After reaching this conclusion, Michael's mind suddenly cleared.
All those seemingly unrelated events from before were now completely connected.
But with this realization, the task of rescuing Vivi was going to become much more complicated.
Michael and Robin waited at the headquarters of the Angel Alliance.
Half a day later, the team responsible for the on-site investigation finally returned with good news.
"Michael, we found this pattern at the scene."
Law, who had just entered the office, gave Robin a slight nod before activating his Devil Fruit ability.
"Room·Shambles!"
Instantly, the domain of the Ope Ope no Mi expanded, and the table in front of them swapped places with an object from another location.
A half-wall covered in various magical rune-like patterns appeared before them.
"This is likely the most significant find at the scene... Over the years, the Five Elders and the God's Knights have occasionally appeared on battlefields to turn the tide. They probably rely on this thing for teleportation," Law explained, pointing at the pattern.
"We've discovered these patterns many times before... but we never understood how they were used. However, this thing must be prepared in advance; otherwise, direct teleportation is impossible."
Michael nodded.
Just as expected.
The goal of the God's Knights aligned perfectly with his own thoughts.
"Hey! Michael! How's it going?"
Garp's booming voice echoed from outside the door.
Michael turned around, looked at the carefree Garp, and sighed.
"Have you forgotten that I haven't officially returned yet?"
"Enough, is there any point in pretending anymore? After all, we're about to take on the World Government!" Garp shot Michael a glance, his eyes filled with an expression that said.
'Do you think I don't know you?'
"I think it's time... You probably feel the same way, right?"
Michael studied Garp for a moment.
Although his own actions had been quite straightforward, Michael never expected that the person who would most naturally align with his plans would be Garp, this old troublemaker.
This damn tacit understanding!
Indeed, Michael was moved.
Although the main reason was to rescue Princess Vivi of Alabasta from the clutches of the World Government...
This was also the perfect excuse.
An excuse to achieve everything in one fell swoop.
Michael and Garp stared at each other for a long time before both broke into smiles.
It was a dangerous and cunning smile.
It sent shivers down Robin's spine.
"Alright, Robin, don't just stand there dumbfounded," Michael waved at Robin. "Notify all departments of the Angel Alliance... It's time. Prepare to launch the full-scale attack."
"Launch the full-scale attack!? So suddenly!?" Robin was taken aback. "Then... should we tell them that you've returned?"
"At this point, there's no need to hide it," Michael's eyes shifted thoughtfully before he continued,
"But just let them know I'm back. Don't reveal my identity as a pirate yet."
"As you wish."
Robin nodded helplessly and left the office.
Informing the entire Angel Alliance and all its allies was no small task.
"Using Vivi's kidnapping as a pretext to launch a full-scale attack... Once Cobra learns of this, he'll probably owe you a kowtow... From his perspective, you'd be charging into battle in righteous fury for his daughter's sake."
"After all... opportunities are fleeting, and once lost, they may never return."
Michael smiled.
Yet deep down, he felt that the World Government's role in his plans had essentially run its course.
Now was the best time to strike the World Government while they were unprepared, before Lily could regain her strength through Vivi.
A "Summit War" erupting in Mary Geoise would be the perfect finale for the World Government, which had operated for over eight hundred years.
...
Over the next three days, the Angel Alliance immediately shifted into overdrive, entering a state of intense war readiness.
Every position in every corner began carrying out its assigned tasks.
Though the sudden increase in workload was exhausting, smiles never left their faces.
Because...
Michael had returned!
The "Angel" of the Angel Alliance, the very symbol of the organization, had officially returned!
And as soon as he came back, he issued this earth-shattering order...
Prepare all war supplies and mobilize personnel!
The great offensive... was about to begin!
At the frontline command post in the New World's G-1, when Akainu received the news, his perpetually stern face—which usually looked as if someone owed him five million—actually broke into a smile.
And wherever he went, Akainu made no effort to hide that smile.
This thoroughly unnerved some of the frontline officers and soldiers.
After all, Fleet Admiral Akainu had a bit of a dark history.
But when they learned of Michael's return, their smiles became even more exaggerated than Akainu's.
Working frantically to transport military supplies while wearing masochistic grins...
It was hard to say which scene was more unsettling—this or Akainu's smile.
Similar scenes weren't limited to G-1.
The Whitebeard Kingdom, Whole Cake Island, Wano Country, the Germa Kingdom, Alabasta, and more...
Every faction within the Angel Alliance was swept up in the same fervent excitement.
It was a moment unlike any other in the past seven years.
This was the power of Michael as a benchmark, as a spiritual leader.
...
New World, Angel Grand Fleet.
On Yamato's flagship, all the captains of the Grand Fleet had gathered.
"You all arrived quite promptly... I suppose you already know something big is about to happen." Bellamy, the First Captain of the Angel Grand Fleet, crossed his arms and leaned against the mast.
"Eager to... make a name for yourselves in this world?"
"Ahahaha! Making a name isn't really the point... What matters is sailing the seas with Captain Yamato!" Bartolomeo, the Second Captain, let out an arrogant and foolish laugh.
"Today's simple divination... The Chariot upright, symbolizing control, victory, discipline, and determination... It seems a war that will sweep across the entire sea is about to begin." Basil Hawkins, the Third Captain and "Magician," remained as cryptic as ever.
"Hey! Yo! Let's get hyped, mates! The day to make the whole world groove is coming soon!" Scratchmen Apoo, the Fourth Captain and "Roar of the Sea," shouted through a megaphone, rallying the crew.
"You're really noisy, Apoo..." Captain No. 5 "Mad Monk" Urouge impatiently scratched his ear.
"Hmph, you all deserve to be shot..." Captain No. 6 "Gangster" Capone Bege lit a cigar, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled.
"Tsk, I really don't know what you're all so excited about." Captain No. 7 Eustass Kid, after losing a hand, had disappeared for a while until he was found by Yamato.
By his side, as always, was his loyal deputy, "Massacre Soldier" Killer.
Of the twelve Supernovas, except for Cavendish, who had been sent to Impel Down, all the other Supernovas had become captains of the Angel Grand Fleet.
They had gathered on Yamato's flagship because Yamato had called them together, claiming there was a big deal to share with them.
Just then, in the cloudless sky, a shadow suddenly appeared, looming over Yamato's flagship.
Everyone instinctively looked up...
Only to see countless floating mountains, seawater, and metal suspended in mid-air.
"Ahahaha! You're all shocked by my Bonney Treasure, aren't you!"
As the voice rang out, the twelve-year-old most wicked pirate, "Flying Sky Witch," "The New Golden Lion," Bartholomew Bonney, made her grand entrance!