"The Marines are gathering one after another, and the Shichibukai are being summoned too. Right… any movements from the Revolutionary Army?" Rosen asked quietly from a secluded corner through a Den Den Mushi.
"None. The Revolutionary Army hasn't made any moves for now. We don't have much intel on them either, but I'll contact you once something comes up."
"Also, I've requested several elite intelligence officers stationed near the Andia Kingdom to relocate closer to Marine Headquarters under the guise of logistics support. It should help weaken their investigation there." In a basement of Marine Headquarters, Vice Admiral O'Neill spoke over the line, with the newly promoted officer Pitas standing beside him.
"Good. Just make sure not to make it too obvious, or it'll draw suspicion," Rosen said. Having inside agents within Marine Headquarters was extremely useful — for information, and for support.
"Don't worry. With so many Vice Admirals recently lost, my authority hasn't been restricted — it's actually increased." O'Neill's voice was calm, though excitement burned in his chest.
He had already seized control of a kingdom — and not just any kingdom, but a wealthy one. With its resources and manpower, they now had a strong foundation.
Facing the decaying World Government ruled by the Celestial Dragons, they had already taken the first step. The thought set O'Neill's heart ablaze.
"I'm just a small-time guy — barely a Marine now. Isn't joining this kind of operation too dangerous?" Pitas muttered, nervous about the conversation. Why had O'Neill brought him into this?
The answer was simple: O'Neill didn't trust the Marines anymore. Too many of his close allies had died. He'd rather rely on someone unremarkable like Pitas — someone easily overlooked.
"By the way, there's news you might find interesting. The Straw Hat crew you met in Alabasta reportedly defeated Gecko Moria. The news hasn't been made public yet. Also, monsters have started attacking islands in the East Blue."
"Oh? So they're growing that fast?" Rosen was surprised. Gecko Moria's defeat wasn't shocking — but monsters in the East Blue? Could it be Shiki the Golden Lion? Most likely.
That, however, had little to do with him for now. Still, the seas were clearly shifting. From Whitebeard's actions to the rising unrest everywhere, a great storm was brewing.
It also meant that the public execution of Fire Fist Ace would still take some time.
After all, gathering the Marines' elite from across the seas to Marine Headquarters — while keeping their regional defenses intact — was far more complicated than mobilizing a single nation's army.
Even if the Navy went "all out," important bases would still be guarded by powerful officers and heavy troops.
After all, during the Summit War, not every World Government or Marine figure participated — even the Commander-in-Chief didn't appear, and several Vice Admiral–level officers were missing.
So "the Navy's full might" really meant the maximum strength they could spare while keeping their defenses intact.
"In a while, we'll head to the Sabaody Archipelago to await the clash between Marine Headquarters and Whitebeard," Rosen decided. Though he was eager to take down another Shichibukai and fulfill his agreement with Moris, other priorities came first.
Besides, after the war began, Moris's ascension would be easier — the World Government would be desperate to reestablish deterrence.
"Understood. I'll contact you if anything changes."
Click.
"Time's getting tight." Rosen frowned. There was so much to do, but rushing could ruin everything.
Still, he was curious. If the Pirate Empress failed to return to Amazon Lily — or never met Luffy — how would Luffy ever infiltrate Impel Down?
Honestly, if he knew the exact timing and defenses of Impel Down, intercepting Blackbeard at the gates would be ideal.
But that wasn't feasible. The risks were too high, and Magellan was still an overwhelming threat. Besides, Blackbeard's true goal wasn't allies — it was Whitebeard's Quake-Quake Fruit.
In that sense, gathering criminals had likely been part of his plan all along.
If Rosen ever wanted to manipulate Blackbeard, the only time it could work would be right before he seized the fruit — when his guard might be down.
So Rosen had no interest in Impel Down itself. He just found himself thinking of Luffy out of habit — but their paths were completely different.
Still, intelligence was always worth watching. Even a small clue could yield great reward.
"They've been talking for a while…" Rosen glanced toward the tavern. Hathaway and the Empress — they weren't exactly the friendly type, so what were they discussing for so long?
"They said they wanted to relax, then went upstairs," the tavern owner replied when Rosen returned.
The man hesitated as Rosen walked by.
Could Hathaway have been turned to stone? The Empress's power worked on anyone — man or woman, young or old. But Hathaway was strong; she shouldn't have fallen for it.
Unless the Empress used emotional influence instead of a direct attack. That was trickier.
He'd better check. Thinking so, Rosen went upstairs.
"Did someone just go up?" As Rosen ascended, Sandersonia and Marigold entered from a side door, looking anxious.
"Yes, Lord Crocodile just went up," the tavern owner replied.
"Oh no!" the sisters cried out together.
"Didn't we tell you not to let anyone in? Why didn't you stop him?" Marigold's face changed dramatically as they dashed upstairs.
The tavern keeper winced helplessly. Stop Crocodile? Not in a lifetime.
They had only gone out to arrange things with the Kuja Pirates, and the place wasn't open to outsiders — who could've expected this?
He had left earlier — why did he come back now? Their sister and Hathaway were in the bath together!
At first, they had worried their personalities might clash, but once they learned Hathaway had also been a slave of the Celestial Dragons, their distance vanished instantly — kindred spirits at first sight.
They talked for hours, and as evening came, the empty tavern and its fine facilities made the idea of a shared bath perfectly natural.
"What kind of man is your captain, anyway? To think he dared to kidnap a Celestial Dragon — and saved you as well? Do men like that even exist?" The Pirate Empress swirled her wine, gazing curiously at Hathaway, who sat in a separate bath.
Steam rose around the Empress's flawless figure, making Hathaway's face flush. The odd reaction made her wonder if she'd been drugged.
They were both women, yet bathing together like this still felt strange — the Dawn didn't have such large baths; the only one she'd ever shared was with Natalie.
"I still find it hard to believe," Hathaway admitted after a pause. "Otherwise, I'd never have followed him to sea. In short… he's an interesting and rather charming man."
(End of chapter)