Knowing he couldn't persuade the stubborn Sengoku, Sean decided not to dwell on the matter.
It was finally settled: during the war, the combat power of his branch would be split into two parts. One portion would be tasked with guarding Impel Down, while the other would participate in the war at Headquarters.
Of course, the moment Whitebeard himself made his move, or once Blackbeard was dealt with, Sean would immediately return to Headquarters to provide support.
That was the general plan.
The reason Sean had gone to such lengths to leak information about Blackbeard just to secure access to Impel Down wasn't simply to stop the traitor. For Sean, Impel Down was a massive treasure trove.
For the sake of this treasure, he had even instructed Barry and Franky to modify the design of the first battleship under construction, demanding the installation of Seastone isolation rooms.
Yes, exactly like the one in his branch's underground laboratory.
Furthermore, he didn't want just one; he wanted five, ensuring he had the capacity to strip Devil Fruit abilities quickly and in batches.
After all, Impel Down was teeming with ability users, and his time would be limited. If he followed the standard procedure—taking five minutes for a single extraction—he wouldn't be able to process the sheer number of targets in the time allotted.
To satisfy Sean's request, Barry and Franky had to remove one of the main guns and its corresponding magazine from the redesigned battleship to make room. It was a necessary compromise. Once the operation was over, they would dismantle the Seastone isolation rooms and reinstall the main gun.
Even with one main gun removed, the ship still boasted two triple 380mm main gun turrets and a vast array of 152mm secondary batteries. Its firepower remained overwhelming. Without accounting for the world's top powerhouses, a single ship like this could wipe out the entire Marine fleet.
In reality, compared to the main batteries, the battleship's anti-air capabilities were the true masterpiece. Unlike the previous cruisers, this battleship was equipped not only with numerous autocannons but also with the newly developed 76mm anti-aircraft guns designed by Retes, further enhancing its aerial defense.
In this world, there were plenty of people who could take to the skies. Beyond those with flying Devil Fruits, there were many who could soar using pure physical techniques. Moreover, it wasn't unusual for powerful fighters—even those without flight abilities or specialized techniques like Moonwalk—to leap hundreds of meters into the air.
Consequently, a warship's anti-air firepower was critical.
In the time that followed, Sean poured all his profit-multiplier opportunities into Kido. He aimed to upgrade it to Level 8 before the war began, which would allow him to barely cast Hadō No. 90 using a chant.
Of course, this was no easy feat. He hadn't even reached Kidō Level 7 yet. Unless he hit a streak of massive luck over the next two months, he would likely only reach Level 7.
Still, Sean would be satisfied with Level 7. It would allow him to cast many powerful Hadō without chanting—techniques like Double Lotus Sōkatsui and Zanharen.
Or, he could use a chant to unleash 'that' move...
"Heavenly Dragon's Thief-Strike: Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon!!"
As for Hadō No. 90... he'd have to leave that to luck.
'''
The New World.
Whitebeard's Territory.
"Pops, there's a ship approaching! It's... it's that guy, Red-Hair!"
"That brat... let him come!"
"Yes, Pops!"
Whitebeard knew exactly why Shanks was coming. The man had already sent a letter, though Whitebeard had crushed it the moment he finished reading.
What a joke. A junior trying to tell him what to do? Was he trying to teach the old man how to run things?
The entire letter was obsessed with "balance." If he loved the World Government's notion of balance so much, why did he become a pirate in the first place?
Truth be told, Whitebeard wasn't fond of Shanks. Compared to a pirate, the man acted more like a World Government official. Between his constant rambling about balance and his tendency to stick his nose into everyone's business, he rubbed Whitebeard the wrong way.
A short while later, the Red Force slowly drew alongside. Shanks stepped onto the deck of the Moby Dick, the flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Originally, Whitebeard had four outer ships in addition to the Moby Dick. These daughter ships were identical in design to the flagship but several sizes smaller, used by his "sons" for various missions. They weren't owned by any specific division but were assigned to whoever needed them.
However, only two remained now. The other two had been destroyed by Akainu and Sean during the battle on Volcano Island.
As he stepped onto the deck of the Moby Dick, Shanks ostentatiously released his Conqueror's Haki.
This gesture irritated Whitebeard. He immediately countered with his own Conqueror's Haki.
As the intensity of their clashing Haki surged, many pirates on the Moby Dick began to collapse. One by one, they rolled their eyes, foamed at the mouth, and slumped onto the deck.
"Hey, hey, Red-Hair. Did you come here to start a war?" Marco said, leaning against the railing. He sounded casual, but he was inwardly annoyed.
Was this supposed to be a show of force? Just because he was the last of the Emperors to rise, did he think he could be this arrogant? Especially since this was the Whitebeard Pirates' home turf.
"Ah, sorry. I was afraid that if I didn't, you wouldn't listen to me, just like last time."
With that, Shanks withdrew his Conqueror's Haki, and Whitebeard did the same.
"Brat, 'listen to you'? Who do you think I am? I am Whitebeard! It's not the place of a little shrimp like you to tell me anything!"
"Whitebeard, don't get worked up. How about we have a drink before we talk? I brought some special liquor—fine wine from my hometown!"
At those words, Whitebeard's expression softened slightly.
Shanks pushed forward the massive liquor jar he had been dragging along. Soon, two members of the Whitebeard Pirates brought over two bowls.
However, the bowls were... peculiar.
The bowl placed before Whitebeard was a full meter in diameter. The bowl placed before Shanks was barely ten centimeters.
Aside from the difference in their physical sizes, this was clearly Marco's doing; even Whitebeard didn't usually use a bowl that large for drinking.
Shanks' lip twitched, but he didn't let it bother him. He filled both bowls to the brim.
The next moment, Whitebeard downed the entire bowl in one go, and his gaze sharpened once again.
Chapter 197: The Abandoned Twelve Thousand
"Kid, speak. What is it you want to say this time?"
Whitebeard stared intently at Shanks, his voice slow and deliberate.
"It's the same as my last letter," Shanks replied. "I'm advising you not to go to Marine Headquarters. There is no path to victory. If something happens to you, it won't just be your sons who suffer—the civilians in your territories will pay the price. Countless people will die."
"Furthermore, the collapse of the Whitebeard Pirates would shatter the current balance of the seas, leading to immeasurable consequences."
"Is it really worth it... for just one Vista?"
Whitebeard had already been growing irritated. This kid was using the same old routine—trying to manage everything, acting as if he were the only one who was right, and even attempting to dictate how Whitebeard should handle his own affairs.
But upon hearing the last sentence, Whitebeard's face turned ashen with rage.
'Is it worth it for one Vista?'
"He is my son!!!"
With a roar, Whitebeard swung Murakumogiri in a devastating arc.
As if he had anticipated the strike, Shanks drew Gryphon and met the attack head-on.
In the next instant, the two Supreme Grade blades collided. A terrifying surge of Sword Energy erupted, skyrocketing into the atmosphere and slicing the very heavens apart!
'''
Several days later.
At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku was on the Den Den Mushi, speaking with Aokiji at the G1 Branch in the New World.
"Kuzan, what are Whitebeard's recent movements?"
"Fleet Admiral, I just received a report. All the surveillance ships sent to track Whitebeard have lost contact. I am currently arranging for other ships to head that way, but it will be a while before we know his current position."
"Forget it. Don't bother arranging more surveillance ships; it would just be sending them to their deaths. Based on Whitebeard's reaction, I already have the confirmation I need. That old man... has decided to go to war with the Marine. That is enough."
"Understood!" Aokiji nodded.
After all, the surveillance ships had only been deployed to confirm whether Whitebeard was truly committed to starting a war. Now that it was certain, there was no need to waste more marines' lives.
"Right. Get things ready on your end, then bring all officer-grade personnel and elite marines back to Headquarters!"
"Fleet Admiral, if we do that, the G1 Branch will be completely defenseless!"
"It doesn't matter. Tell those you leave behind that if pirates attack, they are to evacuate immediately and wait for further orders at the G5 Branch!"
"This... very well. I understand."
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Aokiji's expression darkened.
He knew all too well that if the Four Emperors' crews took the opportunity to strike, those remaining would likely be wiped out before they could even begin to evacuate. Escape would be nearly impossible.
The marines left behind had effectively become discarded pawns, kept only to maintain a facade of strength. If the facade held, great. If they failed, the loss to Sengoku would merely be some ordinary marines.
To him, they were nothing more than numbers.
Aokiji grit his teeth. Despite his hesitation, he ultimately followed Sengoku's arrangements and began the deployment.
Of the twenty thousand marines stationed at the G1 Branch, eight thousand elites departed with Aokiji and the other officers for Marine Headquarters.
Only twelve thousand ordinary marines and a single Captain remained to hold the fort.
They had no idea that they had already become...
Discarded pawns.