Somewhere in the first half of the Grand Line.
A large, black-painted Marine warship cut through the waves.
Its red sails bore golden designs of a Reverse Seagull and crossed swords, billowing in the sea breeze. The spray parted by its bow glittered like scattered silver in the sunlight.
This was Drake's flagship, the Free Deer. It had left Road Island headquarters under the pretext of a field assignment.
Inside the captain's cabin, Drake sat at his desk with a nautical chart spread before him. He had circled the marked route several times in red pen, his strokes somewhat messy.
He glanced at the clock on his desk, then at the calm sea outside the window. He took an Encrypted Den Den Mushi from inside his collar and set it on the desk, pressed the dial button, and waited a moment.
The Den Den Mushi opened its mouth with a faint click. Its expression grew kindly, the corners of its mouth curving slightly as a few wrinkles appeared on its face.
"X. How are things on your end?"
Staff Officer Tsuru's voice came through the Den Den Mushi, calm but tinged with fatigue.
"I've left Road Island and am sailing toward the Sabaody Archipelago."
Drake lowered his voice, then briefly explained the assignment Bondrewd had given him, the mythical zoan fruit, and the other relevant details.
"...Bondrewd has arranged for me to go to Wano Country as a 'defector' and infiltrate Kaido's forces."
The Den Den Mushi narrowed its eyes slightly, as though quickly weighing the significance of this information.
"Kaido's forces?"
Staff Officer Tsuru was surprised too.
"Yes. My personal guess is that it has something to do with the Great Angel."
Drake had turned it over in his mind, piecing together everything he currently knew.
Whether the goal