Water 7. Iceberg's Mansion.
"Sengoku..."
"When do you think they'll arrive?"
It was Staff Officer Tsuru who asked the question. Sengoku and the others had previously gathered to discuss and finalize the plan to intercept the shipwrights and Reno.
There were two objectives. The first was to capture Akatsuki Organization members to inquire about the whereabouts of Kizaru and others. This objective had already been achieved.
Reno had already informed Sengoku and the others about the outcome for Kizaru and the Three Vice Admirals. Since this was not a secret, Reno did not conceal it.
The second objective was to lure the Akatsuki Organization out by capturing their members, turning a passive situation into an active one. Sengoku speculated that their movements in Water 7 were under the Akatsuki Organization's control.
Once Akatsuki Organization members were captured, it would force the Akatsuki Organization to actively launch a rescue, preventing the enemy from hiding and cowering on Sky Island.
"Tsuru..."
"When do you think they'll arrive?"
Sengoku answered with a question. In fact, both of them already had an answer in mind; they just wanted to confirm it with each other.
Sengoku had learned about Tsuru's entire operational plan from her before and believed the plan was perfect, but its ultimate failure must have had other reasons.
Staff Officer Tsuru smiled knowingly when she heard Sengoku's counter-question, and together with Sengoku, she looked out at the rain curtain outside the window.
Garp sat silently in Iceberg's office, looking at the night view outside the window. The sudden light drizzle made Kaku, who was deep in thought, murmur softly.
"They're here..."
"Let's go out..."
Sengoku and the others understood what Garp meant by "they're here" and all rose to walk out.
Fujitora, deeply concerned about the lives of civilians and knowing that this place was about to become a battlefield, had already arranged for the Marine to evacuate all residents within a twenty-kilometer radius upon arriving at Iceberg's Mansion, to prevent them from being affected by the war.
These residents were arranged by Fujitora into emergency shelters, and those who couldn't fit were all put on Marine warships, ensuring the safety of these civilians.
Outside Iceberg's Mansion, Pain and his group, some on the rooftops, some standing in the rain, quietly waited for Sengoku and the others to appear.
Pain's Animal Path stood at the entrance of Iceberg's Mansion. After summoning the Six Paths of Pain with Summoning Jutsu, it vanished and retreated under Pain's control.
Pain did not intend to use Animal Path in the upcoming battle. Animal Path's abilities could barely be used against Vice Admiral-level combatants, but against a powerful Marine Admiral like Fujitora, Pain considered it most reasonable to keep it as the Akatsuki Organization's trump card for survival.
Sengoku and the others quickly appeared in the rain. Sengoku's gaze fell directly on Pain.
"Akatsuki Organization Leader Pain..."
"We are fully aware of the heinous crimes your Akatsuki Organization has committed..."
"Killing Marineford Admiral Kizaru..."
"Killing Marineford Vice Admiral Onigumo."
"Your Akatsuki Organization's existence in this world is like a malignant tumor."
"Today..."
"I officially arrest you in the name of the World Government!"
"Resistors will be killed without mercy."
Upon seeing Pain, Sengoku couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. After all, the World Government had suffered enormous losses due to the Akatsuki Organization's emergence: the collapse of CP0, and the first fall of an Admiral in history.
All of these were carried out under the leadership of this Akatsuki Organization leader. If such an evil force was not eliminated, Sengoku would feel a thorn in his side.
After saying this to Pain, Sengoku turned his gaze to Lucci.
"Former CP0 officer Rob Lucci..."
"We don't know the reason for your betrayal of the World Government, nor do we want to know. However, it's not too late for you to turn back now. I can represent the World Government's stance that bygones will be bygones."
Sengoku's objective was to dismantle the Akatsuki Organization's strength, once again extending an olive branch to Lucci and others, hoping to incite them to defect during the battle.
However, what Sengoku didn't know was that Lucci was already fascinated by Pain's abilities and had firmly chosen to stand with Pain.
And although Kaku and Nero were not entirely willing, both acted according to Lucci's wishes, so Sengoku's objective was destined to fail.
"Former Marineford Fleet Admiral Sengoku..."
"Marineford Vice Admiral Garp..."
"Marine Chief of Staff Tsuru..."
"You are the Seniors of this world. I respect your character and will give you a chance to retreat unscathed."
"This world has been plagued by continuous warfare under your World Government's corrupt rule..."
"Your so-called justice is merely a series of predatory acts, disguised as justice, that only care about the World Government's interests..."
"Such rulers will only trigger various selfish wars in the world due to their endless desires..."
"As the savior designated by God, I have a duty to fulfill my mission and overthrow your World Government's corrupt rule..."
"Therefore..."
"If you remain stubborn..."
"Then you can only accept God's judgment..."
After listening to Sengoku's twisted version of justice, Pain unceremoniously retorted, directly throwing back the World Government's actions.
There was also an underlying meaning in his words: this world belonged to the young generation, and the decaying old order and the mindset of the older generation were no longer suitable for contending in this chaotic era.
Since you are old, you should go back and enjoy your retirement; you shouldn't still be out fighting for some inexplicable people.
"You impudent youth..."
"Do you know what justice is?"
"The World Government's actions are all for the peace of this world. What has your Akatsuki Organization done for this world?"
"What right do you have to accuse the World Government's actions of being selfish!"
Sengoku strongly disagreed with Pain's words and retorted directly.
"Sengoku..."
"What crime did this concubine's Amazon Lily commit!?"
"Why was it eradicated by your World Government's so-called justice?"
"The 39,851 people on the island were all kind, ordinary citizens who had never harmed anyone in their lives. Why did they meet such a fate?"
"Tell this concubine why!?"
Hancock was also extremely furious upon hearing Sengoku's justice theory, and her voice rose from calm to an angry roar.
Kawasaki Hikaru's eyes also turned cold upon hearing Hancock's angry roar, and he even had an impulse to directly make a move.
Sengoku was rendered speechless by Hancock's question and said no more.
"Hancock..."
"I deeply regret what happened to Amazon Lily..."
"This was Akainu's order. By the time I tried to stop it, it was already too late."
"However, you shouldn't have betrayed the World Government and leaked information to the Akatsuki Organization. For Amazon Lily to suffer such a calamity, your willfulness is also a major culprit."
Staff Officer Tsuru took over Hancock's question, directly throwing the blame back onto Hancock. Although Tsuru did not approve of Akainu's actions, she still had to uphold the World Government's reputation. Her words now implied that Hancock was somewhat to blame for her own misfortune.
Hancock said nothing more after hearing Tsuru's words, the droplets on her face indistinguishable between tears and rain.
Hancock looked at the World Government personnel with a face full of frost, ready to strike directly at Pain's command.
"It seems you are very confident in your own strength..."
"Since the war between us is unavoidable..."
"Then let's fight!"
After speaking, Pain was the first to seek out Marine Admiral Fujitora.
Shiki and Oden sought out Sengoku.
Lucci and Nero sought out Tsuru.
Hancock, Kawasaki Hikaru, and Kaku directly sought out Garp.
A great battle was about to begin! ...To be continued...
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