"Shut up! Why panic?"
Akainu snorted coldly, his impression of Ryokugyu dropped several notches.
If it weren't for the Navy Headquarters repeatedly suffering heavy blows and top-level combat strength fading, would such an unaccountable and bloodless fellow be fit to be a Navy Grand Admiral?
"... "
His eyes were gloomy, a cigar between his lips as he walked to the window and gazed at the military harbor, at the warships docking for repairs.
The number, well over fifty.
The cost paid in the last war was truly too painful, and in this regard, Ryokugyu wasn't wrong.
In the short term, there was practically no chance to recover Qi.
"... "
Akainu remained silent for a long time, then spoke, "That guy won't come to Marinfanto."
"What?" Ryokugyu was stunned, "But isn't this the best opportunity..."
"Do you think that man really puts us in his eyes now?"
Akainu interrupted coldly, "Wake up, Aramaki. Just the Navy Headquarters on its own has long ceased to be his match! That guy now has only one target in his eyes, and that's over there!"
"Senior's meaning is... Holy Land?"
"What else?"
Akainu turned around, saying coldly:
"Defeating the Navy was just the beginning, annexing the Four Emperors is sweeping away obstacles. Now among the Four Emperors, three are fallen or in retreat. As for the remaining Red Hair... hmph, that guy was originally a staunch ally of the Endgame!"
"One or two months? Too conservative! Aramaki, you still don't understand that man. In my opinion, at most within a month, maybe even sooner! Endgame will surely declare war directly on the World Government!"
With that said, Akainu's gaze was somber:
"And this period is the final window. Before we, the Navy, are besieged in Mary Geoise, there's only one last chance to reverse the situation!!"
Reverse?
How else to reverse?
Ryokugyu looked bewildered. The last time they confidently launched a massive offensive on the New World, it ended in failure.
Now the Navy Headquarters is depleted, while conversely Endgame has almost annexed the entire New World, going from strength to strength. What does the Navy have to reverse with?
"Is it referring to that, Sakazuki?"
Kizaru, who was trimming his nails, suddenly raised his head and spoke softly:
"Those three lava lakes named End Points, once detonated with Explosive Rock, can destroy the entire New World in one go?"
"Hm, exactly! You get my drift, Borsalino."
Akainu blew out a large mouthful of smoke and squinted:
"Originally, just relying on the Explosive Rock the Navy holds wouldn't be enough quantitatively, but recently, that old man we've been ignoring since defecting has been collecting this stuff everywhere, hasn't he? Counting what's in his hands, blowing up End Point will be more than sufficient!"
That old man?
Who's being talked about now?
Ryokugyu was full of question marks. Since becoming a Navy Grand Admiral, he's been busy with various dispatch missions, and truly isn't well-versed on this aspect.
But Akainu had no intention of explaining, looked towards Kong opposite his desk and spoke solemnly:
"There's no time to lose. Let's initiate this plan, Marshal!"
Kong didn't answer immediately, stroking his beard in contemplation.
This plan didn't really need Akainu to propose; even before last time's march into the New World, he had considered it.
However, back then, many places in the New World weren't under the control of Endgame, and there were even more than a dozen member nations.
Destroy more than a dozen member nations in one go?
Such a matter wasn't his decision to make, and even the Five Elders couldn't simply give such an order; it requires consulting the master's opinion.
But now, the situation was different.
According to the CP Department intelligence, those member nations had already detached from the World Government, joining Endgame under pressure from the changing situation.
Now the Hundred Beasts Pirates have been defeated too.
It can be said, the entire New World has now become part of Endgame's sphere of influence.
All are enemies, all are villains.
Thus, there's really nothing left to worry about.
"Hmm, I agree with this."
Kong slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping across all present: "Just as Sakazuki said, this is indeed our last chance. I will proceed to Holy Land now; I will personally persuade the Five Elders on that side. You all start taking action immediately, formulate a specific battle plan!"
"Yes, Marshal!"
All three saluted simultaneously, watching Kong stride out of the office.
Once he walked far, Akainu returned to the window, casually extinguished the cigar, and looked in the direction of the New World, letting out a cold laugh.
Building a foundation is tricky, but destroying it is much easier.
Having walked step-by-step to today's point, it must have been tough for you, a punk from the East Sea. Even if this explosion won't harm you personally, the despair from a ruined foundation and substantial loss to your subordinates will make you maintain that effortless composure of yours?
Hehe, it really is something to look forward to...
I'll start acting right now; it won't take long. Get ready to receive this generous gift, Shano!
-----------
Wano Country, Flower Capital.
Cold, shivering...
As she awoke, the cold wind gusting in from the window made Yamato involuntarily sneeze hard.
She rubbed her nose, groggily rising, still unclear on the circumstances as her forehead suddenly felt chilly.
The cold blade of a scythe pressed against her brow.
"Not bad, you are the best in this group." The rough, muffled male voice sounded.
Such a familiar voice...
Yamato squinted slightly, slowly turned her head, and saw a towering Fishman standing before her, blocking the light streaming in from the window.