[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 486- 490

Chapter 486: King & Smoothie

Kaido snorted coldly, reaching for another barrel of sake from a nearby cart. He raised it to his lips and took several deep gulps before slamming it down on the table with enough force to splinter the sturdy wood.

"Of course we must act quickly," he growled, wiping sake from his lips with the back of his hand. "The sooner the better. Whether the Marines have been moving to Onigashima recently or they're planning an ambush, we must strike before they're fully prepared. We cannot give them the opportunity to gather reinforcements and supplies."

"Indeed, that's absolutely right," Big Mom responded, nodding vigorously.

Unlike some pirates who preferred to bide their time, Charlotte Linlin was not someone who would passively await her fate. She immediately aligned herself with Kaido's aggressive strategy, her tactical mind already calculating the resources she would need to commit to this venture.

After a brief discussion of logistics and timing, the two Yonko finally settled on a specific schedule.

"Then it's decided—we move in three days," Big Mom declared, clapping her massive hands together. "We'll use this time to make all necessary preparations. Once my children arrive from across Totto Land and King has chosen a suitable bride, we shall set out immediately!"

"Hmph, whatever you want," Kaido responded impatiently. He snatched up another wine barrel and tilted his head back, gulping down the potent liquid like water.

Inside, he seethed with frustration. Linlin, that scheming old hag, had actually used such underhanded tactics to claim King, who had been his loyal right-hand man for so many years.

Although King's position as an All-Star of the Beast Pirates wouldn't necessarily change simply because he became Big Mom's son-in-law, Kaido was still deeply unsettled by this development.

What if King genuinely developed feelings for his Charlotte bride and fathered children with her? Would he still have the time and dedication to help Kaido conquer the New World? Who would lead the Beast Pirates alongside their captain if the reliable Commander of the All-Stars was distracted by family obligations?

Queen? That buffoon with his head full of nonsense and his penchant for ridiculous dramatics?

Or perhaps one of the Flying Six, all of whom were merely average in strength compared to King and constantly bickering among themselves?

Without King—an exemplary second-in-command possessing both strength and tactical brilliance—the Beast Pirates might as well disband altogether.

The more Kaido contemplated these possibilities, the more his anger festered. He glared at Big Mom across the table, silently planning his next move. He had no intention of allowing King to become merely a breeding tool to preserve the Lunarian race.

If necessary, Kaido intended to wait until after King's wedding, then simply collect King and his new wife and take them both back to his fleet. The Charlotte daughter would become a Beast Pirate by marriage—a solution that would satisfy the letter of their agreement while maintaining his crew's integrity.

Of course, it was inconceivable that Big Mom would ever agree to such an outrageous proposal. If she allowed Kaido to abscond with her daughter, everything she had schemed for would be rendered pointless. She would essentially be surrendering one of her Sweet Commanders to a rival Emperor—an unthinkable concession.

And so, before the celebratory banquet could properly resume, the two Emperors launched into a fresh round of heated negotiation. Their officers on both sides could only listen in uncomfortable silence, none daring to interject when their captains were locked in such a tense discussion.

The shocking news spread across the seas like wildfire: Kaido's right-hand man was about to marry a daughter of Emperor Big Mom herself. With the sudden cancellation of the previously scheduled tea party, reporters and information brokers rushed to disseminate this unexpected development.

Word reached Marine Vice Admiral Monkey D. Luffy and his forces in Wano Country by afternoon of the same day the marriage had been decided.

Luffy was genuinely stunned when the intelligence report crossed his desk.

"That masked guy with the fire powers is getting married?" he exclaimed, eyes widening with disbelief as he leaned back in his chair. "To one of Big Mom's daughters?"

He frowned, his normalface turning serious as he considered the implications. This marriage would cement the alliance between Big Mom and Kaido, potentially creating a unified force that even the Marines might struggle to counter.

"But why now?" Luffy mused, tapping his fingers against his desk. "Kaido has been staying with Big Mom for quite some time already. For weeks, neither side made any significant moves. Why suddenly arrange this marriage?"

Something about the timing felt suspicious to the young Vice Admiral. His instincts—honed through countless battles—warned him that this wasn't simply a political arrangement.

And his premonition would soon prove correct.

Three days later, the Big Mom Pirates made their official announcement, revealing the identity of King's bride-to-be.

The chosen Charlotte daughter wasn't the 18th daughter of the family, who typically wore a purple coat reminiscent of Doflamingo's style paired with a distinctive pink miniskirt.

Instead, the fortunate bride selected for this momentous union was one of the elite fighters of the Big Mom Pirates—the only female among the four Sweet Commanders.

Big Mom's 35th child and 14th daughter, Charlotte Smoothie.

As the Minister of Juice in Totto Land and a fearsome warrior with a bounty of 932 million berries, Smoothie represented one of the Charlotte family's greatest military assets. Her Devil Fruit ability to wring liquids from any object or person made her both versatile in combat and valuable for Big Mom's food-centric operations.

The announcement surprised many, as most had assumed King would select a less prominent Charlotte daughter, perhaps one with less combat responsibility. Few had anticipated that Big Mom would offer one of her most powerful children for this arrangement.

Before King had made his selection, numerous Beast Pirates had offered their unsolicited advice—most with mischievous or outright malicious intent. Queen, Sasaki, Black Maria, and others had each suggested different Charlotte daughters, often the ones with the most unusual appearances or difficult personalities.

Even Kaido had approached King privately, advising him that if he must go through with this marriage, he should at least choose wisely. The Emperor had recommended the daughter he considered the most beautiful among the Charlotte family.

Compared to her more unusual-looking sisters, Galette was one of the few Charlotte daughters who had inherited her mother's more aesthetically pleasing features from Big Mom's younger days. When set alongside some of the more visually distinctive Charlotte siblings, Galette seemed an obvious choice for someone concerned with appearances.

However, King had rejected Kaido's suggestion and unexpectedly selected Smoothie instead. His choice surprised many, but his reasoning was both strategic and personal.

The primary consideration was one of status. As the lead All-Star of the Beast Pirates, King felt obligated to choose a bride of comparable rank within Big Mom's organization. Selecting a lesser Charlotte daughter might have appeared as though the Beast Pirates were accepting a subordinate position in the alliance—something that would dishonor Kaido.

Simultaneously, despite his long-held reluctance to father children, King had begun to reconsider his stance. With the protection of two Emperors—Kaido and Big Mom both invested in their alliance—any children he produced would receive unprecedented protection. Even those who might covet the rare abilities of the Lunarian bloodline would hesitate before incurring the wrath of two of the world's most powerful pirates.

Given these changing circumstances, King reasoned that if he were to leave behind offspring, he should choose a partner with exceptional abilities. This would ensure that any children born from their union would inherit the strongest possible traits from both lineages.

In this way, the rare Lunarian blood might not only survive but thrive in the next generation.

Chapter 487: Action Begins, Fleet Admiral Response

As for Smoothie's own thoughts regarding this arrangement, despite her status as one of the four Sweet Commanders and among the highest-ranking officers under Big Mom, her opinion was never solicited. Neither Kaido, King, nor Big Mom herself considered her feelings on the matter. She was simply another piece being moved across the board in this high-stakes game between Emperors.

King had his own private thoughts about the situation. "You think you can force my hand?" he mused darkly behind his mask. "Then I'll ensure you don't have an easy time either."

He had deliberately made the engagement arrangements directly with Big Mom, completely bypassing Smoothie herself—a minor rebellion against being used as a political pawn. If he couldn't escape this fate, he would at least assert what little control he could over the process.

To outside observers, the two pirate organizations appeared to be uniting harmoniously, with their respective top executives joining in marriage to cement their alliance. News outlets across the world speculated about the "golden boy and jade girl" combination, wondering how this union between the taciturn Lunarian and the formidable Sweet Commander would change the power dynamics of the New World.

However, before the public discourse could evolve beyond superficial gossip, the actions of the two Emperor crews completely disrupted the relatively stable situation in the New World. The pieces were moving into position for what promised to be a cataclysmic confrontation.

"Moshi moshi~ This is Kizaru speaking~"

Somewhere on the seas between Punk Hazard and Dressrosa, Admiral Borsalino, better known by his epithet "Kizaru," was patrolling the waters aboard his personal Marine battleship. Unlike many of his colleagues who remained perpetually vigilant, Kizaru had no responsibility to guard Dr. Vegapunk since his ‘resignation’ and was conducting routine surveillance with his customary lack of urgency.

The Admiral lounged lazily in his chair, feet propped on his desk as he carefully trimmed his fingernails with a small pair of clippers. His movements were languid, almost exaggeratedly casual, as he picked up the receiver of the Den Den Mushi and placed it carelessly on the desk beside him.

From his posture to his tone of voice, everything about Kizaru exuded an indolent disregard for protocol that would have infuriated many of his more disciplined colleagues.

In stark contrast to Kizaru's relaxed demeanor, the man on the other end of the transponder snail communicated with decisive urgency.

"Borsalino," the gravelly voice commanded, "prepare yourself immediately. The Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates have mobilized their forces. Rendezvous with Akainu at the designated coordinates—we will intercept and neutralize them together."

Kizaru's perpetual expression of mild surprise shifted to exaggerated disbelief. He paused his nail-trimming activity and stared at the Den Den Mushi as if it had suddenly started speaking in tongues.

"I must say, Fleet Admiral," he drawled, "this joke is in rather poor taste."

He slouched further in his chair, amusement tinging his voice. "Those two are among the most dangerous monsters on the seas. How do you propose Me and Sakazuki confront them successfully?"

Kizaru made a dismissive gesture with his hand, momentarily forgetting that Sengoku couldn't see him. "My suggestion is that we coordinate with multiple Marine branches. Join forces with Vice Admiral Gion, Vice Admiral Luffy, and other high-ranking officers from neighboring bases."

His voice turned slightly more serious, though still maintaining its characteristic drawl. "That approach might give us a marginally improved chance of victory, wouldn't you agree?"

There was sound logic in Kizaru's assessment. Even as Admirals—the Marine's ultimate fighting force—engaging two Emperors simultaneously in direct combat would be extraordinarily dangerous. Given that three formidable allied forces were stationed at the G-66 branch nearby, it seemed unnecessarily reckless to confront two of the Four Emperors on the open sea without additional support.

After listening to Kizaru's suggestion, Sengoku fell silent for several moments. The Yellow Monkey initially assumed this meant the Fleet Admiral was reconsidering the strategy and would likely agree to a more conservative approach.

Instead, Sengoku's voice came back over the Den Den Mushi, lower and more intense than before.

"No. We cannot allow the battlefield to be set at Onigashima or Wano Country," he stated with absolute finality. "The G-66 branch has 10,000 new recruits still in training, plus the strategic seastone factory under its jurisdiction. If we permit the enemy to reach those locations, we will suffer catastrophic losses."

His voice hardened further, the transponder snail's expression mirroring Sengoku face. "We must intercept and engage the enemy while they're still at sea, keeping them well away from our island facilities!"

After a brief pause, he added: "I've already notified Vice Admiral Gion and Vice Admiral Luffy. They concur with my assessment and are currently mobilizing their forces to provide support when needed."

The Den Den Mushi's eyes narrowed, perfectly capturing Sengoku thinking face. "Borsalino, this is not the time for your typical reluctance. We must capitalize on their decision to attack us preemptively—a circumstance where the World Government cannot interfere with our response. This is our opportunity to inflict devastating damage on both Emperor crews."

Sengoku voice dropped to an almost eager . "If fortune favors us, we might even annihilate them completely while they're exposed on the open sea!"

Listening Fleet Admiral zealous declaration, Kizaru's eyebrows furrowed into a "川" shape, his usual expression of mild concern.

"My, my, aren't we being to ambitious," he thought to himself while suppressing a sigh. "We're talking about two of the Four Emperors with a combined force of 60,000 to 70,000 pirates under their command. If we genuinely intend to capture them all in one operation, we'll need more than just the resources of a few nearby branches."

Despite his internal complaints, Kizaru recognized that Sengoku had already set the plans in motion. As Fleet Admiral, His word was essentially law within the Marines. What point was there in further argument? He would simply follow orders as required.

"But," Kizaru mused with a hint of his usual languid amusement, "since Sakazuki himself will be taking the lead in this engagement, perhaps I can get away with exerting minimal effort as usual."

Just as Sengoku had indicated, the G-66 branch under Vice Admiral Luffy's command had already begun mobilization. Setting aside the 10,000 new recruits who hadn't completed their training, Luffy personally selected 1,500 of his most experienced veterans from the original garrison of 3,000 soldiers.

These elite troops were preparing to embark immediately aboard the Stormbreaker, ready to provide critical support on the battlefield.

Simultaneously, Luffy participated in the video conference initiated by Fleet Admiral through a network of connected Den Den Mushi. The gathering represented an unprecedented assembly of Marine leadership from across the New World.

In addition to Luffy himself, the conference included Admiral Akainu, Admiral Kizaru, his grandfather—Hero of the Marines Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, who commanded the G-2 branch. Also present were Vice Admiral Momonga, commander of the G-1 branch; Vice Admiral Strawberry, Vice Admiral Dalmatian, commander of the G-14 branch; and several other high-ranking officers.

The meeting was chaired by Fleet Admiral Sengoku. The assembled personnel discussed with military precision their rendezvous points, the distribution and formation of their warships, and various tactical considerations for the coming battle.

All participants projected an air of readiness for the imminent confrontation with the combined forces of Kaido and Big Mom. Unlike previous skirmishes with Emperor crews, this situation demanded an all-out response from the Marines.

The suddenness of the impending conflict—apparently initiated by Kaido and Big Mom without provocation—had created an unusual political circumstance. For once, the World Government had issued no orders for the Marines to exercise restraint in their response.

While the Five Elders typically preferred to maintain a delicate balance of power in the world, they recognized that they couldn't reasonably restrain the Marines in this instance. If the Marine suffered humiliation at the hands of two Emperors without mounting a significant counteroffensive, it would severely undermine the credibility of both the Marines and the World Government they represented.

Therefore, the Five Elders had opted for deliberate non-interference, allowing Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and the other senior officers to respond as they deemed appropriate. For once, the Marines would be unleashed to exercise their full military might against the Emperor crews without political constraints.

Chapter 488: Someone, Get This Observation Haki User Out!

On the meeting, As the main Admiral that had been dealing with the New World Pirates and have extensive experience in the New World, Sengoku give Sakazuki the Command of the operation.

Admiral Sakazuki, better known as Akainu, cut an imposing figure on the video transmission. He wore his customary dark red suit with a small rose pinned to his lapel—an unexpected touch of elegance for a man known for his brutal efficiency. A thick cigar smoldered between his teeth, trailing wisps of smoke that drifted upward out of frame.

His piercing gaze methodically scanned the assembled officers displayed on the large screen before him, assessing each commander in turn. He deliberately ignored Vice Admiral Garp, who was openly dozing in his chair, head tilted back and occasional snores punctuating the strategic discussion.

Instead, Akainu fixed his attention on the young man at the center of the video conference—the newest and most controversial Vice Admiral in the Marines.

"Vice Admiral Luffy," he began, his gravelly voice conveying absolute authority, "Intelligence suggests that Kaido and Charlotte Linlin are most likely targeting you specifically in this operation. My priority is to intercept and engage their forces as far from the G-66 branch as possible."

Akainu took a measured draw from his cigar before continuing. "It would be prudent to have either Vice Admiral Gion or Shichibukai Hancock remain behind at your base to guard against the possibility of Kaido attempting a surprise attack while our main forces are engaged elsewhere."

Luffy nodded decisively, his demeanor serious—a stark contrast to the carefree pirate he might have become in another life. "Understood. I'll have Hancock stay behind to secure our position. With her strength and abilities, she can effectively delay Kaido's advance if necessary, at least until I can return with reinforcements."

Akainu received this response without comment.

Though he held an ingrained hatred for pirates that bordered on obsession, the Admiral was not above pragmatic considerations. Since Boa Hancock had aligned herself with Luffy, she had effectively become a Marine asset, regardless of her technical status. Even the Amazon Lily kingdom had begun training warriors who occasionally served the World Government's interests.

Given these practical realities, Akainu had no objections to Luffy's tactical deployment of Hancock. Results mattered more than ideology when facing threats of this magnitude.

"According to our latest intelligence," Akainu continued, setting his operational framework, "this offensive will be led personally by both Kaido and Charlotte Linlin. They appear to be committing nearly all of their combat-capable forces, bringing their full military might to bear."

He drew another puff from his cigar, the smoke momentarily obscuring his features. "On the primary battlefield, the four of us—myself, Admiral Borsalino, Vice Admiral Gion, and Vice Admiral Garp—will engage Kaido and Big Mom directly."

Garp continued to snore softly in the background, apparently unconcerned with being volunteered for combat against two Emperors.

"The rest," Akainu addressed the other officers, "will focus on eliminating key enemy combatants. Your primary targets are the All-Stars of the Beast Pirates and the Flying Six. Additionally, neutralize the Sweet Commanders of the Big Mom Pirates and any Ministers of Totto Land who present significant combat threat. These officers represent the backbone of both Emperor crews and must be eliminated with extreme prejudice!"

As he finished outlining the strategy, a communications officer suddenly burst into view on Akainu's feed, his expression urgent. "Report to Admiral Sakazuki! Our forward scouts have detected the vanguard of the Pirate Coalition Fleet! The forces appear to be led by Sweet Commander Katakuri and All-Star King of the Beast Pirates!"

Akainu acknowledged the report with a calm nod, betraying no concern at the news that two of the most dangerous fighters in the New World were approaching. "Proceed according to established protocols. Ensure all units are in position for engagement."

"Yes, sir!" The communications officer saluted sharply before disappearing from view.

Akainu returned his attention to the assembled commanders on screen. "The situation is developing as anticipated. Borsalino is en route to my position as we speak. The rest of you should mobilize immediately and converge on the coordinates I've provided."

"Understood," came the chorus of responses from most officers.

"Crystal clear."

"Moving out now."

"Acknowledged."

"Zzzz... Hrmph... snore..."

Ignoring Garp's continued slumber, Akainu prepared to conclude the meeting and finalize his battle preparations. However, at that precise moment, another interruption occurred—this time on Luffy's video feed.

A woman with short dark hair and an intense expression rushed into frame. This was Viola, Princess Violet of Dressrosa, who now served as Luffy's chief intelligence officer. Her Devil Fruit ability—the Glare-Glare Fruit—granted her unparalleled surveillance capabilities that had proven invaluable to Marine operations.

Viola seemed completely unconcerned with interrupting a high-level strategy meeting, her expression betraying genuine alarm as she reported directly to Luffy:

"Vice Admiral Luffy! Critical situation! I've detected Kaido the Beast moving through cloud cover approximately 1,300 kilometers from our position! He's approaching at extreme velocity and will reach the G-66 branch within three hours at his current speed!"

Having delivered this shocking news, Viola bowed her head in evident frustration. "I sincerely apologize for the delayed detection. He was flying above the White Sea at an altitude exceeding 7,000 meters. I failed to scan that elevation during routine surveillance. We only discovered his presence when he descended enough to enter my standard observation range, at which point he was already within 1,300 kilometers."

An awkward silence fell across the video conference.

Every Marine officer stared in stunned disbelief, not at the news of Kaido's approach, but at the casual mention of detecting someone from over a thousand kilometers away—a distance well beyond what even the most advanced surveillance equipment or Observation Haki should be capable of perceiving.

"Is... is this even human language?" Strawberry muttered, breaking the silence. "They're 1,300 kilometers apart, and she's detecting someone flying at 7,000 meters altitude? You'd have to be some kind of monster to have Observation Haki at that range!"

"Someone, get this ridiculous Observation Haki user out of here!" Momonga exclaimed. "Next she'll be telling us what pirates in the East Blue had for breakfast!"

Luffy wanted to defend his intelligence officer but couldn't entirely disagree with their astonishment. Even he sometimes found Viola's abilities unnervingly comprehensive. Instead, he focused on the immediate threat, rising from his chair in alarm.

"That sneaky bastard Kaido is really making a move?! And he's being this underhanded about it?"

Vice Admiral Gion, who was physically present alongside Luffy rather than connected remotely, immediately grasped the strategic implications. "This is clearly a diversion. They've orchestrated the Marine confrontation to draw our main combat forces away from Wano, creating an opportunity for Kaido to attack directly."

"Kaido and Charlotte Linlin are employing the classic 'lure the tiger from the mountain' strategy," she continued, her tactical assessment cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "If not for Viola's devil fruit abilities, Kaido could have remained undetected until it was too late. Given his personal vendetta against Luffy, we can assume his intentions are nothing short of reclaiming Wano and potentially executing a devastating attack on the G-66 base itself."

Sengoku that have been in the sideline scowl hearing this analysis. Wano Country represented far more than just another territory under Marine control. Beyond the crucial seastone deposits that supplied both the World Government and the Marine, Luffy had transformed the formerly isolated nation into a stable source of recruits and resources for Marine operations throughout the New World.

Moreover, Wano now hosted the headquarters of the Olive Company—a rapidly expanding financial enterprise that had become an increasingly vital source of funding for the chronically underfunded Marines. Despite the potential embarrassment of having the Marine effectively serve as security for a corporate entity, But the deal he had gotten with Olivia and Luffy are too much to lose.

With the Marine's financial lifeline potentially at risk, Sengoku’s normally controlled demeanor gave way to visible concern.

"Vice Admiral Luffy," he commanded, "disregard Akainu previous orders. You will not join the main battlefield. Instead, you, Vice Admiral Gion, and Hancock must focus entirely on intercepting and neutralizing Kaido before he reaches Wano."

The Buddha, The Marine General mind already recalculating the distribution of forces. "I'll contact Admiral Borsalino immediately and redirect him to provide additional support at Wano. Under no circumstances can we allow Kaido to reclaim that territory."

Chapter 489: Luffy: If Kaido Dares to Come, I Will Kill Him!

"Why send Kizaru? So we can watch him pretend to fight while actually doing nothing?" Luffy thought to himself, though he kept these sentiments private.

Instead of responding immediately to Fleet Admiral’s suggestion, Luffy carefully considered the strategic implications. He glanced at Vice Admiral Gion beside him, noting her subtle nod of confidence, and finally reached his decision.

"With all due respect, Fleet Admiral, that won't be necessary," Luffy stated firmly. "We will handle Kaido ourselves. I personally guarantee we can delay him long enough to prevent any damage to Wano."

His expression hardened with resolve. "Admiral Borsalino would be better utilized supporting the front line against Big Mom. With him and Akainu working in tandem, sir, a mere Big Mom will quickly discover she arrived only to never return."

A cold smile spread across Luffy's face "We can make sure they won't be holding any wedding celebration next month. Instead, they'll be conducting a funeral for Big Mom."

Hearing Luffy's confident assertion that he intended to face Kaido with only his local forces, the faces of Vice Admirals Momonga, Strawberry, and Dalmatian changed dramatically. Their initial thought was that the young Vice Admiral didn't properly comprehend Kaido's true strength and was merely showing off.

But upon further reflection, they recognized that despite his youth, this man had already faced Kaido in direct combat just over six months prior—and had inflicted severe injuries on the Emperor. A feat virtually unheard of in Marine history.

Nevertheless, concern lingered among the senior officers. During that previous encounter, Luffy had been supported by legendary combatants like Garp, Aokiji, and Kizaru. While Vice Admirals Gion and Hancock were formidable fighters in their own right, they simply didn't command the same level of raw power as those three.

Sengoku himself felt uncharacteristic hesitation. the Fleet Admiral couldn't deny the young man's potential and his substantial contributions to the Marines in recent months.

He didn't want to risk losing such a valuable asset, especially not to Kaido's vengeful rampage.

"No," Sengoku stated firmly, shaking his head. "The risk is unacceptable. Even with your capabilities, we cannot underestimate Kaido's monstrous strength."

The Fleet Admiral's typically stern expression betrayed a hint of genuine concern. "Reflect on your previous engagement with him. Not only were you severely wounded, but both Admiral Kuzan and Admiral Borsalino sustained serious injuries as well. For security's sake, I must insist that Borsalino reinforce your position."

Despite recognizing that Sengoku’s objection stemmed from legitimate strategic concerns, Luffy remained resolute in his refusal. His strength had evolved considerably since their last confrontation, yet he had recently encountered a plateau in his Conqueror’s Haki development. Paradoxically, he needed this challenge—needed Kaido's overwhelming pressure—to break through his current limitations.

So much so that he secretly wished Gion and Hancock wouldn't participate at all, preferring to face Kaido one-on-one.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Luffy responded with unexpected formality, "I respectfully ask you to trust in the capabilities of myself and the G-66 branch. Don’t just count the three of us, we have two additional officers who possess Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruits."

This revelation caused several video feeds to show visible surprise among the senior officers.

"Furthermore," Luffy continued, "we have a specialist with remarkable regenerative abilities—the user of the Heal-Heal Fruit. Even if we cannot defeat Kaido outright, we can certainly wear him down to the point of exhaustion or retreat."

Hearing these unexpected assets revealed, the assembled Vice Admirals collectively drew sharp breaths of astonishment.

"Listen to how casually he mentions possessing two Mythical Zoan users," Strawberry muttered, loud enough to be heard. "Those are among the rarest Devil Fruits in existence."

"And an equally rare healing ability user," added Momonga. "No wonder he's so confident—it borders on arrogance. But with those resources..."

Even Sengoku momentarily found himself speechless.

"Damn it all," he thought grudgingly. "Kaido may have bitten off more than he can chew this time. Not only was his sneak attack discovered before he could approach, but he's heading straight into a trap with three strong, two Mythical Zoan users, and a dedicated healer against him."

The Fleet Admiral realized that attacking the G-66 branch would likely yield no advantage for Kaido whatsoever. In fact, given these revelations, it seemed increasingly possible that the Beast Emperor might not survive the encounter at all, despite his legendary durability.

Recognizing the changed, Sengoku saw no need for further argument. He nodded silently and rose from his seat.

"Very well. I leave Kaido to your forces. I expect to hear of your success."

His tone left no room for failure as he concluded, "This meeting is adjourned!"

With that declaration, Sengoku’s screen went dark, and the other Vice Admirals quickly said their farewells before disconnecting from the conference.

In his video feed—which had remained active throughout—Vice Admiral Garp finally stretched and yawned dramatically. The old Marine hero, who had apparently slept through the entire strategy session, now looked around with feigned surprise as if wondering why everyone was leaving.

Luffy couldn't help but silently marvel at his grandfather's shameless behavior. Whether Garp had genuinely been asleep or simply pretending to avoid participation in the tedious planning session was anyone's guess.

Not particularly concerned with whether his grandfather had absorbed any of the meeting's content, Luffy offered a brief greeting and prepared to disconnect his own feed.

Before he could do so, however, Garp abruptly spoke up.

"Luffy, you reckless brat," he called out, his gruff voice carrying unexpected undertones of genuine concern. "Be careful out there. Don't let your temper get the better of you."

Looking at the video feed showing Garp nonchalantly picking his nose while simultaneously yawning, Luffy's lips twitched with exasperation.

"I should be saying that to you, old man," he retorted. "Don't get too comfortable. Be careful you don't get skewered by Big Mom while you're busy napping. That would be truly embarrassing for the 'Hero of the Marines.'"

"Tch," Garp waved dismissively, evidently unconcerned with the prospect of facing an Emperor. "Get going already. I need to leave too—duty calls!"

His expression softened almost imperceptibly. "If things get dicey, remember you can always call your grandpa. I won't even laugh at you... much."

With a characteristic boisterous laugh, Garp disconnected from the video conference.

Luffy snorted, refusing to dignify his grandfather's teasing with a response. He gathered his materials and prepared to depart with Viola and Gion to make preparations for Kaido's imminent arrival.

Before they could exit the conference room, however, the main screen unexpectedly flickered back to life. Garp's face appeared once more, filling the display with his broad grin.

"Oh, one more thing, Luffy!" The old Marine called out as if remembering something vital. "I heard those 'computer' contraptions you've got are pretty interesting toys. Send me the best one you've got—your grandfather wants to play too!"

Without waiting for Luffy's inevitable refusal, Garp disconnected again, leaving his grandson sputtering in disbelief.

"I @#$%^&... that old..." Luffy shook his head, unable to even complete his thought.

Even in his sixties, Garp remained hopelessly out of touch with modern technology yet paradoxically eager to acquire the latest devices—which he would inevitably break within days through his characteristic roughness.

Chapter 490: Kaido: This Thundering Sky is as Annoying as That Little Brat

"No wonder Fleet Admiral Sengoku gets a headache whenever Grandpa appears," Luffy thought, massaging his temples. "It's because of the old man's impossible personality."

He took a deep breath, silently making a mental note to completely ignore his grandfather's request for a computer. The last time Garp had been given advanced technology, he'd mistaken a transponder snail recording device for a stress ball and crushed it with his bare hands.

"Forget headaches—dealing with him probably shaves years off my lifespan from sheer frustration," Luffy muttered to himself.

With the video conference concluded, Luffy departed the communications room alongside Vice Admiral Gion and Viola. The trio made their way through the corridors of the G-66 Branch headquarters toward Luffy's office, where they found several officers already gathered, clearly summoned by Viola's advance warning.

Despite the gravity of the situation—with two Emperors mobilizing against them—the assembled officers appeared remarkably composed. Their collective confidence spoke to the significant changes Luffy had implemented in his command over the past months.

As Luffy entered, Yamato immediately sprang to her feet. The daughter of Kaido himself, now allied with the Marines, hefted her massive kanabo with unconcealed enthusiasm.

"Luffy!" she exclaimed, eyes burning with determination. "Let me go after him! I'll smash that bastard Kaido's head in myself!"

The former self-proclaimed "Kozuki Oden" had found new purpose serving alongside Luffy in the Marines, though her wild temperament remained unchanged. Her intimate knowledge of Kaido's fighting style made her an invaluable asset, but her personal vendetta against her father sometimes clouded her tactical judgment.

Luffy fixed her with a stern look, reaching out to firmly tap her on the shoulder with enough force to make her pause.

"Why are you always rushing headlong into things?" he admonished. "At least hear the battle plan before volunteering for a suicide mission."

Having been chastised, Yamato visibly reined in her eagerness, though her eyes still gleamed with fighting spirit. The kanabo—similar to her father's weapon of choice—remained clutched tightly in her hand.

Luffy decided not to delve into the complicated father-daughter dynamics at play; they had more pressing concerns. He turned to address his girls.

"Our original defense plan remains in effect," Luffy declared authoritatively. "Maintain heightened patrol schedules and remain vigilant for possible diversionary attacks on our secondary installations."

He moved to the large map of Wano displayed on the wall, pointing to specific locations as he continued. "The 1,500 elite Marines we've assembled will immediately deploy to Onigashima to reinforce our position there. Hina, Kalifa, and Alpha—take command of that contingent."

The named officers nodded in acknowledgment of their assignments.

"Flower Capital security falls to you, Kujaku and Ain," Luffy continued, marking the city on the map. "Ensure civilian evacuation protocols are ready to implement if necessary."

He turned to address two additional officers. "Nami and Olivia—proceed immediately to Egghead Island. Coordinate with Robin, Sentomaru, and Dr. Vegapunk. We may need their technical support before this is over. Maintain constant communication via encrypted Den Den Mushi."

Nami nodde.

"Finally," Luffy concluded, "Hancock, Gion, and myself will intercept Kaido directly. We must take the offensive and prevent him from getting anywhere near Wano Country's main islands!"

The assembled officers dispersed to their assignments with military efficiency, a far cry from the chaotic but effective teamwork they had once displayed as pirates. Under Luffy's leadership, they had evolved into a formidable fighting force that seamlessly blended pirate adaptability with Marine discipline.

Meanwhile, Kaido remained blissfully unaware that his approach had been detected from such an extraordinary distance.

Soaring 7,000 meters above the White Sea, he had been exercising considerable caution. When he reached approximately 500 kilometers from Wano's borders, he transformed from his dragon form back to his humanoid appearance to reduce the risk of detection.

Clutching a Den Den Mushi in his massive hand, Kaido entered a cloud-house he had created using his Flame Clouds ability—a portable command center suspended in the upper atmosphere.

After verifying that his black Den Den Mushi—a specialized model that blocked signals and prevented eavesdropping—was functioning properly, he initiated contact with the key orchestrator of the dual Emperors' alliance on the front battlefield.

"King," he rumbled into the receiver, "what's the current situation? Have you engaged Akainu yet?"

The Den Den Mushi buzzed briefly before King's measured response came through.

"Boss Kaido," his right-hand man reported, "everything is proceeding according to plan. We've successfully drawn Akainu's attention, but he hasn't launched an immediate attack. He appears to be waiting for reinforcements."

A satisfied smile spread across Kaido's scarred face. "Excellent. Maintain your current position and keep your distance from him. Alert me immediately when Kizaru arrives on the scene."

Kaido's excitement grew as he contemplated the carefully orchestrated strategy unfolding. Once Admiral Kizaru joined the Marine confrontation, Big Mom would reveal herself, drawing the full attention of the Marine leadership.

This would create the perfect opportunity for Kaido to strike Wano directly—or better yet, intercept and eliminate the young Vice Admiral who had humiliated him months earlier.

"When I appear behind the Marine lines," Kaido thought to himself, "Akainu and Kizaru will inevitably rush back to defend Wano. But by then, Big Mom will have fulfilled her part of our agreement."

With her "Iron Balloon" defensive abilities making her practically invulnerable to conventional attacks, Linlin could easily hold back Akainu, Kizaru, and even Garp if he appeared—at least for the half-day Kaido estimated he would need.

He felt absolute confidence in his ability to deal with the "little Marine brat" this time. The prospect of eliminating such a significant threat improved his mood considerably, prompting him to make an impulsive promise to King.

"Listen, King," he declared, "once I kill that upstart, I'll secure the design schematics for those 'computer' devices they're manufacturing. I'll give you the entire Company as your wedding gift!"

King's response was characteristically restrained, but Kaido could sense his first mate's appreciation for the gesture. Despite his reluctance regarding the arranged marriage, King had always understood sacrifice for the greater good of their crew.

After exchanging a few more words of encouragement, Kaido terminated the connection.

Having stowed the Den Den Mushi safely away, he surveyed the vast expanse of white clouds surrounding his floating sanctuary. Feeling no immediate urgency, Kaido settled comfortably into the main seat of his cloud-house.

He retrieved his treasured gourd of sake and helped himself to the food he had prepared in advance. Eating and drinking contentedly, he focused on maintaining his optimal condition for the coming battle.

More than half an hour passed in this manner. During this time, Kaido contacted King twice more to receive situation updates. Upon learning that Kizaru had indeed appeared near the battlefield, Kaido prepared to launch his surprise attack on Wano the moment the two sides officially engaged in combat.

What he hadn't anticipated, however, was that while he sat eating and drinking, patiently awaiting his moment to strike, his intended target had already located him.

Sizzle... BOOM!

A sudden thunderclap outside the cloud-house caused Kaido to pause mid-bite, barbecued meat hovering inches from his mouth. His eyes narrowed with suspicion as he glanced toward the small window.

"Thunder?" he muttered, his instincts immediately on alert. "This feels... ominous. Reminiscent of that little devil's ability."

After voicing this concern, Kaido tried to dismiss the coincidence. He returned his attention to his meal, raising the skewer of meat to continue eating.