"We will win!"
Jack grinned and thumped his chest with bravado, "Big Sis, leave it to me!"
"..."
Kuina was speechless, she knew this fool would react this way.
No matter how loud his chest-thumping was, she couldn't quite believe it right away.
Though his bounty was also around a billion, the gap in strength was glaringly evident.
Katakuri...
That man, as the second-in-command of the BGIMOM Pirates, had been renowned for many years, his Devil Fruit had long awakened, his Observation Haki reached the level of Future Sight, considered among the strongest in the world.
Young Jack, barely in his twenties, still seemed inexperienced in front of such a monster.
Of course.
Jack, even if he had to face Kaido, would also charge forward without hesitation...
"Jack."
Just as Kuina was about to say something, Shano from the main seat raised a hand to interrupt, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth:
"Let Jack handle it then."
Eh?
Kuina turned her head in astonishment towards Shano, "Sir, the one Jack is going against is Katakuri..."
"The one Katakuri is going against is still Jack."
Shano laughed heartily, "Don't forget, this kid's original intention is to relieve your burden, let him try freely! Without even having fought yet, why talk about winning or losing? To take down the highest cadre of our Endgame group is never an easy feat!"
Ohhhhhhh—!!!
A surge of confidence from the leader's trust! In an instant, Jack's spirit was ablaze, his fighting spirit ignited like a roaring fire, and white steam puffed from his nose.
"However, this battle will indeed be challenging for you."
Shano looked at Jack again, advising:
"Whether it's the Mochi-Mochi Fruit or Observation Haki of that level, they both restrain brute force quite a bit. When the time comes, don't just charge recklessly. Otherwise, if your stamina depletes too fast, the situation might take a sharp downturn."
"Don't worry, Boss!"
Jack clenched his fists heavily, grinning as he responded.
The boss and big sis have handed the heavy burden into my hands.
Then I'll bet my life on this!
No matter what, he will absolutely not let Katakuri have the chance to interfere with his comrades' battles!
"Jack against Katakuri, that settles it then."
Seeing Jack like this, Kuina couldn't help but smile and then turned towards Kuma:
"Of the next three Commanders, Smoothie and Cracker have similar bounties, and their strength doesn't differ much either. Kuma, who do you want to pick?"
"..."
Since he entered and took a seat, Kuma had been sitting with arms crossed, silently.
Upon hearing this, he finally raised his head, the light above casting a cold gleam across his glasses:
"I'm fine with either."
Is it the usual expressionless state, but the overwhelming killing intent barely contained?
Jack gulped a mouthful of saliva from the side; his seat was adjacent to Kuma's, so he felt it vividly.
This was the second time, the last time Kuma wore such an expression was in Shampodi against those Divine Rider Heavenly Celestial Dragons.
Gine and Bonney, they are indeed Kuma's untouchable scales...
If touched, even the usually mild and kind-hearted honest man would erupt.
Thinking of those Heavenly Celestial Dragons who had been blown up eight hundred times, regardless of which opponent is assigned to Kuma, Jack was already feeling a bit of silent pity for them.
"..."
Kuina also noticed Kuma's unusual state and after a brief contemplation, said, "Then let's go with Cracker."
According to intelligence, that guy likes to mass-produce Cookie Soldiers, wearing down and tormenting the enemy to a certain extent before coming out himself to deliver the finishing blow.
The tactics might be despicable, but they provide a ton of live targets, just perfect for Kuma to vent a bit.
"No problem."
Kuma's response was short and cold.
He initially intended to close his eyes and rest, but noticing the concerned gazes of his companions around him, he managed to force out a smile, "Don't worry, everyone, I'm fine."
Only then did Shano, Kuina, and the others withdraw their gazes.
"With that settled, I'll handle Smoothie."
Kuina looked up towards the last two warrants on the whiteboard, "As for the remaining two, Perospero, and Smoker..."
"Hmm?" Smoker turned his head in confusion.
"Sorry, Snag."
Just one syllable off, it's easy to confuse, Kuina continued with a calm expression:
"The bounties for these two are 700 million and 600 million respectively, slightly weaker, but still not easy to deal with. Anyone willing to volunteer?"
"I..."
Zoro, who had been holding back for a while, couldn't help it any longer. He straightened up, about to speak, when Sanji kicked him hard under the table.
What the heck?
Zoro inhaled sharply in pain and glared over.
You tell me, idiot.
Though the conference room was filled with smoke, with Kuina present, Sanji wouldn't dare smoke; biting onto a toothpick, he gestured towards the seats in front.
Zoro looked over and immediately displayed hesitation.
Having grown up together and knowing each other to this extent, many times there was no need for spoken communication, a single look conveyed everything.
Sanji was reminding him that the other elders at the Endgame Headquarters had not yet spoken.
Those of us who just joined as newcomers, with bounties just crossing a hundred million Bellies, haven't even mastered Haki, only scraped the surface, and dare to take on such tasks.
Lest we appear too arrogant.
"I..."
Zoro begrudgingly held back, and just then, Tashigi, who had been silent, leaned forward as if to stand up.
Zoro quickly extended his leg without hesitation, tripping Tashigi back into her seat.
"You?"
Tashigi widened her eyes, staring incredulously at the fellow swordsman in front of her.
"Learn the rules, newcomer, let the seniors choose first."
The seventeen-year-old Zoro spoke with a bit of a cool guy tone, crossing his arms and snorting coldly, then he averted his face, ignoring everyone.
Hmph, I can't even get a chance.
This woman, her swordsmanship isn't even as good as mine, so on what basis?
Be sensible!
With a face like Kuina's, yet her strength and talent are completely not in the same league, using a strong aura to act all soft and dazed...
It really makes one inexplicably angry to look at!
"..."
Sanji could barely contain his frustration on the opposite side.
That damn green algae head, how dare he be so rude to the gentle and kind Miss Tashigi, once this war is over, I must sort him out nicely!
"That's indeed the case."
Tashigi seemed to realize suddenly and bowed slightly to Zoro, saying apologetically, "I'm sorry for that, thank you for the guidance."
"Wrong way, it's over there." Robin chuckled.
"Ah, sorry, Robin-senpai!"
Tashigi hastily changed direction to bow, while Zoro glanced sideways, gritting his teeth.
Really... why even apologize, making people feel guilty.
Even more infuriating!
"Perospero, 700 million Bellies?"
No one paid attention to the little drama at the kids' table, Nojiko squinted at the whiteboard, speaking:
"Not listed among the Four Commanders, yet carries an impressive bounty, this old thing, leave it to me!"
Her bounty now is 400 million Bellies.
It seems not at all on the same level as Perospero's 700 million.
But to truly think so, would be a great mistake!
When Endgame had fewer members, she was a pure combatant, unlike her sister Nami, she was undeniably a main force on the ship!
Even after entering the New World, she trained hardest while immersed in Illusion Dream Grass.
Since the Dressrosa War, the reason her bounty hasn't risen much is simply that recent operations haven't allowed her to shine.
Now...
Is the perfect opportunity to prove herself again and boost her reputation!
"You beat me to it, huh."
Smoker exhaled a puff of smoke at this time, shaking his head, yet didn't fight for it, as he looked at the last warrant on the whiteboard:
"Speaking of which, this guy is a young and strong Commander, perhaps more worth the challenge compared to the old candy man, let me take care of it, it's just right to test the results of this period's training."
His training, too, was very intense... getting beaten by Teacher Zephyr in Illusion Dream Grass day by day, after all that endurance, he should deserve some payoff!
Smoker looked determined, forcefully extinguishing the cigar in the ashtray.
"Good."
Kuina nodded slightly, eyes sweeping over everyone, "With this, the core forces of the Charlotte family are all allocated, the remaining officers and minions, as mentioned before, are handed over to the Combat Corps, as for BIGMOM herself..."
The rest of the sentence need not be spoken.
Soldiers face soldiers, generals face generals, kings face kings!
— This is the unchanging rule on the sea!
Everyone's gaze was focused on Shano.
"Come to think of it, this is the first true battle with a Four Emperors."
Shano chuckled, "If I say I'm actually a bit nervous, would you believe it?"
Hahaha, the room erupted in laughter.
Impossible!
How could they not know the terrifying power of Shano, the world's No. 1 Sword Master, with the title of "Godslayer" whispered even by the Navy, who had never lost in repetitive battles with the Navy Grand Admirals, and even fought the so-called world's strongest, Kaido, for five days and five nights without a clear victory!
BIGMOM certainly messed with the wrong person!
"It seems you all trust me greatly, so, everyone..."
Shano stood up, his cold gaze sweeping across the room, his black cloak fluttering without wind:
"The meeting is officially over, take your positions, prepare to advance at full speed!"
"Target, Ten Thousand Nations!"
"This battle is not only to rescue Bonney but also to declare to the world — nobody has the right to touch anyone from Endgame yet!"
"Otherwise, prepare for the same uprooting as the Charlotte family!"
"Oh oh oh —!!!"
The conference room instantly erupted like a tidal wave!
The largest war since the formation of Endgame has officially begun!