Although Creed had decided to move against Big Mom, it wouldn't happen overnight.
In Totto Land—a near-utopia under Charlotte Linlin—her influence was absolute. Her temper was erratic, and she demanded two months of lifespan from every citizen each year, yet she still sheltered that realm, allowing people to live in peace, away from pirates' predation and greater powers' enslavement.
An assault on Big Mom would likely provoke the united fury of Totto Land's populace. This couldn't be rushed; it required meticulous planning.
Of course, Totto Land wasn't an ironclad whole. Big Mom never permitted anyone to leave. Any who tried were sentenced to death. That was a deep, long-buried flaw in her nation—one that could be exploited to fracture their resolve.
The day after the raucous banquet, Creed ordered full speed ahead to rendezvous with Crocodile's group.
Halfway through the voyage, they unexpectedly rescued a familiar face.
"You're Jimmy?"
On deck, Creed looked at the shipwrecked man who kept demanding to see him and quickly recognized him.
Jimmy was in a terrible state—cut to the bone in multiple places. Had Creed's ship not passed by, he would've died within minutes.
"It's me, Commander!"
Seeing Creed, Jimmy tried to sit up despite his wounds, only to cough blood from the strain.
"Don't move."
Creed crouched and used the Ope Ope no Mi (Operation-Operation Fruit) to stabilize his injuries.
"I'm fine—Commander Creed, please go save the deputy commander. Big Mom captured her."
The news shocked Creed.
From Jimmy's brief account, the picture came together:
The Marine branch had already relocated into the New World and chosen a site. Ain was overseeing the branch's garrison and construction.
Yesterday, Big Mom attacked without warning—flattening the unfinished base and abducting Ain, leaving the Marines with heavy casualties.
"Right—Commander, as I fell into the sea and was about to black out, I heard one of their crew say their next target was the G-K branch…"
Jimmy suddenly remembered what he'd overheard.
"Big Mom isn't in Totto Land. This is the perfect chance," Redfield murmured.
He knew Creed likely had a good rapport with Ain, but the optimal move was obvious: seize Totto Land while Big Mom rushed back, then defeat her at leisure and end it in one stroke.
"No—Ain first."
The moment Creed said it, Jimmy relaxed and fainted.
If Creed was moving, their deputy commander would be safe.
"Understood."
Redfield spun the wheel without hesitation. Once Creed decided on a course, he supported it fully.
Two days later, Creed's ship reached the former G-K branch site.
G-5 had been destroyed by Charlotte Linlin once before; later the Marines rebuilt it and stationed two Admirals—Akainu and Aokiji—to hold it. But today, the G-5 branch had fallen again.
From Creed's ship, Jimmy saw raging fires, shattered walls, corpses strewn everywhere, and faint, lingering screams. He almost leapt overboard in grief.
G-5 had suffered its second annihilation.
It was a ringing slap to the Marines' face—left cheek before, right cheek now, and harder than ever.
If Charlotte Linlin acted personally, the Marines couldn't hold without Fleet Admiral-class strength—or at least two Admirals. At present, the three Admirals hadn't reached peak strength; at best they were SSSS-.
Charlotte Linlin was SSSS.
At this rate, Fleet Admiral Sengoku would soon descend upon the New World.
"Only Aokiji was guarding G-5?" Creed asked Jimmy after surveying the ruins. Jimmy nodded.
Icebergs towered along the shore and across the island, refusing to melt; cookie soldiers lay frozen within, and swaths of sea were locked under thick ice—Aokiji's Hie Hie no Mi (Ice-Ice Fruit) at work.
More shocking still: a colossal blade mark split the island in two. If not for black ice buttressing it, the island would've turned to drifting ash.
Fierce, lingering sword will told Creed exactly which move it was: Erubafu no Yari: Ikoku (Elbaf's Spear: Sovereignty)—Big Mom's signature sword technique.
"Cut down every scavenger taking advantage of this," Creed ordered.
G-5 had been breached, but Charlotte Linlin seemed to have left in haste rather than looting. Scavenger pirates had swarmed in to pick the carcass clean—murdering wounded Marines or torturing them for revenge. Wild laughter echoed across the island:
"Dogs of the World Government—how does it feel now?"
"Because of you dogs, I've gone months without work!"
Creed had no pity to spare.
"Yes!"
Redfield and Brook took the order and, in short order, wiped the scavengers out. The surviving Marines were gathered up, and Creed personally treated them with the Ope Ope no Mi (Operation-Operation Fruit).
Some recognized him and wept. "Commander Creed!"
Creed had no time for pleasantries. He quickly asked for Big Mom's whereabouts.
Aokiji had been forced back. Because he had to escort a Celestial Dragon visiting the G-K branch, he'd abandoned those who couldn't retreat in time.
Abandon G-5 to protect a Celestial Dragon? Creed clenched his teeth. The Marines' plight was pitiable.
Still, he gleaned what he needed: during the fight, Big Mom had shouted at Aokiji not to hinder her—she was in a rush to attend a tea party on Fish-Man Island.
Creed put the Marines aboard a captured pirate ship and told Jimmy to lead them away.
He was a pirate; they were Marines. Their paths diverged here.
"Set course for Fish-Man Island."
Creed's ship swung about, chasing Big Mom's Sanjuan Wolf-class flagship, the Homies' hymn rising and falling on the wind.
He couldn't quite understand it: if Big Mom was simply detouring to a tea party, why obliterate a Marine branch and butcher so many Marines on the way?
Just because she'd suffered a setback last time? That would be tantamount to declaring war on the Marines—on the World Government.
It couldn't be that simple.
Perhaps Big Mom's mind had snapped again—another rampage. Or perhaps the Yonko had struck some kind of pact.
To wage war on the Marines, a single Emperor's crew wouldn't suffice; at least two would be needed to barely contend.
Whatever the scheme, Creed had no time to ponder.
Whoever abducted Ain—was his enemy.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]