"Anyway, since the opponent is Kronos, I have no objections. It's up to you, Sengoku."
Garp shrugged nonchalantly, but deep down, he was already feeling uneasy about his role in this operation.
With Staff Officer Tsuru by his side, he knew he'd be facing plenty of restrictions. No matter what he tried to pull, Tsuru would keep him in check—as she always had since their early days. If there was anyone who could rein him in, it was her.
"Alright then. Since the two of you are participating in this operation, you'll form a separate team and block Kronos' route directly."
Sengoku nodded decisively.
Garp and Tsuru, combined, were a formidable force—completely independent from the three Admirals. Since the plan was to surround Kronos with overwhelming force, having Garp involved was naturally a huge advantage. After all, Garp could easily handle himself in battle.
Facing Kronos' crew was no small matter. Nobody could predict what would happen once Kronos clashed with the Whitebeard Pirates.
In sheer numbers, the Whitebeard Pirates held the advantage—but Marine Headquarters knew better than anyone that numbers alone didn't guarantee victory.
After all, hadn't they learned that lesson the hard way during the Summit War?
"Understood. I won't let a single one of those bastards from Kronos' crew escape. That entire group is a walking disaster."
Garp's voice was firm.
Kronos had risen to the position of Fifth Emperor, and ever since, Marine Headquarters had been struggling to contain the chaos he created.
Everyone hoped this operation would finally break Kronos' momentum—crippling his forces, weakening his crew, and ideally wiping out a few key commanders.
That would be the best possible outcome.
"Marshal Sengoku, if we do encounter members of Kronos' crew, should we engage directly?"
"Our encirclement strategy is meant to avoid direct conflict, isn't it?"
Kizaru asked the question everyone had in mind.
In real combat, plans rarely went smoothly. If either side initiated an attack, the entire situation could devolve into full-scale war at any moment.
Sengoku's encirclement strategy sounded ideal, but it was based entirely on the assumption that Whitebeard and Kronos would actually go to war with each other.
During the Summit War, those two had unexpectedly joined forces, completely destroying Marine's original plan.
Now, with events moving so rapidly, even the Five Elders couldn't determine whether this conflict was genuine—or a deliberate trap.
"I've discussed this in detail with the Five Elders. Based on Whitebeard's character, there's no trap."
Sengoku's expression was serious.
"Whitebeard's pride wouldn't allow it. He's the kind of man who values his name above all else. He's determined to prove to the world that he's still the strongest."
"From what I know of Whitebeard... I'm confident he won't disappoint me."
Sengoku spoke from experience—years of studying and confronting Whitebeard in battle. His judgment wasn't based on guesswork.
"I agree with Sengoku."
Tsuru nodded.
"The Whitebeard I knew never played tricks, and he hasn't changed. If he were that kind of man, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths just to rescue Ace."
She finished her analysis calmly, then cast a subtle glance toward Garp, as if to remind him of that painful incident.
Garp's expression darkened slightly.
When Ace had been captured, Garp had nearly lost control of himself—almost killing Blackbeard Teach in his fury and holding himself back only because of his duty as a Marine.
If it weren't for that sense of duty, Garp might have acted on his rage.
Tsuru's glance made it clear: she hadn't forgotten, and neither had Garp.
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