Marineford — Marine Headquarters, Top Floor Fortress.
Inside a sparsely furnished office sat Fleet Admiral Sengoku, poised behind his desk. Across from him, relaxing on a couch with a cup of tea in hand, was a small, elderly woman—Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Navy's Grand Strategist.
"Just got word from Syrons," Sengoku said gravely. "That pirate from the Loguetown incident half a year ago—Golden Ring, Chris T. Aeridar—was spotted in Alabasta. Got into a clash with Crocodile. Both held back, but still fought to a draw. Rumor has it... they might've even struck a deal."
Tsuru sipped her tea, eyes calm. "He's come this far after such a short time at sea? What a terrifying brat."
Sengoku shot her a pointed look. "Tsuru, I didn't call you here to compliment him."
"Did Syrons say anything else?" she asked, raising a brow.
"He said his fleet is lying in ambush near a hidden strait off Alabasta's coast," Sengoku replied. "Once the Aeridar Pirates set sail, he intends to wipe them out."
"Well, there you have it," Tsuru said, setting her cup down and reclining into the sofa. Her tone was unhurried. "Or... do you not trust Syrons? Worried he'll lose to Golden Ring Aeridar?"
"It's not that I don't trust him. It's just... that brat's already on par with Crocodile in strength. If Syrons can't finish him off, and he gets away..." Sengoku trailed off, then added, "Don't forget, he was gravely injured by Golden Lion Shiki years ago. Even after twenty years, those internal wounds haven't fully healed. I'm just being cautious."
"You thinking of sending backup?" Tsuru asked, side-eyeing him. "Because with the strength Aeridar's displaying now, if Syrons can't do it alone, you'll need to send another Vice Admiral at the very least. So, are you pulling someone from HQ or one of the branches?"
Sengoku hesitated. "Uh..."
Tsuru didn't wait. "In our current manpower shortage, deploying two Vice Admirals to deal with a rookie pirate with an 80 million bounty would be excessive. The government and the World Nobles would question whether the Navy's grown weak."
She continued before Sengoku could reply, "And even if we wanted to, the branch forces have already been stretched thin. As for HQ... counting me, we've only got three Vice Admirals left. Who are you planning to send?"
Sengoku fell silent. Because she was right.
The mighty Marine HQ was down to one Fleet Admiral and three Vice Admirals—one of whom was a strategist rather than a frontline combatant. At this rate, even a single powerful pirate crew could break through their defenses. And if HQ was this bare, what about the branches?
Most of the Navy's manpower and top brass were bogged down in the New World. The remaining forces had been spread across the seven shipping lanes of the Grand Line's first half, trying to hold back remnants of New World threats that had spilled out. In truth, the Navy was already at the breaking point.
Each of the three Admirals had a specific role: Sakazuki (Akainu) was stationed at G-1 Fortress to hold the line into the New World. Kuzan (Aokiji) oversaw inspections across various branches—which explained why he always seemed to be "wandering" in the anime. Admirals weren't idle—they had missions.
As for Borsalino (Kizaru), he was supposed to be guarding Marine HQ—but even he had been drawn into the New World mess, rotating between G-5 and providing mobile support. They could technically recall Kizaru to bolster HQ—but that would risk G-5 Fortress being overrun by the lunatics from the Beasts Pirates or Big Mom Pirates.
G-5 was the Navy's last stronghold in the New World. If it fell, the Marine Grand Expeditionary Fleet stationed deeper within would lose half its supply line—trapped, and possibly unable to return at all.
Sengoku exhaled slowly. "So, it's up to Syrons now."
Being Fleet Admiral wasn't easy. Cleaning up after the Celestial Dragons, dragging around the weight of World Government politics, corruption and collusion running rampant inside the Navy—he knew all of it. But the web of power was tangled deep. Too deep.
Port Nanohana, Alabasta Kingdom
Before the Alabasta Royal Army could show up, the Aeridar Pirates had quickly cleaned up the battlefield and retreated to their ship, The Chris.
"To Rainbase? Alone?" Arlan looked surprised from where he lounged on the sofa in the captain's quarters.
"As if," Aeridar shot him a glare from the bed. "You're staying to watch the ship. The rest of you, come with me."
"I'm in!" Oliver, half-drunk and grinning, was the first to chime in.
"What?! Just me? You can't be serious!" Arlan's eyes widened in mock horror. "Don't do me !"
"Captain, are we sure we shouldn't all go?" Dimitri questioned from the side. "Rainbase is Crocodile's headquarters—Rain Dinners."
"Crocodile's lost everything he had in the New World," Aeridar said, rolling over lazily. "His current forces are weak. We're not going for war, just a talk. A few people are enough."
"I heard Rain Dinners is the biggest casino in Alabasta, we have to go check it out!" Millie and Mina bounced with excitement.
Suddenly, Arlan stood up and bowed toward Aeridar with utmost sincerity. "Captain! I beg you, let me come along."
"...Gambling addiction," Gorbo muttered, eyeing him with disdain. Two words. Complete diagnosis.
Arlan loved gambling, but only in luxurious casinos. Opulent interiors, rare vintage wines, eye-catching beauties, those were his fuel. And when he won? That crowd's adoration? Better than fame, he'd say.
"I bet his hands are itching," Oliver smirked, eyeing Arlan's fingers.
"...Fine, fine," Aeridar relented, blinking at Arlan's sudden change in attitude. "Backan stays behind. Sound good?"
"No... prob. I hate... gambling... anyway," Backan replied from the doorway, voice even as ever. "Plus, crossing the... desert? Nah. I'll sit... this one out."
"Then it's settled!" Aeridar declared, striking a bold pose. "We move at dawn, next stop: Rainbase! Target: Rain Dinners!"
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