On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, a long, heavy silence stretched out. Vice Admiral Tsuru seemed to feel Takuro's overbearing and undeniably powerful aura vibrating through the small snail, an energy that left her absolutely no room to argue. His presence was like that of a Tier 7 entity, divine and incomprehensible to most mortals.
Ultimately, all her complex emotions coalesced into a bitter, tired sigh. "This matter... the impact is far too great," Tsuru said, her voice echoing the gravity of the situation. "It involves the future of the entire world. The Marines must consider this carefully. We cannot give you an immediate answer right now."
Hearing this, Takuro's lips curved into a sharp, understanding smile. He knew the Marines well. No direct refusal meant they were actually interested. He was aware that the Marine's dissatisfaction with the World Government and the arrogant Celestial Dragons was not a new thing; they simply lacked a leader brave enough to take the ultimate risk.
"Alright, take your time to think about it," Takuro said, his tone casual yet carrying the weight of a Galactic Tyrant. "But you'd better make a decision fast. My patience is limited. Once I truly start acting, the situation won't be as simple as 'cooperation.' At that point, anyone who stands in my way will be an enemy."
Without giving Tsuru another chance to bargain or stall, he pressed his thumb down and directly hung up the Den Den Mushi. The crisp "click" seemed to sever the chaotic thoughts of the Marine high command. He casually tossed the snail back to Gion, who was still standing there in a daze.
Takuro glanced at her, his tone returning to normal as if nothing had happened. "Let's go, it's time to head back. Why are you still standing there like an idiot? Are you waiting for me to treat you to dinner?"
Gion subconsciously caught the Den Den Mushi, her mind still struggling to process the conversation. She watched Takuro's retreating back and couldn't help but blurt out, "You... you're not mad at me?"
She had just tried to leak his astonishing plan to the highest echelons of the Marineford headquarters—a direct act of betrayal. He had caught her red-handed. Given Takuro's usual demeanor, even if he didn't kill her on the spot, there should have been some harsh punishment. Had he really just brushed it off so lightly?
Takuro didn't stop or turn his head, merely replying with a meaningful, teasing tone: "Don't rush. An important matter like this must be saved for tonight... so I can 'punish' you slowly."
Gion froze for a second. Then, certain memories of "punishments" that had occurred inside the cabin of the man who possessed the Conqueror's Haki instantly flooded her mind. Her fair cheeks flushed a noticeable red, and even her earlobes felt warm. She bit her lip, lowered her head, and quickly followed Takuro's footsteps.
When the two returned to the Ryugu Palace Hall, the waiting crowd's gaze immediately focused on them. Although Whitebeard, Fisher Tiger, and Nico Robin couldn't hear the specific conversation, they could guess from Gion's flushed face and Takuro's unreadable expression that something significant had happened outside.
Takuro had no interest in explaining. He directly announced their next itinerary: "Alright, matters here on Fish-Man Island are finished for now. Next, our target is Totto Land. We're going to find that fat old hag, Charlotte Linlin." He looked at the legendary Whitebeard. "Old man, get ready and lead the way for us."
Whitebeard, a Tier 4 Power, had no objection but asked in a deep, rumbling voice, "How do you plan to convince Linlin? That woman isn't as easy to deal with as Kaido... especially when she's on her home turf."
"How to convince her?" Takuro grinned, revealing his white teeth. A flicker of excitement gleamed in his crimson pupils, much like a Saiyan eager for a challenge. "Of course, we'll fight first! Once I beat her into submission, it'll be much easier to talk! She's a smart woman; I believe she'll make the right choice."
This simple and brutal plan left everyone present, except Robin and Tiger, somewhat speechless. But on second thought, it did seem to be Takuro's most effective approach.
"Understood," Whitebeard said, closing the matter.
Takuro then turned to Tiger and gave him instructions. "While I'm away, I'm leaving Fish-Man Island in your care. Remember to practice the cultivation manual I gave you all. I want your Ki levels rising."
Tiger immediately promised that he would definitely complete the mission. Gion silently walked to Robin's side, trying to calm her chaotic mind. She looked at Takuro as he planned the route, her heart in total turmoil. The call with Tsuru, Takuro's attitude of knowing everything yet not caring, and her own entanglement with him made her realize she was caught in a vortex. She was part of a mad alliance that might completely change the world.
Meanwhile, in the Fleet Admiral's office at Marineford, the air was thick with tension. The normally solemn office was unusually crowded. Almost all of the high-ranking generals and elite Vice Admirals had been summoned by an emergency order.
"What's going on? You're here too?" one general whispered. "It's been a long time since we had such an urgent assembly order," another replied. "Has something major happened?"
The generals exchanged glances, their faces filled with confusion and gravity. Many had been chasing pirates in the New World or suppressing rebellions in the Four Seas just moments ago. Seeing so many colleagues gathered together made the air feel heavy, like the impending storm of a Great War.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat at the head of the table with an unprecedentedly serious expression. He scanned the room, looking at the men and women who represented the pinnacle of Marine power. His gaze finally rested on Vice Admiral Tsuru beside him, and he nodded slightly.
Tsuru stepped forward and cleared her throat. The office instantly fell silent. Every eye focused sharply on the Marine strategist. She didn't beat around the bush. She spoke in a steady voice, but every word was a bombshell:
"According to confirmed urgent intelligence, the man named Takuro and his forces have set their next target." She paused for half a second, raising the tension to the maximum. "They are going to launch an attack on Mary Geoise."
Inside the office, time seemed to freeze. The air was dead silent; you could hear a pin drop. The expressions on the generals' faces went blank. Their minds needed time to process the sheer insanity of those words.
An attack on the Holy Land of Mary Geoise?
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