Chapter 248 - 248: Chaos Approaches

The eyes of the Whitebeard Pirates crew fell upon the person who had remained silent all along. Ace was sitting in the Captain's seat, carefully examining the photo taken by Morgans.

Marco continued, 'Looking at the worst-case scenario, we might even need to directly face the combined forces of Kaido and Big Mom.'

'The situation might not be that tense,' Ace's voice came from behind Marco.

'If Big Mom and Kaido decided to join forces against us, they would at least send 'King the Wildfire' and Charlotte Katakuri.'

'Not the slightly lesser Queen and Charlotte Cracker. I believe Big Mom and Kaido probably won't intervene directly.'

Marco nodded, somewhat agreeing with Ace's view.

'Moreover, with their Observation Haki, they couldn't possibly be unaware that Morgans' News Coo captured them. It's too soon to have leaked the news of their alliance.'

Marco sighed, 'Right, it's almost as if they're reminding us that they've allied with Ochoku.'

Ace went on, 'Furthermore, in this photo, the Mirror-Mirror Fruit user, Charlotte Brulee, has also come here. Her ability can transport Big Mom directly from Cake Island to Ochoku's location.'

'Kaido himself can also hide in the clouds and fly out directly. They both possess the ability to arrive instantly. But why did they only let Queen and Charlotte Cracker appear?'

Just as Ace was somewhat puzzled by their intentions, another pirate ship began approaching the Moby Dick.

A figure rushed across the sea's surface and, before any of the other Division Commanders could react, charged onto the deck of the Moby Dick.

Among the Commanders present, only Ace and Marco reacted. Two bursts of flame shot towards the charging figure.

A flash of sword light blocked their flames, and a bold voice rang out from the dust, 'Long time no see, Ace kid. You've been having a lot of trouble lately.'

Seeing the newcomer, Ace's tense heart relaxed, 'Long time no see, Shanks. What brings you here?'

Looking at the newspaper in Ace's hand, Shanks said, 'I came precisely because of that matter in your hand.'

Marco asked,'So, do you know what Kaido and Big Mom are planning?'

Shanks nodded and said, 'Those two are actually here for me as well.'

Beckman also jumped onto the deck of the Moby Dick and began explaining to Ace and Marco:

'More accurately, they want to see what our relationship is really like.'

'After the Marineford War, Ochoku approached Kaido and Big Mom, trying to persuade them to let him become a new Four Emperor. But what made them uncertain was Shanks's actions.'

Shanks said, 'They couldn't gauge whether I would come to back you up or not, so they sent people to test the waters. If I didn't show up when the time came, they would appear directly and try to finish you off there.'

'However, even if I come, you'll still have some trouble. Beckman and I have analyzed it; it's highly likely you'll have to fight Ochoku yourself.'

'Don't worry. Ace is just that guy Roger's kid, right? There's no way I'd lose to him.'

On Ochoku's territory, Hachinosu, Ochoku was drinking and holding a banquet with Queen and Charlotte Cracker.

Having detected the movements of the Red Hair Pirates, Queen and Charlotte Cracker had already reported the latest intelligence to Ochoku. Ochoku also understood that,

his only path to becoming a 'Four Emperor' now was to defeat Ace head-on.

Nevertheless, he still probed tentatively, 'Is this Shanks guy really that strong? Wasn't he just a little brat on Roger's ship too?'

Queen shook his head and said:

'That guy is no ordinary man. Boss Kaido once sparred with him after he became a Four Emperor. When he returned, he warned us not to provoke that guy lightly.'

'During that drinking session, I saw a very deep slash wound on Boss Kaido's body.'

Ochoku didn't say anything more. He knew about Kaido's defensive capabilities. Swordsmanship capable of wounding Kaido would give even him a hard time.

He was already envisioning himself defeating Ace and becoming a 'Four Emperor'.

With all Four Emperors converging, such a major scene naturally wouldn't go unnoticed by the Marines. Sengoku frowned as he looked at the intelligence in his hand.

After a long sigh, Sengoku leaned helplessly back in the Fleet Admiral's chair and began to ponder.

Beside him, Vice Admiral Tsuru held a teacup, watching the troubled Sengoku, and said, 'What matter has even you, the Fleet Admiral, so worried?'

Sengoku tossed the intelligence report to Vice Admiral Tsuru beside him, 'Take a look too. All Four Emperors are on the move. The seas are about to change again.'

Vice Admiral Tsuru glanced at the intelligence in her hand. Discovering it also involved Ace, the corner of her mouth twitched twice. She set down her teacup and walked straight out the door:

'Ah, I need to go check on my disciple. I wonder how her painting is coming along. You worry about this matter yourself.'

Watching Vice Admiral Tsuru leave directly, Sengoku's hand, raised to stop her, froze mid-air as the door to his office was abruptly slammed open by the newcomer:

'Hahahaha, Sengoku! These pirates are actually ganging up on Ace kid! What about us Marines? Shouldn't we go help out?'

Garp's booming voice rang out amidst a cloud of dust.

A vein bulged on Sengoku's forehead as he roared, 'Garp, you fool! Ace is a pirate too! What do you mean,

we Marines should go help out

?!'

Garp patted Sengoku's shoulder, threw an arm around him, and laughed heartily:

'What does it matter? Ace hasn't killed any Marines. Besides, Ace being a Four Emperor is better than that Ochoku guy, right?'

Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed. Seeing her two old friends showing signs of another fight, and Sengoku's brain seemingly short-circuiting in front of Garp as usual, she suggested:

'What's the big deal? With something this major, it wouldn't be right for the Marines not to be involved. Just let Garp and Hera go. They're definitely going anyway.'

Hearing Vice Admiral Tsuru's words, Garp's eyes lit up. He immediately abandoned Sengoku, saying, 'Hahahaha! And you call yourself a strategic genius! Tsuru's brain works much better!'

'Alright, it's settled then. I'll contact Hera right away and set off. But Hera doesn't need to come pick me up; I'll get there myself.'

Not waiting for Sengoku's reply, he leapt into the air, leaving the Fleet Admiral's office and taking Sengoku's rice crackers with him.

Sengoku looked at the mess before him, sighed, and the desire to retire surged in his heart once more.

'Tsuru, is it really alright to let those two go?'

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