"Give me three days. No matter what, after three days, I will give you an answer," Aokiji said with a complicated expression.
"Good," Kaito replied calmly. "My headquarters is in Totto Land. If you make up your mind, come there and find me."
"Alright."
After that, the two continued eating together. They did not mention pirates or war again, instead talking casually about the scenery and trivial matters. Host and guest both enjoyed the moment, and soon after, Aokiji stood up and left.
Kaito watched Aokiji's retreating figure, a faint smile lingering on his lips. From the hesitation he had seen, Kaito already knew the answer. Aokiji was almost convinced.
The reason he had not agreed immediately was simple. He could not yet overcome his own heart, nor the burden of the Marines who had raised him from childhood to adulthood.
"Captain, judging by that smile, you gained quite a lot," Perospero said as he walked up, grinning.
"Nine out of ten," Kaito replied confidently. "Aokiji will not escape."
"Congratulations, Captain. With him, our side gains another top-tier fighter."
"Wanokuni," Kaito said, changing the topic. "How are the Red Scabbards?"
"Izo has already left," Perospero answered, shaking his head. "But there is not much hope."
"Do not worry," Kaito said indifferently. "Once they truly see our sincerity, it will not matter whether they join or not, as long as they do not oppose us."
"Understood."
"Let us return to Totto Land and prepare for the next press conference."
"Yes."
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
In a stretch of sea, cannon fire roared endlessly, smoke filling the air as it spread across the waves.
Two pirate ships were locked in fierce combat. More precisely, one pirate ship was launching a frenzied assault, while the other remained eerily calm.
"Damn it," Galette cursed as she stood on the deck, her expression grim. "This is our territory in the New World. How does a lunatic like this dare to provoke us?"
"Lady Galette," Jacette said solemnly, "I recognize him. He is one of the former Marine Shichibukai, Whitebeard II. He is extremely dangerous. More than ten years ago, he killed Instructor Zephyr's crew, even cutting off Zephyr's arm."
"So strong?" Galette's face paled slightly before hardening again.
"Call for reinforcements. Inform headquarters immediately."
"Yes."
Jacette hurried off and soon returned, his voice low. "Support has been requested. Lord King is rushing here, and headquarters has also dispatched Bullet and Katakuri-sama."
"How long?"
"Even Lord King will need at least thirty minutes."
"Thirty minutes?" Galette did not hesitate. "We retreat."
She knew very well what kind of monster Whitebeard II was. Someone who had defeated Zephyr was far beyond her ability to handle alone. Even Katakuri would find him troublesome.
Retreat was the wisest option.
Unfortunately, just as they began to pull back, a sharp slash tore through the air from the opposing ship.
Galette's eyes narrowed. Armament Haki burst forth as she kicked off the deck, meeting the incoming attack head-on.
Boom.
Metal clashed violently. Galette was blown back, landing heavily as the slash dissipated. A thin line of blood trickled down from her heel.
"Fall back!" Galette shouted urgently. "I am not his opponent!"
"My lady, the retreat is already underway," Jacette said anxiously.
"It is fine," Galette replied, waving him off, her gaze fixed on the towering figure wielding a naginata.
Perched on that man's shoulder was an ugly old woman.
"Son, kill her," Miss Bakkin screeched, her face twisted with malice. "Kill her, and we can reclaim your father's fortune."
"Got it, Mom," Weevil replied obediently, leaping forward with his naginata raised.
"Fire!" Galette shouted.
A rope of hardened butter shot out, binding Weevil tightly as gunfire erupted. Bullets slammed into his body, only to bounce off as if striking solid steel.
"What terrifying durability," Galette muttered, her expression darkening.
With a thunderous crash, Weevil slammed into the deck, the reinforced planks bending under his weight. Galette allowed herself a brief breath of relief, but it vanished instantly as Weevil's muscles bulged and veins stood out across his forehead.
With brute force alone, he shattered the butter restraints.
"As expected," Galette muttered bitterly. She turned and shouted, "Everyone, jump into the sea and escape. I will hold him back."
Against a monster like this, even delaying was pointless. Still, she refused to let her crew die meaninglessly.
In the past, she would never have spoken like this. But things were different now.
She could feel it clearly. Her crew truly cared about her, not out of fear, but loyalty. They joked with her, trusted her, and fought alongside her like comrades rather than subordinates.
This was the camaraderie Kaito had once spoken of.
"Captain," Jacette laughed, "do you really think we would abandon you and run?"
"That is right," another pirate said. "How can a group of men let a woman fight alone?"
Galette's heart trembled.
"I said leave," she snapped. "Am I not the captain of this ship?"
"Of course you are," Jacette replied seriously. "But senior officers like you are far harder to replace than us. So listen to us and go."
"Trying to escape?" Miss Bakkin sneered. "Weevil, kill them. Start with the capable woman. All pretty women deserve to die."
"Yes, Mom," Weevil answered.
In an instant, he appeared before Galette, the naginata tearing through the air with overwhelming force.
So fast.
Galette raised a butter barrier and coated her fist in Armament Haki, punching forward with all her strength.
The barrier shattered instantly. The blade slammed into her fist, sparks flying as bone cracked.
Galette was sent flying.
Weevil pursued without pause, appearing above her and swinging down mercilessly.
Mid-air, with no way to brace herself, Galette could only watch the attack descend. Despair filled her eyes as she slowly closed them.
This is it.
The crew could only watch in horror.
"Captain Galette!" Jacette screamed.
Boom.
Instead of pain, Galette felt as though she had collided with something solid and cold. She snapped her eyes open.
Weevil stood frozen before her, transformed into an ice sculpture.
Her pupils shrank violently.
"This is…"