"So... you went through all this trouble to track me down in Wano because you gave my intel to that old fox, Figarland Garling?"
"Yes Michael-san," Red-Haired Shanks knelt before Michael. "I truly... had no other choice. To get Buggy and Uta back, I had no alternative."
"Oh? Has that old bastard Garling really sunk to such despicable methods now?" Michael stroked his chin.
"Tsk, this isn't good news..."
The original Figarland Garling was the epitome of an arrogant Celestial Dragon.
As the former leader of the God's Knights, he wielded the power of Judgement and held a status among the Celestial Dragons no less than the Five Elders.
But precisely because of this, he had been utterly crushed—both physically and mentally—by Michael at Enies Lobby, exiled to the seas with his spirit broken...
Yet now, it seemed Figarland Garling truly lived up to being one of the most outstanding Celestial Dragons of recent generations...
Having hit rock bottom, he had rebuilt himself, becoming ever more cunning and adaptable.
Even if his strength hadn't improved, he was undoubtedly far more troublesome than before.
When a man abandons all shame, he becomes invincible.
However, when Michael looked at Shanks and noticed his somewhat awkward expression, he smiled and asked.
"Did Buggy and Uta suffer any injuries?"
"It's alright. Although they were put in prison uniforms and thrown into the Celestial Dragons' prison, they weren't mistreated... Figarland Garling seems to have doubts about Uta's status as my adopted daughter because of her appearance..."
"Uta really does look like your biological daughter... Even someone as familiar with you as I am would instinctively think so, let alone Figarland Garling, who doesn't know you and Uta as well." Michael picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Since Buggy and Uta are fine, then it's no big deal if my intel was handed over."
"But Michael, what I handed over also included the Revolutionary Army's headquarters being on Baltigo."
"Oh, that? Easy fix." Michael nodded nonchalantly, then pulled out an ordinary Den Den Mushi with a white Den Den Mushi attached to it.
"Purupurupuru, purupurupuru, click."
"Hello? Dragon, can you hear me?"
"...If you speak any louder, I might consider buying a hearing aid." The Den Den Mushi mimicked Monkey D. Dragon's exasperated expression.
"What's up?"
"Our headquarters on Baltigo has been exposed."
"Huh? Baltigo's exposed?" Monkey D. Dragon's voice remained utterly calm. "In that case, we'll just relocate... We're already discussing merger details with the N.E.W Marine anyway, so there'll only be one headquarters moving forward."
"Anyway, evacuate everyone from Baltigo first. Better safe than sorry... But leave some supplies and facilities behind to make it seem like we're still there. I have a use for it..." Michael stroked his chin, suddenly grinning mischievously.
"Since Baltigo has been exposed, might as well squeeze out its last bit of value."
Since Shanks had already handed over all intel about him to the Celestial Dragons, he might as well use this opportunity to fish.
Him, Michael, plus the Lunar Technology excavated from the ruins of God Valley—all located on Baltigo...
'I wonder if it's enough to lure Imu into firing Uranus at me?'
"...No idea what you're scheming, but I'll do as you say." Monkey D. Dragon replied. "I'll hang up now... May fortune favor your endeavors."
"You might as well wish me safety instead." Michael raised an eyebrow.
With those final words, the Den Den Mushi abruptly disconnected.
Tucking it back into his pocket, Michael stood up and headed out.
Shanks quickly rose to his feet as well.
"So... you're not going to kill me right now, are you?"
"You've become this afraid of death now?"
"Afraid of death? Of course." Shanks laughed frankly. "My crewmates are still alive and well, my daughter is growing up strong, and my dream isn't fulfilled yet... Why wouldn't I fear death?"
"Being afraid of death means you're not at your wit's end yet. That's good."
Michael gazed at the straw-hatted Shanks.
Through this face, he seemed to see that man once more...
"Time really does fly by."
Shanks looked at Michael, though he knew Michael often said strange things, there was still a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"You look... exactly the same as when I first met you," Shanks pointed at his own face. "But look at me—I've gone from a teenager to a middle-aged single father. So if anyone should be lamenting how fast time passes, it's me, right?"
"You do look a bit old for your age," Michael nodded in agreement, eyeing Shanks' hair and beard.
"But considering your biological father's hairstyle and beard... be careful, or you might end up looking just as strange when you're older."
"...You really know how to hit where it hurts!"
...
The day after the Red Hair Pirates secretly visited Wano Country, the shogunate flagship representing Kozuki Oden, the Shogun, set sail from Nibutsu Port for the first time in a long while, heading toward Marineford.
Onboard were only the Nine Red Scabbards, along with Yamato and Jack, as well as Kozuki Oden and Kozuki Toki.
"Father said he would appear at the right place at the right time. You just need to proceed at your own pace," Yamato leaned against the mast, speaking to Kozuki Toki, who sat nearby, sharpening Kogarashi and Oto
Kozuki Toki didn't respond, only lifting her head to gaze at the azure sky.
A figure wrapped in holy light flickered in and out of view among the clouds.
"Just as Father said, he always appears at the right place... at the right time."
After speaking, Kozuki Toki lowered her head again.
A deep unease lingered in her heart, refusing to fade.
It had appeared out of nowhere after learning that Imu, who sat upon the Empty Throne, had summoned her and her husband.
Though intuition wasn't always reliable, this was... far too coincidental.
According to the theories Father had once taught her...
There were no coincidences in this world—only inevitabilities disguised as coincidences.
And as the Shogun's flagship drew closer to Mary Geoise, the unease in Kozuki Toki's heart only grew stronger.
To her, the towering Red Line seemed like a monstrous demon.
Grinning viciously at her.