Sengoku immediately scolded Onigumo.
He brought up the incident from last time when Vir had blown Doberman’s head off right in front of them.
Onigumo, chastised, lowered his head.
The others also silently averted their gazes.
After adjusting his posture, Sengoku continued: "What are you afraid of! That old bastard Golden Lion is already at his limit!"
"He has no powerful allies backing him up anymore! He’s just a lone wolf now!"
"Our Marines are fully capable of handling them!"
"As long as we work together, taking down those two old fossils won’t be a problem at all!"
Sengoku declared with utmost seriousness.
Hearing this, the flames of hope reignited in everyone’s eyes!
What made the Yonko truly terrifying was their massive organizations.
When it comes to top-tier combat strength, the Marines wasn’t inferior to them in the slightest.
But if two Yonko forces came crashing down on the Marines at once, that would be too much to handle.
In this case, though, the enemy only had one extra Emperror-level fighter.
They just needed to figure out how to contain him!
They might not even need to change their existing plans!
Everyone’s eyes began to gleam with realization.
Seeing Sengoku’s completely unshaken demeanor put them somewhat at ease.
The Fleet Admiral must have a plan, right?
"Exactly, as long as we can hold off that guy, there won’t be any problems."
Sengoku now addressed the most critical issue.
"Proceed with the original plan. As for Admiral-level deployments, I’ve made some adjustments."
Clearing his throat, Sengoku revealed his changes:
"Everything else remains the same! Admiral Kizaru will handle Golden Lion!"
Before Sengoku even finished speaking...
The previously relaxed den-den mushi’s eyeballs practically bulged out to the center of the conference table!
Almost impaling Aokiji who sat opposite.
Kizaru’s normally soft-spoken voice suddenly jumped several octaves.
His shout echoed throughout the meeting room.
The leisurely flying Kizaru nearly lost his balance and plunged into the sea.
His sunglasses were knocked off by his bulging eyes.
This showed just how shocking the news was to him.
It nearly scared him to death.
Right now, he just wanted to say - We’re in a meeting! Can’t you be serious, Fleet Admiral! This kind of joke isn’t funny at all!
Admittedly, he knew this was a formal meeting where the Fleet Admiral wouldn’t joke.
But... he still wanted to protest!
"I’m fighting Golden Lion~?"
"You heard correctly, Kizaru. You’re handling Golden Lion!"
Sengoku repeated with absolute certainty.
Hearing this, Uncle Kizaru’s hanging heart finally dropped dead.
Thoroughly dead, with perfect timing.
After decades of diligent service, was the organization finally making its move?
They’d finally had enough of him and wanted him gone, huh?
Fleet Admiral, if you want me dead, just say it!
Was it really okay to toy with him ?
That Golden Lion... you didn’t see him!
You’re talking so casually!
Why don’t you go fight him yourself!
Back then, you needed a duo with Garp to take him down!
And now you want me to solo him?
That guy almost ate me alive earlier!
If I’d been a second slower, he’d have carved a chunk out of me!
His Haki nearly shattered my glasses!
Do you even understand!?
Uncle Kizaru was really losing it.
The normally composed man was visibly agitated for once.
This was clearly a suicide mission.
His comrade Aokiji looked equally stunned.
He’d guessed Kizaru might get a big assignment, but this big?
Big enough to send Kizaru straight to the grave.
Sure, this deployment could solve their frontline issues.
But here’s the question:
Could Kizaru actually handle Golden Lion?
Aokiji’s skeptical expression wasn’t concealed at all.
Everyone else shared the same doubt.
This simply didn’t seem possible.
Recognizing their concerns, Sengoku patiently explained:
"Don’t worry. His first wave of free-fall attacks will be handled by everyone together. Your job, Kizaru, is to stall him afterward."
Kizaru felt his stomach churn.
Do you think stalling is that simple!?
He had almost not made it out alive in the last encounter!
"Don’t worry. At most, he’s just agreed to help that kid out. He’s not going to go all-in. Holding you, an Admiral, at bay is already doing plenty, right?"
Hearing this, everyone finally understood.
Golden Lion and Whitebeard weren’t exactly best friends.
He didn’t even know Ace.
Why would he fight with everything he’s got?
For someone of his stature, just making an appearance was already giving Vir tremendous face.
Who the hell did Vir think he was?
Thinking he could command a Yonko?
If Golden Lion was really just making a token appearance...
Then this plan might actually work!?
As for why they chose Admiral Kizaru...
Perhaps, maybe, possibly, probably... because his absence would least affect the battlefield?
Everyone’s faces showed dawning comprehension.
This was indeed a brilliant move.
Only Kizaru’s expression remained troubled.
Not because he felt underestimated.
Being underestimated would actually please him.
His real fear was that Golden Lion might not be there just for show.
If that was the case, wouldn’t he be like a helpless damsel pinned down by the Golden Lion?
Completely at his mercy?
"Don’t worry! If you can’t hold out, Akainu can assist you. But first he needs to execute our strategy to maximize enemy casualties."
"So initially, you’ll have to manage alone."
Sengoku added, cutting off Kizaru’s impending protest.
After Akainu completed the tactical encirclement to deliver massive damage, only Marco would require Admiral-level attention.
At that point, Akainu would be free, while Aokiji handled Marco.
Whitebeard would be dealt with by Sengoku and Garp.
They still had Zephyr and Tsuru as wildcards to counter potential moves by Vir or other unknowns.
Momousagi and Chaton would also join the battle.
The New World would have to wait.
Priority was winning this immediate conflict.
While Fleet Admiral Kong wouldn’t personally intervene, he’d provide support if absolutely necessary.
Their odds of victory remained quite favorable.
Sengoku had considered every possible factor.
Done everything within his power.
Whether they won... depended on hea— no!
Depended on whether that brat would stir up more trouble!
The "brat" Sengoku referred to was naturally Vir.
Kizaru had no choice but to accept the assignment.
Though his drooping expression made clear how reluctantly he agreed.
What the Marines didn’t know...
Was that Vir was already on his way to cause more chaos.
Unbeknownst to them, Vir hadn’t made any demands of Shiki.
The entire negotiation had been between Whitebeard and the Golden Lion.
Vir had simply healed him, taken what he wanted, and made his daughter lose an arm that only Vir could reattach.
Whether Shiki would fight seriously, Vir had no idea.
As for whether Uncle Kizaru would be working overtime or lying in the infirmary, groaning through an extended "vacation"—Vir didn’t know that either.