CHAPTER 287 LURING THE SNAKE FROM ITS HOLE
Akainu hung up the call from Navy Headquarters. Headquarters had delivered shocking news—Brett suddenly appeared in Wano and, allied with local resistance forces, eliminated Kaido's proxy ruler. Consequently, Kaido was forced to return, unlikely to appear on the upcoming battlefield.
"What a shame," Akainu muttered.
"Right? Really is a shame. I think so too," Kizaru sighed in agreement. "After all, Kaido's target was also Zephyr-sensei. This way, we've essentially lost an ally."
Though the Navy and pirates could never formally ally, occasionally they shared identical targets—perfect opportunities for mutual benefit, tacitly understood.
"Don't talk nonsense!" Akainu glared viciously at Kizaru, saying coldly, "When I said 'shame,' I meant it's a shame we couldn't catch the Beast Pirates in our net as well!"
"Hahahaha! So that's what you meant," Kizaru laughed without embarrassment. "Truly Sakazuki—such a characteristic statement."
"But no matter!" Akainu grinned, his eyes flashing sharply. "That bastard Brett also came! This is a golden opportunity!"
"Eh, fighting Brett again?" Kizaru drooped despondently, looking dejected. "That guy's a genuine monster."
As though completely demoralized from being beaten. "Sakazuki, you understand deeply, right?"
Akainu couldn't help but press his lips together, hand touching his right shoulder. The arm injury still ached faintly. That punch from Brett had nearly completely crippled his right arm. Fortunately, the Science Division's medical technology proved outstanding—he'd recovered this quickly.
"Precisely because of that, we cannot let that guy remain free!" Akainu said seriously.
That bastard Brett was far too dangerous. Among all enemies of justice on these seas, none was more terrifying. Compared to Brett, what did Kaido, Whitebeard, or Dragon amount to?
That guy possessed not only unmatched strength but also possessed superweapons like Dyna Stones. No one threatened justice more. He must be completely eliminated!
"Sigh, truly troublesome," Kizaru exhaled. But as Sakazuki said, now they could only steel themselves and charge forward, right?
---
Mariejois.
"Brett appeared as expected," Saint Ju Peter said. "Though that bastard's quite cunning—forcing Kaido to withdraw from battle first."
"Doesn't matter. Our available forces remain sufficient," Saint Saturn replied. "Now we must quickly locate that bastard Zephyr."
"Exactly! Once war with Zephyr begins, that bastard Brett will likely appear on the direct battlefield! That's our best opportunity!" Saint Warcury said gravely. "Have CP accelerate—stop letting that bastard Zephyr lead the Navy around in circles throughout the New World!"
"Agreed!" The government remained confident.
---
A certain New World island—where the World Government desperately sought NEO Navy was currently stationed.
Electric light descended from above. Brett landed on this island.
"Back so quickly?" Zephyr looked at the descending Brett with some surprise.
Brett had gone to Wano—quite distant from these waters. How had he returned within two days?
"Matters there are resolved. The Beast Pirates have returned home," Brett said calmly.
But the impact of his words was far from calm.
"That quickly?" Ain couldn't help but exclaim.
That was the Beast Pirates! One of the world's strongest pirate crews, commanded by the monster called the world's strongest creature! Brett had dissuaded them so easily?
"With the right approach, it's not difficult," Brett smiled lightly. He didn't mention that after luring the Beast Pirates back, when leaving Wano, he'd incidentally given Kaido a beating.
"Now only the Navy remains," Brett said. "Zephyr, what's the Navy's current situation?"
"Sakazuki's group—all three deployed," Zephyr replied. Playing hide-and-seek with the Navy this long, he wasn't ignorant of their situation.
"Sakazuki and Borsalino together lead the Navy's main fleet. Kuzan separately commands a fleet providing flanking support. The two fleets aren't far apart, forming pincer positions. Whichever side we attack, we'll immediately face encirclement from the other."
Brett nodded. Truly troublesome. Against three admirals, direct combat offered zero victory chance—unless genuinely throwing a Dyna Stone to blast them skyward.
"Zephyr, what's your thinking?" Brett humbly sought guidance.
Compared to him, a youngster, Zephyr before him was a veteran who'd dominated the seas for decades. His military command experience far exceeded Brett's capability to match.
"Direct combat offers no victory chance. To win, we must somehow separate them," Zephyr said seriously. "Then launch attacks opportunistically."
Brett nodded in agreement. "So now we must find ways to lure the snake from its hole, correct?"
"If only one target, they probably won't separate as we wish," Zephyr noted.
Indeed—with just one target, they'd immediately converge.
"So we must devise a strategy," Brett said. "Give them two targets they cannot choose between!"
What should those two targets be?
"This actually isn't particularly difficult. Or rather, quite simple," Zephyr fell silent momentarily, then said, "Though somewhat underhanded."
Brett perceived Zephyr's hesitation, so he said, "Don't be too arrogant, Zephyr. We currently face war—the enemy is the sea's hegemon!"
As long as methods weren't too despicable, no need for hesitation.
Zephyr finally nodded lightly. "You're right! Then let's do it!"
"For the first time in a while, give those unfortunate students a lesson!"
"Hahahaha! That's perfect!" Brett laughed heartily. "Then the key becomes—first clarifying the Navy's positions."