The youngest soldier stammered, nearly dropping the recording Den Den Mushi into the sea.
The sergeant forced composure as he directed them to dock, but their legs trembled uncontrollably as they stepped onto the devastated land.
Every fissure in the ground was deep enough to swallow a person, and the air reeked of a nauseating mix of ozone, char, and blood.
"Look over there!" a soldier suddenly shouted, pointing into the distance.
The three hurried in that direction. At the center of the largest, glassed-over crater, they discovered Diamond Jozu—unconscious and battered.
The Third Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates was covered in blood.
His diamond body, usually indestructible, was riddled with spiderweb-like cracks.
However, the faint rise and fall of his chest proved he was still alive.
"My God! It's Diamond Jozu!"
The corporal's voice trembled with excitement. "He's a top executive of the Whitebeard Pirates!"
The three exchanged glances, seeing wild joy in each other's eyes.
Such a great achievement was enough to earn every one of them at least a promotion to Master Sergeant, perhaps even Commissioned Officer status!
The young soldier couldn't wait to pull out his Den Den Mushi. "We must report to the Vice Admiral immediately!"
In less than half an hour, a small Marine warship cut through the waves to the shore.
Vice Admiral Stainless personally led the team.
Several elite soldiers swiftly placed special Seastone Cuffs on the unconscious Jozu, suppressing his Devil Fruit abilities instantly.
Only when they confirmed the cuffs were securely locked did everyone finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"Well done, soldiers," Stainless patted the reconnaissance team members on the shoulders. "You've accomplished a monumental feat this time. Now, we set off immediately to report to Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!"
As the warship slowly sailed away, the young soldier remained immersed in excitement, constantly looking back at the devastated island.
The warship cut through the blue sea, speeding toward the massive fleet where Akainu was stationed.
...
Meanwhile, Kaido sat on his throne inside the Mammoth, holding a giant gourd of liquor, amber droplets trickling down his chin.
Deafening laughter echoed throughout the cabin as the three Calamities sat around him, also drinking heavily.
"Wororororo!"
Kaido threw his head back and took a huge gulp, his beard shaking with his booming laughter.
"That old fool Whitebeard! Let's see what he has to say now!"
King elegantly wiped the liquor from his lips, a shrewd glint in his eyes.
"With Fire Fist Ace as our hostage, Whitebeard has no choice but to comply."
Queen's face was already flushed red from drinking.
He somehow produced a wine cup from nowhere and refilled it.
"Muhahaha! If you ask me, we should just make Whitebeard hand over that bastard Ron! Daring to cause trouble in our territory..."
Though still bandaged, Jack's drinking pace didn't slow in the slightest.
"When negotiations come, I'll personally teach that diamond bastard a lesson!" He slammed the floor fiercely, making the entire ship seem to shake.
GULP.
Kaido tilted his head back and drained the bowl of strong liquor in one go.
The liquid dripped down his beard as he casually smashed the ceramic bowl on the floor, sending shards flying.
CRASH!
The cabin immediately fell silent, everyone holding their breath awaiting his next command.
"Hogback!" Kaido's deep voice reverberated through the cabin.
Dr. Hogback, who had been standing attentively in the shadows (having been recruited for his medical expertise), immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Your subordinate is here, fosfosfos!"
Kaido narrowed his crimson dragon eyes, his fingers rhythmically tapping the armrest of his throne.
"Send orders to the Tobi Roppo. They have one day to withdraw as the situation permits."
Hogback slightly raised his head, his brow furrowing beneath his mesh mask.
"Lord Kaido, what about the Devil Fruits..."
"It doesn't matter!"
Kaido suddenly burst into loud laughter, shaking dust from the cabin beams.
"We've gained far more than any Devil Fruit!" As he spoke, his gaze turned toward the dark direction of the ship's prison cells.
King elegantly swirled his wine glass, thoughtfully adding, "Indeed. Compared to a few Devil Fruits, a bargaining chip to threaten Whitebeard is far more valuable."
"Perhaps through this leverage, we could obtain dozens of times more Devil Fruits!"
Queen suddenly produced a microphone from somewhere, standing on stage and beginning to dance.
"Boss Kaido, should we let the Tobi Roppo cause some trouble before withdrawing?"
"Unnecessary." Kaido waved his hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Have them retreat quietly. For now... the initiative is in our hands. We must not be passive."
Hogback bowed respectfully. "I shall carry this out immediately."
As he turned, his wide robes traced an eerie arc in the candlelight.
In the communications room, Hogback activated the highest-level encrypted Den Den Mushi.
With the purupuru ringing, Black Maria's languid voice came from the other end.
"Oh? Does Lord Kaido have new orders?"
"Prepare for immediate withdrawal," Hogback's voice held no emotion. "Within one day at most, whether successful or not."
There was a brief silence from the Den Den Mushi, followed by Black Maria's meaningful light laugh.
"Understood~ It seems we've caught a bigger fish."
After ending the communication, Hogback stood by the window, gazing toward the twinkling lights of the Eternal Divine Kingdom, a slight smile forming beneath his mask.
This game was becoming increasingly interesting.
At this moment, Kaido remained unaware of a fatal flaw in his plan.
He believed Jozu, whom he had left beaten but alive, would return to the Moby Dick to deliver the message.
He didn't know that Jozu had been captured by the Marines just minutes after the Beast Pirates departed.
Had he known, he would have been so enraged that he'd likely flip the Marine warships outright!
He had gone to such great lengths precisely to negotiate with Whitebeard—to either make Whitebeard hand over Ron or secure some other leverage.
Now, with their messenger gone, his entire plan was utterly ruined.
Whitebeard wouldn't know Ace was captured; he would simply think Ace and Jozu had vanished.
...
In the dimly lit prison cell at the ship's bottom level, Ace was tightly bound by heavy Seastone chains, suspended mid-air.
His consciousness drifted in and out, vaguely hearing the revelry from the deck above.
Every sway of the ship made the chains emit an ear-grating creak.
The Seastone's effects prevented him from using his elemental transformation, draining his energy and leaving his wounds burning with pain.
"Jozu..."
Ace struggled to move his lips, cracked corners bleeding as he tried to recall the moments before he lost consciousness.
Yet, he couldn't remember what had finally happened to Jozu.
The uncertainty was a heavier weight than the chains.
...
Meanwhile.
In the combat command center of the Marine flagship, Akainu stood alone before the Holographic Sea Chart.
Under the dim lighting, the cigar in his mouth glowed intermittently, filling the enclosed space with accumulating, choking smoke.
KNOCK KNOCK.
"Report!" An urgent knock suddenly sounded at the door.
"Enter," Akainu said without turning around, his voice as deep as if emerging from a volcano's depths.
Vice Admiral Stainless entered, military boots clicking sharply against the floor.
He carried an encrypted intelligence scroll, sweat still beading on his forehead.
"Admiral Sakazuki! Urgent situation!"
Stainless stood at attention, unable to hide the tremor of excitement in his voice.
"The reconnaissance unit has returned from Sector 4. They found... and successfully captured the Third Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Diamond Jozu!"
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