Just as Kai was rushing toward the battlefield, another powerful undercurrent in the New World began to surge and churn with ominous intensity.
At the edge of the towering Red Line, near one end of the Grand Line, a heavily fortified island stood like an impregnable sentinel.
In front of the island stretched a wide crescent-shaped harbor filled with imposing warships arranged in perfect military formation.
Behind the harbor lay a vast plaza, and behind the plaza rose a towering building that commanded respect and fear across the seas.
Above the main entrance, two bold characters gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.
NAVY!
This island represented what the world considered the symbol of peace in the chaotic "Great Pirate Era": Marineford.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Latest intelligence from the New World!"
In the headquarters building, a visibly nervous Navy captain clutching urgent intelligence documents knocked frantically on the heavy oak door of the Fleet Admiral's office.
Five distinguished individuals occupied the room.
Behind the large mahogany desk sat a man with a prominent black afro, distinctive frog-eye glasses perched on his nose, and his long beard carefully braided.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, known as the Strategist.
On the sofa to the left of the desk sat an elderly woman with graying hair but a remarkably sharp spirit and piercing eyes.
Navy Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Tsuru.
In front of the desk, three men of distinctly different styles occupied another spacious sofa.
One possessed short curly black hair with a somewhat casual, relaxed posture; another wore a Navy cap with a serious expression and a rose corsage pinned to his chest; and the third had black curly hair with a distinctive green eyepatch on his forehead, his eyes appearing perpetually half-asleep.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru! Admiral Kizaru! Admiral Akainu! Admiral Aokiji!"
The captain, not expecting so many high-ranking officials to be gathered here, hurriedly saluted each one with obvious nervousness.
"What intelligence do you have?" Sengoku asked with commanding authority.
The captain snapped back to attention and immediately handed the documents to Sengoku, reporting with urgency: "G-5 Branch reports they've detected highly unusual movements from both the Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates. They're actively gathering forces and converging on a small strategic island."
Hearing this troubling news, everyone present looked appropriately grave.
The movements of the New World's Sea Emperors had always been the Navy's absolute top monitoring priority.
Their every action could at minimum disturb the New World's delicate balance or, at worst, trigger massive waves that would sweep destructively across the entire sea.
"When exactly was this news received?" Sengoku inquired with obvious urgency.
"Just now, Fleet Admiral," the captain replied promptly.
Sengoku breathed a slight sigh of relief, but his brow remained deeply furrowed with concern.
He quickly reviewed the documents with practiced efficiency, then passed them to Vice Admiral Tsuru beside him. The documents circulated silently among all the high-ranking officials present.
"Those troublemakers really can't stay quiet for long," Sengoku sighed with obvious frustration.
"This development isn't particularly surprising," Vice Admiral Tsuru analyzed with characteristic calm. "Ever since Kaido has been actively expanding in the New World, we should have anticipated this conflict. If not the Big Mom Pirates, then the Whitebeard Pirates. They were bound to clash eventually."
She paused thoughtfully and added: "From this intelligence, it appears neither Kaido nor Charlotte Linlin intends to act personally. They're both remaining stationed in their respective territories."
"Indeed, but regardless of their personal involvement, a new round of hegemony struggles in the New World is about to begin." Sengoku rubbed his temples with an obvious headache.
How long had he been Fleet Admiral before encountering this massive mess?
Once the flames of war spiraled out of control and drew in the Whitebeard Pirates as well, there would truly be chaos across the entire world.
When that time arrives, how should the Navy respond?
"Since the Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates are only sending vice-captain-level and below personnel to battle, we could completely take this opportunity to act decisively together, concentrate our forces, and annihilate their gathered elites in one devastating strike!"
Admiral Akainu Sakazuki made a shocking strategic statement, immediately planning to transform Kaido and Charlotte Linlin into commanders without experienced troops.
"Oh! Truly worthy of Sakazuki-san, such an aggressive move?" Admiral Kizaru Borsalino drawled with his characteristic exaggerated expression.
"With all three of us mobilizing simultaneously, achieving that ambitious goal isn't impossible," Admiral Aokiji Kuzan's voice carried its usual laziness but hit the crucial point. "But we must carefully consider the risk of Kaido and Charlotte Linlin personally intervening. Moreover, if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. The Whitebeard Pirates might not stand idly by."
"Fearing this and that constantly! Will those pirates simply disappear on their own?" Sakazuki remained unyielding, his voice booming with conviction. "Even if we only eliminate one King or one Katakuri for the Navy, that would represent a huge victory! It's weakening our enemies!"
"Enough, Sakazuki. You're an Admiral now. You need to learn to view problems from a global strategic perspective." Sengoku shook his head with obvious disapproval.
The newly promoted Admiral Sakazuki still maintained the aggressive mindset of a Vice Admiral, thinking that killing more pirates was always the correct approach.
But harsh reality didn't allow the Navy to act so recklessly.
Yes, having all the Admirals mobilize together to accomplish Sakazuki's vision wouldn't be a problem at all. Adding himself, Sengoku, even handling one Kaido or Charlotte Linlin wouldn't be an insurmountable issue.
But if all the Navy's high-level combat forces mobilized together, would other pirates simply watch them act unopposed?
Everyone had to understand that the world didn't only contain the Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates.
The Navy's actions could very well stimulate the pirates' sensitive nerves, ultimately evolving into the Navy challenging the entire New World. That scenario wasn't impossible.
Faced with Sengoku's firm rejection, Sakazuki snorted heavily and said nothing more, though the murderous intent between his brows hadn't dissipated.
At this crucial moment, Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke up with strategic wisdom.
"We actually don't need to interfere with these two pirate crews' war. Let them fight like rabid dogs. Whoever dies is beneficial for us."
This represented the Navy's consistent policy approach.
"That said, to prevent completely unexpected situations..."
Sengoku thought for a moment, then turned to address Kizaru directly: "Borsalino, you've been stationed in the New World long-term and are familiar with the situation. Your Devil Fruit ability provides the strongest mobility. You go take a look, and while you're at it, test both pirate crews' true strength."
He paused meaningfully, his gaze sweeping over Sakazuki before adding: "Additionally, Sakazuki's suggestion isn't without merit. We indeed can't be overly conservative. If there's a genuine opportunity, you can try taking decisive action."
Seeing Sengoku arrange things this way, Sakazuki's expression improved considerably.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku." Borsalino lazily stood up and saluted with casual respect.
He secretly sighed inwardly, not knowing whether eating the Glint-Glint Fruit back then had been right or wrong.
Now, whenever there were urgent, dangerous missions requiring rapid mobility, eight or nine times out of ten they fell to him.
When would his dream of working regular hours finally be realized?
Meanwhile, at Bread Island...
This small island possessed an average geographical location, only included in expansion targets because it lay close to the Beast Pirates' territory.
But this modest island had one particularly special advantage: it produced extremely high-quality wheat.
Unique ecological advantages had fostered a thriving bread-baking industry on the island.
However, the special advantage that had once brought prosperity and wealth to the island's residents had now become their death warrant.
As everyone knew, besides being keen on collecting "special" husbands, Charlotte Linlin was also an absolute sweets addict with no resistance whatsoever to any delicious desserts.
Therefore, when the Big Mom Pirates expanded their influence, their gaze always prioritized islands with top-quality ingredients and exceptional cuisine.
This was precisely why Bread Island had caught their dangerous attention.