258. Summoning Shichibukai
New World, Wanokuni, Onigashima.
The main hub of the Beasts Pirates rests on the high island, much like Kaido, who boasts of being the Country's Protector, watching over Wanokuni.
On the eerie island, Kaido, fresh from breaking free from the prison ship, was deep into his usual heavy drinking, tightly gripping a wine container. The transparent wine trickled down the edge of his mouth.
If Atlas were present, he'd surely mock him.
'Kaido, a person's worth is determined by the quality of their wine intake. If you can't handle the drink, head straight to the underdog table.'
"Hey Kaido, the Whitebeard Pirates are gearing up for a showdown with the Marines."
King the Conflagration, was accustomed to peculiar occurrences and calmly informed Kaido about the sea's developments.
Unlike many, King wasn't just amazed by Kaido's formidable strength. Kaido had saved his life, pulling him out of that grim prison.
Help must be returned; that's the principle King lives by as part of the Lunarian clan.
"Huh? Whitebeard just went nuts and soloed the Naval Headquarters, Worororo!"
Kaido, surprised, snatched the wine bottle mid-pour. He cleared wine dribbles from his mouth with a swipe of his arm, revealing his lengthy black beard.
"Marshall D.Teach, a Whitebeard crew member, got caught by the Marines. They're announcing his execution at the headquarters in three months. Whitebeard's gearing up his massive fleet for an assault on the Naval Headquarters."
Teach, who always aspired to fame, likely never imagined achieving it in this manner.
"Teach? Is that Whitebeard's kid? Worororo! What a foolish man. Does Whitebeard think he's playing pirate games?"
Kaido couldn't hold back his laughter at this.
He acknowledged Whitebeard as the world's strongest man, but as a pirate, the old man was unquestionably unfit!
"But..."
Kaido's eyes narrowed, a touch of fierceness revealed. He clenched the wine gourd with his fingers, as if ready to shatter it at any moment.
"Isn't this what I've always desired... the ultimate war in the world? Worororo!!"
"This Whitebeard finally seems like the world's strongest man!!"
The echoing laughter resonated across Onigashima, leaving the other members of the Beasts Pirates bewildered.
But they paid no mind. Despite Kaido's mood swings, he remained quite lenient with his crew.
Simply brush off Kaido's odd outbursts. After all, the governor can be quite perplexing.
.....
New World, Totto Land, Whole Cake Island.
A sweet fragrance permeates the air, and peculiar human-like figures inhabit every inch of land. In the central castle, the ultimate queen ruling over all nations resides.
Big Mom sits on the throne, her belly swollen. Judging by their size, there's a high chance they're just regular twins, the 81st sons of the Charlotte family!
Perhaps due to the approaching delivery, today's Big Mom isn't as frenzied as usual. A long-lost smile even graces her face.
"Mama, is there something joyous today?"
As the eldest son of Charlotte Linlin, Perospero consistently plays the peacemaker within the family. While not as mighty as Katakuri, he's undoubtedly indispensable.
"Mama Mama! Whitebeard's planning a war with the Marines. What a foolish old man. I've already set my eyes on the dessert factory on Fish-Men Island already!"
"If Whitebeard hadn't been hiding there, I could have made Fish-Men Island my own turf and hoisted our flag!"
As Big Mom spoke, copious saliva swiftly accumulated. Her hefty tongue swept her lips, gathering the excess saliva, almost as if she were relishing the flavors of the past.
As a devoted dessert enthusiast, there are tempting treats before me, but she can't indulge.
This sensation simply drives her relentlessly.
If there was anyone wishing for Whitebeard to stay in Marineford indefinitely, it was undoubtedly her.
"Perospero!"
"Here, Mama!"
"When Whitebeard assaults the Naval Headquarters, we'll seize Fish-Men Island and raise the pirate flag of the Charlotte family!"
Big Mom's excitement grew as she spoke, and the fiery, intense color in her eyes deepened.
"Yes, Mama!"
...
Naval Headquarters, Marineford.
In the conference room, the meeting king, Brannew, stood before the screen, silently shifting to an image of Marshall D.Teach.
Blood seeped from his face, a couple of front teeth askew, and his eyes vacant. Clearly captured while he was unconscious.
"Alright, Brannew, let's go through what happened this time!"
Sengoku rose and scanned everyone in the conference room.
Garp, Crane, Atlas, Borsalino, and... Zephyr.
Essentially, all the high-ranking figures of the Marine were gathered here.
Regarding Sakazuki and Kuzan.
Sengoku directed his gaze to the two screens in the conference room. One stern and rigid, the other relaxed and easygoing. Two contrasting faces appeared on the left and right sides.
Den Den Mushi boasts numerous functions, making remote conferencing like this a breeze.
The two of them remain at the New World base, and with the war still a considerable time away, there's no need for an urgent call.
Today was merely a concise meeting to briefly organize the overall plan and strategy for the impending war.
"Ahem, as you all observed, Marshall D. Teach, a Whitebeard Pirates member, takes center stage in our discussion."
Brannew cleared his throat, offering a concise introduction to the Marine leaders present.
Even though his military rank is only at the Commodores level, the unique nature of his work involves regular dealings with the top brass at headquarters.
Hence, he acts quite naturally, without any hesitation.
"We, the Marines, have declared his execution at Marineford in three months. Additionally, the Whitebeard Pirates have declared war on us."
"This timeframe allows us, the Marines, to mobilize our forces and aim for the complete destruction of the Whitebeard Pirates in Marineford."
"As for troop deployment, I propose deploying Marine Captains level personnel. Shouldn't be an issue, correct?"
In a war of this magnitude, ordinary Marine soldiers are of little use.
To be frank, they're not even worth considering.
"Additionally, it's time to activate the Shichibukai. When the moment arrives, I'll request expropriation from the World Government. I believe they won't decline."
Sengoku is well aware that there's no necessity to enlist the Shichibukai to handle the Whitebeard Pirates.
However, while it can decrease Marine casualties, it might also serve to trim down the number of Shichibukai, a group not well-liked by the Marine, achieving two goals with one action.
Sengoku's hopeful thoughts were evident.
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