Meanwhile, in the New World, the air in the hidden Neo Marine stronghold was thick. LeMay, Binz, and Shuzo stood around a massive map table.
"Everything is moving according to the plan," Shuzo grunted as his massive arms crossed over his chest. "General Z will be making his move," he added.
"The 'End Point' plan is in motion, and the world won't know what hit it until the Neo Marines are the only ones left standing," Binz said.
"Our plan is to end all pirates," Shunzo said as he looked at the map. "They all should die," he added.
"I know," Binz replied. "And we shall make that happen," he added. "In fact the Marines are making it easier for us," Binz said as he leaned back.
"They are going to be fighting one of the Emperors of the Sea," LeMay replied. He still had bandages over him.
"Indeed," Shunzo responded.
"I don't understand why we don't attack them right now," LeMay responded.
"That is because General Z has ordered us not to," Binz replied. "Let the enemy fight among each other," he added as he got up and smiled. "Then we swoop in at a later point," he said.
"A full proof plan," Shunzo added as he looked at the map.
Binz adjusted his clothes. His eyes darted across the scrolling text on the side monitor. "Speaking of pirates, the Blackbeard Pirates have joined the ranks of the Warlords," he said.
"They are the ones who caused this," LeMay said as he leaned over the table.
"Pirates always cause this," Binz added. "But," he said.
"From a bunch of no bodies to a Warlord of the Sea," Shunzo remarked as he looked at the screen.
"But no matter, we will destroy them all," Binz said. "The End Point will make sure of it," he added.
"Has there been any news of Red Hair Shanks?" Binz asked as he looked at the Den Den Mushi.
"No but there are rumors that Kaido of the Beast is also on the move," Shunzo replied as he looked at Den Den Mushi.
"This should be more than enough reason for us to move," LeMay added.
"Hahah, look at you covered in those bandages," Binz said. "Settle down," he added.
"Why you?" LeMay grunted at them. He thought of the Love Pirates who had beaten him twice. He kissed his teeth. He looked at the screen. "And the Black Market for those robots?" LeMay asked as he leaned over the table. "I heard the supply line was completely severed," he added.
"It's gone," Shuzo confirmed with a grim nod. "The entire underground network for those combat units was dismantled," he added.
"The rumor on the street is that the creator of those robots was defeated by the Love Pirates," Binz said.
"Them," LeMay remarked. He thought their name made his blood boil.
"For once the pirates were useful," Binz laughed.
"It doesn't matter now," Shunzo said. "We just received word that the Marines have completed their own line of pacifist robots," he added as he looked at a pile of paper
"But our boss managed to secure the blueprints. We'll be able to build something even better," Binz added.
"That we will and when we do, I will use it to crush those pirates," LeMay said.
Standing slightly apart from the men was Ain. She was quiet. Her eyes were fixed on a piece of paper she held in her gloved hands. It was a bounty poster, and the face staring back at her was none other than Demon King Ben.
She looked at the sharp lines of his face and the strength in his eyes. She felt a sudden, warm flush crept up her neck and stained her cheeks a deep, dusty rose.
She thought of this man. Her heart gave a strange fluttery skip. He's the one who's been causing some of this chaos.
"Ain? Are you even listening?" Binz asked as he turned toward her.
"You have been quiet," LeMay added
Ain looked up. She folded the poster and tucked it into her belt. She cleared her throat. Her face was slightly red. "I was just analyzing the primary threat," she said. "Ben's crew is growing too fast. If they cross paths with the General, it could be a problem," she added.
"A problem we'll crush," Shuzo laughed. "General Z has no mercy for pirates," he added.
"That name seems to be coming up a lot lately," Binz said. "Dont they have robots as well?" he asked.
"I did not see it myself but I think they do," LeMay replied.
"Either way, they all soon will be crushed," Shuzo said.
Ain nodded, but her hand rested on the spot where the poster was hidden. "We need to start preparing," Ain remarked.
"We are," Binz replied.
"Make it quicker," Ain said as she walked out of the room.
"What is with her?" LeMay asked.
"Maybe just a woman thing," Binz joked.
"But she is right, we need to make preparations quicker," Shuzo said as he looked at the screen.
Ain walked to her room and entered it. She closed the door and leaned her back against the door. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the crumpled bounty poster of Demon King Ben.
Ain walked towards her desk. She smoothed it out against her desk. She stared at his sharp jawline.
Ain thought why was she like this. She thought she was a Neo Marine. She would follow General Z. Her life was dedicated to the eradication of his kind.
She walked over to the bed. She remembered the stiff collars, the rigid hierarchy, and the absolute belief that "Justice" was a simple, black-and-white concept. She remembered training under Zephyr when he still wore the purple coat of an Admiral, before the world broke him and her along with him.
Ain looked at the poster again. There was something in his expression that didn't fit the mold of a common criminal.
"You make it look so easy," she whispered to the empty room.
She sat on the edge of her bed. Her long legs tucked beneath her. A strange, fluttering sensation stirred in her stomach. She felt a sudden, irrational urge to see him in person
"I'm losing my mind," Ain muttered. "The General would say I've been compromised. But how can one man be so distracting?" she muttered.