Inside the magnificent palace, an aged voice boomed, making the objects on a nearby table tremble faintly.
"It's time we took action as well."
"The new Marine Headquarters has been rebuilt. Sakazuki seems to be managing it quite well, and he's recruiting new soldiers."
"This time, recruitment will extend across the entire world. Some powerful individuals are bound to join."
The old man holding a sword spoke calmly, his eyes sharp.
"The Marines don't seem to have recovered their strength yet. Recklessly starting a war would hardly be wise, gentlemen!"
Another old man frowned and spoke in a low voice.
After the Summit War, the Marines had suffered devastating losses. Not only had their headquarters at Marineford sunk, but large numbers of elite Marines had also died.
Ordinary soldiers were easy to replace, but elites and officers ranked major or above took time to train.
"Then we'll wait for the right moment, until the Marines have replenished their ranks."
Another old man spoke up.
"We must hurry. River's forces in Dressrosa are growing faster than we anticipated."
The atmosphere inside the palace was tense, then fell silent a moment later.
But from that day onward, Den Den Mushi throughout the World Government's agencies rang incessantly as orders were issued one after another.
A shadow spread throughout the World Government, with undercurrents stirring ceaselessly.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Fleet Admiral, the latest intelligence from the New World."
A grim-faced soldier bent down and placed a thick stack of documents on the desk.
Akainu's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked down.
"The Whitebeard Pirates fought a war against the Kaido Pirates?"
"That was a rumor circulating a while ago. I didn't expect it to be true."
"What was the outcome?"
Akainu asked as he read through the detailed account in the report.
"A