CHAPTER 279 WAR'S OPENING
"So, what did the Giant King say?" In Brett's office, Tesoro asked with considerable interest.
Naturally, he was deeply concerned about New World developments, frequently visiting Brett to monitor the latest dynamics.
Before contacting Charlotte Linlin, Brett had called Elbaf first. After all, promising to arrange Prince Loki's marriage without that side's consent would be far too presumptuous.
Brett had called the Giant King, thoroughly explaining his idea to buy time. Only after obtaining The Giant's consent did he finally contact Charlotte Linlin with an offer she couldn't refuse.
To secure the king's agreement, Brett had paid a certain price.
Brett sighed. "He said I should visit Elbaf afterward. He's grown stronger and can't wait to fight me again."
Tesoro was immediately disappointed. "I thought it would be a far harsher condition."
"You were incredibly presumptuous asking his son to date the giant race's sworn enemy!"
"I told you—we're friends," Brett smiled.
The giant race and Charlotte Linlin weren't truly irreconcilable enemies. In the original timeline, hadn't they nearly arranged a marriage alliance? This might actually be positive—Prince Loki had fallen for that Charlotte daughter at first sight.
"However, though Charlotte Linlin has been dissuaded, the Beast Pirates and World Government combined remain a terrifyingly formidable force," Tesoro said seriously. "Brett, what will you do?"
The Beast Pirates alone were frightening enough, let alone adding the World Government. Though government forces in the New World were weak, that didn't mean they couldn't temporarily deploy several admirals there!
"I need to visit the New World. I must help Zephyr establish a foothold there," Brett said seriously.
"The World Government is waiting for exactly that!" Tesoro warned. "Why not threaten them again? They don't want Mariejois bombarded with Dyna Stones either."
"It's not that simple," Brett shook his head. "Mariejois conceals things beyond our imagination."
Honestly, he didn't dare run to Mariejois with Dyna Stones. Setting aside whether the mysterious Imu was an extraordinarily powerful monster, the Celestial Dragons' national treasure hidden there was already terrifying enough.
Even if Dyna Stones could actually detonate in Mariejois, causing irreparable damage to the World Government—what then? If doing so cost his life, Brett still found it unworthy.
Technically, he could run to Marineford and drop a Dyna Stone there, but Zephyr would immediately sever their alliance.
"You're not planning to run to the New World and fight Kaido and the World Government head-on in direct battle, are you?" Tesoro asked urgently.
"I'm obviously not an idiot," Brett smiled.
Though he believed his strength matched any powerhouse on the seas—having previously faced two Navy Admirals simultaneously while calmly escorting Zephyr away—that didn't mean he could simultaneously handle monsters like Kaido plus Admiral encirclement.
"First, let's pull the rug out from under Kaido."
"What?"
---
Wano Country, Onigashima.
The Beast Pirates' grand fleet was ready to deploy. Kaido stood at the ship's bow. Behind him, King—wrapped entirely in black leather clothing and mask—stood with arms crossed, silent.
"SET SAIL!!" At Kaido's command, one of the New World's strongest pirate crews launched.
This voyage would utterly crush the fools who dared provoke them.
---
Not particularly far from Wano toward the New World entrance, at Totto Land's Whole Cake Island:
"Mama!" Perospero rushed to report the latest news to his mother. "The Beast Pirates have set sail!"
"Ma ma ma ma! Is that so? The excitement finally begins!" Charlotte Linlin, feasting on dessert, laughed heartily. "Kaido, Zephyr, Brett, and the World Government!"
"Fight! Fight! The more chaotic, the better!"
Partly she genuinely wanted Brett's help arranging the giant marriage alliance. Partly she intended watching tigers fight from the mountain.
What were a few island territories? "By the way, Perospero, how are your sisters' photographs coming? Finish quickly and send them to Brett so he can forward them to Elbaf!"
Marriage arrangements were far more important than the upcoming war.
---
At the New World entrance, not far from the Red Line, stood an imposingly magnificent Navy base—G-1 Base.
Even among the Navy's numerous G-series bases, this ranked first in importance. This base and Navy Headquarters on the Red Line's opposite side formed symmetrical positions.
Both bases were solid fortresses guarding Mariejois.
Currently, at this base's harbor, several massive Navy warships were prepared.
"This time our opponent is Zephyr-sensei. Nothing to say, Sakazuki?" Kizaru asked lazily from a deck chair.
"Don't talk nonsense!" The man who'd fought alongside him since joining the Navy now stood at the bow, his back turned.
His Justice cloak billowed in the sea wind. The man the world respectfully feared as Admiral Akainu didn't look back. His cold voice starkly contrasted his scorching ability.
"Whoever stands against justice is my enemy! I won't hesitate!"
"Oh, truly worthy of Sakazuki," Kizaru said quietly. "Then you handle Zephyr-sensei. Kuzan and I will prepare to engage Brett if he appears."
Though this ship carried only two admirals, that didn't mean the government deployed only two total. For this operation, the Navy had transferred Hero Garp to G-1 Base, letting him hold position so three admirals could simultaneously deploy.
Moreover, the Navy didn't even know they had pirate allies.
"Depart!" At Akainu's command, the massive naval fleet raised sails. Wind filled them, and the entire fleet crushed waves, officially launching.
---
Fish-Man Island—Brett had also departed, first needing to meet Zephyr.