"Seems like he got a stomach upset, went to Chopper for treatment."
Kuina blinked:
"That's not important, is it? What's important is... Sir, when did you meet this Empress? I had no idea at all."
Hmm?
Aokiji immediately folded his arms and quietly listened intently from the side.
As an old man who has seen a lot, he instantly caught the scent of jealousy in the air.
——There's a story, gossip radar, activate!
"I can't say I know her; it's just that her temper is terribly bad. She looked like she needed a beating, so I gave her a good thrashing."
Shano hardly noticed his expression, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, analyzing rationally:
"It's unlikely she would deliberately provide false information as revenge. That woman, although not very bright, once enslaved by the Heavenly Celestial Dragons, truly hates them to the core."
"And we've just announced the bounties for the Celestial Dragons, so even if she bears a grudge against me, it's unlikely she'd choose now for revenge. It's more likely to be genuine."
Eh?
That Empress Hancock was once a slave to the Celestial Dragons? Both Aokiji and Kuina paused in surprise.
"So this news is true?"
Kuina quickly regained her composure, her expression becoming grave:
"If the Navy has indeed summoned the Seven Warlords, the scale of this war could be unprecedented. We must prepare to respond swiftly."
Previous actions were initiated by Endgame, targeting specific points to cause significant losses to both the World Government and Navy Headquarters.
But objectively comparing the overall strengths of both sides.
It's undeniably clear that the enemy still holds a slightly greater advantage, leaving no room for negligence.
"We can only say Hancock believes it to be so, the precise intentions of Navy Headquarters remain uncertain."
Shano pondered, "Kuina, call Jinbe and ask if he's received a summons."
"Yes."
Kuina nodded, took out the Radio Snail, and began dialing.
"Eh?"
Aokiji was taken aback, "Jinbe? That Seven Warlords Sea Hero Jinbe? He's also...or rather, he's one of us?"
"Yes, he is one of the top cadres."
Shano chuckled, "However, he's hidden in the shadows. Even within Endgame, only a few know about it."
Aokiji opened his mouth, momentarily lost for words. Among allies recognized by Navy Headquarters, two Seven Warlords are already identified as being part of Endgame.
And Navy Headquarters has no clue.
Is this what they mean by 'help comes to those who have virtue'? The so-called balance has already quietly shifted...
"Sir, Jinbe replied saying he hasn't received any summons, the Navy hasn't contacted him at all."
Kuina set down the Radio Snail and reported, "Strange, has his identity already been exposed?"
"If exposed, Jinbe would've already been locked up in Impel Down, not just omitted from this meeting notice."
Shano shook his head, pondering deeply, when suddenly the Radio Snail in his arms began to ring.
Broobroo~
"Sir."
A steady voice from the intelligence department head Victor came from the other end, "We've just received a bombshell from the Underworld, saying a man dubbed Festival House is preparing to host the Pirate World Expo, with the ultimate prize being the Eternal Pose to Laugh Tale."
"Eternal Pose?"
Shano's gaze sharpened, the timing seemed too coincidental.
"Is this information reliable?"
"It's largely confirmed."
Victor replied solemnly, "The current word is that it will be held in about ten days, the exact location yet to be announced, but surely somewhere deep within the New World."
"Understood, report any updates promptly."
After hanging up, Shano slightly furrowed his brow, looking towards the distant sea.
The appearance of the Eternal Pose, the low-key summoning of the Seven Warlords by the Navy, and the Pirate World Expo to be held deep in the New World...
These events seem coincidental, but if pondered further, there may be an unseen hand orchestrating them.
"If you had to pick one among the Four Emperors who'd be least interested in ONE PIECE, who do you think it is?"
He asked the two before him.
"Of course, it's you, Sir."
Kuina replied matter-of-factly, well aware of their captain's lofty aspirations, which now seemed closer than ever.
As for finding ONE PIECE, inheriting Roger's legacy, and becoming the Pirate King, such notions only invite scorn from the man before her.
"But Navy Headquarters doesn't see it that way."
Aokiji's voice quietly emerged, "They would only think Whitebeard is the least interested."
Habitually, Aokiji adjusted his sunglasses only to find them absent, awkwardly coughing, then analyzing deeply:
"That old man Whitebeard constantly talks about family and sons, showing complete disregard for ONE PIECE, this is known worldwide. Therefore, if the Navy does start a war and wants to divert attention from the other Four Emperors..."
"This Pirate World Expo is the perfect bait."
Shano narrowed his eyes, exchanged a look with Aokiji, and they simultaneously displayed expressions of sudden realization.
"Sound East and attack West!"
Kuina also caught on, "Using the Eternal Pose to distract the other three Four Emperors and then concentrate forces to first deal with the Whitebeard Pirates?"
No wonder Jinbe wasn't notified of the summons.
It's known worldwide, Fishman Island has benefited greatly from the Whitebeard Pirates for decades, and Sea Hero Jinbe often boarded Whitebeard's ship, openly expressing his admiration and closeness to Whitebeard.