News of the Five Elders' meeting ending reached the Marine Headquarters in less than half an hour.
In the Fleet Admiral's Office, Sengoku was reviewing the last document of the day.
He had just picked up his now-cold coffee when the Den Den Mushi rang.
After hearing the order from the person on the other end of the phone, Sengoku slowly put down his coffee cup.
The sound of the cup tapping on the tray was particularly clear in the empty office.
His face appeared particularly solemn in the candlelight.
Pluton.
Ancient Weapon that hadn't appeared in the world for eight hundred years were suddenly found.
Moreover, it was found by Roy and Kaido working together.
Sengoku pinched the bridge of his nose, took a deep breath, and pressed another Den Den Mushi on the table.
"Notify Vice Admiral Garp, Instructor Zephyr, and the three Admiral."
Come to the Fleet Admiral's Office immediately.
Emergency meeting.
Within twenty minutes, the doors to the Fleet Admiral's Office were being pushed open one after another.
Garp was the last to come in. Still half-asleep, he had half a rice cracker in his mouth, and one of the buttons on his uniform was askew, making him look like he had just been dragged out of bed.
But when he saw the expression on Sengoku's face, he paused for a moment while chewing the senbei.
The Three Admirals — Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji —sat on either side of the office.
Akainu crossed his arms, his face grim.
Kizaru, unusually, abandoned his usual lazy expression.
Aokiji leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-open and half-closed, but anyone could tell he was more awake than ever.
Zephyr stood by the window, his hands behind his back, staring at the Marineford port in the night.
"I've summoned you all here so late at night for only one thing."
Sengoku pushed the intelligence documents to the center of the table, his voice low and urgent.
" Pluton has been found in Wano Country, and Roy and Kaido are excavating it."
"We have just received orders from the World Government to destroy the Pluton Battleship at all costs."
There was a moment of silence in the office.
Then Kizaru spoke softly, his tone unusually devoid of any teasing.
" Pluton? That legendary Ancient Weapon that can destroy an island with a single shot?"
"That's the one."
"This operation..."
Sengoku looked at Garp and Zephyr, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"The team will be led by Vice Admiral Garp and Zephyr."
Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji, you three only have one primary mission.
Seize the opportunity and destroy the Pluton Battleship at all costs.
Did you all understand?
Akainu's lips curled into a cold smile, Kizaru sighed, and Aokiji nodded.
"Is it that brat Roy again!?"
Garp stuffed the last half of the senbei into his mouth, crunched it down with a loud crack, and mumbled something indistinctly.
"That's really quite a hassle."
Meanwhile, the New World.
The Whitebeard Pirates ' flagship Moby Dick, was anchored in a calm sea.
Marco took the small intelligence note he had just received from the News Coo, unfolded it, glanced at it, frowned slightly, and walked over to Whitebeard's side.
" Pops, there's news that Pluton has appeared in Wano Country. Roy and Kaido are trying to salvage it."
Whitebeard leaned against the ship's railing, carrying a huge gourd of wine. He listened to Marco's words...
He took a swig of wine, without showing any surprise or excitement.
"Gurala la la la!"
" Pluton?"
"That thing is useless to me."
The Whitebeard put down his wine gourd and looked at his sons playing on the deck, his gaze softening for once.
All I want now is to see these kids grow up safely and peacefully.
" Pluton is something that anyone can take if they want."
Marco paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head. Typical of his Pops.
The other team leaders also breathed a sigh of relief.
To be honest, they didn't want to confront Kaido and Roy head-on for an Ancient Weapon.
Only a dark-skinned, burly, fat man standing in the corner had a sly glint in his eyes.
But that radiance was fleeting, quickly overshadowed by the simple, honest smile on his face.
On the other hand, Golden Lion Shiki wasn't as calm as Whitebeard.
When he received the intelligence report from the informant, he was so excited that he trembled slightly.
"Hahahaha! Pluton! It's actually Pluton!"
Inheriting the will of Rocks and determined to become the King of the World, the Golden Lion abruptly rose from the throne on the floating Sky Island.
Golden mane danced wildly in the wind, and the scar on his head, where the ship's rudder was stuck, gleamed menacingly in the sunlight.
"I've been searching for this stuff for half my life, and these two brats found it first!"
But it's okay—it's not too late to snatch it back now!
Golden Lion laughed and waved his hand. The floating Sky Island beneath his feet began to slowly turn, accelerating towards Wano Country.
Meanwhile, in the Totto Land, on Whole Cake Island...
Charlotte Linlin sat on the enormous throne, a strip of love letter in her hand, and let out a deafening laugh.
"Mama--Mama!"
" Pluton!"
"With Pluton, my Totto Land can become the true world hegemon!"
She looked down at Perospero and Katakuri standing below the throne, her smile filled with greed and excitement.
" Perospero! Katakuri!"
"Assemble the fleet immediately and march on Wano Country! Pluton must belong to me!"
Perospero licked his lollipop cane, smiled, and bowed. "Yes, Mom."
Katakuri paused for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but still bowed his head and replied, "Understood."
Two massive fleets set sail from the Totto Land Sea almost simultaneously, cutting through the waves towards Wano Country.
Meanwhile, in Foosha Village in the East Blue, Shanks received the same intelligence.
He sat at the bar of the Makino Tavern, clutching the note in his only remaining right hand, reading it over and over again.
He then folded the note, stuffed it into his pocket, picked up his glass, and drank it all in one gulp.
" Beckman, what do you think Roy is doing right now?"
Beckman, a cigarette dangling from his lips, leisurely exhaled a smoke ring. "They're definitely up to something big again."
Shanks burst into laughter, a laugh devoid of greed or tension, filled only with pure anticipation.
Wano Country, Shogun's Residence.
Roy stepped down the stone steps, one by one.
The searchlight beam cut a straight line through the darkness, illuminating the seemingly endless staircase ahead.
The stone walls on both sides were covered with thick moss, which felt wet and slippery to the touch.
The air was filled with a complex smell that blended the scents of seawater, earth, and ancient stones.
Kaido's massive body was squeezed into the passageway, and with each step he took, a layer of moss would be scraped off his shoulders.
He kept grumbling and complaining that the passageway was too narrow.
Jin walked at the very back, silent as a shadow.
After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a faint light suddenly appeared ahead in the passageway.
Roy quickened his pace and walked towards the light.
A square passageway was carved out of the stone wall on the right side of the corridor. The passageway was not long, and at the end was a huge glass curtain wall.
The light was coming in from outside the glass.
Roy walked into the passage, with Jhin following closely behind.
The two stood in front of the glass curtain wall, both falling silent.