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"Shin, you went to see Rayleigh on purpose, didn't you? To leak that information."
Back aboard the Pluton, Olvia turned to Shin with a knowing look.
"I did," Shin admitted. "I thought the battle could use a little more excitent. If Rayleigh shows up, things will definitely get more interesting."
Of course, it didn't really matter if Rayleigh decided to stay out of it. A Whitebeard in his pri was more than enough to stir up a storm.
The elderly Whitebeard had nearly toppled the Marines, a version of him at his peak, at least thirty percent stronger, would be a sight to behold.
"I think if we want it to be more lively, it's better for us to intervene," Hancock declared, her voice filled with her usual arrogance. "If we were to intervene, the Marines wouldn't stand a chance,"
Shin chuckled at her words. "Hancock, if we step in, it'll be over before it even starts. Where's the fun in that?"
A battle without suspense was hardly worth watching. Besides, he had no personal connection to Ace. There was no reason for him to intervene and save him.
"Nami, you've been working hard lately," Shin remarked, turning to a visibly tired Nami.
Her training had been paying off, and her strength had improved significantly. A large part of that was thanks to the Perfect Sage Body Shin had granted her.
If she could just get her hands on a powerful Devil Fruit, she could easily beco a formidable fighter in her own right.
Unfortunately, powerful Devil Fruits were few and far between. Shin had a decent collection, but none of them were particularly noteworthy. The truly potent ones were usually eaten the mont they were found.
Getting one now was a long shot. He had plenty of Zoan-type fruits, but most of them were disappointingly weak.
Sure, people always said there were no useless Devil Fruits, only useless users, but that was just a nice saying. Believing it blindly would make you a fool.
"Are you going to train ?" Nami's eyes sparkled as she looked at Shin.
Olvia had been the one guiding her training recently. Shin hadn't been directly involved—at least, not yet.
"Alright, I'll train you." Shin thought for a mont and nodded. He had the ti, after all.
"To be honest, my guidance probably won't help you improve much faster. Olvia is actually a better teacher than I am."
Shin believed that when it ca to teaching—Olvia was superior. He might be countless tis stronger than her, but being a good teacher wasn't just about personal strength.
"It's fine. I don't mind," Nami said, shaking her head. Whether his training would boost her strength wasn't her main concern.
She just wanted him to be the one to train her. Nothing else mattered.
Shin began to guide Nami's training.
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anwhile, the summons for the Seven Warlords of the Sea had been issued. Sengoku had ordered all of them to Marineford. With the Whitebeard Pirates on their way, and other potential threats to watch out for, they needed all the firepower they could get. The Warlords had reaped the benefits of their position; it was ti for them to earn their keep.
The summons went out, and most of the Warlords answered. The only ones who didn't show were Blackbeard and Jinbe.
Jinbe, being on good terms with the Whitebeard Pirates and holding a deep respect for Whitebeard himself, refused to fight against them.
As a result, Sengoku had him arrested, stripped of his title, and thrown into Impel Down.
"Any movent from the Whitebeard Pirates?" Sengoku inquired.
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral! There is currently no sign of the Whitebeard Pirates. They've completely vanished," a Marine reported imdiately.
"Let's see him try to stay hidden when the execution begins—" Sengoku said, unfazed by the less-than-ideal report.
Even if they couldn't find Whitebeard now, he was certain the man would show up for Ace's execution. And if, by so chance, he didn't, it wouldn't be a loss for the Marines. Sengoku could use it to tarnish his reputation.
He claims his crew is his family, yet he won't even save his own son?
Whitebeard's standing in the pirate world would plumt.
Whether he ca or not, Sengoku had a plan...
Still, he hoped Whitebeard would co. With the preparations they had made, he was confident they could end the legend of Whitebeard at Marineford.
They had been observing him for years and knew his condition was deteriorating. He was constantly on an IV drip—a far cry from the man he was in his pri. This was why Sengoku had decided to make his move.
Among the Four Emperors, Whitebeard was currently the easiest target. That was Sengoku's assessnt. Moreover, Whitebeard was a symbol. Taking him down would send a powerful ssage to pirates everywhere, a deterrent that might just stem the tide of the Great Pirate Era at its source.
"Get Akainu and the others. We're going to escort Ace. I'll go myself," Sengoku ordered, adjusting his uniform.
He was taking all three Admirals with him.
This wasn't overkill, it was a necessary precaution. If Whitebeard managed to intercept them and rescue Ace, the Marines would beco a laughingstock.
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Soon, the three Admirals arrived and followed Sengoku to Impel Down. The journey from Marineford to the great underwater prison wasn't long.
"Fleet Admiral, isn't this move against Whitebeard a bit reckless?" Aokiji asked Sengoku.
Even if they succeeded in taking down Whitebeard, the Marines would suffer heavy losses. Aokiji felt the price was too high. What about the aftermath?
"This is an order from the Five Elders!"
Sengoku glanced at Aokiji. It was true, the Five Elders wanted to deal with Whitebeard, and Sengoku had then formulated the plan. Of course, Sengoku himself had been thinking along the sa lines, so their ambitions aligned perfectly.
"An order from the Five Elders??" Aokiji's brow furrowed, but he said no more. If it was their command, there was nothing he could say to change it.
"Aokiji, I expect you to give it your all in the coming battle," Sengoku said, clapping him on the shoulder.
His words carried a deeper aning.
Sengoku had always wanted Aokiji to succeed him as Fleet Admiral, and this was his chance to prove himself.
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