Only then did Akainu turn around, his sharp gaze stabbing toward Vice Admiral Stainless like knives.
He took the document, and when his eyes fell on the words "Diamond Jozu," his pupils abruptly contracted.
CRACK!
The cigar in his mouth emitted a crisp sound—he had bitten clean through it in sheer intensity.
"What did you say? Diamond Jozu was captured by our men?"
Akainu slammed his palm onto the metal desk, causing the entire table to groan under the strain.
Documents and ink bottles jumped from the impact, spilling black liquid like blood.
Stainless immediately straightened his posture and saluted. "Yes, sir! The third reconnaissance squad discovered him accidentally during routine patrol. He was already severely injured and unconscious, likely from a battle with a Yonko-level threat."
Akainu raised his hand to cut off the report and strode toward the porthole.
Outside the window, the sea beneath the moonlight was as calm as a mirror, yet a storm brewed in his eyes.
As a veteran who had weathered countless battles, he understood all too well what this unexpected gain meant.
That old fool Whitebeard cared most about his so-called "sons."
Now, not only was Fire Fist Ace in Kaido's hands, but even the Commander of the Third Division had been detained by the Marines...
The corners of Akainu's mouth unconsciously curled into a near-ferocious smile.
"Immediately connect me to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Staff Officer Tsuru on the encrypted line," Akainu suddenly turned and ordered, his voice tinged with suppressed excitement.
"Notify all G-Base fortresses to enter Level 1 Combat Readiness, especially those near Whitebeard's territorial waters."
Just as Stainless turned to carry out the order, Akainu called him back.
"Wait. First, transfer Jozu to the 'Incinerator' using the highest-grade Seastone cage. I want him kept weak."
After Stainless left, Akainu returned to stand before the nautical chart, his thick finger pressing heavily on the location of the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
"Edward Newgate... This time, I will make sure you and your pirates are buried at sea forever!"
The engines of the Marine flagship suddenly roared to life as the steel behemoth began changing course.
Akainu watched the receding moonlight, the shadows on his face deepening.
A perfect plan to use Jozu as bait and completely annihilate the Whitebeard Pirates was gradually taking shape in his mind.
...
Under the night sky of the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
Members of the Tobi Roppo quietly withdrew according to Kaido's orders.
Black Maria's kimono sleeves brushed against the city walls, and Sasaki's giant mechanical blade gleamed coldly in the moonlight as they vanished like ghosts into the intricate streets and alleys.
However, no one noticed a figure wearing a red horned mask moving against the flow of people, slipping back into the shadows of the coliseum.
Who's Who leaned against a broken stone pillar, his sunglasses reflecting the flickering flames within the arena.
He stared intently at the panting Shiki in the center of the battlefield.
The legendary pirate's attacks had noticeably slowed, and his dazzling sword techniques had lost their initial sharpness.
"The old man is finally running out of steam..."
A cold smile tugged at Who's Who's lips. He instinctively touched the long neko-te dagger at his waist.
Though he possessed the Ancient Zoan Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Saber-Toothed Tiger, he knew that raw physical power wasn't enough to reach the pinnacle.
He needed the Glint-Glint Fruit to finally surpass Queen and King and become an All-Star.
The cacophony of battle from the arena below was deafening.
Shiki hovered mid-air, his once-majestic golden hair now stained with blood and whipping wildly with his violent movements.
The legendary pirate's dual swords remained fierce, but Who's Who keenly noticed his breathing had grown labored.
Each pause after swinging his swords lasted half a second longer than before.
"Fufufufufu!"
Doflamingo's signature laugh pierced the air as his fingers danced. Countless nearly transparent strings glinted with lethal brilliance in the moonlight.
The entire coliseum had become his puppet theater, with the ground, walls, and even the air transforming into deadly weapons.
The executives of the Donquixote Family swarmed toward the exhausted prey like sharks smelling blood.
Trebol's bloated body moved with unbelievable agility for his size.
"Behehehe! Sticky, sticky chains!" he roared.
He launched massive streams of high-viscosity mucus, attempting to glue Shiki's legs to the ground to strip away his flight advantage.
Diamante's blade traced an elegant arc under the moonlight.
"Death Enjambre!"
He unleashed a confetti storm of steel shrapnel, perfectly coordinated with Pica's massive stone fist erupting from the underground, forming a flawless killing combination.
Shiki laughed maniacally as he swung his swords to block.
The shockwave formed by his Haki shattered most of the attacks, yet one of Doflamingo's cunning threads still tore a bloody gash across his back.
"Jihahaha! You think you can defeat me with this rabble?"
Shiki spat out a mouthful of blood, but the fighting spirit in his eyes burned even brighter.
Who's Who's pupils slightly contracted.
He could clearly see Shiki's sword-wielding hand trembling faintly—this legendary pirate's stamina was nearing its limit.
The moment was ripening, like a fruit about to fall from the tree.
"Fufufu... Old man, did you think we came just for the Devil Fruit?"
Doflamingo's sunglasses reflected a cold light. "Today, we'll wash away last time's humiliation with your blood!"
As Doflamingo spoke, brilliant threads gathered at his fingertips. "God Thread!"
Back when they had received intelligence about Shiki and went to capture him, they had failed.
This time, they had to reclaim their pride.
Who's Who's body leaned forward slightly, his muscles tensed to their limit. He could practically feel the Glint-Glint Fruit in his hand.
Just a little longer... until Shiki completely falls...
Just then, something unexpected occurred.
Shiki's twin swords suddenly erupted with dazzling golden light, shining like the rising sun, instantly illuminating the entire ruined arena.
A suffocating, terrifying pressure swept through the area.
The very air seemed to solidify under this overwhelming presence.
"JI-HA-HA-HA-HA!"
Shiki threw his head back in mad laughter.
His golden hair flowed without wind, whipping about under the surge of his Haki.
"You all thought I was finished? How laughable! I was just taking a breather!"
Before his words faded, his twin swords had transformed into blinding beacons.
Innumerable sword slashes wrapped in supreme Armament Haki poured down like torrential rain, each containing terrifying power capable of splitting mountains.
The ground instantly shattered under this violent attack, debris flying everywhere as dust clouds rose.
"Lion's Secret Art: Chimera's Thousand Ravines!"
"What?!"
Doflamingo's pupils contracted sharply. He frantically manipulated his Awakening threads to weave a defensive net of holy white strings before him.
But before this legendary pirate who had returned to his prime, the defenses of a mere Warlord seemed utterly insignificant.