Chapter 256: Attention from All Sides
"Who the hell are you?!"
Several Donquixote Family executives turned sharply, shouting with obvious anger.
This was the Dressrosa Royal Palace—these individuals had arrived completely silently without any warning whatsoever. A clear and unacceptable dereliction of duty.
If investigated, death might be avoided, but severe punishment was absolutely inevitable.
"Stand down. They're CP," Lao G stated calmly, his aged voice carrying authority.
The executives startled visibly and involuntarily retreated a step.
The Donquixote Family maintained connections in both legitimate and underworld circles, so they understood perfectly well what CP represented.
Powerful, influential, mysterious, terrifying... these were all synonyms for the Cipher Pol Aigis Zero.
Doflamingo, however, remained perfectly composed—even displaying a hint of contemptuous disdain.
CP0, to phrase it diplomatically, served as the Celestial Dragons' direct enforcement arm. To phrase it bluntly, they were the Celestial Dragons' attack dogs.
Doflamingo—a former Celestial Dragon himself—naturally felt no fear whatsoever.
"CP agent? I remember you... you're Kalos, correct?"
"What business brings you to my kingdom?"
Doflamingo spoke with deliberate indifference.
Kalos, completely unperturbed by the dismissive tone, cut directly to the point:
"I'm here to assist you in eliminating the Thunder God Swordsman."
His voice possessed a slightly magnetic quality, yet carried a strange rhythmic quality that caused some of the weaker officers present to momentarily lose focus, their eyes glazing over briefly.
"Oh?"
"Eliminate the Thunder God Swordsman?"
Doflamingo paused momentarily, then quickly recovered his composure, a wicked smirk playing across his lips.
"Sensed a genuine threat, have they?"
"When did those Five Elders become so proactive? How fascinating..."
Kalos ignored Doflamingo's sarcastic commentary entirely, stating with clinical calm:
"After comprehensive assessment, the Thunder God Swordsman possesses realistic potential to become a figure comparable to Whitebeard in his prime. He must be eliminated to ensure the seas' stability."
The World Government had barely survived the Whitebeard era intact. They had absolutely no desire to immediately face the potential era of Rhodes.
Though the probability remained relatively slim, the World Government clearly refused to accept even that calculated risk.
One figure like Whitebeard was more than sufficient for a lifetime.
"Fufufufu..."
"Excellent. Then let's ensure Rhodes never leaves Dressrosa alive."
Doflamingo smiled wickedly. Of course he wouldn't—and frankly couldn't—refuse such powerful reinforcements.
The Captain of CP's Third Division, while perhaps not quite matching the current three Admirals individually, definitely approached that tier—solidly at Admiral-candidate level at minimum.
With both of them working in coordination, and utilizing that particular weapon, Doflamingo felt genuinely confident he could capture Rhodes and eliminate this existential threat permanently.
Meanwhile, Rhodes and his crew had already departed Aurora Island aboard their vessel.
"Our arrival in the New World has definitely been noted by all major powers, so there's no tactical advantage in stealth. We'll sail directly to Dressrosa."
The ship moved steadily across the waves, heading toward Doflamingo's kingdom.
"The Captain's absolutely right about that."
Robin smiled knowingly, gesturing toward the newspaper in her elegant hands.
"I suspect half the New World already knows we're going to settle accounts with Doflamingo."
The conflict between Rhodes and Doflamingo wasn't particularly secretive. Ordinary civilians might remain ignorant, but virtually all major power brokers were thoroughly aware.
With Rhodes and his group appearing on Aurora Island, not only had the major powers learned of it immediately, but well-informed news agencies like the World Economic Journal had already spread the information throughout the New World, causing considerable buzz.
"Thunder God Swordsman VS Heavenly Yaksha—Who Will Prevail?"
"Will the Strongest Rookie of This Era Ascend to the World's Peak by Stepping on the Heavenly Yaksha, or Will He Fall to Earth?"
Similar sensational headlines had been appearing frequently before the New World's residents recently.
The upcoming Dressrosa confrontation had genuinely captured the attention of most major players throughout the New World.
"In that case, there will probably be numerous variables and complications."
"And Doflamingo's decision not to flee almost certainly means he possesses confidence in dealing with us somehow."
Law pondered thoughtfully for a moment before speaking with genuine seriousness.
"The more attention this draws, the better—it amplifies the deterrent effect when we win."
"I'm genuinely more concerned that Doflamingo might flee without engaging at all."
Rhodes remained perfectly calm, faint golden light flickering briefly in his eyes.
Although his recent physical enhancement wouldn't cause a fundamental qualitative transformation in his overall strength, it provided sufficient confidence to handle the dangers ahead more effectively.
If only my swordsmanship could advance to Great Swordsman level...
Rhodes gazed toward the distant horizon, his eyes flickering with contemplation.
Currently, his offensive capability could be considered roughly equivalent to a Marine Admiral's—perhaps marginally superior in terms of cutting sharpness, but inferior in Armament Haki intensity compared to someone like Akainu.
If his swordsmanship reached Great Swordsman tier while maintaining his lightning enhancement, his attack power might not quite reach "World's Strongest" level like Whitebeard's devastating Gura Gura no Mi, but it would definitely stand half a tier above standard Admiral-level.
And if his lightning abilities evolved further still? Reaching Whitebeard's legendary offensive tier wouldn't be impossible.
New World, Marine G-5 Base.
Inside the temporary Fleet Admiral's office.
Since Marine Headquarters' catastrophic destruction during the Paramount War, Sengoku had temporarily relocated to G-5 Base to handle various administrative affairs.
"The conflict between Akainu and Aokiji is escalating dramatically. Eventually it will only be resolved through direct combat. Whether defeated or killed, the Marines will inevitably lose one Admiral regardless of outcome."
Chief of Staff Tsuru analyzed in a grave voice, her expression deeply troubled.
Aokiji enjoyed support from numerous moderate Marines including Sengoku and Garp himself, but Akainu also commanded backing from a substantial number of hardline Marines and—critically—the World Government itself.
In terms of factional support, the two candidates were almost perfectly matched. Ultimately, it appeared only a decisive battle could resolve this succession crisis.
Sengoku couldn't suppress a profound headache thinking about this situation.
What were those people thinking? Why couldn't they simply let me retire in peace?
However, he also understood perfectly why the World Government preferred Akainu: he was significantly easier to control, and they desperately wanted to erase both his and Garp's considerable influence over the Marines as thoroughly as possible.
The Resourceful General, the Hero of the Marines—their prestige within the organization was simply too enormous, reaching levels that genuinely unnerved the World Government.
Tsuru glanced at him with knowing sympathy, then casually retrieved another intelligence report.
"The Thunder God Swordsman has appeared in the New World..."
She raised one elegant eyebrow, glanced meaningfully at Momousagi beside her, and remarked with a slight smile:
"That young man will almost certainly seek out Doflamingo to settle accounts."
The incident of Momousagi blocking Dressrosa's harbor entrance had caused quite substantial waves throughout intelligence networks.
Momousagi remained outwardly composed, her refined features devoid of obvious emotion. She stated matter-of-factly:
"It would benefit everyone if a Shichibukai like Doflamingo were eliminated permanently."
"That's certainly true..."
Tsuru shook her head slowly, her eyes growing distant and meaningful.
"I'm simply concerned the World Government will interfere inappropriately once again."
"Hmm?"
Momousagi keenly detected Tsuru's underlying implication and couldn't help but frown with dawning realization.
"It can't be that extreme, surely?"
"Someone not even twenty years old, already renowned worldwide, single-handedly challenging Whitebeard himself... heh..."
Tsuru lifted her teacup delicately, taking a small sip before deliberately leaving the sentence unfinished.
Momousagi's expression darkened considerably.
She hadn't previously considered this angle, but now—properly reminded—she instantly understood the implications. At her rank and experience level, how could she not recognize precisely how the World Government would respond to Rhodes?
"Vice Admiral Momousagi, please remember your duty to the Marines."
Sengoku advised carefully, though notable hesitation colored his words.
He'd met Rhodes personally during the Paramount War. The young man was definitely not a villain or genuine threat to innocent people.
Unfortunately... in this world, overwhelming strength dictated everything.
Sengoku sighed internally, then smiled with forced optimism:
"I've met that young man Rhodes. Garp even commented favorably on his character. He doesn't strike me as someone who'll fall easily to any scheme."
"I suspect the World Government is about to suffer a significant setback this time."
"He is, after all, the strongest rookie of this entire era."
Sengoku still retained a profoundly positive impression of Rhodes from their brief interaction.
Momousagi hesitated momentarily, then shook her head with resignation.
She didn't really possess viable options. She couldn't possibly ally with Rhodes to systematically eliminate the Seven Warlords system.
Besides, she could only intervene once. Could she intervene perpetually?
Furthermore, Rhodes' current demonstrated strength likely even surpassed her own capabilities despite their teacher-student relationship. How could she possibly guide or control him effectively?
Sigh...
Momousagi exhaled quietly, suddenly feeling unexpectedly weary about the entire situation.
(End of Chapter)
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