer, so we can't let our guard down.
Moreover, all I know about Judge comes from what I read.
Right now... it's probably around the time his children were born, I suppose.
Is his wife still alive too?
"Judge is a man who specializes in research on clones and genetic modifications."
"So those enhanced clones are the enemy's main force?"
Daz and the others, who hadn't quite grasped it before, finally began to understand the enemy's true nature and their expressions grew tense.
"Their specific capabilities... no, their abilities are unknown, but they definitely surpass ordinary humans."
Well, to be honest, I don't really know the details, but twenty years in the future, they were already capable of scattering Big Mom's forces.
Twenty years from now—they said it was on a completely different level compared to when Sanji was a child, but at the same time, there were rumors that even back then, they were already formidable... or something like that...?
I only read up to that point, so it's all hazy now.
"Considering the size of the ship... two thousand... maybe even more."
Bege spreads all the photographs of the ship across the table and attempts to estimate crew numbers by comparing them with other objects in the photos.
"It's not a sailing vessel. If those Den Den Mushi are the power source, then crew members aren't necessary. Most of them are probably soldiers."
This is problematic. I have no idea how powerful those Den Den Mushi ships actually are.
I know they can attach to the Red Line, but... no, wait.
"They can probably move on land as well. If we get too close to an island, they could transform into landing craft... or even land battleships."
"...Then we have no choice but to fight at sea. What should we do, Captain?"
The problem is how effective our cannon fire will be.
The enemy is Germa.
Or rather, Vinsmoke Judge.
A man who worked at MADS on research into biological modifications, including cloning.
He's probably applied his own technology to modify his equipment, including the ship itself.
(Assuming those giant Den Den Mushi are vulnerable would be a mistake. In that case...)
"Bege, dispatch a reconnaissance vessel immediately. Attach our sixth and seventh ships as escorts."
We need intelligence, no matter what.
If we attempt to investigate their detailed forces, we'll be discovered, but at minimum we need to track their ship movements.
"Ships six and seven... Aren't those the vessels your shipwrights have been working on? Are they ready?"
"They're ships modified as escort vessels for battleships. In other words, they're our shields in case of emergency. Now is their time to prove their worth."
Since we captured this island, the shipbuilders have been experimenting with numerous seized vessels, destroying many in the process, to add as much armor and artillery as possible while maintaining fleet speed.
(There's a chance we might lose them against Germa, but considering the future, we can't afford to sacrifice too many of Bege's men.)
Even if we survive this encounter, there's still the possibility of conflict with the Five Families.
At that time, Bege's forces, who are well-versed in underworld dealings, will be crucial.
If we can maintain our cooperative relationship, that would be ideal.
(Though, if they sense we're declining, they'll likely move to absorb us with glee...)
After all, it's Bege.
I can already picture that scenario.
We must take the most advantageous cooperative actions, avoid showing any weakness, and simultaneously achieve tangible results to demonstrate our future potential.
Otherwise, we'll be devoured.
We've been on a death march for ages, but from here on out, it'll be even worse.
"As soon as we confirm the enemy ships have departed, we'll launch our attack."
"As usual, focusing primarily on cannon fire?"
Daz, who has steadily accumulated experience in fleet command, confirms.
Wow... he's really become dependable...
When we sank five enemy pirate ships using only two of our vessels through cannon fire alone, I thought, "Incredible..."
"We'll proceed with that strategy. I'll begin planning now, but I anticipate a high probability of close combat. ...Mihawk."
When I address Mihawk, who is grinning defiantly while examining a photograph of the Germa ship, his smile widens as if he's been waiting for this moment.
"I'm sorry to ask this of you, but I need your assistance."
In truth, I think he'll cause complications, but he's the one who's been training my men, so it's only natural to request his help.
Bowing my head, I asked for his aid.
"...Raise your head, Kuro."
If he had just said those words, it would have been sufficient.
When I lifted my head, Mihawk wore an unusually serious expression.
"Indeed, I am a guest. I don't even bear the black cat that proves membership in your crew."
Oh, that's true.
But you always wear our work uniforms when you're laboring, don't you?
The elderly women in the evacuation zone were referring to you as "that fellow in work clothes" the other day.
"Even so, I consider myself a guest general, not merely a guest being fed. After all, these have been the most fulfilling days of my life."
Oh, that's accurate.
You've been dueling with me every single day lately, haven't you?
While I'm working, you're either doing farm work or dueling with the guards, and whenever I try to take a break, you draw your sword and come after me.
Right now, if my limbs remain intact, I could probably fight continuously for at least three days straight, you bastard.
"Give the order, Kuro. The sword I wield under your command wouldn't be disagreeable."
Really?
......
Really?
Very well. I'll steel myself as well. I already have, though.
"Mihawk, when we transition to close combat, you're authorized to act independently. In that case—"
"Simply cut. No need to select targets. Cut and cut and cut."
"Haha! Ah. Yes, that's perfect."
"I'll leave it to you."