Chapter 39: Brute Force? The Chessboard is Too Small, So Just Flip the Table!
On the ice fields of Punk Hazard, there was dead silence.
everyone's movements froze the moment Garp dropped that casual "Fine."
The solemnity and pleading on Sabo's face were instantly replaced by massive ecstasy.
He could hardly believe his ears.
"That's great!"
"With you taking action, the people of Dressrosa are saved!"
Sabo quickly calmed his excitement. The professional discipline of the Revolutionary Army's Chief of Staff kicked in immediately.
He pulled a scroll of parchment from his coat and spread it out on the ground.
It was an incredibly detailed map of Dressrosa.
Different colored inks marked the ports, factories, the Royal Palace, and even the troop deployment on every street.
"Grandpa, look."
Sabo pointed at the map, his voice steady and clear.
"Doflamingo has operated in Dressrosa for many years; his influence is deeply rooted. Our plan involves three steps."
"Step one: Infiltration."
"I will use the Revolutionary Army's secret channels to arrange for squads to enter in batches, avoiding surveillance at all ports."
"Step two: Instigation."
"The army and citizens of Dressrosa have long harbored resentment against Doflamingo's tyranny. As long as we light the spark, it will instantly turn into a prairie fire."
"Step three: Decapitation."
"Once the island falls into chaos, myself, Luffy, and Mr. Law will form an assault team to strike directly at the Royal Palace and execute a decapitation strike on Doflamingo."
Sabo's plan was comprehensive and rigorous, minimizing risk to the absolute limit.
Trafalgar Law, listening from the side, nodded slightly.
This plan coincided perfectly with his own calculations.
Sabo raised his head, eyes shining with confident light.
"As long as the plan goes smoothly, we have a ninety percent chance of liberating Dressrosa within three days!"
He finished speaking and waited for Garp's approval.
However, Garp just dug his finger into his ear.
"Too troublesome."
Two words. Like two basins of ice water, dumped right over their heads.
The confidence on Sabo's face froze.
"Wha... What?"
"I said, it's too troublesome."
Garp stood up and pointed a finger at the strange pirate ship docked nearby—the one that had "eaten" a Devil Fruit.
"We'll just take that ship and go in through the front door of Dressrosa."
The moment these words came out—
The entire ice field fell into a deathly silence, even more oppressive than the bottom of the deep sea.
"Through... through the front door?"
"Are you kidding?! That is Doflamingo's stronghold!"
"We'll be blasted to smithereens!"
"Grandpa! What are you saying?!"
"We'll be turned into swiss cheese!"
Nami and Usopp's screams almost pierced the clouds.
They had just barely escaped with their lives from a Marine Admiral's encirclement, and now they were going to walk right into a trap?
"Grandpa's decision is my decision!"
Luffy, however, jumped three feet in the air, raising both hands in unconditional approval.
Sabo's mouth opened and closed, but not a single word came out.
He looked at Garp's face—which suggested this was the most logical thing in the world—and felt his worldview suffering an unprecedented shock.
Is this going to liberate a country?
This is clearly going on a vacation!
No, even a vacation isn't this absurd!
"Garp-ya."
Trafalgar Law finally spoke, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor.
"Forgive my bluntness, but your plan... is too reckless."
"The coastline of Dressrosa is deployed with over three hundred heavy cannons, and..."
He didn't finish his sentence.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
Law's body went completely stiff.
An indescribable, terrifying power transmitted through that shoulder, pinning him firmly in place, unable to move a muscle.
His proud Ope Ope no Mi abilities seemed completely frozen in that moment; he couldn't even form the thought to activate them.
"Brat."
Garp patted his shoulder. The force made Law's bones groan under the unbearable burden.
"I know your plan, and I know the grudge between you and Doflamingo."
"But your chessboard... is too small."
"And your speed is too slow."
Garp released his hand.
Law staggered back two steps, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
Watching this scene, the shock in Sabo's heart grew even stronger.
He took a deep breath and spoke again, trying to pull the conversation back to reality.
"Grandpa, you might not be aware. Doflamingo isn't just a simple Warlord."
"He is the 'Dirty Glove' planted by the Celestial Dragons in the New World, responsible for handling all their shady dealings."
"The SMILE factory is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind him stands Kaido, and the darkness of the World Government's highest levels!"
"Destroying him means far more than liberating a single country!"
Sabo's words made the expressions of the Straw Hat crew turn solemn as well.
Only now did they understand that the enemy this time was far more terrifying than they had imagined.
Since Ace had already been saved by Garp, the Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit) naturally wouldn't be in the Coliseum.
However, Sabo added a supplementary detail.
"According to intelligence, to attract pirates from the New World, Doflamingo has put up an extremely rare Animal Kingdom: Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit as the champion's prize."
"The plan is simple."
Garp finally waved his hand impatiently, interrupting everyone.
He announced his true battle plan.
"Luffy."
He pointed at Luffy.
"You go to that whatever-it's-called Coliseum. Turn the place upside down for this old man and draw everyone's attention."
"Oh!" Luffy responded excitedly.
"Sabo."
He looked at Sabo next.
"You go contact your Revolutionary Army and prepare to provide backup on the island."
"Yes!" Sabo stood at attention instinctively.
"As for this old man..."
Garp grinned, revealing a mouthful of forest-white teeth.
"I'm going to have a cup of tea with that brat named Doflamingo."
"Grandpa! I want to go have tea with you too!" Luffy shouted immediately.
"Don't underestimate us, shitty geezer! We're going too!" Sanji and Zoro stepped forward as well.
"You guys?"
Garp glanced at them sideways.
"If you come along, you'll only slow down the speed at which I clock out of work."
One sentence. It choked the three of them into silence.
Just then.
Puru Puru Puru...
Puru Puru Puru...
A rapid telephone ringtone rang out abruptly.
The sound came from inside Trafalgar Law's coat.
Law's expression changed. He pulled out a strangely shaped Den Den Mushi.
The snail's eyes snapped open.
It automatically mimicked a face wearing flamingo-feather shaped sunglasses, grinning with a mouth full of evil and arrogance.
"Fufufufu..."
A sharp, crazy voice, full of playful malice, transmitted from the Den Den Mushi's mouth.
It resounded across the dead silent ice field.
"Trafalgar Law, my good 'family member'."
"And Straw Hat... it really has been a long time."
"And..."
The voice on the other end of the snail paused.
The arrogant face mimicked by the snail became even more twisted, even more crazed.
"...the one who has traveled from afar, the honorable Mr. Garp."
"I have already prepared a grand welcome party for you all."
"Fufufufu... I hope you will like it."
"The name of the game is 'Birdcage'."
"And the entire world... will be the audience for this party!"
(To be Continued)