"Haha, I'm just a nobody. No need to make a fuss." Laffitte twirled his cane behind him with relaxed precision, entirely unbothered by the minister's earlier comment.
The Minister of News leaned back in his chair and studied him. After a moment of thought, recognition sharpened his expression. "Laffitte. The infamous violent security officer of the Nonook Kingdom. They called you the Demonic Patrolman for your methods."
His gaze drifted upward as he searched his memories. "Not long ago, you were personally invited by Teach, captain of the Nightfall Pirates. You should be serving as one of their officers now."
Silence settled over the meeting room. Laffitte was not a well-known name across the seas, but anyone chosen directly by Teach could never be ordinary. The realization that a formal officer of the Nightfall Pirates had walked into their meeting seemed to sober the ministers instantly.
Laffitte smiled faintly. "I am honored that someone here knows my name, though acknowledgments are unnecessary." He stopped the spinning cane and held it horizontally before him, the brim of his hat casting his face in shadow.
"My purpose today is to represent our captain. I am here to coordinate the timing of our movements and acquire intelligence on the Kraken Kingdom." His eyes swept the room. Though surrounded by powerful nobles and seasoned warriors, he showed not the slightest hint of pressure.
His composure alone changed how the council viewed him. Underestimation faded from the air.
"Time is tight, and success requires stealth and speed." With that, Laffitte unfolded his batlike wings. They fluttered once, and his body vanished from view.
In the next instant, he hung upside down from a ceiling beam in the far corner of the hall. Gasps rippled through the ministers. His speed, and the unnatural grace behind it, demonstrated clearly why he was here on behalf of Teach.
Laffitte glided down and returned to his original place, retracting his wings as easily as folding a cloak.
King Wilhelm nodded at last. "Very well. Take a seat and we will continue."
In all his years on the throne, this was the first time a pirate had ever attended a Tirisfal strategy council. Yet the circumstances demanded it. Their prince was already among the Nightfall Pirates, and Tirisfal believed firmly in their rising potential. Moreover, the Nightfall Pirates would decide the turning point of this war. If they succeeded, everything afterwards would become far simpler.
"For the assault on the Kraken Kingdom's capital, we cannot provide much direct aid," King Wilhelm began. "There are matters within the kingdom that demand our own efforts. But we will block information flow entirely when the battle begins. Nothing will leak to the Kraken Kingdom prematurely."
He handed Laffitte a document. A map projection sprang to life above the table. "This is the full layout of the Kraken Kingdom's capital. The city is protected by ten captains of the city guard. Many are veterans from the battlefield, and several are Devil Fruit users. They command a collective force of one hundred thousand. Since your captain possesses that level of Haki, the main bulk of their soldiers will not trouble you."
"However, the captains must be removed. They are fiercely loyal to their king. Here is their intelligence. They are stationed in pairs to the east, west, south, and north, with two positioned inside and outside the royal palace."
He tapped the final point on the projection. "And then there is their king, Levinsky Jones. In his prime, he would already be a formidable opponent. Now he wields the Gigantic Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit. His power has increased rapidly."
Wilhelm shifted his gaze to the Minister of National Protection, Black, who sat quietly in the shadows. "Tell us more about Levinsky. The documents cover the others well enough. His information is less complete."
Black nodded. Laffitte studied him. His presence radiated a quiet menace, the sort that lived in hidden corners of a kingdom.
"Levinsky Jones," Black began, his voice low. "King of the Kraken Kingdom and head of the Levinsky family. Their lineage stretches back far beyond recent history."
"As a prince of a warrior nation, his talent was extraordinary even before inheriting the throne. He was born with a powerful physique and was trained without mercy since childhood. At fifteen, he enlisted in the army under an alias and rose rapidly through battlefield merit."
"He won several major campaigns, earning unmatched prestige. This allowed the Levinsky family to keep the army firmly under their control. His son Parker inherited a portion of his talent. Though not as gifted, Parker has also distinguished himself. His identity was recently exposed, so he has returned to the capital for protection."
Black leaned forward slightly. "Jones rules with an iron hand. Without him, the Kraken Kingdom would have collapsed years ago."
"Before eating the Ancient Zoan, his strength already rivaled veteran Marine Vice Admirals. After consuming the The Kraken-Kraken Fruit, his raw power is comparable to Prince Redyat's. In a pure contest of strength, Redyat would win. But Jones is still a serious threat."
He glanced at Laffitte. "A prolonged fight between close-range powerhouses would not favor you. When the time comes, Jones will fall to Teach alone."
Laffitte nodded. He had witnessed Teach's battle with Redyat, and he had a grasp of Teach's growth path. Jones was on their level, though slightly weaker. A day or two of fighting might not be enough to bring him down. But once Teach obtained the Devil Fruit hidden in the Kraken Kingdom's treasury, his strength would soar. With that power, defeating Jones would become far easier.
Laffitte asked, "Is there no one else of significance in the Kraken Kingdom? Former kings? Hidden powerhouses?"
General Hindenburg stroked his beard. "The previous king, Bond, is alive. His strength is respectable, though not equal to Jones's. But he is nearly seventy years old. His prime is long gone."
Laffitte exhaled quietly. With this information, the picture of the capital was complete.
"The next question," he said, "is timing. When will this war begin? Our operation must start before the main conflict."
Every pair of eyes shifted to General Hindenburg.
"It is not we who choose the timing," Hindenburg replied. "The Kraken Kingdom has prepared for war for some time already. We are forced into a passive position. However, our resources are strong. We can respond to conflict at any moment."
"Most of their army has reached the battlefield's rear. More are still arriving. Based on our intelligence and staff analysis, they will need half a month to fully assemble. Supplies must also be transported gradually."
"Before the war begins, there is a traditional rally in the capital to boost morale. The king appears publicly. This rally is broadcast live to the battlefield." Hindenburg rested both hands on the table. "Your mission is tied to this. The rally must fail. Our attack begins the moment it starts. This will shatter frontline morale. At that same moment, our agents will assassinate their high command."
His excitement broke through as he spoke. His fists clenched, his face flushed. "If the rally falls and their officers die, the rest will collapse like sand."
The meeting continued with minor logistics. Many matters did not concern the Nightfall Pirates, so Laffitte slipped away by the midpoint.
Teach remained on the storm-battered island with the rest of the crew. They had already sensed Laffitte's return. Teach looked up as a distant black speck approached, growing swiftly larger. Laffitte landed lightly before them, wings folding back into his body.
"I have completed the mission." Laffitte smiled and set a stack of documents before Teach.
Teach spread out the materials. Two maps lay on top: one of the capital and another showing the royal treasury along with part of its internal layout. Additional pages detailed the defensive structures and personnel.
As Teach scanned the documents, Laffitte summarized the meeting. His memory was sharp, every detail neatly arranged.
"So, Jones is mine," Teach muttered thoughtfully. "The ten city guard captains will fall to you officers. My Conqueror's Haki will eliminate most of the one hundred thousand guards. You handle what remains."
The officers exchanged confident grins.
"Haha, if we cannot manage that much, we should retire." Their laughter echoed across the island.
Teach smiled as he sifted through the profiles. "Look through the captains. Choose who you want to face."
He began reading each entry aloud.
Sinclair of the east, a powerful battlefield veteran.
Kankani, his martial arts vice captain.
Masolin of the west, a noble marksman with the Penetration Fruit.
Legate, another noble and an excellent shot.
Dink of the south, a former bounty hunter.
Tyera, another hunter with the Hedgehog Fruit.
Cayo of the north, a Wave Wave Fruit user with a bounty of 110 million.
McGill, his martial artist partner.
Oaks of the central guard, a Black Panther Zoan user.
Hocheng, his vice captain, fueled by the Rage Rage Fruit.
"Five factions," Teach concluded. "Military, nobility, royal family, pirates, and bounty hunters. The central guard pair are the strongest. Choose your opponents."
"Leave the western nobles to me," Van Augur said with a grin. "Two gunners. I want to see how good they are. But I'll need a partner."
"In that case, I'll join you." Laffitte dipped his hat politely.
"I want the two in the central guard," Gar declared, voice booming.
No one objected.
"I'll take the bounty hunters," Wallace said.
"Then leave the northern pirates to me and Miles." Pouf smoothed his platinum hair.
Miles nodded. With his Lion Lion Fruit, he had grown sharply. "I can handle McGill. Even if I cannot win, I can hold him."
"Pito. Kaguya. You two take the eastern captains," Teach said.
"Understood."
"Understood."
Nelson stared around in panic. "What about me? What am I supposed to do?"
"You have the most important job," Teach said, serious enough to make Nelson stiffen.
"You will memorize the treasury's layout. After the battle begins, you will retrieve the Devil Fruit inside and bring it straight to me. This is the fruit I intend to eat."
The entire crew looked at the illustration of the Devil Fruit on the document. A light purple pineapple shape. The Dark Dark Fruit.
Nelson swallowed, then puffed out his chest. "Leave it to me."
Teach nodded. "Good. We have one month. Train hard. This battle cannot be lost."