In response to Whitebeard's question, Marco nodded. "Yeah! We've got news from Ace!"
"He said he's tracked Blackbeard's movements and is currently heading to the Banaro Islands!"
Whitebeard gave a small nod. "As long as there's word from Ace."
"Tell him… if it really becomes too much, don't push himself. I will personally avenge Thatch one day."
As he spoke, Whitebeard suddenly began coughing violently.
Marco quickly stepped forward in concern, but Whitebeard raised a hand to stop him, smiling. "I´m fine!"
Marco stopped in his tracks, sighed as he looked at Whitebeard, and said helplessly, "Pops… maybe go easy on the drinking for now."
Whitebeard burst out laughing. "Gurararara…"
"No way! Sake is my elixir of life—it keeps me going!"
…
…
Maybe it was because of Good's arrival in this world, but the timeline in the world of pirates had shifted ever so slightly.
Above the East Blue, a fierce battle was taking place—Luffy's Straw Hat Pirates versus the reformed Flying Pirates of The Golden Lion.
A few days later, the Fleet Admiral once again summoned the Admirals and high-ranking officers. Since the meeting room was still under renovation, everyone gathered at the Fleet Admiral's residence instead.
Fleet Admiral's Residence.
Everyone had already arrived.
Among the crowd, Good's eyes lit up when he spotted a bag of rice cakes on a nearby cabinet.
Without caring about the stares from others, he walked over, grabbed the bag, and began eating. While chewing, he turned to those around him and asked, "You guys want some?"
Everyone fell into stunned silence. At the head of the room, Sengoku clenched his jaw in frustration, silently cursing: This bastard! That was the last bag left over from what Karp didn't finish, and now this brat's eating it like it's his!
Given his status, Sengoku could only suppress his irritation and barked, "Good! Be serious! This is official business!"
Good nodded and hurried back into line—but he kept eating.
Sengoku sighed deeply in his heart. Did I really act too hastily back then? Why did I ever recommend this guy to become an Admiral...?
The interruption quickly ended, and Sengoku gathered himself. He looked at Good and said, "Good! The Marines have a mission for you this time."
Everyone instantly grew serious.
A mission for Good?
And one personally assigned to an Admiral? Just what kind of mission could this be?
Even though Good didn't look all that bright and acted completely out of line, he was still an Admiral now—which made it clear how important this mission must be.
Upon hearing this, Good's face lit up with excitement. With his mouth still full, he mumbled, "A mission?! Finally, huh, Fleet Admiral?!"
"That's awesome! I've been conserving my energy for days. I'm ready to go anytime!"
"Conserving your energy…?" Sengoku blinked in confusion.
What the hell is he talking about...?
Across the room, Aokiji and Kizaru both averted their eyes like none of this concerned them.
Fortunately, Sengoku didn't dwell on it. He got to the point. "You'll be in charge of escorting Shiki to Impel Down."
The moment the words landed, the room erupted.
"The Golden Lion?!"
"That legendary pirate?!"
"I heard he was the first person in Impel Down's history to escape!"
"That's terrifying!"
"Admiral Good is going alone for this? Isn't that kind of…?"
Someone almost said "unreliable," but remembering how dangerous it was to speak out of turn in the Marines, they swallowed the thought.
Though Shiki was a figure of the old era, aside from veterans like Garp and Sengoku, no one had seen him fight directly. But that didn't change the fact that everyone knew how strong he was.
Not long ago, Shiki had even attacked Marineford, using his powers to hurl massive Marine warships and destroy Marine buildings, announcing his return.
That scene had left a deep impression on everyone at HQ. Even as an old relic, he was still dangerously powerful.
At that moment, Akainu spoke up. "Fleet Admiral, escorting Shiki is a serious matter. Let me handle it instead."
Behind his desk, Sengoku waved him off. "No. You and Kizaru have a more important mission."
Akainu raised an eyebrow, waiting for the rest.
Kizaru made a sour face. "Yare yare… what a pain. Didn't expect to be sent out too."
Sengoku said clearly and firmly, "You two are heading to the second half of the New World to stop Red-Hair and Whitebeard from meeting."
Akainu's eyes suddenly narrowed. Red-Hair and Whitebeard… Those two emperors are planning to meet?!
Kizaru puckered his lips and gave a little "Yoo~" sound. "Now that's something. What are those two planning, I wonder?"
The room stirred again, but Sengoku continued speaking. "Aokiji!"
"You're going to the Banaro Islands to meet with Blackbeard. That guy is extremely devious—be cautious."
Some of the lower-ranked Vice Admirals were visibly rattled.
All the Admirals are being deployed… Something huge must be coming to this sea...
Just then, having finished his rice cakes, Good suddenly shouted out, "Fleet Admiral! I don't want to escort Shiki. Let me switch with Akainu!"
"I want to go stop Red-Hair and Whitebeard from meeting. I've been conserving energy for days, and it's gotta be a Yonko fight to really get my blood pumping! Escorting Shiki sounds boring."
Good's words silenced the entire room. Everyone stared in stunned silence.
Sengoku looked at him with pure disbelief and waved his hand. "We're not planning to engage Red-Hair or Whitebeard. The goal is to stabilize the situation and prevent any unnecessary fallout from their contact..."
Fighting the Four Emperors would come at too high a cost. And if they acted rashly, it might force Red-Hair and Whitebeard to join forces—which would be disastrous.
Looking at Good's disappointed face and barely restrained excitement, Sengoku felt a growing sense of dread in his heart.
If this guy gets bored on the way to Impel Down, would he actually let Shiki out just to fight him…?
Anyone else? Not a chance.
But Good?
That was a real possibility...
…
(End of Chapter)
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