World Government. Marineford. The day after Kizaru was killed.
"Smoker..."
"Why are you the only one who returned?"
"Where are Kizaru and Momousagi?"
"Why can't we contact them?"
This was Akainu's office at Marineford. Smoker, after escaping that day, did not return until the next day.
Smoker didn't know how to answer Akainu's questions. After much consideration, he decided to tell the truth.
"I was defeated by Nero of CP0 and then released. When I left, Admiral Kizaru and Vice Admiral Momousagi were still fighting."
Smoker chose to conceal Nero's Space Fruit ability as repayment for Nero saving his life, so he didn't mention a word about Nero's current abilities.
"What did you say?"
"Defeated by Nero of CP0?"
"You mean Lucci and the others are still alive?"
Akainu was somewhat surprised by Smoker's news. If Nero was still alive, it meant Lucci and Kaku were also alive.
If they were alive, why would they appear in the enemy camp? Had they all collectively defected? This seemed incredible to Akainu.
But Smoker's character meant he wouldn't lie, so what Smoker said must be the truth.
"I only fought Nero and was defeated..."
"I didn't see Lucci or Kaku."
Smoker indeed hadn't seen Lucci or Kaku. At that time, Lucci, Kaku, and Reno were together, dealing with Hawkins and Apoo.
"Smoker..."
"How could your strength be defeated by Nero?"
"Are you hiding something?"
Akainu suddenly noticed the disparity in strength between Nero and Smoker. From what Akainu knew, Nero was a rookie in CP0. How could Smoker possibly be defeated by a CP0 rookie?
"I'm not hiding anything. The fact is, I was defeated by Nero."
"I can only say that I was outmatched. Nero's strength is no longer what it once was. Judging the current Nero by past standards is insufficient."
Smoker chose to vaguely gloss over Nero's Space Fruit ability.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Smoker didn't want to be alone with Akainu for too long and prepared to leave Akainu's office.
"Smoker..."
"From today onwards, you will return to your rank of Captain. Your strength as a Marineford Vice Admiral would only tarnish the World Government's reputation."
Akainu mercilessly informed Smoker of his demotion.
Smoker turned to look at Akainu, said nothing, and left Akainu's office.
Being a Vice Admiral was not Smoker's original intention, and Smoker didn't care about such ranks. As long as he could continue to pursue Luffy as a Marine, Smoker was satisfied.
Akainu vaguely felt that Smoker was hiding something, but if Smoker wouldn't say, Akainu couldn't force him to.
Akainu then summoned Sentomaru, Kizaru's subordinate, hoping to get some information from him, but useful information was scarce. He only learned that Sentomaru had also lost contact with Kizaru.
Akainu could only compile the intelligence he had received and report it to the Gorosei, including Smoker's demotion.
Three days after the major battle, Marineford still couldn't contact Kizaru and the others.
Seven days after the major battle, Akainu finally noticed something unusual.
As a Marineford Admiral, Kizaru would never lose contact with the World Government Marineford for more than three days. Something unusual must have happened, but Akainu still couldn't imagine that Kizaru had been killed.
During these seven days, Grand Strategist Tsuru and the Bald Old Man, one of the Gorosei, had both tried to contact Momousagi, but to no avail.
On this day, the Gorosei realized the seriousness of the situation and finally gathered to discuss the disappearance of Kizaru and the two Vice Admirals.
"This matter is not simple..."
"We must consider the worst-case scenario. Could Kizaru and Momousagi have already met with misfortune?"
The speaker was the Old Man with Swallowtail Mustache, who presided over every meeting.
"If even Kizaru, with his strength, has met with misfortune, then to what extent has the Akatsuki Organization's power reached?"
The one who spoke next was the White-Haired, Curly-Haired Old Man wearing a judicial hat. He believed that if Kizaru had indeed met with misfortune, the Akatsuki Organization's strength was already terrifying.
"I have been trying to contact my Disciple during this time, but I've found nothing. I suspect they have truly met with misfortune."
The Bald Old Man held one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords, the first generation Kitetsu, in his hand, expressing his worry and his guess.
"I believe that once this matter is confirmed, it must be reported to the one above. This matter has already exceeded our imagination."
The Blond Old Man believed that if the news of Kizaru and the others being killed was true, it must be reported to the one above. Otherwise, if the situation developed to an unmanageable point before being reported, the Gorosei would all be in deep trouble.
"If Kizaru and the others truly perished..."
"How should we respond next?"
"The Akatsuki Organization has already obtained all the conditions for building the Ancient Weapon Pluton. In the battle seven days ago, intelligence mentioned that they fought on Junk Island in Water 7."
"At that time, they also brought up an old shipyard from the seabed, causing a huge commotion, which prompted Kizaru and the others to investigate."
"The current situation is very unfavorable for us. What do we do if the Akatsuki Organization doesn't show itself again?"
The one who raised the question was the Bearded Old Man. He believed that the World Government was currently in a passive and disadvantageous state, and wondered if a strategic adjustment was necessary.
"How long do you think it will take to build Pluton?"
The Old Man with Swallowtail Mustache didn't answer but instead questioned everyone.
"If it's with Iceberg and his foremen, even with overtime, it would take at least a year, wouldn't it?"
The Bearded Old Man replied.
"Hehehe..."
"Then do you all think the Akatsuki Organization can wait a year?"
The Gorosei, being the de facto rulers of the World Government, were not simple-minded. Everyone had already understood the meaning behind the Old Man with Swallowtail Mustache's words.
That is, if the Akatsuki Organization wanted to quickly build Pluton, they would need manpower. The various shipyards on Seven Water Island had many ready-made workers.
The Akatsuki Organization might not have realized this problem yet, or they might already be taking action. Now was the best time to set a trap for the Akatsuki Organization.
"Since that's the case..."
"Who should be arranged to go next?"
"I propose that Sengoku, Garp, and Tsuru go."
"The three of them are very strong, and Tsuru has a keen mind and on-site control abilities. I'd be more at ease with them handling it."
The Bald Old Man recommended the old three Admirals to carry out this mission.
"Bring Fujitora along. If the Akatsuki Organization truly killed Kizaru, then we shouldn't be careless. We must deal them a heavy blow at once."
The Blond Old Man suggested adding Fujitora, which would increase their chances of victory.
"Since that's the case..."
"Then issue the order to Akainu."
A plan to strike the Akatsuki Organization was officially implemented during the Gorosei's discussion.
The individuals dispatched this time possessed top-tier strength. If the Akatsuki Organization knew the actual situation, they would be under immense pressure.
Returning to the day of the major battle, Akatsuki Organization Headquarters.
Pain summoned Iceberg to discuss the upcoming construction of Pluton and invited Iceberg to inspect whether the old shipyard could be used normally.
After all, it had been submerged in the sea for a long time, and he didn't know if important tools had been damaged.
After Iceberg and his subordinates inspected the old shipyard, he gave Pain a positive answer: it could be used. Because the tools in the old shipyard were very special, the seawater immersion could not cause any damage to the shipyard's tools.
"Mr. Iceberg..."
"Whatever you need for building Pluton, just ask. Oden will cooperate with your work."
Pain was the first to express his attitude, hoping Iceberg could arrange the Pluton construction process as soon as possible.
Pain had already sent Eneru to deal with the Gran Tesoro issue, melting all of Gran Tesoro into molten gold for gold brick manufacturing.
This would provide enough space to house the old shipyard.
"Pain..."
"Everything that should be available is already here, but I hope you consider the issue of craftsmen."
"If it's just me and a few foremen, building the battleship would take at least a year. I hope to end this kind of life sooner, so I need craftsmen."
Although Iceberg and the others were well-fed and taken care of by the Akatsuki Organization on Floating Island, it wasn't their home, and they weren't accustomed to staying there.
Iceberg and the others only hoped to end this incident soon and return home to live normal lives.
To be continued...