Dressrosa, headquarters of the Uchiha Alliance.
"Red-Haired has mobilized!" A string of urgent footsteps echoed through the conference room. Before the man arrived, his voice had already reached them.
Kuzan looked up from his desk at the grave-faced Kyros. "Is the source reliable?"
Kyros strode in, his expression exceedingly serious. Ever since Law had fitted him with a new leg, he had felt lighter and stronger than before. "Absolutely reliable. It came from our informants. Red-Haired set out five hours ago. After resupplying on a small island at the edge of his territory, he officially departed. The ship carries the full wartime lineup of the Red-Haired Pirates. There's no doubt about it—Shanks the Red-Haired is serious."
King Riku, who had been handling government affairs beside Kuzan, worriedly glanced at him. Another step of the Alliance Leader's strategy had come true, but the pressure of this looming war was so overwhelming that King Riku could not feel happy at all.
"What is Shanks the Red-Haired's course?" Kuzan asked heavily. The question immediately caused Kyros and King Riku's expressions to change slightly.
Indeed, if Red-Haired discovered that Uchiha Hikaru had plotted against him, then in his fury, he might use the might of one of the Four Emperors to turn his spearhead toward Dressrosa, joining Blackbeard in a pincer attack.
Still shaken, Kyros said, "From the information we have, he's heading toward Blackbeard's territory. It matches the Alliance Leader's strategy."
Kuzan nodded. "What is Blackbeard doing?"
"After the Alliance Leader's information was exposed, he halted his advance," Kyros said. "He was originally expected to reach Dressrosa in two days, but now it seems highly likely that Blackbeard will return to rescue his heartland."
"His nose is sharp indeed." Kuzan wore a reluctant expression. "I didn't expect him to catch on to our