After ten minutes, the Den Den Mushi finally rang.
“Reporting to headquarters, this is Surveillance Ship No. 303. The Beasts Pirates’ main ship, King of the Beasts, has appeared. The accompanying personnel are unknown; only Kaido’s daughter, the Oni Princess Yamato, and their No. 2 war beast can be seen.” [TN: I mistranslated Kaido’s main ship’s name in previous chapters.]
They showed little interest in them as well. Noticing this side, Yamato even deliberately struck a pose, completely disregarding the Marines, and their method of travel was rather unique.
Originally, they could have simply sailed over, but Kaido and Yamato had spent too much time fighting and engaging in internal conflicts, leaving them short on time.
Kaido also felt that something was missing without a ship, so he simply used his flame clouds to carry King of the Beasts through the air. Only after reaching the vicinity did he set the ship down and continue forward by sea.
As for the Marines’ “No. 2 war beast,” it referred to Tyranitar—No. 1 was Emboar. They used this method to classify some of the Beasts Pirates’ special creatures.
Tyranitar had also been brought over by Kaido, because Yamato had planned yet another grand entrance. At this moment, Tyranitar was walking across the frozen sea she had created.
“Tyr~!”
Tyranitar let out a roar toward the sky. Its mountain-like body and bell-like booming voice instantly drew the attention of everyone on the island.
Under the gaze of the crowd, Tyranitar slowly advanced along the icy path.
At the same time, a hot air balloon, pulled by an albatross, descended onto the island. Morgans jumped down first, then called out to Vivi and Flaming Attach.
“Wednesday, Flaming Attachan, hurry up! Get moving! Looks like they’re about to land here, our interview is about to begin!”
“President, don’t you need to stretch…?”
They had just descended from high altitude, and Vivi still felt her fingers were a bit stiff. Traveling for days in a hot air balloon at such heights was far from pleasant.
“Kwahahaha! The passion for news flows through my veins, I’m bursting with energy right now! Cramp, cramp—help me stretch it out!”
Before he could finish speaking, Morgans clutched his calf and fell to the ground, but just before hitting the ground, he used his soft belly to protect his camera.
“President, how did you know they’d definitely be here?”
After recovering, Morgans led Vivi and Attach across the nearly deserted island. Vivi didn’t know how he was so certain.
“Due to the terrain and air currents, it’s not convenient for us to land directly on the beach.
The mountain we landed on, together with the one opposite, forms a pair of demon horns. That’s why this island is called Baphomet Island. There’s only one place suitable for large ships to dock, they can only anchor there.”
Morgans confidently led them forward, and just as they arrived at that natural harbor, they saw the Red Force slowly approaching.
Click, click, click.
The sound of shutters rang out continuously as Morgans began photographing the bow of the Red Force. He intended to gather enough photos to create a major feature.
“Morgans? So you’re the first one here. You really are as sensitive to this kind of thing as a shark smelling blood.”
“This is my passion for news, Mr. Beckman. But where’s your captain?”
“Good question. I’d like to know where he is too. I have quite a few things to discuss with him about the past few days.”
Vivi timely removed the lens cap for Flaming Attach, and while taking photos, he told about the pirates before them to her.
“The vice captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Benn Beckman—a famous playboy in the New World, said to possess tremendous strength. Those people are all senior officers of the Red Hair Grand Fleet, each one a major figure in the New World.”
At that moment, a cheerful singing voice drifted into their ears, as a ship singing a song sailed in from the distance.
A bridge made of colorful candy stretched across the area as members of the Big Mom Pirates walked over along the candy bridge.
“Mamamama~ Morgans, I didn’t expect you to be here too. Did that brat Kaido inform you?”
“Long time no see, Linlin. I came out in a hurry this time and didn’t prepare a gift for you. My apologies.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. This isn’t a tea party anyway. But it looks like I’m not the first to arrive here.”
The flag of the Red Hair Pirates came into view, and Charlotte Linlin had already grasped the situation on the island.
“See that? Charlotte Linlin. The Marines recently updated her latest bounty – 4,588,000,000 Berry, the highest among female pirates. But according to our information, there’s already a female pirate capable of surpassing her position.”
Flaming Attach faithfully fulfilled his role as a senior, helping Vivi familiarize herself with the pirates before them.
“That long-tongued one is her eldest son, and that woman is—”
Just as Vivi had gained a basic understanding of the Big Mom Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates, a massive shadow in the distance gradually approached. The Beasts Pirates had also arrived.
“Worororo! Linlin, you got here quite early. Long time no see!”
“Mamamama~ You too, Kaido. I didn’t expect you to be getting along so well with Red Hair. I didn’t know anything about this.”
“For something like that, I’ve got no need to report to you.”
In just a couple of sentences, the exchange between Kaido and Charlotte Linlin became thick with the scent of gunpowder, as if a fight could break out at any moment.
They sized each other up, then simultaneously burst into laughter. For now, it seemed they had no intention of fighting outright.
“That little brat from back then has grown into something incredible.”
“You’re not the same as before either, Linlin.”
Red Hair was no longer his usual carefree self. As he moved forward, faint strands of Haki began to leak from his body, though he didn’t interject. Seeing this, Beckman gave up the idea of holding him accountable on the spot. In a sense, Red Hair’s objective had already been achieved.
“Kaido of the Beasts: bounty 5,511,100,000 Berry, currently the man closest to becoming Pirate King. And his daughter, the princess of the Beasts Pirates, Oni Princess Yamato: bounty 4,000,000,000 Berry.
The man who came with him is Red Hair Shanks: bounty 4,348,900,000 Berry. The combined bounties of these people… is truly terrifying.”
The film roll was quickly filled, but he had no intention of stopping.
“They… are ultimately going to make peace.”
“There are no signs of fighting on the island for now. Let’s hope the team’s operation succeeds, otherwise we’ll be in big trouble. Between the Revolutionary Army and pirates like these, I can’t even tell which is the greater threat anymore.”
Tsuru and Sengoku shook their heads helplessly, while Akainu increased the amount he smoked. But for them, the bad news didn’t end there.
“Report! Fleet Admiral Sakazuki! Urgent communication from Vice Admiral Doll of G-14 Base! Vice Admiral Garp has just left G-14 with the SWORD unit. His destination… the Beasts Pirates’ territory!”
“What did you say?!”
Chairs toppled over as Akainu, Sengoku, and Tsuru all stood up at the same time. They had been calm just moments ago, but now the situation was clearly different.
“Urgent message from Vice Admiral Doll, Vice Admiral Garp has headed into the Beasts Pirates’ territorial waters. His apparent objective is to rescue Captain Koby—”
“What is he thinking?! Does he not understand what he represents?!”
It was clear Akainu hadn’t misheard. He was simply shocked by Garp’s actions. No wonder Garp had been missing these past few days; he had gone to pull off something huge here.
Even T Bone, the newly appointed Vice Admiral reporting the situation, was startled.
“Has Garp lost his mind?”
Even Sengoku, his longtime partner, couldn’t understand Garp’s actions.
“No. According to the information, Kaido and his daughter are currently at Baphomet Island. A few days ago, a surveillance ship saw Genesis leave, which means the defenses around Wano Country are at their weakest right now. The situation might not be as bad as we think…”
Tsuru analyzed the situation, but it did nothing to calm Akainu.
“So what if that’s the case? Does he think he’s still the Garp from 30 years ago? That’s the heartland of the Beasts Pirates! In one day—just one day—they can gather over ten thousand pirates from nearby areas!
Not the kind of trash from the Four Seas, ten thousand pirates who have fought and survived in the New World! They can seal that place off completely!
Kaido may not be there, those monsters may not be there, but their officers are! Can Garp hold out against more than a dozen officers and nearly ten thousand pirates?! Even if he can, can he break through with others under those conditions?!
And don’t forget, Kuzan… is currently on Onigashima.”
The desk suffered another misfortune, but Sengoku and Tsuru understood Akainu’s current mood. Garp, as reckless as ever, had created yet another massive problem for them.
“It’s too late. There aren’t enough forces nearby to support him, and the World Government won’t allow us to launch a full-scale war right now. That would only push these pirates into forming an alliance.
Notify the other bases to prepare for backup. Contact Kizaru and have him drop his current mission to provide emergency support over there. At the very least, bring Garp back.”
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