"Well done, Issho. Aramaki."
Sakazuki gave a curt nod, his molten gaze sweeping over the devastated island.
"This is nothing!" Aramaki laughed wildly, rolling his shoulders as vines coiled and retracted behind him. "I'm already itching to take Big Mom's head myself!"
Sakazuki let out a low snort, his eyes cold as iron as he surveyed the gathered Marine officers.
For this campaign to crush the Big Mom Pirates, he had mobilized overwhelming force.
Two Admirals.
Ten Vice Admirals.
Thirty Rear Admirals.
Fifty thousand elite Marines.
One hundred warships.
One hundred Pacifista.
And the combined power of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
This was not a skirmish.
This was extermination.
Their objective was singular and absolute—
Destroy the Big Mom Pirates.
Shatter the Three Emperors Alliance.
Reassert Marine justice across the New World.
"We have officially entered Totto Land's waters," Sakazuki declared, his voice like magma grinding against stone. "From here, we split our forces. Secure and seize every island surrounding Whole Cake Island one by one."
He paused.
"Once the perimeter is crushed, all divisions will converge on Whole Cake Island and launch the final assault."
"Understood?"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!" The response thundered in unison, morale surging like a rising tide.
At that moment, Fujitora stepped forward slightly, cane resting in his hand.
"Fleet Admiral… how shall we handle the civilians inhabiting these islands?"
Aramaki answered before Sakazuki could speak, his grin sharp and merciless.
"Isn't that obvious? They're to be eliminated."
His vines writhed faintly at his feet.
"These so-called civilians willingly trade money and even portions of their lifespans for Big Mom's protection. That's how she breeds her Homies and sustains Totto Land. They fund pirates. They empower pirates."
"They are accomplices."
Fujitora's brow tightened.
"Even so…"
Sakazuki cut him off instantly, his tone glacial and absolute.
"They chose to shelter beneath brigands."
"They chose corruption."
"They deserve no sympathy."
His gaze hardened.
"Every island here houses Big Mom's forces. We do not have the luxury of distinguishing sheep from wolves."
He looked toward the distant horizon, where Whole Cake Island loomed faintly beyond the sea mist.
"Today is Charlotte Linlin's birthday. Her subordinate pirate crews have gathered."
"This is a gift from heaven."
"One decisive blow… and we wipe them all out."
The sea wind howled.
For a long moment, silence lingered between the Admirals.
Fujitora lowered his head slightly.
"…Understood."
The gears of war had begun to turn.
And once Sakazuki moved—He never stopped halfway.
At that moment, Marine Vice Admiral Gion stepped forward and spoke in a steady voice:
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, according to our intelligence, the Big Mom Pirates possess a Mirror-Mirror Fruit user. Her ability functions almost like spatial transfer—she can move people instantly through mirrors."
She paused, but the implication was obvious.
"If the Phoenix Pirates or the Beasts Pirates launch a surprise assault using that ability…"
The threat hung heavy in the air.
Sakazuki, however, remained utterly unmoved.
"Don't concern yourself with that," he said coldly. "The World Government anticipated this scenario long ago. Agents have already infiltrated Totto Land. When the time comes, that Mirror user will be dealt with."
His magma-like gaze sharpened.
"The Beasts Pirates and the Phoenix Pirates will not be reinforcing Big Mom through mirrors."
"Our objective is singular."
"To completely crush the Big Mom Pirates."
The surrounding Marines nodded grimly. The tone had been set—this was not containment. It was extermination.
Sakazuki's eyes then shifted to the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
His voice dropped several degrees.
"As Shichibukai, you will demonstrate your worth on this battlefield."
"I expect each of you to eliminate no fewer than two hundred pirates."
"That is the bare minimum you owe in exchange for the privileges you enjoy."
"Two hundred?!" Buggy blurted out, nearly choking.
Sakazuki's gaze fixed on him like a blade.
"As Seven Warlords of the Sea, don't tell me you are incapable of handling a mere two hundred pirates."
"If so, I will reassess whether you are qualified to hold that title."
The atmosphere tightened instantly.
Though displeased at being openly assigned quotas like disposable weapons, none of the Warlords dared speak back. This was not Sengoku.
This was Sakazuki.
Whether they would truly fulfill that quota after landing… was another matter entirely.
Sakazuki gave one final order, his voice devoid of hesitation:
"Let me make this clear."
"This is an annihilation campaign."
"There will be no arrests."
"Kill them all."
"There are not enough prison cells for scum like this—and no reason to waste food keeping them alive."
The hawkish Marines stiffened with approval. This was absolute justice in its purest form.
Fujitora lowered his head slightly, gripping his cane.
"…To eradicate one Emperor's crew, we are prepared to sacrifice entire nations."
His tone was heavy.
"Is this truly the calamity pirate kingdoms bring upon the world?"
No one answered.
Orders had already been given.
Soon, the fleet began to divide.
Warships fanned out across the seas, targeting the thirty-four islands of Totto Land like hunters encircling prey.
At the center of the formation, Sakazuki stood at the bow of his flagship, coat billowing in the sea wind. Behind him stood Admirals, Vice Admirals, Pacifista units, and the Seven Warlords.
His voice cut through the salt air like a blade.
"Move out."
"Our destination—Cake Island."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
Ten massive Marine warships turned as one, cutting through the waves with unstoppable momentum.
Ahead, the capital of Totto Land awaited.
—
On the other side of Cake Island, laughter rang out amid the festive chaos.
Ulti suddenly pounced forward and wrapped her arms tightly around her younger brother.
"Long time no see, Little Page!" she beamed, squeezing him without mercy. "Big Sister missed you so much!"
Page One blinked in surprise, clearly caught off guard by her sudden appearance.
"Sister? What are you doing here?"
Ulti immediately puffed up in mock offense.
"Hey! That hurts my feelings! I had to beg Father before he finally agreed to let Zack and me come see you!"
Only then did Page One notice the towering figure approaching from behind her—a man well over two meters tall, calm and steady as a mountain.
Zack.
First Division Commander of the Phoenix Pirates. Ulti's husband. His brother-in-law.
Page One straightened instinctively.
"Long time no see, Brother-in-law."
Zack gave a firm nod in return, though his sharp eyes were already scanning the surroundings, as if searching for someone.
He didn't have to wait long.
A broad-shouldered man strode over with a loud laugh.
"Long time no see, Zack!"
Fossa didn't hesitate—he pulled Zack into a crushing bear hug, nearly lifting him off the ground.
"So what brings you here?"
Zack finally allowed himself a rare, relaxed smile.
"Ulti insisted on visiting her brother. Kaido-san approved it… and it gave me a chance to see you all as well."
Just then, another familiar figure approached at an unhurried pace.
"Long time no see, Zack. Fossa."
Blenheim's voice carried easy warmth.
Zack raised a brow in surprise.
"You're here too? Did Captain Marco send you?"
Blenheim smiled.
"Of course. Now that we're allied with the Big Mom Pirates, Captain couldn't attend personally. So he sent me to offer Mama birthday congratulations on behalf of the Phoenix Pirates."
Zack's eyes brightened.
Ever since marrying Ulti, he had remained with the Beasts Pirates. Kaido valued him highly—even offering him a seat among the All-Stars—but Zack had politely declined.
No matter where he stood, in his heart—
He was still the First Division Commander of the Phoenix Pirates.
He let out a hearty laugh.
"Doesn't matter whose territory this is. Tonight, brothers drink together!"
Moments later, the three sat at the same table. Blenheim pulled out a cask of the Phoenix Pirates' specialty liquor. The rich, familiar aroma filled the air instantly, stirring memories of battles fought side by side.
Cups clinked.
Laughter erupted.
They swapped stories—clashes in the New World, absurd wedding mishaps, Ulti's temper, Kaido's drinking contests, Smoothie's terrifying strength, Marco's latest outrageous stunt.
Meanwhile, Ulti dragged Page One to sit closer, proudly planting herself beside Zack.
The siblings talked animatedly—about Kaido's moods, about Onigashima, about family.
For a brief moment, beneath the looming shadow of war and politics, the world felt almost peaceful.
But in the distance—
The sea beyond Totto Land churned restlessly.
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