The vast war room fell into dead silence.
No one had expected Chaton's report.
If Gion's disappearance was truly linked to the alliance of the two Emperors, then this was no longer a threat—it was the brink of war.
All eyes turned to Sengoku.
Everyone was desperate to know: was there any way to break this deadlock?
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please—you have to save Gion!" Chaton pleaded, his voice cracking. "Kaido bears a grudge against Marine HQ. If Gion's really fallen into their hands, she's as good as dead!"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I request immediate deployment to the Totto Land perimeter to search for her!"
"We'll go too!" Vice Admiral Dalmatian added, his voice firm.
The other Vice Admirals nodded in agreement. No one could stand by while a comrade was missing—no matter who it was.
With seven or eight Vice Admirals stepping forward, the atmosphere grew tense.
Sengoku's expression darkened. He was deeply concerned. No one knew what Kaido and Big Mom were planning.
But for now, there was only one course of action.
"Very well. I authorize a search mission to the outskirts of Totto Land."
"But listen carefully—do not, under any circumstances, enter Totto Land's territorial waters."
"If anything seems off, you are to retreat immediately. Even if Gion is in enemy custody—do not engage."
He paused, his tone grave.
"If Gion has been captured, we cannot afford to let more of our people fall into enemy hands. Otherwise, the Four Emperors will pick us off one by one."
"If that happens, Marine HQ will be dragged into a war of attrition—and slowly devoured."
"Chaton—especially you. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. Understood?"
The officers' faces turned grim.
They had known this wouldn't be easy.
But Sengoku's analysis laid bare the true danger.
Without his warning, they might have rushed in blindly—only to become pawns in the Emperors' trap.
If they saw Gion in enemy hands… could they really follow orders and walk away?
Could Chaton?
His face was pale, his grip on the Den Den Mushi tightening. He said nothing.
Sengoku sighed and shook his head.
"Do as you will. I'm retired—I can't give orders anymore."
"But I hope you'll put the greater good first."
"Thank you, Fleet Admiral Sengoku." Chaton released the Den Den Mushi. He understood—Sengoku hadn't issued a hard order, but he had given his tacit approval.
That was enough.
Without another word, Chaton turned and strode toward the exit.
Thanks to Marine technology, they could cross the Calm Belt and reach Totto Land in a day and a half.
But with Gion already missing, Chaton wished he could sprout wings and fly.
He had barely taken a few steps when Tsuru, her face grave, stepped in front of him.
"Vice Admiral Chaton, the situation has changed. You can't go to Totto Land."
Changed?
Everyone tensed.
The alliance of two Emperors was already a runaway crisis.
If there was another twist…
What could possibly come next?
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, why not? Did you find Gion?" Chaton asked, alarmed.
Sengoku stepped forward.
"Tsuru, has something else happened in Totto Land? If there's new intel, tell us now so we can adjust our strategy."
All eyes turned to Tsuru.
She took a deep breath, accepted a fresh report from her aide, and placed it on the table.
"Sengoku… I fear we've underestimated the true scale of this alliance."
"According to the latest intel, Totto Land now hosts not only Kaido and Charlotte Linlin, but also former Warlords Donquixote Doflamingo and Marshall D. Teach."
"And that's not all—numerous Level 6 escapees from Impel Down have also gathered there."
"It appears Kaido and Big Mom have dispatched agents to recruit the worst of the worst. If they succeed…"
"This won't be a Four Emperors alliance anymore. It'll be a pirate empire—built overnight. Even Marine HQ won't be able to withstand it."
"Tsuru… is this intel confirmed?" Sengoku asked, his face pale.
A two-Emperor alliance was already overwhelming.
But if they added Warlords and Level 6 criminals into the mix…
They would surpass even the Rocks Pirates in scale.
A pirate empire, born in a single night.
It sounded absurd—but it wasn't.
"Sengoku, the intel is solid. And according to our sources, Kaido and Big Mom may have leaked it intentionally."
Tsuru's face was grim.
"If I'm right, this news will spread fast."
"And there's more. We just received a second report: Totto Land has unilaterally expanded its territorial waters by 500 nautical miles."
"They've not only absorbed our buffer zones—but also seized two of our allied nations' waters."
"Totto Land has declared that any force—Marine HQ included—that enters their waters will be treated as an enemy of the alliance."
"If this were just the Big Mom Pirates, we wouldn't be concerned."
"But now, Totto Land is a true pirate empire. If we move against them… we must be ready for war."