Chapter 372: Target—Wano
Navy Headquarters.
"Seriously, what's the Government thinking?"
The man codenamed Ryokugyu lazily leaned against a railing, gazing down at Navy soldiers lined up in several long columns across the plaza below.
The World Government had suddenly notified the Navy, ordering them to select an elite force—specifically noting the team couldn't include any Devil Fruit users.
But they hadn't explained what this special force would be used for.
Naturally, the Navy couldn't resist the Government's decisions. Personnel selection immediately began.
From Navy Vice Admirals down to the lowest-ranked privates, Navy Headquarters started rigorous screening.
Feeling curious was perfectly natural.
"Probably another covert operation."
Speaking with Ryokugyu was a rather unremarkable-looking man. Though tall, he appeared somewhat hunched. His features were far from handsome—rather somewhat ugly.
He wore a brown hat. His clothes and pants matched the same color. A cigarette dangled from his mouth, wooden clogs on his feet. His smile appeared rather carefree.
Hearing this man's words, Ryokugyu couldn't help grinning. "Haha, Kake—can't just say things like that. If Government people found out, it'd be quite troublesome."
"True, hahaha."
The man called Kake scratched his head, then laughed. "Just pretend you didn't hear that—wait!!"
Suddenly, his previously squinted eyes widened.
Among the Navy columns below, he'd spotted a familiar figure!
"Gion!!"
Kake laughed happily. "Oh! Gion's back too!"
"Hahaha, Kake—going to confess again?" Ryokugyu laughed heartily. "Won't work! A confession should be a victory song, not a charging horn!"
"Hahaha! Gion's just shy! Just wait for my good news, Aramaki!"
Kake jumped directly from the railing.
Watching that brown figure excitedly bounding forward across the plaza below, Ryokugyu unconsciously shook his head.
Too naive.
However—
"Even Momousagi was selected? Seriously, what does the Government want to do?"
He was curious.
After all, this special force seemed rather powerful.
News of the Navy organizing a special force quickly reached Fish-Man Island.
After all, both Morgans and Tesoro possessed excellent intelligence networks.
However, the information they could gather was limited to the World Government extracting a batch of non devil fruit users from the Navy to form a special force.
What this force would be used for—Brett didn't know.
"But if they're all non-ability users, then surely it's for something ability users can't conveniently do?"
Tesoro speculated.
Though obvious, this reasoning held true.
If that force consisted entirely of non devil fruit users, then their mission was something ability users couldn't accomplish.
That narrowed the scope considerably.
Probably targeting Fish-Man Island.
Besides operating in the ocean, Brett couldn't imagine why that force would exclude all devil fruit users.
Though people who hadn't eaten Devil Fruits could, through rigorous training, possess power rivaling or even surpassing devil fruit users, undeniably devil fruit users were far more useful in many situations.
Even if not entirely devil fruit users, with the Government's resources, casually assembling an devil fruit user squad shouldn't be difficult.
But they hadn't done so.
Then besides targeting Fish-Man Island in the deep sea, Brett truly couldn't imagine any other objective.
However, even guessing the World Government's purpose, Brett had nothing he could do.
After this force assembled, it vanished from Marineford.
Neither Tesoro nor Morgans could determine where they'd gone.
Though Brett remained vigilant internally, he didn't worry excessively.
After all, Shyarly constantly performed divinations. If something would truly happen, she'd definitely provide early warning.
Time flowed slowly.
Sea Circle Calendar year 1516 gradually approached its end.
Right at this year's conclusion, Brett suddenly received a call.
"Brett! It's me—Nekomamushi!"
The voice on the other end said.
"Nekomamushi?"
Brett raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden contact?"
"These past days I visited Wano again and met with Kawamatsu, Yamato, and the others."
Nekomamushi said over the phone.
Brett's expression sharpened, immediately realizing the call's purpose. "Since you're contacting me now, the time has come, right?"
"Exactly!"
Nekomamushi's voice brimmed with excitement. "Yamato says her strength is now sufficient to protect Wano! She's ready to assume the Shogun position."
"I see."
Brett's lips curved upward.
They could have seized Wano long ago, but Brett had never acted.
Because Brett couldn't permanently garrison Wano. Even seizing that nation, relying solely on samurai to defend it could easily cause problems.
More importantly, no need to excavate Pluton yet. So Wano couldn't have problems.
Brett had been waiting for Yamato's strength to reach a level sufficient to protect that nation.
Now the time seemed to have arrived.
"In Wano, Kawamatsu and the others are already gathering forces."
Nekomamushi said. "We're also assembling troops. Brett, now we just need you."
"Understood."
Brett smiled. "I'll immediately head to Zou and rendezvous with you, then strike directly at Wano."
"Yes!"
Nekomamushi impatiently hung up, as if afraid of delaying Brett even a moment.
Brett immediately met with Jinbei and King Neptune, informing them of his upcoming actions.
"Time to officially move against the Beasts Pirates?"
Jinbei frowned. "Should I come along?"
"No need, Jinbei. You stay and guard Fish-Man Island."
Brett said. "I'm worried the Government might act while I'm gone."
"As for the Beasts Pirates..." Brett paused, then grinned widely. "Actually, I alone would suffice."
Jinbei paused, then laughed heartily. "Really? That's beyond words."
With Brett's current strength, he probably wasn't boasting.
However, Brett didn't go alone. He brought Tesoro.
"Hahahaha!! Finally time to deal with that bastard Doflamingo!!"
Tesoro was even more excited than Brett.
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