Carol rested his hands on the two men.
"Let's go."
Whoosh-
He activated his Devil Fruit ability, and the three vanished instantly.
As windblown sand swept past, even the few footprints they had left disappeared without a trace.
Crocodile had no idea he had just brushed against death. He was still imagining what things would be like once he obtained Pluton...
New World, New Marineford.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office.
After hearing Carol's report, Sakazuki pondered for a moment.
"Pluton?"
"Handle it as you see fit."
"It won't matter anyway."
Even if Pluton really did emerge, it would make no difference. Crocodile wouldn't be able to hold on to it...
Either Sakazuki or the World Government could crush him with ease...
With the war having reached this point, nothing could stop the relentless tide of world events. A few unexpected developments could no longer make any waves.
The struggle for supremacy over these seas seemed to be a contest between four powers, but there were only two true players...
Sakazuki and the World Government.
One supported the Revolutionary Army through Vegapunk; the other supported the pirates through Red-Haired Shanks.
Both were waiting for an opportunity to put the other to death...
New World, Lace Island.
It was one of the islands Red-Hair had reclaimed, relatively close to the navy's territory.
It was also one of the Red Hair Pirates' current garrisons, with pirates gathering there in a steady stream.
Late at night.
The forces the Red Hair Pirates had organized for their counterattack had finished assembling, but when the time came to set sail, Red-Hair gave no order.
Though puzzled, the pirates waited patiently, looking toward the great ship carved with a long red dragon.
Aboard the Red Force.
Several core members of the Red Hair Pirates had