After hanging up the phone, Aokiji irritably ruffled his curly hair, sighing a breath of cold air that frosted the room.
Based on Sengoku's briefing, it was clear: the Celestial Dragons would undoubtedly target Nico Robin to obtain information about the Ancient Weapon, Pluton.
So, who could the Celestial Dragons deploy? Only their personal dogs—the Cipher Pol organization.
As an Admiral, Aokiji was privy to classified intelligence.
The nearest CP unit to the Straw Hat Pirates was CP9, currently lurking undercover in Water 7.
Their standing orders were to locate the blueprints for Pluton.
And coincidentally, the Straw Hat Pirates' next destination was also Water 7.
"With just those little brats?" Aokiji muttered, shaking his head. "How could they possibly take down a crew that fought me to a standstill?"
"Tch~ Don't tell me I'll have to step in again. I really don't want to help those Celestial Dragons."
Aokiji was deeply frustrated.
He picked up a bottle of strong liquor beside him and downed it in one go.
"I really envy old man Garp. Not being an Admiral means freedom. But... to change this world, I must climb to the highest position in the Marines."
...
Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's Office.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku was even more agitated than Aokiji.
Stroking his goatee, he paced back and forth in front of his desk, his steps heavy.
Based on Aokiji's report, the Straw Hat Pirates were a sleeping dragon that absolutely should not be poked right now.
But the Celestial Dragons were stubborn, self-willed, and stupid.
The order to search for the Ancient Weapons had come directly from the Five Elders.
The CP organizations were loyal only to the World Government and wouldn't heed Sengoku's tactical warnings.
"Ah... that grandson of Garp's only knows how to cause trouble for us," Sengoku groaned.
"Kuzan made it perfectly clear—asking them to hand over Nico Robin is pure fantasy. Sending CP9 to challenge this crew? They'd be signing their own death warrants."
"And I don't even know what identities those CP9 agents are using in Water 7. There's no way to warn them."
The strategic genius scratched his head anxiously, desperately trying to formulate a plan.
"What should I do? Send more Marines to help? Nonsense! If we lose an Admiral or elite Vice Admirals now, how will we deal with the Yonko?"
"What if we don't help? Pretend we know nothing about this and tell the Five Elders that Aokiji hasn't encountered them yet?"
In that case, CP9 would be sacrificed—that's the only plan with the smallest losses for the Marine.
The more Sengoku thought about it, the more he felt this was the only viable approach.
Even if the Marines needed to mobilize later, as long as no Admirals were involved, losing a few disposable agents wasn't a catastrophe.
Sengoku sat back down, trying to steady his resolve.
As Fleet Admiral, he had to weigh lives on a scale.
His justice was "Ruling Justice"—pragmatic and orderly. He didn't care much for the Celestial Dragons' lackeys.
But suddenly, Sengoku frowned again.
"This idea won't work. Because of that bastard Morgans, we have to announce our engagement with the Straw Hats to the world. If we don't disclose Aokiji's encounter, we look incompetent. If we do, we have to launch another operation immediately because the world is watching."
Just this one matter gave Sengoku a splitting headache.
...
The New World.
Over the past few days, the new bounties of the Straw Hat Pirates had rippled through the seas, reaching the hands of the most dangerous pirates in the world.
Bounties of this level marked them as major players, even here.
...
Onigashima, Wano Country.
A muscular behemoth nearly eight meters tall sat drinking from a gourd the size of a barrel.
Yonko Kaido of the Beasts.
"Lord Kaido," a subordinate reported nervously, "over the past two months, there's a pirate crew worth paying attention to. Although they haven't entered the New World yet..."
Kaido waved his hand dismissively while looking bored.
He gestured for the subordinate to report to King the Wildfire instead.
The subordinate scurried over to the tall, masked All-Star.
King listened silently, then nodded.
"Keep an eye on their movements. Pirates of this caliber will eventually become our enemies if we can't recruit them."
As the subordinate turned to leave, King called out.
"Focus on gathering intel about the Marines' actual battles with them. The Straw Hat Pirates' growth rate is unusually fast—something about it feels off."
Kaido, still drinking nearby, paid no attention.
...
Whole Cake Island.
The fantastical nation of sweets was ruled by the Yonko Big Mom, Charlotte Linlin.
At this moment, she was lucid, not yet in a hunger pang.
She looked curiously at the bounty poster in her daughter Smoothie's hand.
"Mamamama~ Smoothie, who is this silver-haired man?"
Smoothie, one of the Three Sweet Commanders, snapped out of her daze.
She had been staring at the poster a little too intently!
"Mama... this is a recently risen pirate named Ray. He belongs to the Straw Hat Pirates."
Big Mom snatched the poster, grinning as she examined Ray's sharp features.
"Smoothie... do you have feelings for him?"
Smoothie's cheeks flushed, and she nodded gently. "He is... aesthetically pleasing."
But Big Mom's next words made Smoothie's stomach drop.
"Mamamama~ But I'm quite interested in him too! Smoothie, no need to be nervous. We can each have a child with him! We can even include your other sisters!"
Big Mom licked her lips. "Such appealing genetic traits must be preserved abundantly in our family!"
Around the table, Big Mom's other daughters cheered in unison.
"Mama is wise!"
Smoothie forced a smile, though her eye twitched.
...
An Unknown Island.
The Red Hair Pirates were celebrating.
They had just dispatched a challenger crew and were enjoying the spoils.
A subordinate ran up to Shanks, breathless. "Boss! As you instructed, we're reporting immediately. News about the Straw Hat Pirates!"
Shanks beamed. "Thanks for your hard work!"
He took the newspaper, eager to see Luffy's progress.
But as he read the headlines, his smile vanished, replaced by a grave expression.
[STRAW HATS DECLARED ENEMIES OF THE WORLD!]
"Luffy... I admire your courage in taking in Nico Robin, but how do you plan to survive this naval encirclement?"
After much contemplation, Shanks realized the odds were stacked impossibly high against his young friend.
He stood up, draining his sake cup.
"Guys! We set sail tomorrow. Destination: The Whitebeard Pirates."
Ben Beckman raised an eyebrow but nodded.
Shanks muttered to himself, looking out at the ocean.
"Luffy... I can only help divert some of the Marines' attention this way. If I move, they have to watch me. The quality of Marines coming after you should decrease."
"But since you've set sail, you must overcome these difficulties on your own. Keep going. I hope to see you soon."