As great pirates, Kaido and Charlotte Linlin were well aware of what Road Poneglyphs were. These Poneglyphs were reddish stones and when all four were deciphered, they would reveal the location of the final island, Laugh Tale.
The Big Mom Pirates had collected a few rubbings, but as someone aiming to be the Pirate King, she naturally wanted the red stones themselves. Kaido was no exception.
But with the rumor that one of the four red stones was with Tribar and another was with Alucard... it was a no-brainer. You always pick the softer target first, right?
Besides, while Tribar was a decent member of the Roger Pirates, how old was he now? He was at least sixty. Anyone with half a brain would know to go after him first.
As for the claim that Alucard had a stone, Kaido and Charlotte Linlin weren't sure whether to believe it, but they definitely wouldn't act on it now.
More importantly, they didn't really believe Alucard had one. He had no known connection to the Roger Pirates, so how could he have something that once belonged to Roger?
In comparison, Tribar, a former member of the crew, was the most likely candidate.
In reality, the government was simply spouting nonsense, hoping to create discord between the "Three Monsters," even if it was just a little.
"Let's go! To Paradise!"
On Whole Cake Island, Charlotte Linlin drained her cup of tea and gave the order, "Prepare to set sail!"
"The two years of balance are about to be broken, aren't they..." said Charlotte Opera, the fifth son of the Charlotte Family. His body, like melted cream, moved slowly as he spoke.
"Hehehe... Well, we can't help it. This is about becoming the Pirate King—the Road Poneglyphs. A fight with the Beasts Pirates is probably inevitable." Charlotte Cracker, the tenth son of the Charlotte Family and the user of the Biscuit-Biscuit Fruit, with his vertical, spiky hair, grinned sinisterly.
At the same time, a very similar scene was unfolding in the Beasts Pirates' territory.
"Where's Boss Kaido?" one crew member asked another as they prepared their ship for departure.
"After he heard the news, he couldn't wait and swam toward Paradise."
"Again... This time, he might run into the Big Mom Pirates... Is it okay for him to be alone?"
Just then, Jack, on the ship, roared, "Hurry the hell up! You all know who our opponent is this time! It's likely that woman, Charlotte Linlin! Everyone be on your guard!"
"Yes!!!"
Because of the information released by the World Government, the peace between the "Three Monsters" that had lasted for only two years began to crumble.
The first battle would undoubtedly be between the Beasts Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates over the Road Poneglyphs, and a storm of blood was bound to erupt in the first half of the Grand Line.
Meanwhile, the Marines and the government had their sights on Alucard. They had set a trap with the cooperation of the kingdoms he controlled (or coerced) and were now waiting for him to fall right into it.
It was the end of the year 1507 of the Marine Calendar, and it was almost time for Alucard's semi-annual "prisoner pickup."
At Marine Headquarters in Marineford.
"Garp-san," Kuzan said, his hands in his pockets, as he walked behind Garp. "I understand why the government would bait the other two 'monsters' to the first half of the Grand Line to keep them from interfering, but is the rumor about Tribar having a Road Poneglyph actually true?"
Garp shot a sideward glance and chuckled. "Who knows? That was the government's idea. But that guy, Tribar, really is over there."
The two of them walked to a corner and then entered the port for ships heading to the New World, where they ran into Kong, Borsalino, and others who were about to board their ships.
Sengoku and Sakazuki were assigned to the first half of the Grand Line to prevent the other two "monsters" from going on a rampage.
"You two are so laid-back, you're the last ones to arrive!" Kong said, clearly annoyed.
"Ahahaha! You guys haven't left yet, have you?" Garp replied with his characteristic boisterous laugh.
"That's because we're waiting for you!" Kong yelled.
Borsalino looked at the dozen or so giant battleships docked nearby and scratched the side of his face. "This is a bit much, isn't it? Twenty thousand men? I'm not underestimating Alucard, but besides the Vice Admirals and higher-ranking officers, the others won't last more than a few hits against him."
Borsalino's words, though blunt, were the unvarnished truth. It was absolutely necessary to send Garp, and even Kong, to deal with Alucard. But why send so many regular soldiers? Were they just being sent to their deaths?
"We have our reasons, Borsalino," Kong said seriously. "If things go wrong, I'll give the order to sink Torabia."
"Oh, how scary~ So Alucard will be dead for sure, won't he?" Borsalino quipped sarcastically.
"On board! All of you!" Kong shouted, and everyone boarded the battleships.
Kuzan and Garp were on the same battleship. Standing beside Garp, Kuzan said, "He was betrayed by the kingdoms under his control, wasn't he? How pathetic~ right, Garp-san?"
"Villains don't need sympathy. Focus on the mission, Kuzan," Garp said.
"Alright, alright," Kuzan nodded repeatedly, scanning the surrounding forces. "But... to have Garp-san and even Fleet Admiral Kong personally leading this mission, we Vice Admirals are reduced to pawns... How much does the World Government want Alucard's head?"
"Has he ever failed to embarrass the government?" Garp said, chuckling from his chair on the deck. "But I'm pretty happy whenever the government gets embarrassed."
Kuzan, his face full of admiration under his sunglasses, grinned and said, "Oh, that's so cool, Garp-san."
A Major and a few other Marines nearby broke out in a cold sweat. 'Please don't openly discuss things like that, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Kuzan.'
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