Departure for Wano Country

... Back to the moment the plea for help came in.

Marine Headquarters.

Sunlight slanted through the high windows.

The light passed through dust motes in the air and settled quietly across the floor.

The voice from the Den Den Mushi still trembled faintly.

"Bzz... bzz..."

Moria's plea still hung in the air, but Rock did not answer at once. He merely lowered his gaze.

With Kaido's strength...

Capturing him shouldn't be difficult. Yet he still hasn't—

Rock's gaze deepened. Moria was by no means weak in the New World. More importantly—

There was his nature, that stubborn refusal to abandon his companions even when all hope was lost.

That "foolishness" that drove him to stand in front of them, knowing he would die.

"Tch..."

Rock chuckled softly, as though an amusing image had come to mind.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"That guy's probably taken a liking to his potential."

"Seeing a 'real man' like that..."

"It's only natural he'd want him under his command."

But his eyes suddenly darkened as another possibility occurred to him.

Kaido seemed rough, but he was shrewd and full of schemes.

He never did anything for just one reason. Keeping Moria alive probably served another purpose: testing the waters, drawing someone out, or perhaps...

At that thought, Rock suddenly smiled.

"Kaido..."

"You must be itching for another beating."

The next moment, his thoughts turned to another matter: a plan that had been taking shape for some time.

Rock lowered his head slightly and rested a hand against his chin, his fingertips rubbing it lightly.

"Still..."

He spoke under his breath, almost to himself.

"It's about time I brought that along."

He looked back at the Den Den Mushi, his expression calm again.

"Moria, remember what you said."

The other end fell silent