Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Fleet Admiral's Office
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admirals Borsalino, Sakazuki, Kuzan, as well as Vice Admirals Fujitora and Chaton have all arrived in the New World. Additionally, the war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Beasts Pirates has reached a fever pitch. However, with Marco's return, the Whitebeard Pirates have managed to regain their initial losses.
Moreover, we've observed several Warlords of the Sea heading to the New World. Bullet, after attacking the ship carrying the Heavenly Tribute, has assaulted another Marine fleet.
Also, Germa 66 has officially allied with the Warlord Gild Tesoro, the Golden Emperor. Currently, Tesoro is using various channels to purchase large amounts of supplies.
We've lost track of Zephyr and his fleet after they attacked Terminal Island and seized the Infernal stone. Our surveillance ships are searching for their whereabouts.
Furthermore, our intelligence agents in Wano have reported that a CP0 squad from the World Government has landed in Wano and made contact with Nicolas. However, due to the level of clearance required, the content of their exchange remains unknown."
Corazon reported the latest intelligence to Sengoku.
The New World was like a powder keg, with all sorts of forces moving in the shadows. As a result, the Navy has intensified its intelligence gathering to ensure they receive the latest updates as quickly as possible.
But then, Sengoku received a secretive phone call. After hanging up, his expression turned grim.
"Fleet Admiral... what's wrong?" Corazon asked, surprised at Sengoku's reaction.
"Those five old men sent that CP0 squad to Wano to recruit Nicolas."
Corazon naturally understood who Sengoku was referring to.
"Why would the Five Elders issue such an order? Nicolas and the World Government have nearly irreconcilable differences."
Corazon asked in confusion.
"There may be something we're not aware of, but don't worry. That guy, Nicolas, will never accept their offer."
Sengoku's lips curled slightly, showing his confidence in Nicolas's response.
Seeing Sengoku so sure, Corazon didn't ask further.
"Then, Fleet Admiral, I'll get back to work."
After chatting a bit more, Corazon softly excused himself and left the office.
Shortly after Corazon left, the door to the Fleet Admiral's office opened again, and Rear Admiral Brannew walked in.
"Fleet Admiral, there's been another incident in the New World. The Red-Haired Pirates are causing an even bigger stir this time."
Sengoku raised an eyebrow, "What kind of stir?"
"The Red-Haired Pirates have declared an all-out war against the Beasts Pirates and the Whitebeard Pirates in the New World."
"An all-out war?"
Sengoku stood up in shock, "What is Red-Haired trying to do?"
…
Off the coast of Wano, amidst stormy weather, a World Government ship was sailing away from Wano.
On the deck, several CP0 members, wearing white cloaks and masks, ignored the rain falling on them, long accustomed to the harsh environment of the New World.
They occasionally glanced back at Wano, their thoughts unreadable.
The rest of the crew continued with their duties: the navigator was studying the charts inside the cabin, the helmsman was steering the ship, the lookout was scanning the surroundings, while the sailors and shipwrights remained on standby at various parts of the ship. A significant number were also in the engine room, ready to respond to any unexpected failures.
…
Suddenly, the ship's alarm blared, snapping the CP0 members out of their thoughts.
Before long, a large two-masted ship appeared on the horizon. Its massive sails bore the emblem of a black background with a white pattern, a pirate flag.
The ship was enormous, with numerous cannons spread along its sides, and the figurehead was a dragon's head.
"Red…"
One of the lookouts, overwhelmed with shock, started to shout but couldn't finish his sentence.
But some had stronger nerves.
A shrill voice rang out.
"It's the Red-Haired Pirates!"
"The Four Emperors… Red-Haired Shanks… That's the Red Force…"
"Why did we run into the Four Emperors here?"
"We're doomed. It's the Red-Haired after all…"
"Don't worry, the Red-Haired aren't like the other two Emperors; they don't kill indiscriminately. As long as we don't provoke them, they won't attack us."
"But we're from the World Government!"
After the Red-Haired Pirates appeared, panic spread across the deck.
Although the Red-Haired Pirates were known for not attacking indiscriminately, the situation seemed unusual since they appeared to be heading straight for them.
The crew anxiously looked at the CP0 members, waiting for their orders.
"Everyone, back to your stations!"
The CP0 members quickly restored order, their fearsome reputation enough to bring the panicked crew under control. After all, while the Four Emperors were terrifying, the CP0 were even more feared within the World Government.
Once the crew had returned to their posts, one of the CP0 members used a telescope to observe the approaching Red Force. His expression grew darker as he reported, "Captain, the Red-Haired Pirates seem to be heading straight for us."
"We can see that…"
Their ship was flying the World Government's flag, and the relationship between the Government and pirates was well known.
However, more than this, the captain was curious about why the Red-Haired had entered Wano's waters, given that it was Nicolas's territory.
One of the CP0 members asked, "Should we try to avoid them?"
The CP0 captain shook his head immediately, "It's too late. Our ship can't outrun the Red Force. We'll wait here and be prepared to take evasive action if they head straight at us."
"Understood." The others nodded and returned to the cabin to relay the orders.
The CP0 captain stood at the bow, watching the Red Force close in, his mind racing.
Red-Haired Shanks was another legendary pirate. Although he hadn't been one of the Four Emperors for long, his strength was on par with the veteran powerhouses. In terms of legend, he might even surpass Kaido and Big Mom.
After all, he became an Emperor without eating a Devil Fruit, even after losing an arm, and managed to carve out a spot in the New World. His story was legendary.
However…
The CP0 captain turned to look at Wano behind him.
The current Four Emperors only rose to power while this man was absent.
Now that he's back, the New World might be in for some serious chaos.