Some Things Had to Be Dealt With First

After all.

Kaido and Big Mom, two of the Four Emperors, were only after Roya.

As for Sakazuki.

It was the same.

He was after Roya too!

So Sakazuki had his own selfish motives in this.

After all, if two Emperors attacked Roya together, they might not be able to kill him, but they could certainly wound him badly.

Once Roya was badly wounded, Sakazuki could lead the Navy after him. Wouldn't that let him reap the rewards without lifting a finger?

But then again.

Those pleasant prospects were nothing more than Sakazuki's fantasies.

Reality was hardly going to unfold as neatly as he imagined.

Even so.

Sakazuki was the Fleet Admiral now!

Once he had made up his mind, who could change it?

The Celestial Dragons would not involve themselves in a meeting like this. The decision rested with Fleet Admiral Sakazuki.

To put it plainly.

Most of the officers at the meeting thought Sakazuki's decision was unwise.

They simply had no way to say much about it.

But then again.

Sengoku did stand up.

"Sakazuki!"

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Kaido and Big Mom may only be after Roya!"

"But have you thought about what will happen once two Emperors form an alliance?"

"You just said yourself that the Navy is already stretched too thin. What if Kaido and Big Mom achieve their ambition of forming an alliance—or fail to and turn their sights elsewhere?"

"Do you know what kind of shock that would send through the entire world?"

Sengoku spoke at a leisurely pace, eating rice crackers as he went.

Then.

Before Sakazuki could reply, Sengoku added, "That's just my personal advice. Whether you listen is up to you!"

Sengoku had not expected to change Sakazuki's mind. As he had said, it was only