"Do you think Kaido, Red-Haired Shanks, or Big Mom will just sit back and watch if we show up on the battlefield?"
Sengoku looked at Akainu solemnly, answering his direct challenge.
Akainu hadn't considered that possibility. Hearing Sengoku's explanation, he fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Frustrated but unable to argue further, he sat back in his seat, arms crossed, waiting for Sengoku's next orders.
In the long run, Sengoku always considered the bigger picture more carefully than Akainu.
Akainu focused solely on attacking the pirates, rarely thinking about the future of Marine Headquarters or the safety of Marine soldiers.
When Sengoku submitted his resignation, he had recommended Aokiji—not Akainu—as the next Fleet Admiral. Sengoku had worried that Akainu's extreme methods might plunge Marine Headquarters into further chaos.
"My plan is this," Sengoku continued. "Each of the three Admirals will lead four Vice Admirals. You will not engage directly, but instead maintain positions at long-range in three different directions."
"If attacked by either Kronos or Whitebeard, your forces should be strong enough to resist and withdraw."
"When the real melee begins, your priority will be cutting off both sides from outside support. Prevent any reinforcements from Kaido or Big Mom from interfering."
"Force them to fight each other alone."
What Sengoku said made sense. Isolate the two pirate crews—force them into a direct confrontation, without external interference.
Kaido, Big Mom, and even Red-Haired Shanks weren't likely to support either side directly. They were simply waiting for the chance to seize their own benefits from the chaos.
"Well… I think this is the best plan for us right now. Sengoku, I support your decision."
Garp nodded firmly in agreement.
If both pirate crews were trapped within the encirclement, then regardless of who won or lost, neither side could escape Marine justice.
"Vice Admiral Garp… you're actually participating in this operation?"
"Last time you wanted to kill your two grandsons. I heard you fought with Fleet Admiral Sengoku for three days over that."
Kizaru looked at Garp with mild surprise, not expecting him to join the meeting, let alone support Sengoku's strategy.
"Brat, do you think I'd turn against Sengoku over something like that?"
"My grandsons are pirates. If they're captured, so be it. They chose that path."
"But… last time, they got away."
Garp said it casually, but his real feelings were hidden.
The last time Ace and Luffy escaped, Garp felt secretly relieved. In a way, Kronos had helped him avoid making an impossible choice. Though he couldn't admit that openly, he had quarreled with Sengoku for three days afterward, causing the Fleet Admiral endless headaches.
Hearing Garp's words now, Sengoku cast him a skeptical look.
"So, you're ready to join the operation... even if it means capturing your own grandson?"
"Don't forget—Ace is still with Whitebeard. There's a good chance he'll be captured this time."
Sengoku's reminder was both serious and personal, forcing Garp to confront the issue.
"So what if we capture him? That brat chose this path himself!"
Garp nonchalantly scratched his nose, pretending not to care.
"Alright, enough. The two of you can stop arguing now."
"Since Garp wants to participate, I'll accompany him."
Vice Admiral Tsuru (Staff Officer Crane) spoke coldly.
Clearly, she didn't fully trust Garp's objectivity. She intended to keep an eye on him during the operation.
Garp understood her intentions perfectly. Of course, he didn't say anything. He could only let Staff Officer Tsuru do as she pleased.
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