On this sea, not many have had the privilege of seeing the inner sea of Wano Country with their own eyes.
Even the world's top journalists wouldn't easily dare to set foot in Wano Country's inner sea.
This is an illegal zone, not part of any World Government member nation, meaning World Government laws don't reach here!
To come here requires not just immense courage, but also the necessary strength.
After all, every single one of those who dare to linger here is a "monster" on this sea!
...
But then again.
The scenery of Wano Country is indeed mysterious and alluring.
Everyone is curious about the "unknown."
However, now, with Wano Country's main island practically in sight, Baro and the Marines on the small boat have no time to admire it.
Because an even more bizarre scene has appeared before them.
...
According to the map, besides the vast main island, there should be another island with a peculiar terrain in the inner sea of Wano Country.
That island, due to its special landforms, is called "Onigashima" – a peculiar island with a bullhorn skull.
And according to Baro's investigation, that island is the main focus of their g-t Marine branch's mission.
In other words, that is the main base of the Four Emperors, Kaido, the captain of the Beasts Pirates!
Baro had prepared to launch a surprise attack on the Four Emperors' base, but what puzzled him was why he couldn't find that crucial Onigashima now?
"That's weird..."
Baro scratched his head and finally made a decision.
"Shall we try looking around in Wano Country?"
The members of the g-t Marine branch are Baro's men.
If it were any other cautious Marine, they wouldn't be this reckless.
But unfortunately, Baro is Baro, and he immediately and decisively gave the order.
"Alright, report this situation to Marine Headquarters immediately, and by the way, tell Mr. Rowan. Then tell them we plan to investigate further into Wano Country."
"Yes, that's it."
Baro nodded, clearly having made up his mind.
The accompanying Marines did as they were told.
But they had no idea what a huge storm this seemingly mysterious intelligence would stir when it reached Sengoku and Rowan!
...
Marine Headquarters, Marinford.
Sengoku had already realized something was not right.
On his desk lay a mountain of intelligence regarding the Beasts Pirates, the Four Seas Alliance, Wano Country, and Alabasta.
Sengoku stroked his chin, his brow furrowed. The key issue was the distance.
The distance between the Beasts Pirates' base in Wano Country, in the New World, and Alabasta, in the "first half" of the Grand Line, was just too great.
If they wanted to launch a long-distance raid, there were too many factors to consider.
For example, defending the base and the route chosen for the long-distance raid.
Sengoku was almost certain that since Ryan Rowan had anticipated that the Beasts Pirates would retaliate directly against the Four Seas Alliance, he would have likely predicted the Beasts Pirates' possible long-distance raid routes in advance.
If it were Sengoku, he certainly wouldn't want his territory to be set ablaze, and Ryan Rowan should be the same.
If possible, Rowan would definitely choose to send top experts to intercept the Beasts Pirates in advance.
As for who that expert, or group of experts, might be, Sengoku didn't pay much attention.
After all, the trump cards in Ryan Rowan's hand always gave him a feeling of being unable to fathom.
What truly concerned Sengoku was: if Ryan Rowan could predict the Beasts Pirates' movements, then why couldn't the Beasts Pirates predict Rowan's actions?
That "Hundred Beasts" Kaido would surely implement counter-tactics against Ryan Rowan's arrangements!
"What exactly will Kaido do?"
Sengoku took a deep breath.
At this moment, Baro's communication arrived at Marine Headquarters.
A Marine delivered the telegram to Sengoku. Sengoku looked at the report for a few moments, his furrowed brow suddenly relaxed, then his expression turned incredibly grim!
"This is bad!"
The Marine beside him was even bewildered.
Having worked at Marine Headquarters for several years, he had never seen the "Wise General" Sengoku display such intense negative emotional fluctuations.
What had happened?
"Hoo..."
Sengoku realized his loss of composure and took a deep breath, then began to issue orders:
"Immediately mobilize and assemble forces, form teams at the level of a campaign, and act quickly!"
"Yes!"
The Marine soldier asked no questions, even though he was filled with doubts himself.
As a soldier, in an emergency, one must obey the orders of superiors. It is their duty.
At the same time, Sengoku picked up the Den Den Mushi on his desk and began to contact the Marine Headquarters' Chief of Staff, Tsuru.
"Tsuru-chan, can you calculate how many people we can have reach the waters of Alabasta within a few hours?"
"Huh?"
Grandma Tsuru clearly hadn't expected Sengoku to ask such a question.
She paused, then began to look through the documents beside her while her mind worked quickly.
As she was thinking, Grandma Tsuru thought of a possible reason for Sengoku's question, and her scalp tingled.
Finally, Grandma Tsuru frowned and said, "Not many..."
Then she added, "—Not enough to go to war with a Four Emperors."
As expected of Marine Headquarters' Chief of Staff and Sengoku's longtime comrade.
Tsuru easily grasped the general situation.
"Did that Emperor's plan fail?"
Tsuru speculated, "Is the Beasts Pirates about to launch a full-scale war on Alabasta? But our maritime monitoring agencies haven't issued any warnings!"
When a Four Emperors moves, the Marines are bound to notice, but now no monitoring agency has issued a warning.
This didn't seem right.
But Sengoku couldn't make an accurate judgment at this moment.
It's rare for the dignified Fleet Admiral to show such hesitation; perhaps only Tsuru and Garp of this vast sea would have the chance to see it.
"I don't know, Tsuru-chan, I have a vague and uneasy feeling."
"I understand."
Tsuru nodded without hesitation.
"I'm close to that area, I can go and take a look."
"Be careful."
Sengoku took a deep breath and nodded slightly.
This was, of course, a dangerous task.
In terms of combat power alone, ordinary pirates might not be Tsuru's match, but that was a Four Emperors.
Going to the battlefield personally would undoubtedly put Tsuru in danger.
But the Marines had to know what was about to happen in Alabasta.
Therefore, Sengoku also made a decision:
"If necessary, you can ask Ryan Rowan for reinforcements."
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