556-560

Chapter 556: Life’s Too Dreamlike 

Hearing this… 

Ruri couldn’t help but give Yoru a strange look before shaking her head helplessly. 

He was already one of the Four Emperors, one of the most revered figures on the seas, yet he was still so childish. 

It was honestly kind of exasperating! 

But, of course, he was still the captain! 

… 

For the whole of Wano Country! 

The naval battle that had just taken place had an unimaginable impact on their fate. 

Some felt ashamed but accepted it calmly. 

Others remained indifferent, even pessimistic. 

Why, you ask? 

Probably because, from the start, they knew Momonosuke and his crew didn’t have much hope of winning. 

So… 

When the other samurai of Wano saw Momonosuke arrive, they rushed out to meet him. 

But they were just quietly watching the commotion. 

Knowing they couldn’t win, there was no need to add unnecessary casualties. 

And, sure enough, just as they expected, the samurai side got completely crushed! 

And now… 

When they heard that the Lightning Pirates were recruiting some people to join their ranks… 

Many of them didn’t hesitate much. 

The Lightning Pirates were, without a doubt, a crew with a bright future. 

Plus, after the Lightning Pirates took control of Wano, they’d treated everyone pretty well. 

Naturally… 

Not many people were inclined to resist! 

That’s also why they didn’t help Momonosuke. 

No way around it… 

That’s just how reality works. 

Compared to Momonosuke and the Red Scabbards, the Lightning Pirates had far greater power and strength to protect Wano. 

People are practical creatures. 

“It’s getting lively—pretty enthusiastic, huh!”  

Yoru watched the bustling recruitment process with a smile. 

A massive battle was looming, and it was going to be intense. 

He needed to bolster the crew’s strength. 

Yoru didn’t overlook the importance of the rank-and-file soldiers just because of his own overwhelming power. 

Sometimes, the root of a problem comes from the grunts. 

Yoru’s thinking was simple: one more person meant one more bit of strength. 

After all… 

What he was about to do was no small feat! 

… 

The Straw Hat crew! 

They were recovering in Wano, staying in the place where Momonosuke and his group once lived. 

Yoru had granted Momonosuke some autonomy, allowing him to move freely within Wano. 

He had no reason to make things hard for M This message has been cut off. To continue the conversation or see more details, please provide additional input or let me know how you'd like to proceed! 

Chapter 557: Plan for Total Annihilation  

“Stopping the Lightning Pirates is a given, but the question is whether we intercept them before they reach the Final Island or after they arrive there!”  

Sakaski’s voice was low and heavy as he addressed the room, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. 

Hearing his words, Ghost Spider didn’t hesitate. “Obviously, we intercept them before they reach the Final Island! A dangerous figure like that can’t be allowed to set foot on that ultimate destination!”  

“That place holds too many earth-shattering secrets. We absolutely cannot let another Roger emerge.” 

Ghost Spider’s words made a lot of sense, and they earned nods of agreement from several in the room, including Vice Admiral Momousagi, a candidate for Admiral. 

But oddly enough, neither the three Admirals nor Marshal Sakaski spoke up.  

Even the representatives sent by the World Government stayed silent. 

Sengoku, attending as a strategist, didn’t say a word either. 

And Vice Admiral Tsuru, the Navy’s chief strategist, was practically meditating with her eyes closed, offering no opinion whatsoever. 

This left Ghost Spider puzzled, a flicker of unease in his eyes as he asked, “Did I say something wrong?”  

Why else would everyone react like this? It was enough to make him nervous! 

“I think we should intercept them after they leave the Final Island,” Smoker chimed in. “Their strength will likely be weakened after crossing it, making it easier for us to take them down.” 

“I agree,” Vice Admirals Onigumo, Fire Mountain, and Doberman added. 

But strangely… 

Aside from a few World Government representatives who nodded in agreement, the rest—Admirals, Sengoku, Tsuru—remained silent. 

Kizaru was even casually fidgeting with his fingers, looking completely detached. 

Their silence and ambiguous attitude left the room confused about what the higher-ups were thinking. 

This wasn’t good enough, that wasn’t good enough—what did these top brass want? 

“Marshal, what’s your take on this? We’ve thrown out two plans, so why aren’t any of you reacting?” Doberman pressed, his impatience showing. 

Smoker, Ghost Spider, and the others turned their eyes to Sakaski, equally baffled by the leadership’s silence. 

Finally, Tsuru spoke, addressing the hint of frustration in Ghost Spider’s voice.  

“It’s not that we’re unhappy with your plans,” she said calmly. “It’s just that your ideas are a bit too… conservative.” 

Ghost Spider looked stunned, but Tsuru’s sharp gaze locked onto him.  

“Whether we attack before or after, neither is enough to crush the Lightning Pirates,” she said, her voice steady but firm. “I’m sure none of you can stomach the idea of a supreme powerhouse—one who knows too many of the World Government’s secrets—existing in this world for long.” 

A glint of steel flashed in her eyes. “So, my plan is to use the device Vegapunk recently proposed. We lure the Lightning Pirates into a trap we’ve set.” 

“This way, they’ll have no escape and no chance to uncover the Final Island’s secrets.” 

“Whether it’s the Joy Boy that Roger was waiting for, the whereabouts of the three ancient weapons, the blank hundred years, or what happened in the eight hundred years of World Government history—or even before that.” 

Chapter 558: The Fall of an Emperor 

“We…” Vice Admiral Tsuru scanned the room, her gaze steady on everyone present. “We can’t let them know. We can’t let them shake the foundation of the World Government, the Navy, or the stability of the entire sea!” 

“So, I believe it’s time to recreate the God Valley Incident from decades ago.” 

“This time, we must completely annihilate the Lightning Pirates!” 

Her words sent a chill down the spines of Ghost Spider, Smoker, Doberman, and the others, but they also felt their blood surging with excitement. 

What a brilliant plan! 

“The God Valley Incident… recreated…” Ghost Spider muttered, his fists clenching tightly. 

“That place is a blank spot in history, unrecorded by anyone. It’s the perfect graveyard for the Lightning Pirates!” Tsuru’s voice was calm, almost gentle, but her words carried a terrifying weight. 

Wiping out one of the Four Emperors—what a bold declaration! 

“Heh, what a thrilling plan just to think about, Chief of Staff Tsuru. You’ve really outdone yourself,” Admiral Fujitora said with a slight chuckle, clearly impressed by the idea. 

“Ara ara, how terrifying, Miss Tsuru!” Kizaru said, his hands clasped over his crossed legs, his face sporting a mock look of fear. 

“Hahaha, this is getting my blood pumping! But I doubt I’ll be joining the fight. I’ve gotta stay back and guard Mariejois,” Admiral Greenbull said, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, his tone tinged with regret. 

“There’s no need to send all three admirals on a long-range mission. That would be a waste of their strength,” Tsuru said, shooting Greenbull a glance. “Besides, you staying in Mariejois isn’t for lounging around. Your job is to keep the Revolutionary Army in check.” 

“Sengoku, Garp, you two will stay as well and help me hold down the fort at headquarters. Marshal, you’ll lead the operation and deal with the Lightning Pirates. How does that sound?” 

Officially, Sakazuki was the Fleet Admiral. Despite Tsuru’s seniority, she was technically his subordinate and advisor. The final call rested with him. 

If Sakazuki didn’t approve of the plan, she’d have to revise it. 

Sakazuki nodded, finding the plan not only solid but near flawless. He turned to the World Government officials nearby, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance. “If you lot don’t have any issues, go report back. Tell the Five Elders not to hold us back or send any useless lackeys!” 

The World Government officials froze, anger flashing across their faces at Sakazuki’s words. 

He ignored their reactions and turned back to Tsuru. “Lay out the full plan.” 

Luring the Lightning Pirates into a trap at the Final Island was critical, and he wanted to hear every detail. 

How would the two admirals coordinate? What role would he play as Fleet Admiral? Which vice admirals would join the mission, and what resources would they have? 

Their enemy was one of the Four Emperors—no room for carelessness. 

… 

Six hours passed as they hashed out the details in the meeting. 

“This time, the Lightning Pirates are done for,” Fujitora said, his face expressionless. 

“What a grand plan,” Kizaru added, standing up with a similar demeanor. 

But the gravity in his eyes betrayed the truth—this would be one hell of a battle. 

Chapter 559: Planning for More  

You’ve gotta understand… 

The last time he felt like this was during the fight with Whitebeard! 

But this time… 

The Navy’s setup was clearly a step above the Summit War. 

They were rolling out the new SSG robots for their first real test.  

These were designed to replace the Seven Warlords, far surpassing the Pacifistas in strength.  

No one could underestimate them! 

“But the real game-changer is this tech Vegapunk cooked up,” Kizaru said, his voice tinged with awe. “It can mess with the earth’s magnetic field. That guy’s downright terrifying!”  

He couldn’t help but feel the times were leaving relics like him behind.  

“If this operation goes off without a hitch, the seas are gonna enter a whole new era,” Fujitora said, standing up and leaning on his blind man’s cane. “Heh, kinda bums me out that I might not get to see it with my own eyes.”  

Green Bull just shrugged. This whole war had nothing to do with him!  

Sakazuki, on the other hand, was all business. “It has to succeed!”  

He was betting everything on this battle.  

“Shame Kuzan’s not here,” Tsuru sighed as she passed by Sakazuki and the others. “He’d have been perfect for keeping that guy in check.”  

Her words made Sakazuki’s face darken, but he wasn’t about to snap at a veteran like Tsuru.  

He just let out a grunt and walked off.  

Tsuru shook her head helplessly.  

Kuzan’s defection hadn’t seemed like a big deal back then, but now? It was a serious misstep.  

His ice powers would’ve been the best way to counter Yoru.  

Paired with Fujitora, they’d be the perfect duo to take him on.  

The World Government relayed Sakazuki’s plan to the Five Elders.  

“Hmph, quite the bold plan!” the horned-beard Elder smirked, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.  

“This’ll make the Lightning Pirates history—erased and forgotten forever!” the blond Elder in the suit declared, his gaze sharp as a blade.  

“Not bad at all, Vice Admiral Tsuru. She’s as sharp as ever,” said the long-bearded Elder, his eyes barely visible.  

The other four had no objections, so they ordered the World Government’s elite forces to gear up and get ready.  

…  

Meanwhile, with Yoru!  

“Why do I suddenly feel this… unease?”  

Standing on a cliff on Night Island, Yoru clutched his chest, his face turning serious.  

This pang of dread came out of nowhere.  

And it was intense!  

It lasted only a moment, but it put Yoru on high alert.  

He’d never had a reaction this strange before.  

“Something’s up with the Navy. Did I miss some kind of change?”  

His gaze seemed to pierce through the sea itself, as if he could see straight to Marine Headquarters.  

“Maybe I need to think beyond them intercepting me before or after I reach the Final Island. Could there be a third option?”  

Yoru muttered to himself…  

“Maybe there is a third option, but how would they pull it off?”  

He stared out at the endless sea. “Or maybe that man’s gone and built some terrifying new device?”  

He whispered a name under his breath—Vegapunk!  

But after racking his brain, Yoru couldn’t figure out what kind of plan the Navy could have 

Chapter 560: Shocking Turn of Events 

And so! 

“What?! You’re saying that Lightning Killer guy challenged both Red-Hair and Big Mom in a single day, and destroyed two islands?!” 

“Red-Hair and Big Mom were both injured?!” 

“And then, on the third day, he fought Aokiji in some sea region? Aokiji got hurt too?!” 

“And after that, he met with Dragon from the Revolutionary Army and battled for a whole afternoon, with no clear winner?!” 

No doubt about it… 

Yoru’s sudden moves and jaw-dropping strength sent shockwaves through Navy Headquarters! 

To some extent, it completely threw off their plans! 

What was Yoru up to with these high-profile battles? 

Angering the other two Emperors at a time like this wasn’t exactly a smart move. 

So why did he do it? 

Of course! 

His visit to the Revolutionary Army’s headquarters was the real bombshell! 

What did he talk about with Dragon? 

That was critical! 

It directly affected the Navy’s troop deployments. 

But they had no way of finding out! 

Still, it was obvious! 

The situation was now like an arrow notched on a bowstring, ready to fly. 

Changing strategies at the last minute could cause their entire plan to collapse. 

But not changing could bring new problems. 

“Lightning Killer, you’re one terrifying opponent.” 

Even Tsuru had to admit it! 

Yoru was just too tricky, too hard to deal with. 

He didn’t play by the rules at all! 

This meant she had to put in even more effort, coming up with more plans. 

But… 

She had no clear direction to go in! 

This time… 

Even Vice Admiral Tsuru was stumped! 

But it was like Yoru knew Tsuru would be at a loss. 

While she was racking her brains, trying to figure out how to counter the Lightning Pirates’ sudden, bizarre actions, Navy Headquarters got new intel: the Lightning Pirates had officially set out for the Final Island. 

The moment this news broke… 

Navy Headquarters couldn’t sit still. 

Time wasn’t giving them any room to think or wait. 

They knew there wouldn’t be a better chance than this. 

If this plan stalled, who knew when they’d get another shot like it? 

What’s more… 

If Yoru learned the secrets of the Final Island, his threat level would skyrocket, potentially shaking the entire world. 

That was a scenario neither the World Government nor the Navy wanted to see. 

They absolutely couldn’t allow someone more dangerous than Roger to exist in this world. 

So! 

There was only one path left for them! 

To march out! 

“But if we just charge in like this, we might lose because we’re not fully prepared!” 

Many officers voiced this concern. 

And… 

Both Vice Admiral Tsuru and Sakazuki knew this all too well. 

But they had no choice… 

They had to march! 

Letting this chance slip would bring consequences they couldn’t afford! 

“If that’s the case, then I’ll go too. With Sengoku and Green Bull holding down the fort here, Headquarters should be fine!” 

Navy Hero Garp stepped forward. 

He was originally supposed to stay behind, but the situation had spiraled beyond the Navy’s expectations. 

Even if he wasn’t thrilled with some of the World Government’s actions, for the sake of the seas, he was ready to step up and quell the chaos. 

“Not a bad strategy!” 

Garp’s involvement would boost morale and strengthen their forces. 

It also gave them more confidence to handle whatever came their way! 

…