About ten minutes later, a soldier hurried into the throne hall with intelligence on the Gambino Family.
Arthur accepted the report without even glancing at it and handed it directly to White Fang.
White Fang took the document, his eyes scanning rapidly behind the mask.
Three minutes later, he closed it and looked up.
"Well?" Arthur asked.
"Not a major issue," White Fang replied calmly. "Their numbers are large, but most are ordinary men. The ANBU can handle them. However, considering two uncertain factors—high-powered firearms and a Devil Fruit user—I recommend deploying twelve squads to ensure complete success."
"Twelve squads…"
Arthur nodded slightly. A confident smile curved at his lips.
"With the ANBU's efficiency, you'll reach the Gambino Family tonight. By the time our fleet arrives at dawn… everything should already be settled, correct?"
"One night is more than enough," White Fang answered evenly.
"Good. Then move out immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Before the final syllable faded, White Fang vanished from Arthur's side.
Elia's eyes widened in shock. She quickly covered her mouth, unable to comprehend how he had disappeared so suddenly.
"Stop staring and go prepare something for me to eat."
Arthur chuckled and gently tapped her head.
"Yes—Yes, Your Highness! I'll prepare it right away!"
Her cheeks flushed red as she hurried out like a startled deer.
Leaning back in the throne, Arthur looked at the empty hall and slowly clenched his hand in the air.
"Heh… Gambino Family…"
…
One hour later—Zephir's port.
Three medium-sized warships lay anchored in the harbor.
They were the entirety of Zephir's remaining fleet.
Before the Gambino assault a week ago, the kingdom had possessed six. Three had been destroyed.
These three ships were the last vestige of Zephir's naval strength.
At the edge of town near the harbor, residents watched the departing army with complicated expressions.
Not a single person came to see them off.
In the eyes of most citizens, challenging the Gambino Family was nothing short of suicide.
Each warship carried 800 soldiers.
A total of 2,400 troops—nearly half of Zephir's remaining military strength.
Unease filled their eyes.
They understood.
This battle felt like marching toward death.
And yet, as soldiers, retreat was not an option.
"Are they all that pessimistic?" Arthur said with a helpless shrug as he stood at the bow of the central ship. "They're that certain we're sailing to our deaths?"
White Fang stood silently behind him to one side. Elia stood on the other.
"Let them think what they will," Arthur said, gazing at the vast sea ahead. His hair whipped in the wind. "When we reach the Gambino headquarters, they'll understand who's truly walking toward destruction."
He raised his hand decisively.
"Set sail!"
The sails unfurled.
Under the complicated gazes of their citizens, the three warships cut through the waves toward the Gambino Family's headquarters.
The blue-and-white flag of Zephir snapped sharply in the sea breeze.
Meanwhile, surrounding nations and forces also received word of Zephir's declaration.
Most reacted with ridicule.
They waited eagerly for news of Zephir's annihilation.
…
Night fell.
Stars scattered across the dark sky, and moonlight poured over the sea like silver.
Beneath the black water, the shadow of a massive unknown creature glided silently.
Muir Island.
Though night had descended, the enormous estate at the island's center blazed with light.
Four docks surrounded the island at its cardinal points.
Each dock held at least three ships, and faint voices could be heard drifting across the water.
This was the headquarters of one of the three great mafia families of the West Blue—
The Gambino Family.
And tonight, uninvited guests had arrived.
Tap… tap… tap…
The sound of footsteps across water was swallowed by the howling sea wind.
In the darkness, forty-eight black silhouettes moved swiftly across the ocean's surface toward Muir Island.
"Stop."
One shadow raised a hand.
All forty-eight halted in perfect unison, standing atop the water.
Under the moonlight, their black tight-fitting outfits, white harness vests, and various animal masks were clearly visible.
They were the Ninja Assassination Tactical Unit.
"We've reached the target perimeter. Begin drafting the operation plan."
One ANBU member unfolded a map. The others gathered around.
"According to intelligence, approximately five thousand defenders are stationed at the Gambino headquarters. Four docks surround the island. They possess high-powered firearms and one Devil Fruit user. His Highness has ordered total annihilation before dawn, when the Kingdom's fleet arrives. We have roughly eleven hours."
"We must eliminate all hostile forces within that window."
"Captain," one ANBU member suggested, "since total extermination is required, I propose we destroy the four surrounding docks first. Without ships, these ordinary men—who lack chakra—will have nowhere to flee."
"Agreed."
The ANBU captain nodded.
He rolled up the map.
"All units recover stamina and chakra immediately. In one hour… we begin."
"Yes!"
The forty-eight ANBU either stood or sat cross-legged atop the water, closing their eyes to conserve strength.
The night grew still.
And the slaughter had yet to begin.
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