New World, Whole Cake Island.
The eye specimen in Big Mom's hand was crushed instantly, turning into powder.
"Damn it! It never awakened all these years, but the moment it was taken by the Marines, it awakens?! Have I been too kind to her all these years?!"
Boom!
Her overwhelming Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, destroying everything around her as she teetered on the edge of losing control.
Once awakened, the Three-Eye Tribe could decipher the Poneglyphs. Right now, Pudding was the only Three-Eye left on the seas. Even though she had not awakened for years, there was still a sliver of hope.
The only hope.
Yet after being captured by the Marines for just a few months, she awakened?
What was that supposed to mean? Was this a deliberate insult?
"Damn it all!!!"
In her enraged state, Big Mom looked terrifying.
"Men!!! Prepare for an assault! Wipe out those Marines!!!"
She was furious beyond reason, but still retained a trace of clarity as she issued orders to her trembling subordinates.
"Contact Kaido!!! Tell him to come help! Any condition is acceptable!!!"
She wanted to annihilate the Marines facing Whole Cake Island, but that old man Garp was impossible to kill. She could not break the situation alone. She needed an ally.
Before, they had acted separately due to their own interests, but now she could not afford to care about that anymore.
* * *
At the same time, on the Grand Line, Whiskey Peak.
At the highest rooftop of the bounty hunter town, Robin had left Alabasta after finding an opportunity and arrived here to meet Sabo, to discuss the situation in Alabasta.
She reached the agreed meeting point at the top of the church tower, but he had not arrived yet.
Lights in the town below began to flicker on one by one. Earlier that night, a group of pirates had been welcomed in, only to be slaughtered later.
Leaning against the tip of the church tower, Robin watched the bounty hunters move out under the cover of darkness, planning to enjoy the show.
Whoosh!
A faint sound of wind stirred.
Sabo's figure condensed into form, his expression excited as he spoke in a serious tone.
"Ms. Robin."
He extended his right hand.
She smiled and reached out as well, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you, Sabo."
He could not hide his excitement. "I've finally met you. Hahaha."
For someone as knowledgeable as her who had guided the Revolutionary Army into the industrial age, Sabo's admiration was beyond words. He always addressed her with respect.
Now that he had finally met his idol, the "Light of Revolution," Nico Robin, how could he not be excited?
He calmed himself, then looked toward the town where more figures were beginning to gather.
"Is this place safe? Should we move somewhere else?"
Robin smiled. "It's fine. The people below are just ordinary bounty hunters. A perfect blind spot under the light."
The lights in the town flickered on one after another. Hidden in the glow, no one could see them, yet they could look down over the entire town.
Sabo nodded with a smile. "Then I'll follow your lead."
As he spoke, he took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed.
On the other end, Dragon picked up almost instantly. His voice came through.
"Have you arrived, Sabo?"
"Yes, Supreme Commander. I've already met with Ms. Robin."
She also spoke. "Mr. Dragon."
She had not joined the Revolutionary Army, so they addressed each other normally.
Dragon was just about to say something when a loud explosion came from the town below.
Boom!
He stopped mid-sentence and fell silent.
The two looked down. Robin smiled lightly.
"My. Something unexpected happened."
It seemed the pirates welcomed tonight were not easy targets. Whether the bounty hunters below could handle them was another question.
Even though those bounty hunters were Crocodile's subordinates, it had nothing to do with Robin. She was simply watching the show.
Sabo spoke into the Den Den Mushi. "Something happened in the distance. It's unrelated to us."
Only then did Dragon relax. "That's good. Be careful."
"Yes," Sabo replied.
He then looked at Robin.
"Should we relocate?"
She gave a nod. "We should. Let's go."
She turned and left. After all, unexpected situations were the hardest to control.
Sabo followed, still holding the Den Den Mushi.
Boom!
Another explosion sounded behind them. Then faintly, a young voice echoed.
"Gum Gum…"
On the other end, Dragon's pupils shrank. He immediately spoke.
"Wait!"
* * *
New World, New Marineford.
Carlo flipped through the latest intelligence, deep in thought. After a moment, he put it away and headed toward the Fleet Admiral's office.
Inside the office, Sakazuki took the report from him and spoke.
"Looks like it's about to succeed."
His tone was indifferent as he casually tossed the report aside.
The report detailed the situation in Alabasta. The rebel army was about to reach the capital. Across the entire kingdom, aside from Crocodile's territory, Rainbase, everything had fallen to the rebels. Once the capital was taken, Alabasta would truly collapse.
Crocodile's plan would succeed. As for how to obtain Pluton, that depended on Robin.
That was the reason he had kept her by his side all these years. He needed her to read the Poneglyph hidden in Alabasta and uncover Pluton.
Sakazuki looked at Carlo. "Keep watching. And if you want to act, take Bullet and Soter with you. Enel can't leave his post for now."
He had no interest in Alabasta at all. Only Carlo kept an eye on Robin. Otherwise, Crocodile would have been dealt with long ago.
Regarding the so-called Pluton, its main cannon had already been built. It would only be useful in a final war. Having more of it made no difference. Besides, Crocodile's information might not even be accurate.
With Sakazuki's approval, Carlo let out a quiet breath. "Yes."
Sakazuki shook his head. "Alright. Once you deal with Crocodile, you can rest easy. I'll give you some time off. By the time you're done, it should be about time to begin."
Even at their current slow pace, the Revolutionary Army would completely reclaim the Four Blues within three months.
As for the host of the Shroom-Shroom Fruit, its natural maturation was only a little over two months away. If he wished, he could accelerate it at any moment.
The only thing left was the clash between the Revolutionary Army and the World Government.
When the Revolutionary Army used the warship technology provided by Vegapunk to cross the Calm Belt and strike directly at Mariejois, that would be the moment when the final piece of Sakazuki's plan, prepared over many years, fell into place.
At that time, every force and every individual that held power in this world would be swept away in one move.
No exceptions.
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