The moment King Wilhelm raised his hand, the hall quieted at once. His authority still carried enough weight to steady even a room full of ministers.
"Continue with the intelligence on the Kraken Kingdom's internal affairs," he said, cutting short the earlier digressions.
Blake, the Minister of Defense, stepped forward. His voice was calm but edged with cold steel. "We have confirmed the presence of CP operatives within the Kraken Kingdom. Through our investigation, we have identified one of them: Zorro, president of the Black Palm Tree Merchant Guild, the largest merchant guild inside the Kraken Kingdom. This war was proposed by him."
"That man again!" the Minister of News snapped, slapping his thigh. "Everything was progressing smoothly. We had long since taken control of public opinion within the Kraken Kingdom. In a few years, that kingdom would have collapsed on its own and fallen into our hands. Then this happens out of nowhere."
For years, he had manipulated sentiments inside the Kraken Kingdom, stirring internal conflicts and orchestrating public unrest. His work, supported by Defense Ministry spies, had sparked many of the crises that troubled the Kraken Kingdom. His goal had always been clear: inflame hatred of the Kraken royal family and resist their push for war.
But war itself would twist the narrative. Regardless of who won, it would fuel resentment toward the Tirisfal Kingdom. That was what frustrated him. Public sentiment mattered; it was what kept the Cutteridge family firmly in power. They remained beloved by their people. In fact, the royal family and commoners lived remarkably closely. Princess Isabella was an emblem of that closeness, many orphanages owed their founding to her personal funding.
"Calm yourselves," Hindenburg said, raising a hand. The old general's presence settled the room. "This isn't unexpected. Our actions were never going to escape the World Government's notice. It's normal for them to interfere. This has happened more than once."
Even so, the ministers grumbled. Their years of maneuvering weren't wasted, but half of their groundwork had certainly been ruined.
"What else?" King Wilhelm asked, turning again to Blake.
"Zorro's influence is substantial. The Black Palm Tree Merchant Guild's rapid growth these past years is clearly backed by the World Government. They have seized control of much of the Kraken Kingdom's trade." Blake paused before continuing. "Because Kraken prioritizes military spending, their other industries are weak. Many essential materials now rely on the Black Palm Tree Merchant Guild. A large portion goes directly to their military equipment, which has earned the guild deep trust."
"But there are fractures," Blake added. "The Kraken royal family is wary of the guild, though they do not show it openly. Our intelligence suggests that Zorro proposed war four months ago. Only recently has the plan begun to move."
He stepped back, his report concluded.
"That merchant guild must be dealt with," Oscar, the Minister of Finance, said gravely. "If not, it will become a puppet of the World Government and a blade aimed at us."
"And we know the Kraken Kingdom's military strength," he added. "Their weaponry is far more destructive than ours. If their arsenals receive enough materials, they can forge weapons at terrifying speed. Should war break out, our losses could be severe."
Heads nodded around the room. "Do we know Zorro's strength?"
"Not precisely. My intuition says he is CP0. He feels… inscrutable. His Life Return seems highly developed, allowing him to regulate his physical strength at will." Blake shook his head. "Which is an answer in itself."
CP0 operatives were few in number, many stationed at Mary Geoise as bodyguards for the Celestial Dragons. The ones who operated abroad were elites, all vice admiral-class or higher if they lacked special abilities. If Zorro concealed his strength, that alone meant he could reach that level.
"If we can prevent the war, that is best," a minister muttered. "If we can't, then we will assassinate Zorro, sink all Black Palm Tree merchant ships, and take out Kraken's generals."
"We do not need to hide," another minister said, standing with barely restrained anger. "We have fought the World Government from the shadows for years. They have their methods, but so do we. If they strike, we can endure."
"If it comes to killing, leave it to me or my brother will do as well," Mainz said, stepping forward with a casual smile. "Zorro shouldn't be difficult for us. With our abilities, we can eliminate him without leaving a trace." As he spoke, faint ripples shimmered around him, accompanied by a subtle silver light.
"When the time comes, one of you will act," King William said from the throne, smiling as he looked at Mainz. "As heirs, you will inevitably step onto the stage. Let this war be your debut."
Blake cleared his throat, drawing their attention back. "Next is intelligence on the Kraken Kingdom's arsenals and secret research institute."
Everyone stiffened. This was clearly the critical point.
"Our personnel infiltrated their arsenal. Regular weapon development has not advanced much. At their current pace, further progress will take years."
"But inside the arsenal is a hidden research institute dedicated to developing weapons of mass destruction. They have been working on this for years."
The room's tension thickened.
"This institute is guarded by powerful individuals. We lost an important agent trying to gather information. At the final moment before his death, he managed to transmit what he knew." Blake's voice softened. "His body was found heavily corroded. Unrecognizable. Beyond saving."
"Poison gas," Oscar said instantly, frowning hard. Leakage and corrosion left little room for alternatives. Weapons like that were taboo. Their reach was enormous, and once released, impossible to control. Hundreds or thousands could die within minutes. Worse, survivors might suffer agony worse than death.
Such weapons were forbidden on the high seas. Even in research, everything was conducted in secret.
"No," Blake corrected quietly. "There were pathogens. Those were the only two words he transmitted."
Hindenburg jolted upright, expression blazing with anger. He struck his palm against the table with a sharp crack. The chair beneath him creaked under the force.
Fear flickered through the ministers' eyes.
Pathogens were far worse than poison gas. They spread faster, were contagious, and even with an antidote, containment was nearly impossible. The toll could reach hundreds of thousands—millions.
The world held several forbidden islands. Barren, devoid of all life except bacteria. Once thriving places, now death beds after failed experiments. The sea itself served as a barrier, trapping the infection.
If a pathogen ever spread unchecked on a large island, the casualties would number in the hundreds of millions.
"This matter must be handled with utmost caution," Wilhelm said, voice steady but grim. "Mainz, we leave this to you."
"Understood." Mainz's easygoing manner hardened. He knew exactly how catastrophic pathogen-based weapons could be.
The Bacteria-Bacteria Fruit and Virus-Virus Fruit were infamous as the most terrifying Devil Fruits in existence. Even the Poison-Poison Fruit paled beside them. Fully awakened, their users carried the power to kill an entire island.
"But I will need my brother's assistance," Mainz added after a moment of thought. "His stealth ability exceeds mine. With his help, we can eliminate the research institute and bury everything in the sea without being detected."
The sea could swallow certain forms of life. Even poison gas and pathogens dissipated harmlessly once submerged.
"Air and shadow together," Hindenburg said, nodding. "No one will detect your presence."
"When Redyat returns, the two of you will act," Wilhelm said, satisfied. He looked at the brothers with pride. With no children of his own, he had long treated them like sons. They were the future of the Tirisfal Kingdom. With even one of them alive, the kingdom would grow only stronger.
"Finally," Blake continued, "the Kraken Kingdom's royal family recently acquired two Devil Fruits. One is an Ancient Zoan, the Kraken-Kraken Fruit. The other is a Paramecia, the Passion-Passion Fruit."
"The Kraken-Kraken Fruit has already been eaten by King Levinsky Jones," Blake said. "His strength will increase dramatically."
"What of the Passion-Passion Fruit?" someone asked. Though Ancient Zoans were rare, the Paramecia's potential battlefield impact drew far more concern.
Support-type fruits could change battles, campaigns, even entire wars. The Passion-Passion Fruit amplified emotion. It inspired courage, heightened morale, and could enhance one force while weakening another. Its medium was simple: sound.
Inferior to the Inspire-Inspire Fruit perhaps, but more flexible. It could embolden allies or sap enemy resolve.
"Its location is unknown," Blake said. "But we know it was deployed to the front lines. Its purpose is obvious."
The ministers exchanged grim looks.
"So the Passion-Passion Fruit is their main weapon," Hindenburg said. "Poison gas and pathogens remain hidden contingencies. Both must be neutralized."
"Where did they get these Devil Fruits? Why hadn't we heard anything earlier?" Oscar asked, frowning.
Blake answered with five quiet words that explained everything.
"The Black Palm Tree Merchant Guild."
Understanding dawned across every face.
The World Government had moved. Only with their support could the Kraken Kingdom obtain two rare Devil Fruits without anyone noticing.
King Wilhelm rose slightly from his throne.
"Then let us begin discussing our strategic deployment. This war must be taken seriously."