[Translator's Note: Happy New Year, everyone!! I just woke up, so the update is a bit late.]
----
Fenric was certain that Whitebeard would cooperate with him.
It was simple—mutual benefit. Whitebeard wasn't a fool; there was no reason for him to refuse.
Seeing the confident gleam in Fenric's eyes, Rayleigh was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.
"Haha! Mundo, it seems you're quite sure of yourself. If that's the case, I won't worry anymore!"
"Mr. Rayleigh, thank you for your help. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The two clinked their cups and drank heartily.
Just then, Shakky approached in haste.
"Excuse me. Fresh news—the Whitebeard Pirates have mobilized their entire fleet and are sailing toward Impel Down. Their goal should be to rescue Fire Fist Ace."
Rayleigh's eyes lit up instantly.
"Mundo, this must be your backup plan, isn't it?" He laughed heartily. "With that man clashing against the Navy, the pressure on your side is far lighter!"
The man he spoke of was, of course, Whitebeard.
As the strongest man in the world, Whitebeard was not only unmatched in strength but also commanded the most powerful crew among the Four Emperors.
Especially his division commanders—each one was a top-tier fighter.
Take Marco the "Phoenix," for instance. His strength rivaled the best in the New World.
"This is getting more and more interesting," Rayleigh chuckled.
Fenric only smiled, choosing silence over words.
—---
Navy Headquarters.
In the vast conference hall, the air was thick with tension and smoke.
Fleet Admiral Akainu sat at the head, his face dark as his eyes glared toward an empty chair.
"Where is Kuzan? Why isn't he here?" he asked coldly, his voice rumbling like an oncoming eruption.
Of course, Akainu knew the answer. Kuzan hadn't skipped the meeting because of duty—he simply couldn't stand him.
Seven years ago, after Sengoku stepped down as Fleet Admiral, Kuzan had vied for the position as well. But the World Government favored Sakazuki and was chosen instead. Since then, Kuzan had opposed him at every turn, even daring to ignore orders outright.
A major general stepped forward, forcing the words out: "Fleet Admiral, Admiral Kuzan is currently pursuing a group of pirates and… couldn't make it back in time."
Akainu snorted, clearly unimpressed, but let it pass. This wasn't the moment to settle scores. Still, he vowed that once the crisis passed, he would find a reason to strip Kuzan of his rank and remove him from the Navy altogether.
"Let's begin the meeting," he announced.
A major general rose. "Fleet Admiral, fresh intelligence reports that the Whitebeard Pirates have mobilized their entire force and are heading for Impel Down!"
Boom—!
Akainu's fist crashed down, shattering the corner of the table.
"Whitebeard!!" he snarled through gritted teeth.
The officer swallowed hard before continuing. "In addition, the World Government has issued direct orders: "Mundo must be captured immediately!"
Akainu's eyes narrowed. "Where are the Shichibukai?"
"Fleet Admiral, aside from Dracule Mihawk—who has yet to respond—all the others have agreed to participate and are already en route," the officer reported quickly.
Akainu's lip curled in disdain. Hawkeye's insolence would one day cost him dearly.
"Tell them to rendezvous at the Sabaody Archipelago immediately!" he ordered.
The major general bowed and sat down.
A Vice Admiral spoke cautiously: "Fleet Admiral, what about Impel Down? Director Magellan cannot withstand Whitebeard. Shall we send reinforcements?"
Akainu's voice was calm but sharp. "Inform Kuzan—he will lead a fleet to reinforce Impel Down. His ice ability is the only power capable of halting tsunamis caused by Whitebeard's quake powers."
"..."
The room fell silent.
On the surface, the order sounded reasonable. Kuzan's ice could freeze the seas and counter Whitebeard's shockwaves. But everyone knew the truth—Akainu was using the mission to throw Kuzan against an opponent no one could hope to defeat. It was nothing more than veiled retaliation.
Everyone knew. But no one dared to speak.
Except one.
"Sakazuki!"
The voice cut through the silence like a blade. It was Garp.
"That kid Kuzan isn't Whitebeard's match. Even with Magellan, they won't stop him. Don't forget, Whitebeard is a man who can destroy the world itself."
Akainu's brow furrowed deeply. Garp's words carried weight. As the Navy's Hero, his status was untouchable—even the Fleet Admiral had to show restraint.
After a pause, Akainu relented slightly. "Then Kuzan need not stop Whitebeard outright. All they need to do is hold Impel Down for a few hours. Once we capture Mundo, our forces can return to support them. The World Government's top priority is Mundo. Compared to him, even if Impel Down falls, it's an acceptable loss."
His tone was absolute.
The officers exchanged uneasy glances, speechless at the sheer weight the Government placed on Mundo's head.
But it made sense. Mundo had slain Celestial Dragons repeatedly, igniting the fury of the entire Holy Land of Mariejois.
The World Government would not rest until he was erased.
"Any objections?" Akainu asked flatly.
The room stayed silent.
"Then it's decided. Kuzan will lead a fleet to reinforce Impel Down. As for Mundo…" Akainu's eyes gleamed with volcanic fire. "…I will lead the mission myself."
The announcement shocked the room.
A Fleet Admiral need not personally enter the battlefield, yet Akainu was taking the lead. That alone showed the Government's desperation.
—--
The next morning, the Navy roared into motion.
Under Akainu's command, a massive fleet departed Marineford, bound for the Sabaody Archipelago. Admiral Fujitora, Hero Garp, and other top figures accompanied him.
Their orders were absolute: Capture Mundo—dead or alive.
At the same time, Kuzan led his own fleet toward Impel Down to brace against Whitebeard's advance.
In one sweep, nearly all of Marineford's might had been dispatched.
And at that moment, should any of the other Four Emperors strike… the Navy Headquarters itself would be vulnerable.