Learning from Rosinante that Hancock was Miss Snake, Michael instinctively rubbed his temples.
Honestly, he should have realized.
Miss Snake...
Wasn't that just another way to say "Snake Princess"!?
So now Hancock had been captured by Kaido?
Wait!
Kaido still referred to her as "Revolutionary Army cadre Miss Snake."
Meaning Hancock's true strength and identity remained concealed...
She must have allowed herself to be captured intentionally.
She must have discovered something important inside.
So Michael didn't hold back, sharing his recent conversation with Kaido and his deductions with Rosinante.
Rosinante's expression shifted through various emotions before settling into a sigh.
"...Isn't Hancock being too reckless?"
"Reckless how? Though captured, she hasn't revealed her true power or identity. She's planted herself like a timed bomb in Kaido's plans... Hancock's playing this perfectly."
"But what about her personal safety..."
"Rosinante... You're still being overprotective of the SWORD Forces members. Don't forget, Hancock is the strongest among you all."
...
After experiencing continuous shock, Kozuki Oden finally calmed down.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the Marine's arrival.
Nowadays, Wano Country only maintains iSoration in name, having established friendly cooperative relations with the Marine in recent years.
But his mindset back then was completely different from now.
Previously, he thought that since it was the general trend anyway, and the Marine wouldn't interfere in Wano's internal affairs... maintaining good relations couldn't hurt.
But now, the Marine's most elite SWORD Forces turned out to be Michael's subordinates!
Moreover, they remained fiercely loyal even after Michael was expelled from the Marine...
Kozuki Oden felt the psychological pressure lessen considerably when addressing him as "father-in-law"!
"However, we're already aware of Kaido's plans to attack Wano... but what about the exact timing?"
"Since war has been declared, sooner is definitely better than later. Kaido will surely try to blitz Wano before our defenses are fully established... After all, Thunder God Island isn't too far from Wano." After speaking, Michael addressed all members of the SWORD Classified Special Forces,
"You'll all go to establish defensive lines too... Ensure we have people at every position to minimize casualties as much as possible."
"Yes!"
"I'll take you there... If you go on your own, you'll definitely be treated as spies stealing military secrets."
Kozuki Oden sighed and stepped out first.
Led by Rosinante, the members of the SWORD Forces saluted Michael with a Marine salute before promptly turning to follow Kozuki Oden.
Kozuki Toki, who had remained mostly silent until now, stepped in front of Michael.
"Father... If I'm not mistaken, the Marine's gradual detachment from the World Government in recent years, even to the point of nearly breaking ties... was part of your plan, wasn't it?"
"...No, just how much did I teach you?" Michael let out a bitter laugh. "Did you figure that out just from my interaction with Rosinante and the others earlier?"
"Well... like father, like daughter."
Kozuki Toki proudly patted the Kogarashi and Oto at her waist.
Indeed, they bore far more signs of use than the Kogarashi and Oto in Michael's hands.
"Like father, like daughter... huh?"
Michael muttered under his breath, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward Momonosuke.
'But soon, my dear daughter, you'll have two undaughterly daughters.'
'Let's hope... Kozuki Oden and Kozuki Toki's combined parental beatdown leaves little Momo with his life intact.'
...
Time passed quickly.
After Kaido's call with Michael, the mobilization speed on Thunder God Island increased dramatically.
Within just a day, Kaido's allies had gathered once more on Thunder God Island, each bringing their own trump cards.
"Kaido, don't forget—this time, we're here to carve up Wano."
"Of course. Once we take Wano, its natural defenses will make us untouchable."
Kaido surveyed his scheming allies with calm indifference.
What these men still lacked was the right moment to be brought to heel...
This assault on Wano, with Michael standing guard, was both a crisis... and an opportunity.
Kaido's ambitions had never been limited to just Wano.
"Good. Now that our forces are assembled, we move out..." Kaido slammed his fist on the table.
"Hanafuda, the prisoner transport is already on your ship."
"Relax, leave it to me." The so-called "Lizard King" Hanafuda took a swig of liquor and grinned.
"They won't have so much as a sliver of a chance to escape."
Kaido nodded, scanning the room once more.
The "Lizard King" Hanafuda, Gecko Moria, Wang Zhi of Hachinosu, "Blackbeard" Teach, "Demon Heir" Bullet, "Red count" Patrick Redfield, "World Destroyer" Byrnndi World...
"Fufufufufu!"
"I hope I'm not late to this gathering of scums?"
A peculiar laugh rang out.
Doflamingo, who had previously only communicated via Den Den Mushi, arrived with the remnants of the Donquixote Family in tow.
"No, you're right on time."
A dangerous smile spread across Kaido's face.
"Let us... drag that lofty angel down from the heavens!"
...
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, report—Doflamingo and the former Donquixote Family members have left Dressrosa under cover of night."
"You did well, Violet. The information was relayed very promptly," Tsuru said with a smile. "Does Rosinante know yet?"
"I reported to Vice Admiral Rosinante before informing you."
"Good. Let Dressrosa maintain the status quo for now. I can assure you, you will soon welcome... a true and wise king."
With that, she hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Looking up, Tsuru turned her gaze to Sengoku beside her.
"Doflamingo has finally lost his patience... It seems the 'hell' Michael meticulously crafted for him is enough to drive him mad."
"Hmph! Don't mention that rebellious son to me!"
"Sengoku, you've been angry about this for years now... Isn't it about time you let it go? I did warn you back then about what might happen."
"Is that what I'm angry about!?" Sengoku grumbled under his breath. "That damn son of mine... Even Garp and Zephyr, even those brats from the SWORD Forces knew, but they kept me in the dark!"
"Tsk tsk, you'll get used to it. You, of all people, should understand Michael's unorthodox ways, shouldn't you?"
Tsuru patted Sengoku's shoulder, then walked to the office window, gazing toward the direction of Wano Country.
"Speaking of which..."
"What kind of overwhelming storm will Michael stir up this time?"
"I'm really looking forward to it."
---------
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