"Going to war? Against whom? Didn't we just defeat the Whitebeard Pirates?"
The soldier looked bewildered.
"You'll find out soon enough!"
His comrade spoke softly.
Solemn, imposing figures strode out of the Headquarters Building, one after another.
"Have all the troops assembled?"
"We cannot afford to waste a single second. Ten thousand elite troops—not one less!"
"What about the Science Unit? Where is Vice Admiral Kuina? They're absolutely indispensable to this war!"
Vice Admiral Stainless shouted.
"My men have already assembled. We'll be setting out shortly, Vice Admiral Stainless."
Just then, golden light suddenly flared beside him, and a languid voice reached his ears.
"A-Admiral Kizaru?"
Stainless froze.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Vice Admiral Kuina has already accompanied the Fleet Admiral to the New World."
"I'm in command of the Science Unit at Headquarters now."
Kizaru smiled, then called out to the side.
"Sentomaru, have Enel and the others set out!"
A man carrying a huge axe soon emerged from the Headquarters Building. "Got it, old man!"
Stainless stared blankly at Kizaru, stunned.
"How frightening!"
"To think the Fleet Admiral would move against Kaido so soon."
"Has something happened in the New World?"
Kizaru muttered, confusion on his face.
Stainless's expression shifted at once. "Someone in your position shouldn't say things like that! If word gets out, it could cause serious trouble!"
Kizaru waved a hand and chuckled. "It was just an offhand remark."
He had barely finished speaking when a pungent smell of smoke filled the air.
Crocodile strode out. "Have the ten thousand elite troops assembled?"
"The Fleet Admiral only allotted ten thousand men this time."
"It seems he intends to defeat the enemy with a select force."
Kizaru's eyes flickered. "Even I can't figure out what he's thinking these days!"
The two Admirals exchanged a