Whitebeard's words left his crew surprised.
It wasn't the call to rally the allied crews that shocked them, but the fact that their old man wanted to contact the Red-Haired Pirates.
"Old man," Marco said, "this is the Whitebeard Pirates' business. We can handle it ourselves."
The Whitebeard Pirates had their pride. Calling on Red-Hair didn't sit well with Marco.
But Whitebeard clearly wasn't in the mood to explain. His voice was calm but firm. "Marco, have I ever made a wrong call?"
Marco could only nod.
In truth, he had a guess. Their old man's decision probably had everything to do with this new Admiral, the Reckless Maniac.
And he was right.
Whitebeard wanted to contact Red-Hair precisely because of Good.
In the past, he would never have considered such a move. But things were different now—this new Fourth Admiral had changed the balance. The last time they fought, Whitebeard's old injuries had flared up, costing him the battle.
There was no guarantee they wouldn't do so again if he went to save Ace. To make sure nothing went wrong, he wanted Shanks involved.
After all, Whitebeard valued Ace deeply, planning for him to inherit his position and rise to the very top one day.
While the Navy prepared its forces, the Whitebeard Pirates began planning Ace's rescue.
—
In the middle reaches of the New World, Dressrosa.
The land of countless living toys.
Good and Momousagi had arrived after notifying Doflamingo, but they made no effort to have him meet them at the port.
Instead, Good decided to take Momousagi on a walk through Dressrosa first.
Momousagi was speechless.
Admiral, we're here on official business, not vacation.
But after so many days together, she knew once Good had decided something, he wouldn't be talked out of it. She followed him through the city, strolling toward Doflamingo's palace.
As they walked, Momousagi's eyes lit up at the sight of the animated toys. "You have to admit, this country is amazing! So many living toys! And it's so peaceful—these toys even help people so warmly. It's like a golden age of peace!"
She was captivated by Dressrosa's beauty.
Good, however, was unmoved. "It's all just for show. You have no idea what's really under the surface."
Momousagi blinked at him, not understanding what he meant.
Good explained it plainly—recounting everything he knew from his previous life watching the truth of Dressrosa unfold: the darkness behind the toys, the cruelty of the Donquixote Family.
He didn't care that they were speaking in public.
The more she heard, the darker Momousagi's expression became, anger replacing her earlier wonder.
"The Donquixote Family actually did such inhuman things!?"
"Damn it! And the Navy still grants Doflamingo Warlord privileges!"
Her sense of justice burned hot—this "peace" was built on atrocities.
Good just shrugged. "Once the Fleet Admiral gives the word, we'll take him down."
She looked at him differently then.
Sure, Good seemed reckless and impulsive, but he clearly knew things even the highest Marine brass either didn't know—or chose to ignore.
Like Ace being Roger's son. Like the darkness in Dressrosa.
And unlike most, he didn't fear power or status. If he saw something wrong, he struck at it.
Maybe, she thought, this was exactly the kind of man the Marines needed to bring true justice.
She grinned. "Good Admiral, when the time comes, we'll take him down together!"
—
In the palace—
Doflamingo was hosting a party when one of his spies rushed in.
"Young Master! Young Master! The Fourth Admiral, Reckless Maniac, has arrived in our country. He's on his way here now."
The family members looked surprised.
"So soon?" Trebol sniffled in disbelief.
Marine Headquarters was at the end of the Grand Line, at the entrance to the New World, while Dressrosa was in the mid-to-late New World. Normally, the trip took more than a week.
For weaker travelers, a month.
They didn't know that Good had the Float-Float Fruit—no need for ships, he could fly, making the journey far faster.
Doflamingo was unconcerned. "Sooner or later, it's all the same. If he's early, fine—let's finish our business quickly."
Trebol reminded him, "Young Master, today's also the day we're supposed to trade SMILEs with the Beasts Pirates."
"With the Admiral here, something might happen."
Doflamingo remembered, but wasn't worried.
"No problem. I'll just tell Jack to wait offshore until the Admiral leaves, then come in for the deal."
He picked up a Den Den Mushi.
On the other end, Jack's deep, domineering voice growled, "Doflamingo, what is it?"
"If it's not urgent, wait until I arrive. I'm almost there."
Jack was in the middle of a card game with his crew and didn't want to be bothered.
Doflamingo chuckled and explained about Good's arrival, suggesting Jack wait offshore until the Admiral left before coming in for the trade.
But the moment Jack heard it, he bristled.
"A mere Admiral—so what?"
"I'm Jack the Drought, one of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars!"
With a cold snort, Jack spat, "The deal happens today. I want to see what this new Admiral thinks he can do about it!"
…
(End of Chapter)
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