"Look over there," Sasaki transmitted through the micro-Den Den Mushi hidden in his collar.
At the weapons inspection station in the southeast corner, Who's Who was deliberately picking a fight with the guards.
He lifted his clothing to reveal a fake tattoo, causing an uproar among the surrounding crowd.
People cast shocked and fearful glances, some instinctively stepping back several paces.
"When I, Oto Shikkaku, was killing people at Enies Lobby, you were still playing with mud at home! Let me through now!"
Who's Who shouted a nonsense pseudonym while causing a loud disturbance, his voice piercing through the noisy environment.
He was doing this solely to help Ulti and Page One slip through the perimeter to investigate the VIP area.
If possible, they were tasked with finding a way to steal the Devil Fruits from the VIPs, adding powerful abilities to the Beast Pirates' arsenal.
"Hmph! Surrender your weapons, or you shall not enter!"
The guards' voices were stern and resolute as they attempted to maintain order, preventing Who's Who's disruptive behavior from halting the entire event.
As the commotion escalated, the crowd grew increasingly chaotic.
This perfectly timed disturbance flawlessly concealed the figures of Ulti and her brother infiltrating the VIP viewing area, moving stealthily like shadows amid the confusion.
"Attention all contestants!"
The Announcer suddenly descended from the sky, landing right in front of Sasaki.
His abrupt appearance caused Sasaki's muscles to instantly tense up, his body involuntarily leaning backward in shock.
"The preliminary rounds will commence in two days! Register quickly—no extensions will be granted!"
The Announcer's voice rang clear and loud, cutting through the chaotic environment to reach everyone's ears.
His golden mask nearly pressed against Sasaki's face, the cold metal emanating a mysterious, unfeeling aura.
"There is only one rule for the competition—"
The holographic projection behind him suddenly switched.
It displayed the footage of Enel delivering "Divine Punishment"—the charred corpses smoking amidst lightning strikes created a horrifying scene that made everyone present gasp in shock.
"No private fights outside the arena."
The Announcer chuckled lightly, his mechanical smile sending chills down spines.
"Violators... will be executed on sight."
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
An emergency strategy meeting was currently underway, the atmosphere thick with tension.
The midday sun hung high in the sky, its scorching rays pouring down relentlessly, as if intending to melt everything in the world.
The pristine white buildings of Marineford reflected the intense sunlight so brightly that it was difficult to look at them directly.
However, inside the conference room, shadows reigned.
On the table, a Projection Den Den Mushi flickered with light, displaying the distressing holographic images from the Eternal Divine Kingdom coliseum.
In the darkened room, the recorded image of Akainu's Magma-Magma Fruit ability glowed like burning flames, emitting dangerous red light that flickered unsteadily.
"According to the latest intelligence..." Fleet Admiral Sengoku's finger struck the table heavily, causing ripples in his teacup.
"Over two hundred pirate crews are participating in the tournament, including the Beasts Pirates' Tobi Roppo."
Staff Officer Tsuru slightly lowered her head, her pen moving rapidly across the densely packed list with soft scratching sounds.
"What about Kaido himself?"
"Patrolling the edges of the restricted zone," Vice Admiral Doberman replied, frowning deeply. "But what's more troublesome is this..."
He switched to a new image showing the Red Force speeding toward the Divine Kingdom.
"Is Red Hair planning to participate too..."
The conference room suddenly fell into dead silence, so quiet that everyone's breathing became clearly audible.
The projected light refracted cold blue glints off Sengoku's glasses.
Sengoku slowly removed them and gently rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Everyone."
His voice suddenly lowered, like a blunt knife slowly cutting through tough leather, each word filled with power and determination.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Staff Officer Tsuru sharply raised her head, her gaze firmly locked on Sengoku's face.
She clearly saw the long-absent sharp glint flashing in Sengoku's eyes—that resolute look that only appeared before major wars.
As Sengoku's gestures changed, the three-dimensional projection switched to a map of the Eternal Kingdom, with twelve red dots marking key locations on the floating islands.
"The Science Unit has successfully analyzed the fluctuation frequency of the Eternal Kingdom's laboratory."
Sengoku's gaze swept slowly over the few people present, his voice carrying an unquestionable command.
"Stainless, Momonga, and Strawberry. Each of you will lead a team disguised as merchant ships to infiltrate covertly. You must ascertain the location of Ron's laboratory!"
"Yes!"
Momonga and the others nodded solemnly without hesitation.
They were prepared to face anything.
"Fleet Admiral... if we confirm the laboratory's location, can we..." Stainless couldn't help but ask, his voice betraying a hint of urgency.
"Remember the operational protocol!"
BAM!
Sengoku's fist slammed down on the projection of the Eternal Kingdom, causing the image to shake violently.
"The first priority is to seize the Devil Fruits, especially..." His eyes slowly scanned the three exquisite fruit models on the table, which resembled the prizes.
"These Admiral-level abilities. Once we obtain these Devil Fruits, the Marines' strength will achieve a qualitative improvement, allowing us to better handle any potential crises in the future."
"What if we encounter Ron himself?"
The Fleet Admiral's cloak billowed without wind, the kanji for "Justice" on his back flickering in the projection light.
"Then execute the Second Contingency Plan. Let the world witness what Naval Justice truly means!"
"Yes!"
"Understood!"
Suddenly, thunder roared outside the window, followed by a torrential downpour.
Bean-sized raindrops hammered against the windowpanes with a sharp, crackling sound.
The attending officers stood up in silence, their figures appearing particularly resolute in the dim light.
The conference table reflected their determined faces, every line etched with loyalty to the Marines.
Vice Admiral Onigumo gently polished his sword.
Momonga carefully adjusted his disguise's fake beard to ensure no flaws during infiltration.
Strawberry silently extinguished his cigar on the projection of the Eternal Kingdom, causing smoke to rise momentarily.
"Operation Codename: Ragnarok."
Sengoku slowly pushed open the window.
The salty sea wind, carrying rain, rushed into the room, tousling his afro but failing to extinguish the firm flame in his eyes.
"Let those pirates understand that the sea ultimately belongs to the Marines!"