Before Kaido—driven by his infamous "suicide hobby"—casually chose Ruroraka Island as his landing point and launched his attack on Gern Reginald Sigmar…
The abnormal movements of the Beasts Pirates had already been detected by the Marine Corps' tightly woven surveillance network deployed throughout the New World.
Although the title of "Yonko" had not yet been formally proclaimed to the world by the World Government, figures such as Kaido, Whitebeard, and Charlotte Linlin—these so-called Sea Emperors who dominated vast territories of the New World—
Every major move made by their captains tugged directly at the nerves of Marine Headquarters and the World Government.
Especially when intelligence reports confirmed that Kaido's target was the G-10 sphere of influence controlled by Marine Admiral Gern—
That information was instantly flagged as highest priority and transmitted to Marineford at maximum speed.
Marineford.Inside the small conference room attached to the Fleet Admiral's office.
Sengoku was in the middle of discussing contingency plans for the first half of the Grand Line with Tsuru and several core Vice Admirals.
Suddenly—
BANG!
The conference room doors were violently thrown open.
A communications officer rushed in, face deathly pale, breathing hard. He didn't even have time to salute before blurting out in panic:
"Fleet Admiral—F-Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Something's wrong!The New World—Admiral Gern—he… over there…!"
The moment Sengoku heard the name "Gern," his temple twitched violently, a wave of foreboding surging up his spine.
Smack!
He slammed his palm onto the table and shot to his feet, suppressed fury flashing across his face.
"Gern again?!""I told him—repeatedly—to lie low for these two months before the conference!Is this how that bastard 'kept his promise'?!What did he stir up this time?!"
Sengoku's roar plunged the conference room into instant silence. The Vice Admirals exchanged uneasy looks.
"N-No! It's not like that, Fleet Admiral!"The communications officer flinched, waving his hands frantically. He took a deep breath and forced himself to report clearly:
"It wasn't Admiral Gern who caused trouble!It was… it was the Beasts Pirates' Governor-General—'Beasts' Kaido!He suddenly appeared on Ruroraka Island in the New World and launched an attack on Admiral Gern, who was on vacation there!The two sides… the two sides are already fully engaged in combat!"
"What?!"
This time, not only Sengoku—
Even the usually unflappable Tsuru, along with every Vice Admiral present, changed color and shot to their feet.
Gern wasn't attacking someone else?
He was being attacked?!
And by Kaido?!
Once the meaning fully sank in, the anger on Sengoku's face was instantly replaced by shock and grim seriousness.
One of his greatest fears—
An uncontrollable clash between top-tier powers of the New World—
Had erupted suddenly, at the worst possible time.
And the two involved were the battle-mad, suicide-seeking "Strongest Creature in the World"—
And the "Heaven-Shaker," a man who would never swallow an insult.
"Immediately open an emergency line to G-10! I want a full report—now!" Sengoku barked.
"At the same time, order every surveillance unit in the New World that can be mobilized to focus on Ruroraka Island!But without authorization, no vessel is to approach within fifty nautical miles of the combat zone!"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"The communications officer snapped to attention, saluted, and hurried out of the room.
The doors closed again.
The heavy atmosphere did not lift in the slightest.
"Sengoku."Tsuru folded her hands atop the table, brows drawn tight, her voice calm and analytical.
"This confrontation between Kaido and Gern… reaching this stage was inevitable."
Sengoku inhaled deeply, steadying himself, and turned to his most trusted strategist.
"Tsuru… what are you getting at?"
She didn't bother with pleasantries or soft phrasing. Her words were level—yet cut straight to the core.
"Gern's current status is not just that of a Marine Admiral.He is the de facto ruler of the G-10 base in the New World.
His foothold there isn't built solely on the strength of those 'Heavenly Calamity' members under his command.
At its core, it rests on the absolute deterrence carried by the name 'Heaven-Shaker.'"
She paused briefly, then continued.
"If Gern were the one taking the initiative—attacking another power—then the flow of battle would remain under his control.
If things went well, he could press on.If the situation turned unfavorable, or if he didn't want to escalate matters, he could withdraw at any time.
The initiative would always be his.
But this time is different."
Her tone sharpened.
"Kaido invaded Gern's territory and launched an attack right at his doorstep.
This is no longer a simple personal duel.
This is a battle over the dignity and foundation of G-10's existence in the New World.
If Gern shows even the slightest hint of retreat, compromise—or even a sign of 'knowing when to stop'—
Then the deterrence he painstakingly built will collapse instantly."
Tsuru's gaze was piercing.
"What would Whitebeard and Big Mom think then?What would Wang Zhi on Hachinosu, and the other great pirates, think?
They would conclude that 'Heaven-Shaker' is nothing special—that G-10 is a juicy piece of meat anyone can bite into.
At that point, Gern would be under constant attack in the New World, unable to move freely.
And the G-10 base would exist in name only."
After hearing Tsuru's clear, incisive analysis, Sengoku fell silent for several seconds.
He rubbed his tightly furrowed brow hard.
"…If that's the case…"
But when he lifted his head again—
The heaviness and worry on his face were gone.
Replaced by near absolute confidence.
There was even the faintest curve at the corner of his mouth.
"Tsuru," Sengoku said firmly,"immediately notify all warships standing by in the waters near Ruroraka Island.
Have them prepare—fully."
Tsuru paused, startled.
"Prepare? Sengoku… you mean—?"
Sengoku planted both hands on the table and leaned forward, sharp light blazing in his eyes.
"Have them ready to act the moment the battle ends."
He spoke each word slowly and clearly:
"To arrest 'Beasts' Kaido."
"Sengoku, you…"Tsuru's expression showed genuine surprise. She had concluded Gern couldn't retreat—but to assert outright that Kaido could be captured was a bold leap.
"That guy Gern," Sengoku said coldly,"has no option to lose this fight—so he won't.
And with his current strength… heh…"
He recalled the sensation of clashing with Gern back at the Holy Land and let out a low chuckle.
"Kaido doesn't yet have the ability to defeat him without risking his life.
And that bastard's so-called 'suicide'—
He's never actually willing to fight to the death."