(POV: Third Person - Daz Bones / The Meeting)
"Going to pick up Kuro-kun, you say... Hmm." Rayleigh glanced toward Daz Bones, the current commander.
Receiving the look, Daz checked the map of the West Blue and the current number of Black Cat troops deployed. "If we were to split the forces, a single ship is the limit. In that sense, taking only the elites is not a mistake, but..."
"Indeed," Galdino interjected, adjusting his glasses. "As the one in charge of internal affairs, regarding the World Government... no, since we cannot grasp the movements of the Celestial Dragons, my honest opinion is that I would prefer Admiral Hancock to strive for the maintenance and expansion of our sphere of influence..."
It is no longer like the time of the Germa battle, which was effectively the Black Cat's first campaign.
Boa Hancock. An executive of the Black Cat Pirates with a bounty over a hundred million, the 'Pirate Empress', and Admiral of the First Fleet. Although there are those who can serve as her vice-commander, her name has become immense in the West Blue. Just rushing to the battlefield would likely raise the morale of allies and strike fear into enemies.
"In the first place, I hear Seastone is required to cross with a ship of decent size?" Daz asked.
"I am aware," Hancock replied. "But if it is Rayleigh, who was trying to return us sisters to Amazon Lily—"
"Excuse me, may I?"
Gild Tesoro spoke up, interrupting Hancock who was frowning and about to argue further.
"If we are to secure the Superior Kingdom and place it under our influence, there is a Navy base near the direct route from here and the Mogwa Kingdom—um..."
"That would be Base 46," Taki supplied.
"Thank you, Sir Taki," Tesoro nodded. "Yes, unless we capture Base 46 and bring it under our influence, they will obstruct this route, and it will become a forward operating base when the Government plots to retake the Superior Kingdom."
Hearing Tesoro's words, Robin used her ability to draw a line connecting Mopuchi and the Superior Kingdom on the map hanging on the wall with a pen, and circled a small island—the Navy base—located slightly away from that line with red ink.
"Given its scale, this base is likely an important stronghold for the Navy," Tesoro explained. "Records show that during the Pirate Alliance incident, the Captain made this a key point for the defense of Area A."
Seeing the former Marines who fought together at that time nod deeply, Tesoro continued. "And, according to the Navy documents brought back by the First Fleet's detached unit the other day, it was noted that a large amount of Seastone equipment was brought here. This was around the same time Admiral Kuzan returned to Headquarters, but..."
The documents the detached unit brought out from the Navy base during the recent Great West Blue Battle analyzed the details without leaving even a scribbled memo behind. From the placement of supplies to patrol patterns and their tendencies up until then, to important information like supply transport plans, and even the names and family structures of the stationed soldiers—everything was laid bare.
Since Kuzan left, management may have become somewhat lax, leading to some unknown parts, but the pirate crew known as 'Black Cat' generally grasped which supplies were transported to nearby bases and in what quantities.
"If Admiral Hancock suppresses this place, it will allow for flexibility in troop deployment, and at the same time, we believe Seastone can be obtained, regardless of the quantity," Tesoro concluded.
"...Hmm," Daz mused.
Daz Bones also believed that if they captured Base 46 and suppressed the Superior Kingdom, there would be no immediate problems. If they took the Superior Kingdom, there was no doubt that their highest combat power, Mihawk, would remain in that land for a while. Everyone in the Black Cat crew thought so.
On the other hand, regarding the Kanan Kingdom, since it has been decided that the army currently being organized will use it for drilling, the defense numbers are more than sufficient when considering the stationed naval forces as well.
...Honestly speaking, if she says she can really bring the Captain back, it would be exactly what we could wish for.
If the Navy attacks, or if other pirates or mafia attack, it doesn't matter. If tactical or strategic problems arise, we just have to fight to break through them. But the battle from here on isn't just about that. We will need to move not for victory... but for resolution.
And for that, the wider our range of action becomes, the more Captain Kuro's knowledge becomes essential. Therefore, Daz Bones wanted to agree to Hancock's proposal, albeit with several conditions.
However—
"Even assuming we gather the necessary amount of Seastone, the Captain's location remains unknown," Daz pointed out. "In the first place, after making such a risky communication, he will likely move immediately."
"He would," the others agreed.
"In that case, do you know the... detour... the destination the Captain spoke of?" Daz asked.
"Umu." At Daz's question, Hancock affirmed it as if it were nothing.
"I heard Captain's plan for the Grand Line. Under these circumstances, there is only one place Captain would go to check, even if it means delaying his return."
—If that place were to be seized, the plan would have to be revised from its very foundation.
At those words filled with Hancock's conviction, Bege and Tesoro nodded slightly with looks of understanding.
"Where Captain is heading is—"
–
(POV: First Person - Captain Kuro)
"So, Hina. You found it, didn't you?" I asked as she approached.
"Yes, just as you said, there were several," she confirmed, breathless. "Among them, one particularly large ship, sufficient for loading cargo!"
Food checked, drinking water checked, medical supplies... a bit worrying but we have some. Cloth including spare clothes, ropes, sewing kits for repairs. Yup, good. The material side is cleared for now.
"Can the current personnel operate it?" I asked.
"Captain Wire is currently checking the inside while cleaning it out, but he says there are no problems," Hina reported.
The ship is good too. All that's left is—
"Then, what about a guide?"
"Yes, that's fine too. In a double sense," she smiled.
"...Double?"
"It's faster if you see it. Anyway, look."
What Hina handed me was an Eternal Pose. The absolute guide recording an island in the Grand Line was clearly pointing at the ground—no, into the sea.
"...I know I told you to look for it, but you actually found one," I said, impressed.
"If you look inside the ship, I think you'll understand, but it was exactly dead on," she replied.
Issho stood up, supporting his body with his white cane containing a hidden blade. "...So, we are going, correct? Since a coated ship... has been found."
"Yeah," I nodded.
"Hina, notify all troops," I ordered. "From here on, we depart for Fish-Man Island."
I looked out toward the sea. "Hurry with the preparations for departure."
"—Ha...!"
......
No, I don't need a salute.