You can read ahead up to 90 chapters on my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
Wano Country, Flower Capital.
"Orrick Sama, bad news! The Den Den Mushi signal has disappeared from the sector where you had us assign the Wardens!!"
A man dressed like a pirate burst into the hall without even knocking, panting heavily as he delivered the report.
In response, Orrick, who was seated on a tatami mat polishing a wine cup, paused his hand briefly. Then, as if nothing had happened, he calmly replied: "I understand. You may leave now."
"Uh… yes, sir!"
The pirate was deeply puzzled. That location was one Orrick had repeatedly stressed was of the utmost importance, the kind of place where even the slightest mistake was unacceptable. Orrick had executed a whole batch of slackers just to make an example, scaring everyone into walking on eggshells every day, terrified of making a mistake.
But now that something had actually happened… why did he seem so completely unconcerned?
He couldn't understand. He didn't dare to understand. Hearing the order, he nodded respectfully and prepared to leave.
The next second,
Pu-chi!!!
His own hand drew a dagger and stabbed it straight into his chest. The pirate's throat moved, as if trying to say something, but before he could speak, his vision went dark, and he collapsed limply to the floor.
"Tch… Gotta make sure these guys stop playing pirate games. Seriously, no manners at all. Can't even knock before entering?"
The pirate would probably never have imagined that his cause of death would be something as trivial as not knocking.
The body and blood were quickly taken care of. As the silent attendants cleaned up, Orrick warmed his sake, poured himself a cup, and took a small sip.
Looking out the window at the drifting sakura petals, the corners of his lips curled up.
"By my calculations… yes, it should be these few days… the time when the gate opens."
"I wasn't wrong, was I, Soryu (Azure Dragon)?"
"I've hidden her somewhere… somewhere you'll never be able to find."
"I hope you won't disappoint me, little one… This world needs your power."
Outside the entrance, Lirisk leaned against the wall, arms folded, head bowed with his eyes closed.
Hearing his father's murmuring voice from inside, he slowly opened his eyes and clenched his fists tightly.
"Soryu (Azure Dragon)!!"
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"What?!"
Akainu shot up in shock, his massive desk toppling over as he pushed it away, drawing surprised stares from the others in the meeting room.
Such a loss of composure was rare for Akainu.
But he didn't care anymore. Frowning deeply, he asked:
"How is Rowen? Is he alright?!"
"Probably… maybe… possibly… alright…?"
Kizaru replied with three uncertain qualifiers, glancing over his shoulder at Rowen, who lay on a bed hooked up to IVs. They were aboard Smoker's battleship, which had caught up with the group soon after.
After a short silence, Kizaru added:
"I can confirm he's not dead. But as for when he'll wake up, I don't know."
"After all, we're talking about Kaido. To drive him off, it's only natural that a price had to be paid."
When people exhaust their strength… they die.
There have been Marine soldiers in history who died on the battlefield not from injuries, but simply from collapsing after prolonged battle from sheer stamina depletion.
No fatal wounds, but no breath left either.
The fact that Rowen didn't die was already the best possible outcome. With his resilience, he'd recover eventually; it was just a matter of how long it would take.
"That's good to hear!"
Akainu let out a sigh of relief.
Rowen was a critical combat asset for the Marines, arguably their strongest. If something had happened to him now, it would've been a major blow to Marine power.
Wait a minute…
Suddenly, a light sparked in Akainu's eyes.
If Rowen was okay, and Kaido had indeed been defeated and lost an arm, then… this might just be a heaven-sent opportunity!
"Hey, Kizaru, are you sure Kaido fled?"
"What else? You think he was reasoned with? That's Kaido we're talking about."
"Trust me a little, Sakazuki."
Kizaru pouted, face full of sleazy nonchalance, and drawled, "Besides, Kaido looked clearly panicked when he ran. I'm guessing a lot of factions' spies saw it. A little digging and you'll find out."
The sea isn't land. Its very nature makes it difficult for any single power to fully control. Do you really think the seas in Hundred Beasts territory are only watched by the Beast Pirates?
The answer is obvious.
"No, this is too important. I need to be certain."
At that moment, Vice Admiral Tsuru raised her eyebrows, then exclaimed in shock:
"Sakazuki, don't tell me… you're thinking of launching an offensive?"
"That's right."
"That's too risky!"
Tsuru couldn't hold back. "Even if Kaido took a major hit this time, don't forget, he still has two allies."
To this day, no one truly understood Orrick's abilities. Even the identities of his subordinates were cloaked in mystery.
Wano Country's Kurozumi Orochi needs no further mention; if he didn't have some real tricks up his sleeve, Wano would've long since been turned into a full-blown arms factory supplying the World Government. There wouldn't still be all these lingering complications.
But…
"If Kaido hadn't gotten injured, would he really have no allies?"
Akainu looked at her sternly and argued: "These three guys have long since replaced the former Yonkō as the greatest threat to peace on the seas. Even the Government has to treat them with extreme caution."
Unlike the past Yonkō, where at least someone like Whitebeard had no real desire for power, Kaido, Orrick, and Kurozumi Orochi were all deeply ambitious. They are incredibly dangerous!
This war is inevitable. If they don't strike now while Kaido is injured, do they plan to wait until the enemy regroups and fully mobilizes, only to meet them head-on at full strength?
"I understand all that," Tsuru said gravely, "but don't forget, Akainu, we made a one-year agreement, and that deadline… hasn't arrived yet!"
Akainu's tone faltered.
It wasn't that the agreement personally restrained him all that much, but it was an order set by the Gorōsei (Five Elder Stars), and he couldn't act against it lightly.
Seeing Akainu's face darken, Tsuru actually let out a quiet breath of relief.
She continued explaining:
"Besides, Aokiji encountered Princess Shirahoshi in the New World. We don't yet know how or why, but it's clear now that Shirahoshi is no longer under Orrick's control… If we can pull her to our side, or neutralize her, then with the threat of the Sea Kings removed, not only will the Gorōsei breathe easier, it'll also be the perfect moment to start the war."
In a conflict that will inevitably sweep across the world, individual battles only affect small portions of the outcome , like Rowen's recent victory over Kaido, which gave the Marines a much-needed morale boost.
But their enemies were relying on Shirahoshi, the Ancient Weapon "Sea King."
As long as she's removed from the board, the war can be contained to just the Marines versus the three allied forces. The Gorōsei would actually prefer such a scenario , and it would free the Marines from hesitation, allowing them to fight with everything they've got.
"…I understand."
Akainu wasn't stupid. As frustrated as he was with the current restraints, Tsuru was right, now wasn't the time to start a war.
Because they couldn't afford to lose.
"But don't think Kaido's going to get off easy either!"
After thinking it through, Akainu issued a command: "Track Kaido's movements with everything we've got. Tell 'Big News' Morgans from the World Economy News that I'll turn a blind eye to his past cooperation with Big Mom… but in exchange, I want him to fully turn against Kaido!"
Morgans, boss of the World Economy News, the largest news agency at sea, ran one of the most powerful information networks in the world. His base in Totto Land made him a dangerous asset.
But ever since Big Mom fell, Morgans had been jittery, constantly trying to please the Marines to avoid a purge.
He'd even bribed officials in the Holy Land to cover up his own dirty dealings.
But…
As long as the Marines didn't give him protection, who in their right mind would offend the strongest military force in the world just to protect Morgans?
Tsuru didn't have much sympathy for people who knowingly played both sides. She nodded and said,
"Leave it to me. I'll make sure he has no room to maneuver."
With the Marine's legendary Chief of Staff on the case, Morgan's fate was all but sealed.
"Then it's settled!" Akainu declared. "Everyone else, speed up the infrastructure work. If war breaks out, the people will be our most solid support, and it'll give us strategic mobility."
With that, Akainu looked out the window.
"Now we just wait for Smoker to return…"
There are only four Road Poneglyphs in the world. Missing even one means no one can find Raftel. If the Marines hold on to one, the implications are enormous.
Knock knock knock!
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Akainu frowned and said, "Come in!"
To his surprise, it was Sengoku, who had stepped down to the role of Marine Inspector-General, walking in with a grim expression.
"Sengoku? What are you doing here?"
Tsuru looked at him in confusion. Ever since he retired, this guy had never concerned himself with outside affairs. He just wandered between the family quarters and HQ all day, and spent his free time teasing Akainu.
Which is exactly why Akainu banned him from all briefings, even going so far as to prohibit him from approaching unless invited.
So why had he suddenly come today?
Sengoku didn't respond to her directly. He looked straight at Akainu's scowling face and took a deep breath.
"Something's wrong, Akainu. Aokiji's Vivre Card… is already more than halfway burned!!"
BANG!
Akainu slammed the table with a heavy fist, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"WHAT did you say?!"
(End of this chapter)