"Did you call me earlier just to say these few words?"
"Of course not. The conversation just naturally went this way."
There was a hint of helplessness in Garp's voice.
"After all, even I have to admit—I kinda miss you, kid."
"Why so impatient? What's the rush? In the end, the Revolutionary Army and the Marines will be one big family anyway."
"Then do me a favor—let me know when your grand plan's about to succeed. I need to retire before that happens… otherwise, I'll really end up working under my own son."
Garp muttered before his tone turned serious.
"Alright, back to business… You've already received Rosinante's intel, right?"
"I have… I didn't expect that old lion, after all these years of silence, to pull off something this big."
"If it were just some stunt, I wouldn't care. But the Flying Pirates are already showing signs of becoming the new leading force among pirates."
Garp's tone grew even more grave.
"You know what's worse? Among the Shichibukai, that guy who plays with shadows—he's already teamed up with the old lion."
"Gecko Moria?"
Michael frowned.
"That's not a huge problem… I never cared much about him anyway. Making him a Shichibukai was only to keep him constantly annoying Kaido."
Even though he said that, Michael still felt uneasy.
The sudden appearance of the Flying Pirates had completely disrupted his plans.
The timing was just too perfect.
He had only just decided to lead the newly reformed Revolutionary Army into action—and right then, the Flying Pirates appeared?
And their lineup… who could possibly believe it wasn't aimed at him?
"If it were only Moria joining them, I could live with that," Garp sighed as he watched Michael's expression darken.
"But the World Government… secretly met with Golden Lion."
At those words, Michael suddenly felt enlightened.
It matched his earlier suspicions exactly.
No wonder. No wonder at all.
For years now, he had been the biggest thorn in the World Government's side—and the deepest splinter in the Five Elders' flesh.
Supporting the new Flying Pirates from behind the scenes would not only destabilize the pirate world and maintain constant tension, but it would also completely upset the balance of the New World.
More importantly…
The Flying Pirates were strong.
Strong enough that even after Michael's staged display of gravely injuring an Admiral, the World Government still believed this crew could threaten—or even kill—him.
How much did they hate him, really?
"The World Government just can't sit still, huh? Looks like I'll have to give them something to keep them busy."
Michael smirked, then asked casually,
"By the way, Garp, how's old man Sengoku doing lately?"
"You only ever ask about Sengoku! What, don't care about me at all? I'm about the same age as him, you know!"
"Oh, give me a break… You may be the same age, but you don't do any actual work. You're just goofing off all day—how can you compare to the Fleet Admiral?"
Michael's mocking tone made Garp puff up his cheeks in frustration.
"Don't act so offended! You've got a good daughter and three grandkids keeping you company! Sengoku, on the other hand, has no one but that miserable goat of his to keep him sane between piles of paperwork."
"Who said that! Your five nephews are still doing great in the Junior Division! They're even living in Sengoku's house!"
"Those five brats? I bet they're giving Sengoku more headaches than joy!"
After that, once Garp had delivered his message, Michael chatted a bit more casually before hanging up the Den Den Mushi.
Although he'd sounded calm while speaking with Garp…
For the whole world, what they'd just discussed was a monumental revelation.
Jack and Yamato had been listening to the entire conversation.
"This world's insane," Jack said with a low whistle.
"The legendary pirate Golden Lion has actually returned to the seas… Tsk, tsk, tsk. Chief of Staff, looks like your plan to make the Marines independent will have to wait a bit longer."
Michael shot him a glance, then instantly appeared before him and smacked him across the back of the neck.
"Talk too much."
"Get back to the helm!"
...
Noon, Egghead.
"Everyone, listen up! Starting today, all troops will head to the surrounding islands of Egghead for temporary field exercises!"
Stella and Crocodile stood before the Egghead garrison, announcing in unison.
As the Vice Admirals personally appointed by the Fleet Admiral to permanently oversee Egghead, Stella and Crocodile's authority on this island was nearly absolute.
Both were from the SWORD Secret Special Force and undeniably elite Vice Admirals.
But… there's always an exception to every rule.
Lately, Egghead had gained one particularly brash newcomer.
"Vice Admiral Stella! Vice Admiral Crocodile! I haven't received any orders about a training exercise!"
"Sentomaru, this was our own temporary decision. Do you have a problem with that?"
Crocodile strolled up to him casually.
This famous beauty of the Marines—despite the long scar running across her face—was often spoken of in the same breath as the Pirate Empress herself.
But even in the face of such a striking visage, Sentomaru could only feel one thing from her eyes—an invisible but unmistakable killing intent.
He suddenly remembered.
This was Crocodile he was dealing with.
As Egghead's guardian, she had eliminated countless infiltrators and invaders over the years—her confirmed kill count was among the highest in the entire Navy.
Though her codename was "Desert Sand," every Marine knew her by another name.
"Funeral Witch."
It was both a title of respect… and of fear.
And just as those thoughts flashed through Sentomaru's mind, Crocodile's golden hook was already flying straight for his head.
Sentomaru snapped out of it instantly, his instincts taking over as he counterattacked.
That technique turned Haki into a tangible external force, allowing one to strike from a distance—and even damage an opponent's internal organs directly.
This was an advanced application of Armament Haki—known in Wano Country as "Ryuo."
In the original story, the old Crocodile might've been wounded by that attack.
But the Crocodile standing here now was a completely different being.
Not only had her mastery over the Sand-Sand Fruit far surpassed the original, but her dual-color Haki and physical prowess had also reached the level of a true powerhouse.
She might not yet have reached Admiral-tier strength… but she could easily rival, even surpass, the so-called "Yonko Commanders."
That was the strength Crocodile was always meant to have.
After all, she was someone who could once fight Barrett to a standstill.
And so—
Pfft!
A spray of blood burst from Sentomaru's mouth as Crocodile's golden hook pierced straight through his Armament Haki defense and sent him flying.
"Since it's your first offense, I'll be lenient."
Crocodile's beautiful eyes gleamed coldly.
"…Now, follow orders. Understood?"