Crocodile snorted, turned around, and walked back to his seat before leaning into it.
"Why rush it. We won't use Dance Powder for now. Put the plan on hold and focus on keeping the lower operations running."
Robin was a little surprised. A plan that had been prepared for over twenty years was being paused just like that.
"Are you planning to give it up?"
Crocodile replied calmly. "This world is about to fall apart. When that happens, who will care about the lives of those people? The power and manpower we have now will be the foundation for the future. As long as we get that thing before everything collapses, that's enough. There are plenty of ways to make them talk."
Robin frowned slightly. "Fall apart? That seems unlikely. Even if the Marines and the Four Emperors' top forces are all gathered in the New World, what kind of battle could affect the entire world?"
Crocodile let out a low chuckle and said slowly, "Who said it would be the Marines and pirates? It should be the government and the Revolutionary Army. The Revolutionary Army and the World Government have split the seas we live in down the middle. One side is destined to rule the world."
He continued without pause. "As for the battles between the Marines and the Four Emperors, they will end with both sides badly wounded. Sakazuki doesn't have time to deal with us right now. That's our chance. With that man's personality, he probably never intended to spare the so-called Seven Warlords of the Sea from the start."
Crocodile's voice grew colder. "Once the final battle between the Marines and the Four Emperors begins, that's when we move. At that point, no one will care about rules anymore. Even if all of Alabasta is slaughtered, no one will come here to stop it."
Robin spoke softly. "But… what if Sakazuki summons you to the New World before that decisive battle?"
Crocodile froze. It was clearly something he had not considered. He looked at Robin, who was smiling faintly.
"Get out."
* * *
The New World.
One of the two remaining Endpoint islands, Secon Island.
Ships bearing the flag of the Big Mom Pirates slowly sailed toward the island.
Katakuri sat at the bow, his expression calm. Still, the subtle movement in his eyes revealed a hint of unrest. Before the ship even docked, a girl in a long white dress with flowing purple hair rushed over.
"Big Brother Katakuri!"
Katakuri reached out and caught her as she leapt into his arms. His gaze softened, and beneath the scarf, the sharp mouth curved into a faint smile.
"Brûlée, are you used to life on the island?"
The purple-haired girl was Charlotte Brûlée, once stripped of decades of her lifespan by Big Mom and the user of the Mirror-Mirror Fruit. When Shanks traded certain benefits with Big Mom, he not only brought Brûlée back but also returned those lost years to her.
She nodded firmly. "Yes. Everyone's been great. I just really missed you, Big Brother."
Before he could reply, Shanks walked over from a distance.
"Yo, what a rare sight! The second son of the Charlotte family."
Katakuri snorted at the interruption. "Hmph. Red-Haired Shanks…"
He gestured for Brûlée to go ahead, then stood up and directed the others to unload supplies onto the island. Unable to hold back, Brûlée joined in as well.
At the port, Katakuri watched his sister's lively movements and felt dazed for a moment. He quickly refocused, turned to Shanks, and spoke in a low voice.
"Thank you."
This gratitude came straight from the heart. The decades of life taken from his sister had always been a deep pain to him, yet he had never been able to oppose their mother.
Shanks smiled. "No need to thank me. We both got what we needed. And it was just a small favor."
Katakuri shook his head. "Thanks are still due."
He signaled his men to bring over a treasure chest, placed it on the ground, and pushed it toward Shanks.
"There are three Devil Fruits inside, along with most of a chest of treasure. They aren't anything special, but they show my sincerity."
Shanks smiled helplessly and waved for someone to take it away. With Katakuri's personality, refusing would only drag things out.
Seeing him accept it, Katakuri finally let out a breath of relief. He looked toward the volcano standing at the center of the island.
"How's the progress?"
Shanks followed his gaze. "Pretty good. Your sister has been training hard. Give it some more time, and the mirrors will be able to absorb that bomb."
Katakuri's expression tightened slightly. "That's good. The Marines' offensive has been getting stronger. Totto Land's first line of defense has already fallen, and the second line is close to collapsing. We're now locked in a stalemate in front of the third line."
That side faced the Red Line, the direction of the Marines' advance.
"That old man Garp doesn't follow the rules," Katakuri added. "He's been supervising from the front lines. It's making things difficult."
Shanks looked puzzled. Since when had Garp become this diligent?
"Soon. Just wait a little longer," he said. "Everyone's under pressure, especially with Sakazuki gripping them by the throat. Once we deal with the problems on these two islands, it'll be time for our counterattack."
* * *
The New World, New Marineford.
The usually quiet headquarters was now busy, personnel moving constantly. Even Sakazuki had come out personally to head to the port. After all, two admirals were arriving, and basic courtesy still mattered.
On the warship sailing toward New Marineford, the newly appointed admirals, Issho and Aramaki, stood side by side at the bow in their admiral uniforms. The coats of justice billowed behind them.
Issho opened his eyes slightly, revealing pale pupils, and sighed with emotion. "Even from this far away, I can still feel the volcanic presence that could destroy heaven and earth, and that unquestionable authority. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki. His reputation truly lives up to the name."
Aramaki's face lit up with fervor. "Of course! He's my idol! Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!"
They were still far from headquarters, with only a small dot visible in the distance. Yet the scorching heat, mixed with the faint smell of sulfur, washed over them.
Even Aramaki, a Woods-Woods Fruit user, felt discomfort rising within him. It was a natural suppression at the Devil Fruit level, the aura of magma that destroyed everything.
As the warship drew closer to the island, the heat intensified. But the moment they entered a zone within a thousand meters of New Marineford, everything suddenly turned cool. The island's core and surrounding area showed no trace of heat or sulfur at all.
It was as if the center had been completely hollowed out, forcing all that oppressive presence outward toward the sea.
Their understanding of Sakazuki's strength deepened further. Such a vast range, yet controlled with such precision.
* * *
At the port of New Marineford, the warship slowly docked, and the two men stepped onto land. Issho remained composed. Aramaki looked full of reverence.
Both turned toward Sakazuki.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki."
"Mr. Sakazuki!"
Sakazuki gave a light chuckle and extended his hand.
"Welcome to the Marines."
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