"Ganzui is missing? What happened?"
Caesar frowned.
Seeing the big shots all looking at him, Doflamingo became a bit nervous, straightening his posture and appearing extremely obedient...
"That's how it is. Ganzui, after that day's pirate meeting ended, left Whole Cake Island alone on his small ship. Our informants noted that after he left Totto Land waters, he headed in the direction of Hachinosu. But according to searches by our intelligence personnel deployed in Blackbeard's territory and information from Morgans, we discovered that Ganzui disappeared shortly after."
Doflamingo glanced at Caesar and said slowly, "So I suspect... was Ganzui captured by Blackbeard?"
Caesar remained silent, but he knew Teach couldn't have captured Ganzui.
Not only had Caesar already altered Teach's memories, along with brainwashing the two sisters in his mind.
Just considering Ganzui himself - aside from his bizarre swordsmanship, he didn't possess any powerful Devil Fruit abilities that would attract Teach's ability-hunting team.
Suddenly, Shiki said, "Could it have been the Marines?"
Caesar's eyes suddenly turned sharp!
Linlin also said hatefully, "Very likely! Perhaps they want to snipe our top fighters when they're alone. Doesn't Katakuri's experience prove everything?"
"Doflamingo, contact Marine Headquarters. I want to speak with Akainu!" Caesar's face darkened, his body naturally emitting a chilling cold that silenced everyone on the deck.
Doflamingo didn't hesitate, pulling out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket and dialing the Marine Headquarters office number.
....
At Marine Headquarters G1 Base, in the Fleet Admiral's office.
Several high-ranking Marine officers who had been discussing all morning were just about to get up and leave.
"Pururu pururu pururu pururu."
The Den Den Mushi on the desk suddenly rang urgently, making everyone pause their steps.
Akainu returned to the desk and, without much thought, directly picked up the Den Den Mushi.
"What is it?"
"Fufufufu, it's Akainu. Perfect timing, my BOSS has business with you."
"Doflamingo?" Akainu frowned.
At the doorway, the several people who had already left the office, hearing Doflamingo's voice, immediately turned back.
Black Horse walked to Akainu's side, looking curiously at the Den Den Mushi in Akainu's hand.
"Sakazuki, who's on the other end?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Den Den Mushi slowly transformed, taking on the appearance of a cold man with horns on his head.
That face made Akainu clench the cigar in his mouth, his expression changing slightly.
"Caesar!"
"What? Caesar's call?"
Hearing Akainu's voice, Kizaru, Fujitora, and Vice Admiral Tsuru all walked over with grave expressions.
Everyone gathered around the Den Den Mushi, wanting to hear what Caesar had to say by calling.
At the doorway, Word quietly put on his white mask with a pleased smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Akainu, have you Marines grown tired of living? Daring to send people to cause trouble in my territory?"
The moment Caesar's icy cold words came through the Den Den Mushi, everyone present's expressions changed.
Akainu was furious, his hand holding the Den Den Mushi trembling with anger.
"Caesar! Watch your language!"
"Language? Fuck your language! You dog raised by the Celestial Dragons, why do you repeatedly test my patience? I told you to return the Germa 66, and you had the nerve to sneak in extra goods?
That guy who escaped is with you, right? Listen up! Before sunset tomorrow, hand that person over, and also return my Beast God Pirates' commander Ganzui safely! I won't elaborate on the consequences—you know what they are."
"You...!"
Akainu was so enraged by Caesar's disrespectful words that smoke practically poured from his seven orifices.
Literally, smoke was rising from his body.
Scorching heat emanated from him, causing the office temperature to rapidly climb.
After taking several deep breaths, Akainu barely suppressed his fury and snarled into the Den Den Mushi.
"I don't know what you're talking about! And Ganzui isn't here with us at all! Stop making baseless accusations!"
"Not there? Heh. Ever since I woke up, I haven't actively sought trouble with you Marines. I've left you alone, focusing on quietly building my forces. So why do you self-righteous Marines always have to interfere?"
"You attacked my son Katakuri while I was away, trying to repeat what happened with Newgate? Let me make this clear—no need for such complications!"
"I'm giving you Marines ten days. Just like two years ago, gather your so-called champions of justice, clean your necks, and wait for my arrival at Marine Headquarters!"
"Are you declaring war on Marine Headquarters? Think carefully, Caesar! Don't think that gathering a few stray cats and dogs under your command gives you the right to challenge the Marines' authority, I'm telling you..."
Akainu felt the rage in his chest nearly overflowing.
This Caesar was utterly lawless!
Not only did he directly insult the Fleet Admiral, but he also openly threatened to attack Marine Headquarters!
And even gave the Marines ten days to prepare!
Who did he think he was?
The Pirate King Roger?
As Akainu was about to say more, the Den Den Mushi was suddenly snatched from his hand by Black Horse.
Black Horse picked up the receiver and immediately said coldly:
"Barbarossa Caesar, is it? A mere pirate, and you think you're some big shot? What damned Yonko—let me tell you! These so-called Emperors of the Sea are just titles the World Government allows you to have."
"If we wanted, we could give even a dog the title of Yonko, and no one would dare object! Keep acting arrogantly, and I'll strip you of your Yonko title!"
"And... whose dog are you?"
Caesar's words were infuriating.
Black Horse exploded with rage.
As the chief of the Criminal Investigation Department, his status was exceedingly high—
Almost on par with the Fleet Admiral, with direct access to the Gorosei, commanding a group of vicious pardoned criminals.
"I am Black Horse, chief of the World Government's Criminal Investigation Department!"
"Black Horse, white horse—never heard of you. World Government scum, get out of my way! I'll deal with you in a few days! Tell Akainu to listen up: before sunset tomorrow, deliver World and Ganzui to Tottoland!"
"Caesar, you...!"
Click.
The call was abruptly terminated from the other end, giving Black Horse no chance to continue.
Bang!
Fury twisting his features, Black Horse smashed the Den Den Mushi violently against the wall, crushing it into pulp.
"Lawless! Absolutely lawless! Sakazuki! Mobilize the entire fleet! Wipe out this damned Beast God Pirates!"
Black Horse roared repeatedly, shouting at Akainu.
But Akainu ignored him, his expression shifting uncertainly.
Black Horse had long held a high position in the World Government and was accustomed to arrogance, unaware of how dangerous pirates in the New World could be.
Especially Caesar!
This man was truly a complete madman!
Last time, Akainu had merely hung up on him during a call, and Caesar directly obliterated the G-5 base.
"Borsalino, Issho, mobilize all Marine forces!" Akainu's face darkened as he gritted his teeth.
"Is this really necessary? Caesar might just be making empty threats!" Vice Admiral Tsuru frowned deeply.
Akainu slowly shook his head, his voice hoarse: "I'm afraid not this time. Caesar is someone who cannot be judged by ordinary logic!"
As he spoke, the door burst open with a crash.
Brannew returned, panting heavily with an anxious expression.
"Terrible news! Elbaf has fallen! The entire Giant tribe has been captured by Kaido and Charlotte Linlin! The Golden Lion has reappeared in the New World and joined the Beast God Pirates!"
Everyone in the office widened their eyes in shock.
"What?!"