Chapter 309 - 308: Naval Offensive
Crocodile let out a cold snort, turned around, and leaned back on the chair.
"Why rush..."
"We can stop using the Dance Powder for now. Suspend the plan temporarily and focus on maintaining operations below."
Robin was a little surprised.
A plan that had been in the making for over twenty years… was just halted like that...
"Are you planning to give up?"
Crocodile said,
"This world is about to collapse.
When that happens, who will care about the lives of these people?"
"The power and personnel we have now… they'll be the foundation for the future."
"As long as we get that thing before the collapse… it'll be enough."
"There are plenty of ways to make them talk..."
Robin frowned slightly.
"Collapse? That's a bit far-fetched, isn't it?"
"Even though the Navy and the Four Emperors' top forces have gathered in the New World, what kind of battle could affect the entire world?"
Crocodile chuckled softly and said slowly,
"Who said it's the Navy and the pirates? It should be the Government and the Revolutionary Army..."
"The Revolutionary Army and the World Government have split the Grand Line into two halves."
"It's inevitable that one side will end up controlling the world."
"And the battle between the Navy and the Four Emperors will only end in mutual destruction."
"Sakazuki doesn't have time to bother with us now. That's our opportunity."
"With that man's personality, I doubt he ever intended to let the so-called Warlords of the Sea go."
"Once the Navy and the Four Emperors clash, that's when we make our move..."
"By then, no one will care about rules anymore.
Even if Alabasta were completely slaughtered, no one would intervene..."
Robin said softly,
"But..."
"What if Sakazuki summons you to the New World before the decisive battle..."
Crocodile's face stiffened.
It seemed he hadn't considered that possibility.
He glared at Robin, whose lips were curled in a slight smile.
"Get out..."
...
New World.
One of the two remaining End Point islands — Secon Island.
A ship flying the flag of the Big Mom Pirates slowly sailed into the island.
Katakuri sat at the bow of the ship, expressionless, though his eyes moved slightly, revealing a trace of unrest.
Before the ship even docked, a girl in a long white dress with flowing purple hair rushed toward him.
"Katakuri!"
Katakuri reached out and caught the girl as she jumped into his arms.
His gaze softened, and a faint smile appeared beneath the scarf covering his mouth.
"Brûlée, how's life on the island treating you?"
The purple-haired girl was Charlotte Brûlée, the Mirror-Mirror Fruit user, who had once had several decades of her lifespan stolen by Charlotte Linlin.
Thanks to Red-Haired Shanks, who exchanged certain benefits with Charlotte Linlin, she had not only been freed but also had her stolen years returned.
Brûlée nodded heavily.
"Mhm!"
"Everyone's doing well. We've just been missing you, Katakuri..."
Before Katakuri could respond, Shanks walked over from afar.
"Yo, what a rare guest."
"The second son of the Charlotte family."
Katakuri let out a cold snort as Shanks interrupted his time with his sister.
"Hmph. Red-Haired Shanks..."
He gestured for Brûlée to step aside, then stood up to direct his men to unload the supplies.
Unable to hold herself back, Brûlée joined in to help.
At the port.
Katakuri watched Brûlée, full of energy, and felt a pang of emotion...
He finally returned his gaze to Shanks and spoke in a low voice.
"Thank you."
This was a heartfelt thank you.
The years taken from Brûlée had always been a wound in his heart, and yet he could never defy Mama...
Shanks smiled.
"No need to thank me. We both got what we needed."
"And it was just something I did along the way."
Katakuri shook his head.
"Still, I should thank you."
He waved for someone to bring over a treasure chest, placing it on the ground and pushing it toward Shanks.
"There are three Devil Fruits inside, along with more than half a chest of treasure."
"They're not anything extraordinary, but they express my gratitude."
Shanks smiled helplessly and signaled his crew to take it away.
With Katakuri's personality, if he didn't accept, the man wouldn't let it go...
Katakuri exhaled in relief after Shanks accepted it.
Then he looked toward the volcano towering at the island's center.
"How's the progress?"
Shanks also looked over.
"Not bad. Your sister's been training hard."
"In a little while, the mirror will be able to absorb that bomb."
Katakuri's expression tightened slightly.
"Good..."
"The Navy's offensive has been getting stronger and stronger lately."
"Totto Land's first defensive line has already been breached, and the second line is starting to collapse."
"They're now in a standoff with the Navy at the third line."
On the Red Line side —the Navy's offensive had already advanced that far.
"Garp, that old man, doesn't follow rules. He's been on the front lines the whole time."
"It's made everything much harder..."
Shanks looked amused. Since when had Garp been this diligent...
"Just a little longer. Hold on."
"The pressure's on everyone. After all, Sakazuki's got them by the throat."
"Once we deal with these two islands' issues..."
"It'll be time for us to strike back."
...
New World, New Marineford.
The usually quiet headquarters was bustling, with people constantly moving around.
Even Sakazuki stepped out of his office to head to the port.
After all, with two Admirals arriving, some respect had to be given.
On the battleship heading to New Marineford.
The newly appointed Admirals — Issho and Aramaki — stood at the bow in their uniforms, justice coats fluttering in the wind behind them.
Issho slightly opened his milky-white eyes, sighing softly.
"Even from this distance, I can feel the volcanic power that could destroy the world."
"And that unquestionable authority..."
"Sakazuki, the Fleet Admiral who's shaken the seas for decades."
"His reputation is well-earned."
A hint of fanaticism appeared on Aramaki's face.
"Of course!"
"He's my idol!"
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!!!"
They were still far from Marine Headquarters, just a small dot in sight.
But that scorching aura, laced with a hint of sulfur, rushed toward them...
Aramaki, the user of the Wood-Wood Fruit, felt an uncomfortable reaction from his own power.
It was the natural nemesis — the overwhelming aura of magma that could destroy everything...
As the battleship got closer to the island, the air grew hotter.
But when they reached about a kilometer away from New Marineford, it suddenly turned cool.
At the center of the island and its surroundings, there was no heat or sulfur at all.
It was as if the center had been carved out cleanly, with all the magma aura pushed out over the sea...
Their impression of Sakazuki's power deepened even further.
This massive, yet precise control...
...
New Marineford, port.
The battleship slowly entered the harbor.
Issho wore a calm expression.
Aramaki's face was filled with reverence.
As they stepped onto the dock, both of them looked toward Sakazuki.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."
"Sakazuki-san!"
Sakazuki gave a slight smile and extended his hand.
"Welcome to the Navy."
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total