Tesoro finally understood.
Gern was not merely adjusting their defenses. He was assembling a strike force capable of overturning any battlefield!
He was leaving headquarters' security to Akainu and Bullet, and routine deterrence in the New World to Kuma, Lipo, Toritoma, and the other members of Calamity's inner circle.
Meanwhile, he was keeping the most elite forces firmly in his own hands!
Their target was undoubtedly Egghead Island-Egghead, where the storm was gathering at that very moment!
This string of earth-shattering personnel assignments left even Tesoro, who had seen his share of momentous events, momentarily stunned. He instinctively blurted out,
"Fleet Admiral Gern, with redeployments on this scale, especially recalling Admiral Sakazuki and assembling Hawk-Eye and the others...
What about Inspector General Sengoku...?"
By convention, military deployments this significant, particularly those involving changes in the positions of all their strongest fighters,
should at least have been discussed beforehand with Sengoku, the highly respected Inspector General of the entire Navy.
Having Sengoku temporarily take the Fleet Admiral's seat and command the Navy was also Gern's usual approach!
But Gern's answer stunned him again.
"Him? Sengoku..." Gern pursed his lips. "He won't be at headquarters."
"Huh?" Tesoro was utterly confused.
Inspector General Sengoku would not be at headquarters?
At this critical juncture, with so many forces converging and the Fleet Admiral about to make a major move? Where would he go?
Gern offered no explanation. He merely raised a hand and waved it gently, signaling that Tesoro could go carry out his orders.
Tesoro suppressed the questions weighing on his mind, took a deep breath, and stood at attention to salute. "Yes, Fleet Admiral Gern! I'll relay your orders immediately!"
Not long after Tesoro turned and left,
Creak!
The office door was pushed open from outside once more, neither forcefully nor