"So… you mean that top-tier battle that is about to occur," Shirogai said calmly, his gaze steady. "The war between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates?"
"…"
Kong drew in a deep breath, his tone heavy and resolute.
"So you already know. Yes, that is correct. This battle will shake the entire world. And we do not want you to appear in it."
Shirogai's expression remained relaxed, almost indifferent.
"Do not worry. I will not interfere in this war."
A faint glint of cold light flickered through his eyes as he smiled.
"However, I will absolutely witness this battle up close. Give up on stopping me. If I decide to go, you cannot stop me."
Those fated to fall are first driven to arrogance.
Shirogai had no intention of preventing the war at Marineford. A conflict that would expose the weaknesses of the Marines like this was far too valuable to erase.
Adding fuel to the fire, letting the flames of war burn even fiercer, was simply the most efficient choice.
"Is your presence truly unavoidable?" Kong asked helplessly.
Shirogai smiled and nodded slightly.
"That is right. I must go."
"…"
After a long silence, Sengoku finally spoke with calm finality.
"Very well. Then the World Government will formally invite you as a guest. You will enter the VIP viewing area under the identity of a Marine Vice Admiral."
"Heh, as expected of you. Quite generous," Shirogai replied with faint amusement.
"Are you not afraid that I might use this opportunity to cause trouble?"
"We are afraid," Kong answered steadily. "But we are far more afraid of you arriving without warning."
His voice turned cold and sharp.
"I hope you understand this much. The World Government knows everything about the families pirates care about. And yet, we have never acted excessively."
"But if truly irreversible events occur, the World Government has never lacked the resolve to act decisively."
This was no longer persuasion.
It was a clear threat.
We trust you, but if you truly choose to act during the war and disrupt the Marine's combat strength, then do not blame the World Government for settling matters afterward.
Even if it leads to mutual destruction, everyone your crew cares about will be hunted down.
Once that line is crossed, there will be no reconciliation.
"I hope you do not force our hand," Kong concluded.
"Hahahahaha!" Shirogai burst into laughter.
"Generous indeed. Do not worry. I will never cause trouble."
With that, he decisively cut off the call.
"…"
Kong stared silently at the Den Den Mushi as it fell into sleep mode. After a moment, he rose from his seat and turned his gaze toward the massive wall covered in bounty posters.
"Shirogai… Kaido of the Beasts… Charlotte Linlin… Red-Haired Shanks…"
Perhaps there would be unforeseen variables.
But the greatest unknown was still the movement of the other Four Emperors.
This public execution, orchestrated by the Gorosei and broadcast across the world, was filled with unimaginable danger.
If the Marines emerged with an overwhelming victory and crushed Whitebeard and his forces, their prestige would soar to unprecedented heights. The arrogance of pirates would be smashed, and countless aspiring pirates would be suppressed for years to come.
But if the Marines failed, if they lost before the eyes of the entire world, then the consequences would be catastrophic.
It would be an enormous blow to the authority of the World Government.
It would also shatter the morale of Marine soldiers everywhere.
From that moment on, piracy would erupt even more violently across the seas.
This war must be won.
It could not be lost.
"The Plunderer…"
Kong repeated Shirogai's fearsome bounty title under his breath. In his mind, countless strategies were refined again and again.
Every danger had to be anticipated.
Every variable had to be controlled.
Shirogai's appearance at the execution as a formally invited guest might actually serve to enhance the prestige of the Marines in the eyes of the world.
More importantly…
This man would undoubtedly cause even greater upheaval in the future.
At present, aside from a select few at the very top, most people remained ignorant of just how terrifying Shirogai truly was.
If pirates continued to provoke him recklessly, mistakenly thinking he stood with the Marines, those fools would die without even a place to be buried.
A perfect example of killing with a borrowed blade.
---
"Is it truly impossible to draw him fully into the Marine camp?"
During the earlier meeting, Tsuru had actively proposed approaching Shirogai directly.
That suggestion had been firmly rejected by Sengoku.
Sengoku, who had personally crossed hands with Shirogai once, knew all too well how dangerous this man was.
If Shirogai ever truly turned his blade toward Tsuru, her life would be placed in absolute danger.
"Perhaps… a meeting between Tsuru and Shirogai could still be arranged."
Sengoku trusted Tsuru's wisdom and meticulous strategies. A woman who had never once misjudged a situation would not recklessly throw her life away.
"Could it be that Tsuru intends to…"
Sengoku suddenly recalled a fragment of information Tsuru had once revealed inadvertently.
"The special effect of the Wash-Wash Fruit…"
His expression darkened. Slowly, he picked up the Den Den Mushi as if to issue a warning.
"If she truly does that… Tsuru will lose her life."
He understood clearly that if Tsuru acted upon such a plan, the chances of success would be shockingly high.
But the cost would be her death.
"…"
Would sacrificing Tsuru in exchange for a combat force surpassing the current three Admirals be worth it?
…
It would be.
Sengoku knew the answer well.
If it were anyone else, he would not hesitate.
But that person was his longtime companion.
"…"
After a long silence, Sengoku lowered the Den Den Mushi.
If Tsuru had already made up her mind, his warning would change nothing.
A monster like Shirogai should never give Tsuru such an opportunity.
That was the only comfort Sengoku allowed himself.
But deep within his heart, whether he hoped she would succeed or not, even he did not know.
…
Bang!!!!
The entire island of Thriller Bark suddenly shook violently.
"Ah! Is this an earthquake?" Luffy shouted blankly, clutching his straw hat as dust rained down from above.
"Who cares about that?" Nami exclaimed excitedly. "We are rich now!"
Under normal circumstances, she would have already dragged everyone out in a panic.
But in front of the newly discovered treasure vault, even dying felt worth it.
Chests after chests of gold and jewels filled the massive chamber. Nami manipulated the gold to float around her, gently stroking each glittering piece with trembling hands, her eyes glowing with unrestrained greed.
"My darlings… I will take you all home soon. Big sister loves you all so much!"
"Are they fighting again?" Sanji frowned, glancing toward the direction of the tremors.
"Could it be that Shirogai still has not won? Is that Shichibukai, Gekko Moriah, really that tough?"
"Wow! This outfit is awesome!"
Luffy had already donned a suit of golden armor and held a dazzling silver sword inlaid with diamonds. Facing a massive golden mirror, he grinned foolishly.
"Hehehe… let us go take a look!"
…
Swish!!!!!
A terrifying blade of compressed sword energy tore through the dense fog that had blanketed the Devil's Triangle for decades, ripping across the sky with unstoppable force.
Clang!
Yet when that terrifying slash reached the smiling man standing in the distance, it was silently erased.
An invisible wave of sword intent met it head-on and canceled it completely.
There was no shockwave.
No explosion.
The attack simply vanished.
"…"
Dracule Mihawk's sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
Even Bartholomew Kuma, standing beside him, tightened his grip on the thick Bible in his hands.
"Such precise judgment," Mihawk murmured.
An intense, uncontrollable fanatic light surged through his golden eyes.
Slowly, he raised the black blade Yoru, the blade's edge pointing directly toward Shirogai.
"Shirogai Yamikuro," he said coldly, his voice carrying the weight of absolute challenge. "Come and fight me."
---