Ace opened his mouth, hesitated, stopped himself, then looked like he wanted to speak again.
He had already disobeyed his captain's orders once. If he did it again...
"Forget about trying to persuade him. Rather than wasting effort on that, you'd be better off thinking about how to make yourself stronger."
Ren cut in naturally.
"But—"
"Shut up! Do what you're supposed to do. Ace, I'm not guaranteed to die yet!"
Whitebeard roared, and the pressure leaking from him left Ace with no choice but to close his mouth.
Then Whitebeard looked at Ren again.
"What are you planning to do about Big Mom and Kaido?
"If I'm remembering right, Big Mom sent a large fleet into the Calm Belt.
"I imagine they were headed for the Empress's territory, and that woman left with you during the Marineford War."
"They've already been wiped out."
"..."
Whitebeard grinned. "Right. Of course. You really are a monster."
"I didn't personally make a move. If I'm going to move, it'll be against Big Mom herself."
Ren shook his head. "If nothing unexpected happens, I'll strike Totto Land first. I'll cripple the Big Mom Pirates, or destroy them outright.
"I don't really want to give her and Kaido the chance to meet up and join forces. Two Yonko crews together would be somewhat troublesome."
"Before this next incident?" Whitebeard frowned slightly.
"If left alone, they might interfere during that incident and cause unknown variables."
Ren shrugged. "As a chess player, considering every factor on the board is only natural."
"..."
Whitebeard fell silent for a moment, then said, "That old hag won't be easy to kill. How confident are you?"
"Ninety percent if it's just destroying Totto Land. Seven or eight tenths if I'm killing her too. It depends on whether any unexpected factors show up."
Ren said, "At worst, she escapes and joins Kaido. Then it's only two Yonko."
"...Since you've already decided, I won't ask further."
Whitebeard nodded and stopped pursuing the matter.
"Then I'll see you later."
Ren's figure faded away in the next instant.
The conversation between the two sides could be said to have gone extremely smoothly.
Whitebeard had long since harbored the will to die.
Or rather, he was already prepared to trade his own life for a better environment for his family.
This was something both sides understood perfectly well.
The entire series of plans involving the World Government was also built on the foundation that Whitebeard would fight to the bitter end.
The Marineford War was a beginning, but even more than that, it was the horn signaling the charge.
At this stage, Ren's schemes had truly begun to activate, pushing the world's overall situation in the direction he desired.
But Whitebeard also had his own selfish wishes.
His demands were reflected in the personnel arrangements. Most members would be sent away from the core battlefield under the pretext of "protection."
The only thing he could accept was paying with his own life and allowing a portion of his crew to take risks and shoulder responsibility.
That was also why Ren had appeared to confirm the situation.
After understanding this point, he had conveniently proposed a solution.
With that, corresponding arrangements had been made for all Three Admirals.
As for those truly uncertain factors, they would have to be dealt with when they actually appeared.
"The Five Elders, the God Knights, and the mysterious weapon that destroyed the Lulusia Kingdom..."
Back aboard the Judgment, Ren pondered these matters.
Relying on the Dimensional Roulette and his foreknowledge of the plot, he roughly understood the Five Elders' level.
He had a relatively detailed classification for the world's strong fighters.
Peak fighters, using Kaido, Kuzan, Akainu, Kizaru, Whitebeard, Red-Haired Shanks, and others as the reference standard.
In other words, the level of the Yonko and Admirals. The peak level of the world.
Judging by the Five Elders' performance in the Egghead Island storyline, they were roughly at the bottom of the peak tier.
One example was Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who transformed into the Bakotsu and failed to overwhelmingly defeat Sanji.
The two sides fought back and forth, and he did not display an absolute gap.
Likewise—
Cracker, who gave Luffy tremendous trouble in the original timeline, could not even last a single exchange against Kuzan.
Although the two sides were not on the same level, this comparison still revealed something.
However, the troublesome part about the Five Elders was their magic circle.
By using one person as a location marker, they could teleport the other four to that person's location, regardless of distance, and could communicate with one another without obstruction.
"Still, if I calculate carefully, there's a high chance the Five Elders won't act during this incident."
Ren tapped his fingers against the table and roughly made his judgment. "This incident hasn't reached that level yet.
"In the original story, the Five Elders moved because of Nika and Vegapunk. This time, when all is said and done, it's merely a demonstration of force.
"Whitebeard is the only strong fighter on the surface who needs to be taken seriously. So the ones sent to deal with him should be the God Knights."
The God Knights, who had once appeared during the God Valley storyline.
In Ren's view, there was a high chance they would make a move during this incident.
In the original story, the God Knights were described as the spear of the Celestial Dragons. Their ranks were basically filled with powerful fighters who had eaten strong Devil Fruits.
When the authority of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government was challenged, using that spear to kill the enemy should be their first response.
The only problem was that Ren did not know the average level of the God Knights.
But using the Five Elders' average level as reference, their leader should probably be at Admiral-to-Yonko level, while the other members were close to Admiral level without having undergone a qualitative transformation.
In addition, there was also the mysterious weapon that destroyed the Lulusia Kingdom in the original story.
It seemed to be a living entity that could let out roars and attack with beams.
However, judging from how it was shown in the plot, that existence required the Mother Flame as its energy source.
And the Mother Flame was roughly something Vegapunk successfully created two years later.
But right now, this was two years before that. It might not have been created yet.
The only point worth considering was that Vegapunk had not created the Mother Flame out of nothing. His technology was based on the dormant giant robot on Egghead Island.
The Mother Flame's research prototype was that robot's power core.
If pushed into a corner, the World Government still had ways to activate the unknown weapon.
"Is it necessary to make a trip to Egghead Island ahead of time...?"
Ren thoughtfully ended his review, then stood and walked to a window where he could see the sky outside.
Before that, the established plan would not change.
Totto Land—would soon become history.
At the same time, in the waters of the New World, Totto Land.
After Big Mom had her Den Den Mushi call cut off by Ren, she flew into a rage, and the entirety of Whole Cake Island trembled.
The dignity of a Yonko did not allow for challenge. What was more, the enemy had not only rejected her gracious invitation, but had also killed her children.
That almost made Charlotte Linlin want to retaliate immediately and vent the fury in her chest.
However, at that moment, Perospero began desperately trying to dissuade her. It was not that he did not want revenge.
Although he had disagreements with Katakuri, they were still siblings who had walked together for many years.
But the Demon Pirates' mobility had long been famous.
He believed that if they went to Kuja Island now, there was an eighty percent chance they would find nothing.
It might even be the enemy's ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain. After all, Demon Ren did not seem like a brainless man from any angle.
"So, we should at least wait until our intelligence network catches traces of them, Mama!"
"Kaido's side has already agreed to meet. If you go to Kuja Island now, who will face Kaido here?"
"What if the enemy attacks Whole Cake Island while you're away?"
Using this line of reasoning, Perospero temporarily stabilized Charlotte Linlin, who had been on the verge of going berserk.
Because it was indeed the truth. One of the impressions Demon Ren had left on others was that this man had most likely done something during the Marineford War.
Something that had caused the Marines to suffer a complete defeat and enormous losses.
And the fact that he could defeat Katakuri also meant he possessed enough strength to crush every family officer other than Big Mom herself.
The words spoken during that call had also been extremely strange.
Would anyone really put an attack out in the open and tell the enemy about it so directly?
When the difference in strength was too great, there were indeed people arrogant enough to do so.
But they were a Yonko crew!
The Big Mom Pirates' dreadful reputation had already spread far and wide across the New World!
Of course, in order to appease Mama, Perospero had already proposed using their Yonko-level influence to find the families of those members.
Then they would retaliate swiftly in an even crueler and bloodier fashion.
After calming down with sweets, Charlotte Linlin could only temporarily suppress the rage in her heart.
"Ren! I'll make you and everyone connected to you taste a fate worse than death!"
After viciously swearing her oath, Charlotte Linlin began summoning the family's members and officers.
Delaying revenge was only temporary. She would inevitably retaliate in an even more vicious manner.
But before that, she had to prepare Totto Land, and even Whole Cake Island, for her departure.
And so, the Big Mom Pirates began mobilizing rapidly.
At that very moment, on the road leading to Mama's palace, one of five nearly identical large men asked in confusion.
"Brother Perospero, why did Mama suddenly summon us?"
"Because something serious happened. The fleet sent into the Calm Belt under Katakuri's command—was completely wiped out."
Perospero spoke very quickly. "Not just you. Most of our brothers and sisters have been summoned.
"Next, we need to make arrangements regarding this incident. At the same time, Kaido will also be coming to Whole Cake Island."
His words were brief, but the amount of information contained within them was enormous.
Charlotte Opera, whose entire body looked as though it were covered in cream, widened his eyes.
"What did you say? How could Brother Katakuri lose!?"
"Stop questioning it. Their Vivre Cards have burned to ash."
Perospero said coldly, "This is something Mama has confirmed. No matter how strong Katakuri was, and no matter how unbelievable this incident may be, it is already a fact.
"What we need to do now is attend the meeting and discuss a proper course of action."
"Fine."
Opera said no more. Along with the other four quintuplets, none of them dared to speak further.
Soon, they gathered inside Mama's palace. Almost every prominent fighter within the family had appeared here.
Charlotte Snag, one of the Sweet Commanders—or rather, the former Sweet Four Commanders.
As for the thirty-four ministers, half of them had appeared here as well.
Under normal circumstances, the ministers needed to oversee their own islands, go on patrols, and handle various affairs.
It was very rare to see so many officers gathered in one place.
And the source of all of this was the incident that had occurred on Kuja Island.
The destroyed fleet had not contained that many people, but every single one had been either a backbone or a pillar of the Big Mom Pirates.
Katakuri, in particular, was seen by everyone as a fighter second only to Mama.
"You all know what happened, don't you?"
Charlotte Linlin sat on her throne, her face cold as she swept her gaze around. "It's true. That useless Katakuri took those other useless fools with him and got himself killed by the enemy.
"By that brat called Ren! He rejected my mercy, killed my children, and started a war with the Big Mom Pirates!
"Tell me—what should I do?"
"Catch him and turn him into a specimen!"
"Catch him! Kill him!"
"That's too simple. We should catch him first, then find every relative connected to him and let them all die in agony!"
Amid the chaotic voices was the fury of the Big Mom Family's members.
In the past, no one had ever dealt such a heavy blow to the family.
What was more, the dead were their brothers and sisters.
"Mamamama! That's exactly what I think too! That bastard and everyone connected to him will die in endless pain!"
Charlotte Linlin abruptly stood up, her ugly face twisting. "I'll make them understand what consequences come from making the Big Mom Pirates bleed!"
At this point, her tone abruptly shifted.
"And the Beasts Pirates were also provoked, just like us!
"That brat Kaido was attacked by Ren too. Next, he's coming to Whole Cake Island to meet me."
In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.
One of the ministers, the Minister of Alcohol, widened his eyes and asked in disbelief.
"Mama, are you planning to..."
"That's right! Join forces with Kaido!"
Charlotte Linlin spread her arms wide and laughed. "Mamamama! It won't just be Demon Ren. The entire world will tremble after this alliance.
"Whitebeard, Red-Hair, none of them will be able to stop me from becoming King of the Sea!"
"Mama is wise!"
Perospero responded immediately, igniting the emotions of everyone in the hall.
An alliance between two Yonko!
If it truly succeeded, what force in the New World could still stop the Big Mom Pirates' advance!?
Forget that Demon Ren who had killed their family. Even Whitebeard might not be able to withstand two Yonko!
Of course, at this juncture, no one would be tactless enough to ask what would happen if Kaido refused to form an alliance.
For a time, the sorrowful atmosphere in the hall was washed away by sudden surprise and excitement.
Perospero let out a breath of relief. No matter what, the situation seemed to have been stabilized.
As long as Mama did not act rashly, and as long as they handled Kaido's side first, nothing would turn too terrible.
Once two Emperors joined forces, whether they went to Kuja Island or pursued him elsewhere, that Ren would not be able to stir up any waves.
"Next, we just wait for Kaido to come?"
Thinking this, Perospero looked toward the window.
If it was Kaido, perhaps he would descend upon Whole Cake Island in his giant dragon body. Should they prepare in advance and blunt his arrogance a little—
His thoughts abruptly stopped there.
Perospero's eyes widened, then he shut them again at extreme speed.
There was no other reason.
The sunlight outside the window was too dazzling.
It was as if... the sun had suddenly drawn close to Whole Cake Island itself!
At that very moment, every member of the Big Mom Pirates inside the hall instantly received a warning from their Observation Haki.
A sudden, unknown attack—had arrived!
(End of Chapter)