Inside the office at the Marines' G-3 Base in the New World.
Night lay heavy outside. The sea beyond the window was pitch-black, with only the occasional rolling wave reflecting a faint glimmer of moonlight.
Sakazuki sat at his desk, his hands braced before him.
"The intelligence has been confirmed," Sakazuki said, his voice low and cold as he studied the documents on the desk.
"The main pirate crews under the Third Division of Golden Lion's Flying Pirates are scattered along these two routes."
"So, to wipe them all out, our next move..." He raised his eyes and looked straight at Gern.
"We split up."
"Split up?" Gern leaned against the desk, lightly tapping its surface with his fingertips.
Then he glanced at the markings on the documents, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "No objections from me."
"I see..." Sakazuki's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Gern's response was far too calm, and even carried a trace of that familiar, unsettling nonchalance.
Whenever that bastard wore that expression, it meant he was about to stir things up!
"But I have a suggestion!" Sure enough, Gern changed tack and continued, "If we're going ahead with this plan, there's one more thing we have to do."
"What?" Sakazuki took off his cap and ran a hand over his hair.
Gern reached into his coat, took out a finely crafted Den Den Mushi, and gently placed it on the desk.
The Marine Headquarters emblem was engraved on its shell. Its eyes were closed as it slept.
"Shut down all personal Den Den Mushi that receive direct orders from Headquarters." Gern's voice was as calm as if he were discussing tomorrow's weather.
"Our operation won't be clearing out other pirates, and striking the Flying Pirates will quickly draw Headquarters' attention.
"You know perfectly well