Barn set his empty wineglass gently on the table. His hideous Ghost Hand tapped a steady rhythm against its surface as he spoke calmly.
At his words, Golden Lion and World grew serious. They leaned forward in their chairs and rested their interlaced fingers on the table.
"World, can you get this enormous island ship to Mary Geoise?"
Barn asked.
World frowned at the question. This enormous warship had originally been intended to destroy Enies Lobby as an act of revenge, but reaching Mary Geoise would be difficult, given the Gate of Justice.
With a frown, World replied gravely.
"That would be difficult. Unlike other ships, this one can't be coated and taken underwater."
Barn nodded. He had expected that answer, and he had never intended to use the enormous warship anyway. The coming battle would descend into a chaotic melee, involving not only the Navy but also the crew aboard Whitebeard's pirate ship. Cannon fire from this warship would strike indiscriminately and cause unnecessary casualties.
Barn showed no surprise at the news. He simply nodded and said calmly.
"In that case, we won't need it for this war. The Navy has already announced to the entire world through the newspapers that Fire Fist Ace, commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division, will be publicly executed in a week. Knowing Newgate, he'll definitely mount a rescue. We'll arrive afterward, but a target this big would still be hard for the Navy to miss."
World knew Barn was right. He nodded without speaking. He also understood that, against the Navy's strongest fighters, the shells fired by this enormous warship would accomplish little and might even do more harm than good.
"World, here's what we'll do. Go to the battlefield with Golden Lion aboard his Little Sky Island. As for your men,