Compared to the strength River had displayed during the Paramount War, he had clearly grown stronger now, both in personal power and in the forces under his command.
Even so, Aokiji knew very well that this alone was still not enough.
No one knew just how many resources the World Government had amassed over eight hundred years. Even within the Navy alone, there were countless powerful fighters.
A large-scale war was never merely a contest between the strongest fighters. It also involved the countless weaker soldiers at the bottom.
Without question, Dressrosa had not built up enough yet.
The Ark Maxim sailed toward Germa 66 as the people aboard chatted among themselves. Marshall D. Teach lay on the deck, his entire body charred black and bound in seastone handcuffs.
Reiju had worried that he might die, but a few words from River had stopped her.
"His tenacity is like a cockroach's."
"Besides, even if he dies, it won't affect Mr. Judge's research in the slightest."
"What we're more curious about is the lineage factor inside his body."
After that, Reiju and the others had given up trying to save him.
Some time later, the golden Ark Maxim sailed into a stretch of sea.
The sea breeze swept over them, and waves struck the hull, throwing up great sprays of white foam.
Suddenly, a dense cluster of black dots appeared on the horizon ahead.
"Buru buru buru."
Just then, the Den Den Mushi in River's coat began to ring.
"Go ahead."
River answered the call and spoke.
It was news from Rob Lucci, most likely the outcome of Ace's battle with Kaido.
Their current position was still some distance from Ace and the others.
"The battle between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Kaido Pirates has ended."
After a pause, Lucci's low