"Hmph..."
At that moment, a heavy, muffled snort echoed through Sengoku's office.
Everyone's gaze turned to Sengoku.
As Fleet Admiral, his orders represented the will of the Marines.
Sengoku did not answer right away. Instead, he glanced at Borsalino and asked, "How is the Science Corps' research going? Is there any way to block the broadcast signal from these TV Conches?"
Borsalino was also unusually serious as he replied, "Unfortunately, Vegapunk's answer is that whether it's the Phone Conch or this TV Conch, the principles behind them aren't complicated. They're similar to Den Den Mushi. The troublesome part is that the way they receive signals is different. It isn't direct one-to-one communication. There's a signal relay station involved. That relay station can freely change the signal frequency and encrypt the information both ways. So unless we can find that relay station, blocking the signal is impossible."
Borsalino's answer was not beyond Sengoku's expectations. Since Fire Dragon Yemu dared to make these things public without caring, he naturally was not afraid of the Marines' and World Government's Science Corps researching them.
"Then what about the situation around that island? How has CP's reconnaissance gone?"
This time, the one who answered was CP0 chief Hammond.
"We sent people disguised under various identities to land on that island and investigate the surrounding waters. This island, called Sun Golden Crow, suddenly appeared in that sea area a month ago. Before that, neither nautical charts nor the people of nearby island nations knew of its existence."
As his words fell, everyone already understood something.
Hammond continued.
"We have reason to suspect that this island was created by Fire Dragon Yemu through the power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, and that it was prepared specifically for this future war. In terms of location, it is near the Calm Belt. It should be on the same line as the sea area where the Sky Pirates' New World territory, Wenmigudan Island, is located. Sun Golden Crow Island and Wenmigudan Island, one in the open and one hidden, should be Fire Dragon Yemu's strategy. As for the island's specific conditions, our CP agents have gone up to investigate..."
At this point, Hammond hesitated slightly, drawing everyone's attention before he continued.
"On the surface, it is an extremely barren island. Its area is about four times that of Marineford, making it a very large island. There are no plants on it at all, only a road connecting the two ends of the island and, at the very center, a statue they call the Sun God Bird: Golden Crow. This also matches our theory that it is an artificial island. Also, because it is close to the Calm Belt, there are no other islands or countries within nearly five hundred nautical miles of it. As for the climate, the North Blue is not like the Grand Line. It is very stable, a typical four-season climate, with nothing special about it."
After Hammond finished, everyone understood. Garp, in particular, did not bother hiding anything and said directly, "Looks like that kid is determined to fight the Marines there."
That was right. Based on all the current intelligence, the Sky Pirates seemed even more active and proactive than the Marines in this coming war. Not only were they constantly provoking the Marines and the World Government, they were also forcing the Marines to walk into a battlefield they had arranged in advance.
Sengoku's expression was solemn. Being led by the nose was a taboo in warfare. He very much wanted to find a way to break the situation, but from the current state of things, before the Sky Pirates' open scheme, the Marines and the World Government seemed helpless.
After thinking for a moment, he asked, "What's the situation in the New World?"
Hammond said in a low voice, "Whitebeard and BIGMOM have both already made moves. Although neither of them has personally set out, on Whitebeard's side, First Division Captain Marco has brought most of the Whitebeard Pirate Crew's combat forces to block the exit of the New World. G1 is already on high alert. As for G5, Charlotte Linlin's second son Katakuri is watching it with the Three Sweet Commanders. It's impossible for the Marines to make any major moves there. As for Kaidou, he has made a bold declaration that he wants to attack Marine Headquarters again..."
The moment these words came out, everyone's expressions changed slightly.
This was no longer anything new to the Marines.
Under ordinary circumstances, with Sengoku and the others holding the line, Kaidou's solo attacks on Marine Headquarters always ended in failure. But if a battle broke out against the Sky Pirates and all of Headquarters' elites were sent away, then Vice Admiral Tsuru alone would not be able to stop a monster like Kaidou.
Kaidou's purpose in saying such a thing was obvious. It was to intimidate the Marines.
"As for the Thunder God Pirate Crew, they are rapidly absorbing and integrating the territory and forces left behind by the Silver Axe Pirate Crew. Once they finish integrating them, they will probably become a terrifying force no weaker than the BIGMOM Pirates."
"..."
Sengoku fell silent. Only after a long while did he slowly ask, "Is there any other intelligence worth noting?"
"Yes. As for Flevance, we have completely lost control there. The surrounding waters have been blockaded, and it has become very difficult for our people to learn anything from inside. However, the intelligence agents still remaining there sent out information. After Philock VII returned to the country, he proposed withdrawing from the World Government member nations and joining the Rainbow Country Alliance. This has already gained the agreement of the entire country. Because of that, Killmonger Erik has been able to recruit soldiers in large numbers throughout Flevance in the name of Philock VII."
"Because of the publicity spread by those released slaves, in countries of minority races heavily affected by slave traders, such as the Ryugu Kingdom and the Tehna Gehna Kingdom, some people have also begun taking the initiative to join the Sky Pirates."
"In addition, out on the sea, some ambitious people influenced by Fire Dragon Yemu have also begun heading toward the Thunder God Pirate Crew's territory..."
At that moment, Hammond's words deeply showed what it meant for the situation to grow worse and worse.
"In other words, if we keep dragging this out, the situation will only become more and more unfavorable for us?"
"Yes."
Hammond's tone was low.
"As time drags on, the Marines' and World Government's advantages in combat power and soldiers will gradually shrink."
In an instant, Sengoku was clearly caught in a dilemma.
Launching a war rashly without accurate intelligence or control over everything was obviously unwise.
But if they delayed any longer, more and more variables would appear.
Just then, an intelligence officer arrived, and the news he delivered finally made Sengoku make up his mind.
"Bad news, Fleet Admiral Sengoku! We just received intelligence from the Thunder God Pirate Crew and Flevance. The Thunder God Pirate Crew has entered the Calm Belt with most of its forces. As for Flevance, Killmonger Erik has also disappeared with his subordinates. We can't find any trace of them..."
"What?!"
Everyone in the office was shocked. Sengoku reacted instantly and roared with a dark expression.
"Since the enemy has already taken action first, then we Marines cannot betray the justice we bear. Notify all Marines. Set out for the North Blue..."