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Sunlight, filtering through a gap, formed a flat beam that shone on the word 'Justice' emblazoned on Zephyr's Marine coat.
Zephyr wore sunglasses, his head wrapped in countless bandages, making it look like he had a giant hornet's nest on top. His brow twitched slightly.
He was careless and didn't dodge!
He sat in a chair, his expression complex, looking at Rear Admiral Lily, Vice Admiral Wei Lun, and Vice Admiral Kerber, who were prostrating themselves before him.
The three of them, with solemn faces and butts sticking out, said, "We apologize, Vice Admiral Zephyr!!"
Zephyr laughed heartily, as if it were nothing, and said, "There's no need to worry so much, the three of you. These minor injuries are nothing to me, hahaha!"
Biu—!
Blood spurted from the bandages on his head like a leaking balloon, and the three couldn't help but exclaim, "Hey! That's clearly not nothing at all!!"
"Don't mind those details!"
Zephyr called for a medic to re-secure his bandages and apply hemostatic medicine. After a long while, he looked at the three with a serious expression and said, "I assume you all know our mission this time. Our enemy is unusual, so you must all be on high alert and not be negligent."
At this moment, the three were already seated around a table, their faces grim.
To ensure their conversation wouldn't be eavesdropped on, the island had temporarily cut off all communication with the outside world, and the Den Den Mushi were in sleep mode.
Vice Admiral Kerber spoke first: "Vice Admiral Zephyr, there is simply too little information about Kaido. We know nothing about his Devil Fruit ability or his weaknesses."
Lily, puffing on a lady's cigarette and exhaling smoke, said, "The situation on Winter Island is very unclear. We don't know if he has other pirate crews under his command besides Wald, and… fighting in such a harsh environment is very disadvantageous for us."
"Everyone's concerns are valid."
Zephyr nodded. He waved his hand, and Colonel Michelle, his adjutant, placed several stacks of documents in front of each of the three.
As the three opened their files, Zephyr said, "Before coming here, I investigated through various channels. This is the latest information I could gather about Kaido."
"Kaido, 22 years old, formerly the strongest warrior of the Vodka Kingdom, and a former apprentice crew member of the Rocks Pirates."
"During his time on Rocks' ship, he was closest to Charlotte Linlin and participated in many battles with the executives."
"He made his debut in the God Valley Incident a year ago, had a brief skirmish with Pluton Rayleigh, and is suspected of having stolen a Devil Fruit during the God Valley Incident."
Zephyr summarized the information from the report. He paused here, observing the expressions of the three, and then said, "From the Oren Kingdom incident, Kaido is suspected to be a Zoan Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit user, capable of flight. His other abilities are unknown, and the name of his fruit is unknown."
"A Mythical Zoan… that's a Devil Fruit even rarer than a Logia!"
The three gasped, and they could all see the astonishment in each other's eyes.
Rear Admiral Lily's eyes flickered slightly, and she said in a deep voice, "Indeed, we don't know much about this opponent, or rather, he's very unfamiliar to us. Fortunately, we have Vice Admiral Zephyr. For this subjugation battle, I think we should try to choose to fight on land, as flight has an absolute advantage in sea battles."
Wei Lun and Kerber both nodded in strong agreement.
Zephyr's lips curved into a slight smile upon hearing this, and he looked at Lily with approval: "Exactly what I was thinking."
Thus, the group briefly discussed the battle plan, pondered the possibility of its successful implementation, and finally, Zephyr made the decisive call, finalizing the operational strategy.
"The enemy's only 'Admiral' is Kaido. Additionally, Wald also requires special attention. I suggest that Vice Admiral Wei Lun and I infiltrate Winter Island via an Ibis Family transport ship. Then, using a signal as a command, you will seize the opportunity to land on the island and annihilate the pirates in one fell swoop."
To this day, the only ships that could safely reach Winter Island without being destroyed were the Ibis Family's transport ships.
What gave Zephyr a considerable headache was that, even though Winter Island was known to be Kaido's base, the Ibis Family openly collaborated with him, and the Marine could do nothing about it.
The interests involved were extensive.
The Ibis Family monopolized most of the maritime shipping industry and was a major taxpayer to the World Government.
Without an absolute order, the Marine had no right to inspect the goods transported by the Ibis Family.
However, this currently created conditions for their infiltration of Winter Island.
Once the plan was finalized, Zephyr and Wei Lun disguised themselves and first took a modified fast ship to the port of the Ibis Family's shipping company branch.
After confirming the next sea transport handover time between the Ibis Family and Winter Island, Zephyr contacted Vice Admiral Kerber. Only then did four large ships majestically sail away from G21, heading towards Kaido's lair—Winter Island.
Meanwhile, on Kaido's side.
A week had passed since Wald's last report, and no further intelligence had come from the Marine.
Kaido was indifferent to this. Besides training, he spent his days drinking and eating meat with Wald, living a very comfortable life.
Just as Kaido was routinely drinking and bragging with Wald, Binjack, who was in charge of intelligence, rushed in with Gairam, looking anxious: "Kaido, Wald, there's movement from the Marine. Our informant in the Oren Kingdom spotted Marine warships."
"Brother, don't rush. It's just the Marine, after all. Take your time," Wald said, his face slightly flushed.
Binjack leaned on his cane, realizing he had been a bit flustered.
He took a deep breath and said, "Five hours ago, they dispatched four Marine warships. Judging by the scale of the warships, an estimated four thousand Marine soldiers are coming to subjugate us this time. The leading warship belongs to Black Arm Zephyr."
"They've come? Worororo!"
Kaido guzzled from his sake jar, his eyes a little hazy. The feeling of fullness made him feel very satisfied: "I've been waiting for them for a long time!"
"Binjack, keep an eye on the Marine warships' movements at all times. Once they enter the predetermined course, have our artillery unit lure them to Traglos!"
Binjack shakily leaned on his cane, coughed twice, and his already pale face grew even paler: "I'll go arrange it."
After a moment of hesitation, Binjack thought for a bit and added with some concern, "After all, they have four large warships. In terms of sheer size, they are far superior to us. Luring four warships might be a bit difficult."
It wasn't just difficult; it was extremely difficult.
Even though they had occupied Winter Island for half a year, their current military strength was only a little over a thousand people.
These thousand people were also assigned to the armory and the Oren Kingdom, leaving only about six hundred people on Winter Island.
The disparity in numbers with the Marine was immense.
Kaido and Wald exchanged glances. Wald suddenly stood up, his eyes burning with fighting spirit: "I will personally lead the artillery unit this time!"
Kaido laughed and said, "I'm counting on you, Wald."
"What are you saying! I'm your right-hand man!"
Wald laughed loudly, strode out of the palace, and plunged into the blizzard.
"Men!! Let's go!!"