Sabaody Archipelago, Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
The small bar was packed with a motley crew of pirates.
They squeezed onto sofas while members of the Red-Haired Pirates leaned against the walls, quietly watching Beckman, who was having a hushed discussion with Rayleigh at the counter.
Shakky leaned her chin on her hand, resting on the counter, smiling as she watched the two engage in a heated discussion, occasionally interjecting with a comment.
"Our main goal is to rescue the captain from Impel Down, but the prison's defences are no joke. With just a few of us, we probably won't even reach Level 6, where the captain is being held," Beckman said, frowning.
This was exactly why he had come to find Rayleigh.
If the Whitebeard Pirates hadn't been drawing the Marines' attention on the main battlefield at Marineford, they wouldn't have dared to take even a step toward Impel Down.
Marineford, Impel Down, and Enies Lobby formed a triangle, connected by a special sea current. Reinforcements could arrive at top speed at any time.
Before they could even break through the gates of Impel Down, their retreat might already be cut off by the Marines.
And since they weren't Fish-Men, their combat and movement capabilities underwater weren't great.
"Hate to interrupt, but you might not even break through the first level," Shakky said, ruthlessly crushing Beckman's optimism.
"Impel Down has cultivated its own monster—a Paramecia-type Poison-Poison Fruit user. In a naturally enclosed battlefield like Impel Down, even you guys..."
Shakky smiled as she made a throat-slitting gesture. "Could be completely wiped out!"
Her intelligence network spanned the seas, so naturally, she knew about the man who was about to become the Warden of Impel Down.
As for the fee, for Rayleigh's sake... she'd put it on his tab for now.
"...So we definitely can't break in from the front. And we need to stall the Marines long enough so they can't react," Beckman said, not intimidated by Shakky's words, though his eyes flickered slightly.
"Whitebeard probably won't be able to stall them for long. The power gap between the two sides is just too great," Rayleigh analysed quickly.
His role was similar to Beckman's in the Red-Haired Pirates.
Shanks and Roger had the same personality—both equally unreliable—so as first mates, they often had to clean up the mess.
So, Rayleigh's intellect was sharp.
"Then we'll definitely need to split our forces and send some to Marineford to help Whitebeard stall the Marines as much as possible, while sending others to Impel Down to rescue the captain."
"But our disadvantage in top-tier combat power is too obvious," Beckman said with a bitter smile and a shake of his head.
Although he prided himself on his strategic planning, believing he was no worse than the Marine known as "The Strategist," strategy was just castles in the air when faced with an absolute gap in strength.
"You don't need to worry about that. I've naturally considered that problem..."
Bang—!
Before Rayleigh could finish, the bar door was slammed open, followed by a rough laugh: "Hahahaha! Rayleigh, you bastard, you finally remembered me!!"
A gust of wind blew in as a burly man, backlit by the light outside, strode into the bar with steady steps.
Two sharp axes were strapped to his back. Behind him, two even taller figures followed!
"Indeed. it's been a long time!"
Behind the burly man, a Fish-Man holding a trident-like weapon stepped forward, greeting Rayleigh familiarly.
"If that brat Shanks hadn't been captured by the Marines this time, maybe we never would have seen each other again," a man with a square face and a round head, so tall his head nearly touched the ceiling, said in a booming voice.
It had been thirteen years since they last parted ways.
They really hadn't met in a long time. And since their captain had used his life to let them escape the Marines' pursuit, they naturally couldn't let him down.
If First Mate Rayleigh hadn't called them personally, and if they didn't have a good relationship with that brat Shanks back on the ship...
They wouldn't have agreed so readily this time.
After all, once they showed their faces again and became enemies of the Marines, endless pursuit awaited them!
"What a coincidence. We were talking about you." Rayleigh quickly stood up and introduced the newcomers to everyone in the bar:
"Scopper Gaban. I'm sure you've heard of him."
"The left hand of the Pirate King, Roger. The 'Copper' of Gold, Silver, and Copper. Of course, I've heard of him." Beckman was momentarily dazed.
He never expected that one day he would personally see the right and left hands of the Pirate King gathered together, and in such a small bar, no less.
Then, Rayleigh pointed to the fierce-looking Fish-Man with a downturned mouth beside Gaban: "Sunbell. Also, a combatant from our ship. His combat power underwater is extremely formidable."
Hearing this, Beckman's eyes lit up. He finally understood Rayleigh's battle plan. If they couldn't break into Impel Down from the front, what about from underwater?
"Seagull. He was the biggest guy on our ship, with strength rivalling a giant." Rayleigh continued the introductions.
He hadn't gathered everyone from Roger's crew, only a few key figures.
Otherwise, once the World Government determined that the Roger Pirates were making a comeback...
The pursuit against them would be even fiercer. After all, they were the ones who had reached the final island with Roger.
"I'm counting on you all for this. After all, Shanks is someone the Captain had high hopes for. His journey shouldn't end here."
"Since the First Mate asks, I naturally have no reason to refuse," Sunbell the Fish-Man said, his face as gloomy as ever.
"I watched that guy Shanks grow up. I'll do my best to rescue him," the towering Seagull boomed, his massive voice making the glasses on the table tremble.
"Hahahaha! It's been a long time since I fought the Marines. My bones are getting rusty."
Gaban didn't bother with pleasantries. He pulled out the two great axes from his back, expanding his chest with unbridled arrogance.
...
Time passed quickly.
Recently, the seas had been unusually calm, without a ripple. The entire world pressed the pause button.
Almost everyone cast their expectant gazes toward Marineford. They knew...
That was the centre of the vortex! Clouds were gathering, waves were churning. Many were waiting to see the final glory of the World's Strongest Man!
Countless undercurrents surged. Large numbers of troops were deployed around Marineford, and the residential area in the rear was already empty.
The Whitebeard Pirates had also finished gathering.
The battle... was imminent!
Red Line, Mary Geoise.
The [Seven Warlords of the Sea], who had been residing in Mary Geoise for some time, were feasting.
On the conference table were mountains of empty plates and enough bones to reconstruct hundreds of beasts.
Atlas, as a Marine, was keeping pace with them. Vice Admiral Tsuru had long since returned to Marineford, entrusting the hosting duties entirely to him.
Of course, their table manners weren't ugly. Although they ate quickly, their posture was elegant.
Especially Mihawk, who cut the steak in front of him unhurriedly, occasionally sipping fine red wine, looking every bit the elegant noble.
It could be said that Doflamingo, Crocodile, and Moria—who had been eliminated early by Atlas—were a stark contrast to Mihawk and the others in terms of temperament.
Each of those three had been arrogant and domineering. Doflamingo, relying on his status as a former Celestial Dragon, had even dared to toy with the Marines in Mary Geoise!
Clack—!
Atlas put down his chopsticks, grabbed a handful of napkins, wiped his mouth, and said in a deep voice:
"According to our Marine intelligence, the Whitebeard Pirates have already mobilised from the New World. I believe they will arrive at Marine Headquarters soon. You all—"
He glanced around. Although no one looked up, the unconsciously slowed eating speed betrayed their thoughts.
"After you've had your fill, assemble at Marineford."
With that, he leaned back. His stomach showed no bulge, as if the mountain of food he had just consumed had vanished into thin air.
With Life Return practised to his level, he could basically digest as he ate. He could even easily excrete as he ate.
This was—
Ultimate control over the body!
...
Marine Headquarters Conference Hall.
Almost all the high-ranking officers were gathered, including Sakazuki and Aokiji, who had been transferred back from the New World.
Only Borsalino was absent!
Oh, right, and the Marine Hero, Garp.
Bang—!
The door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, instantly drawing everyone's attention in the conference room.
"You damn brat! How many times have I told you to knock before entering? Don't learn that old bastard Garp's bad habits!"
Seeing who it was, veins popped on Sengoku's forehead, and he started shouting.
"Are the Warlords settled?" Seeing Sengoku like this, Vice Admiral Tsuru smiled faintly and asked Atlas, who was strolling through the door.
She had been responsible for hosting the Warlords initially, before Sengoku assigned the task to Atlas.
It was only right for her to ask.
"They're settled. They're very satisfied with the accommodations. I expect they'll have no problem marching onto the battlefield in high spirits."
However, there's a high probability that those guys will go through the motions without putting in any real effort.
Atlas added silently in his heart.
"You did well. After this war, Fleet Admiral Sengoku will propose it to the Five Elders. The position of a fourth Admiral isn't impossible."
Akainu nodded slightly upon seeing Atlas, his eyes full of appreciation. He had always liked this junior's way of doing things.
Especially this time, creating such a good opportunity for the Marines to annihilate the Whitebeard Pirates at Marineford.
"Senior Sakazuki, you praise me too much. By the way..."
Atlas looked around and asked in confusion, "Where is Vice Admiral Garp? Why don't I see him?"
Usually, if Garp were here, you'd hear his shouting before he even entered the room.
"Vice Admiral Garp went to Impel Down. He took over the mission of escorting Marshall D. Teach," Aokiji said lazily, lifting a corner of his sleeping mask.
"Alright, forget about that bastard Garp. Let's talk about the matter at hand."
After instructing Atlas to take a seat, Sengoku's expression turned serious: "White Tiger, is your warship currently undamaged?"
"The White Tiger?"
Atlas, who hadn't even warmed his seat yet, was stunned and asked uncertainly.
"That's right. Your ability to make objects invisible is perfect. The Science Unit's firepower configuration is also the top tier in the current Navy. When the time comes—"
A fierce glint flashed in Sengoku's eyes. "Once Whitebeard's Moby Dick appears in sight, cover it with firepower!!"
Although ordinary artillery fire causes limited damage in top-tier battles...
With the White Tiger's configuration, clearing out the slightly noteworthy small fry and reducing Marine casualties would be a piece of cake.
"No problem." Atlas nodded in agreement.
Even with the double guarantee of his Horse Talisman and Jinbe's constant attention, casualties were inevitable.
War is war, after all. Although the original story didn't depict it in detail... how can there be a war without death?
Buru~ Buru~
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi rang in Sengoku, interrupting the conversation in the room.
He reached back and picked up the receiver!
"Moshi moshi~ This is Borsalino~~ Can you hear me, Sengoku-san?"
The Den Den Mushi quickly mimicked Kizaru's tone. Even its smooth skin became somewhat wrinkled, exuding a wretched aura from the inside out.
"Hello, this is Sengoku. Is there a situation in the New World?" Sengoku frowned, a bad feeling rising in his heart.
"According to the intelligence from our Marine surveillance ships~~ [King of the Beasts] Kaido seems to have mobilised from Wano Country~~ How scary~ That's an Emperor of the Sea," Kizaru's tone on the other end remained frivolous.
"Do you need me to intercept him?"
"...No need. Just keep a close eye on Big Mom's movements. We can handle a mere Kaido here."
Looking at Vice Admiral Tsuru, who shook her head gently across from him, Sengoku made a prompt decision.
Unlike the other two Emperors, Big Mom was the most insidious. She wouldn't shy away from looting a burning house.
If one Emperor were to take advantage of the war to loot, it would undoubtedly be Big Mom. The only question was whether her target would be Whitebeard or the Marines.
So, rather than letting Kizaru intercept Kaido and risk being besieged by two Emperors, it was better to bring the pressure to Marineford.
"Is that so~ Alright then. You guys be careful, Sengoku-san~~"
Hearing this, Kizaru said no more.
With the Marines' combat deployment, adding one [King of the Beasts] Kaido wouldn't be a problem. It was perfect; he could rest in the New World.
After all, the World's Strongest Man...Was just too scary~
"Alright. The details of the combat deployment were discussed in previous meetings. The specific execution depends on you. There is only one goal this time—"
"To keep Whitebeard at Marineford forever!!" Sengoku's gaze was solemn, his heart full of ambition.