Chapter 71: Calm Before The Storm

"You called me back before I even reached the Sabaody Archipelago. Are you sure you want to start a war this time?"

Kizaru looked at Sengoku helplessly and asked. He had just received a call from Sengoku before arriving at Sabaody Archipelago. What was supposed to be a precautionary measure had now turned into a war.

He was recalled again, and this time it was to meet with the Marine's top brass.

"Marshal, why weren't the Shichibukai summoned?"

Gion couldn't help asking. Now, all of Naval Headquarters' high-level combat power was gathered in the conference hall. They all knew they were going to fight, but shouldn't this be the time to use the Shichibukai?

"No, the Shichibukai cannot be summoned. This time, the Marines are not dealing with a pirate group from the Four Emperors, but a single person: Luo Ning."

"Although Luo Ning's strength is no less than that of a Four Emperor, dispatching all the Marine executives to deal with one person is something only our own internal people need to know. We can't leak too much information. The Shichibukai are not part of us."

"Furthermore, it's too late to summon the Shichibukai now!"

Sengoku shook his head. Although the Shichibukai are part of the battle force, the harm of calling them now outweighs the benefits. This matter is already very embarrassing for the Marines, so naturally they can't invite outsiders.

Moreover, the Shichibukai are scattered geographically. In this case, even if they were summoned, they would have to be found first, otherwise calling them would be pointless, just like with Hancock's Den Den Mushi. Time is running out, so why bother looking for any Shichibukai? And if the Marine's high-level combat power can't handle the opponent, then calling the Shichibukai would be like sending them to their deaths. After discussing with Tsuru, Sengoku decided not to call the Shichibukai for this matter.

After listening to Sengoku's words, the others also nodded. Indeed, this matter is not honorable, and the key is that Luo Ning hasn't even done anything to the Celestial Dragons. Summoning the Shichibukai in this situation would be a complete loss of face for the Marines.

The content of the meeting was brief: how to deal with Luo Ning. This wasn't their first such meeting; almost all high-level officials were familiar with Luo Ning's case.

However, no matter how much research they did, they couldn't decipher Luo Ning's ability. As long as Luo Ning kept it a secret, it would remain a mystery.

Just like that, time passed uneventfully. Naval Headquarters didn't disrupt anyone else. After all, only high-level combat power would be effective against Luo Ning, so the Marines' normal operations continued.

"Will Garp make it to the assembly point on time?" Sengoku questioned the Marine Herald after boarding the ship.

"Vice Admiral Garp is expected to arrive in time!" The herald quickly informed Sengoku of the situation. As for Akainu, he returned quickly due to the shorter distance.

However, Akainu's bad temper was Sengoku's biggest headache. He lost his cool upon returning, which gave Sengoku a migraine. Still, Akainu was undeniably the most hardworking among the Admirals.

"Is that guy really as powerful as they say?" Akainu asked the people around him on the warship.

"How would I know? I've only heard about him myself. By the way, don't you believe it when you see Kuzan so calm? I heard even Vice Admiral Garp got beaten up and bruised by him, alright? Terrifying" Kizaru said nonchalantly from the side. His tone almost made Akainu want to hurl magma at him, but seeing they were colleagues, he held back.

"Don't underestimate him. He doesn't use Armament Haki, but he has a way to deal with us, and it's driving me crazy"

Aokiji stood beside them, his spirit sluggish. He couldn't adapt to the severe pain that constantly gnawed at his nerves.

His presence on this mission wasn't for fighting, but for his ability. Sengoku didn't need a weakened Aokiji in battle. He needed Aokiji to create a battlefield.

With so many high-level abilities in the Marines, someone like Kizaru who could fly wouldn't be affected by Luo Ning. The problem was everyone else. Aokiji's role was to create an environment where they could fight.

"Don't get close to him," Aokiji warned the other Admirals, "and don't use your element form unless absolutely necessary. I don't know how he maintains this pain, but it has something to do with my using my element form back then."

"His attack struck my elemental body, and the point of penetration seems to be the source of the pain."

Aokiji offered his own theories as a warning, but it was a bit of a catch. They shouldn't get close, and they shouldn't use their element forms, but Luo Ning's ability was too strange. If they didn't use their element forms, they might end up like Onigumo.

Long-range attacks were possible, but their opponents could fly and were extremely fast, making it difficult for them to avoid Luo Ning entirely. This was why Sengoku had always dreaded fighting Luo Ning. His ability was too unpredictable, and Sengoku didn't know how to approach the situation.

The only option was to stall for time, but Luo Ning wouldn't give them that luxury. He planned to make a move against the Celestial Dragons.

"Let's see if he can block my magma!" Akainu declared.

Akainu's eyes blazed with murderous intent. While he knew Aokiji wouldn't lie about something like this, arrogance clouded his judgment. Many people, even upon hearing there's no way to win, will still choose to try. It's human nature, not distrust, but a form of self-confidence.

Akainu had reviewed some information, but found it hard to believe the other party was truly so clueless. Such an ignorant individual? Akainu had never encountered one. Even the Four Emperors weren't as mysterious as Aokiji and the others made them out to be.

Seeing Akainu's demeanor, Aokiji knew arguing wouldn't change his mind. He could only hope Akainu would heed his warnings, at least to avoid acting recklessly.

Several warships headed for the designated assembly point, with Luo Ning's ship mirroring their course.

"Sengoku, how's the arrangement with East Blue going?" Tsuru inquired, shifting the conversation to another matter.

"I initially assigned this task to Smoker," Sengoku sighed, "but that stubborn guy with his strong sense of justice flat-out rejected me, even yelling at me through the Den Den Mushi!"

Their current topic was Cocoyashi Village. While Nami had been removed from the equation, the village itself couldn't be relocated. Sengoku had previously contacted Smoker, requesting his temporary control over the villagers.