A wave of suspicion rippled through the assembled Marine officers, foreheads furrowing in concern.
"Whitebeard's motives and allegiances remain unclear," Darren said, voice steady and authoritative. "So we divide the battlefield."
"Divide the battlefield?" Sengoku mused, his eyes brightening. "You mean… intercept him?"
Darren nodded with a faint smile. "Exactly. Whether he's an ally or not, his very presence on the main front invites chaos for the Marines."
"The Tremor-Tremor Fruit lets him trigger seaquakes and throw up tsunamis," he went on. "That's an existential threat to our fleet."
Grim nods followed. Many there had seen the World's Strongest Man in person. With the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Whitebeard could raise walls of water over a thousand meters high. No ordinary force could stand against that. Even the Marines' elite squadrons would be helpless before such a calamity. One misstep, and the sea would erase them.
"We split the battlefield," Darren said, quick but clear, confidence radiating from him. "Cut the Whitebeard Pirates off from the main conflict zone. Then we can deal with the Roger Pirates, the Beast Pirates, and Big Mom's crew on our terms."
"Once we achieve that separation, we either wait for those three to bleed each other dry and strike, or hit them with a surprise assault. Either way, our hand improves."
His reasoning was airtight. The officers nodded, silent agreement passing through the room.
Truly worthy of being the rival I acknowledge, someone thought. His analysis leaves no gaps.
Kuzan stared at Darren, eyes alight.
In a corner, Tokikake muttered, "Tch. What's the fuss?"
For Sengoku, Darren's words cut through the fog that had been clouding their planning. A path forward opened all at once.
"Mm. Insightful," Sengoku said, squaring his shoulders. "Young Darren, you're thinking like this old man."
Tsuru, the Staff Officer, quietly looked away.
"Dividing the battlefield is paramount," Sengoku pressed on, pretending not to notice. He cleared his throat twice and put on a measured expression. "The next steps are simple. We split our forces. One detachment intercepts the Whitebeard Pirates and seals off their theater. The main force deploys to the central front, ready to engage the three great pirate crews at a moment's notice."
He paused, then fixed a look on Garp, who was already grinning at him. "And you, Garp…"
"The Roger Pirates are yours. Don't let us down this time."
Garp laughed, thumping his chest. "Relax, relax! Leave it to me!"
Ignoring the usual antics, Sengoku turned to Vice Admiral Darren. "Darren, I'm assigning you to command the main battlefield—"
"No," Darren said, cutting him off. "Admiral Sengoku, I request permission to intercept the Whitebeard Pirates myself."
Sengoku blinked. "Are you sure?"
Whitebeard stood at the apex of the seas. The main battlefield might face Kaido and Big Mom, but the pressure Whitebeard brought eclipsed theirs—a fact reflected in the numbers. Charlotte Linlin's current bounty was 3.36 billion berries. Kaido's, 3.089 billion. Roger and Whitebeard both had bounties even higher—4.5 billion berries apiece. Add the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and a roster of powerful division commanders, and the Whitebeard Pirates posed a greater threat than any alliance between Big Mom and the Beast Pirates.
"Yes, Admiral," Darren said with a mild smile. "Your strength surpasses mine, but this interception isn't just about power. Frankly, if you led it personally, I believe the mission would likely fail—and the casualties would be unacceptable. Compared to you, I have an advantage."
Sengoku frowned. "What advantage?"
"I can fly."
Sengoku fell silent.
"Ahem. I was testing you, Vice Admiral Darren," he said at last, face set. "Very well. The interception and the division of the battlefield are yours."
The room stayed quiet. Sengoku couldn't refute the logic—and what irritated him most was that the brat not only flew but could carry others while doing it.
Even so, sending Darren alone against Whitebeard gnawed at him. Perhaps reinforcements…
After a moment's thought, Sengoku straightened. "All right. Marine officers, cast your lot. Those who will strike the three great pirate crews with me, step forward. Those who will follow Vice Admiral Darren to engage the Whitebeard Pirates, move to Dar—"
A sudden rush of wind tore through the office. Sengoku blinked, ears ringing. Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, Onigumo, Gion, Doberman, Yamakaji—almost every core Headquarters officer was already at Darren's side, jostling for position with Soru.
"Wait—Garp, you blockhead! You're supposed to command the main battlefield! Why are you crowding Darren?!" Sengoku roared.
Realization hit him; his face darkened to crimson.
"Bwahaha! Sorry, sorry! I forgot. I just followed the crowd…" Garp scratched his head, sheepish.
Darren glanced at Sengoku, now standing alone, and lifted a hand. "I appreciate the concern. But I don't need this much firepower. Head to the main battlefield and follow Admiral Sengoku's orders. The Whitebeard Pirates… I'll handle them."
Relief loosened Sengoku's shoulders.
But—
Sakazuki's voice came like ice. "Are you certain? He's the World's Strongest Man."
And Sengoku thought, Hey! I'm about to face Kaido and Big Mom at the same time!
Kuzan muttered, wounded, "I was hoping to fight alongside you…"
What about me? Sengoku wanted to shout. Don't any of you want to fight alongside me?
Borsalino sighed, long-suffering. "Another mission with Admiral Sengoku?"
You're my adjutant, Sengoku fumed inwardly.
Seeing his expression, Tsuru patted his shoulder. "It's all right. I'm still with you."
Sengoku gave her a weary look. "You're not even fighting."
"Exactly," Tsuru said with a rueful smile. "So I'll offer words."
I'm too tired, Sengoku thought. Let the world burn.
He exhaled and faced Darren again. "Young Darren, can you truly handle this alone?"
"The Marines' strength isn't limited to the people in this room," Darren said, a knowing curve to his mouth.
—
Banquet hall.
Six members of the Shichibukai stood or lounged, each with a different face on. The air seemed to thicken as they measured one another like duelists waiting for the signal—hands inches from their hilts.
Then—
A black military boot slammed the doors inward.
Darren strode in, predator-quiet, a cigar clamped between his teeth and both hands in his pockets. Wind chased him into the room, snapping the Vice Admiral's cloak so it billowed wide.
His gaze swept the six, and a sharp grin cut across his face.
"Ready?"
"The first mandatory gathering since the Shichibukai system was created… begins now."
"Our target—the World's Strongest Man: Whitebeard."
The words hung for a beat. Then all the Shichibukai broke into rough, arrogant laughter.
Battle lust surged from the seven men and seemed to punch a hole in the ceiling.
To be continued...