"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, something terrible has happened."
One crisis after another had left Sengoku barely able to catch his breath. When Brannew rushed in with sweat on his forehead, Sengoku asked, "What is it? Has something happened at Impel Down again?"
Brannew nodded. "Hard a moment ago, Momonga sent word. Blackbeard has appeared at Impel Down too!"
"What?"
The very thing Sengoku feared had happened. He was already overwhelmed, and now another disaster had struck.
"How are things over there?" Sengoku asked. "Was the transfer of Ace and Luffy successful?"
Brannew nodded. "The transfer went smoothly enough, but we've lost all contact with Impel Down. We have no idea how the fighting is going."
Dawn was almost here, and the public execution was set for noon. Even if Sengoku feared trouble at Impel Down, he could hardly send reinforcements now. Only a few hours remained, and anyone below the rank of Vice Admiral would be no match for Blackbeard and Ye Chen.
But if he sent an Admiral and that Admiral failed to return in time, a crisis at Marine Headquarters could spiral out of control.
Whatever happened, the public execution had to go ahead. Even if Whitebeard and the Revolutionary Army both came, the Marines had to win.
Forced to choose between Impel Down and Marine Headquarters, Sengoku placed his bet on Marine Headquarters.
All he could do now was inform the Five Elders. He had no way to spare any attention for Impel Down.
Ring, ring, ring!
Copperhead Spinharn had just climbed out of bed. The noisy Den Den Mushi made him frown. "Who's calling at this hour?" he muttered.
Spinxan went to the table and picked up the receiver.
"Five Elders, it's me. Sengoku!"
"Hm?"
Spinxan was startled. Sensing bad news, he asked at once, "What happened?"