"This mission is entrusted to you, Bartholomew Kuma."
Inside the room of the Gorosei in the Holy Land of Mariejois, the five owners of the world's highest authority issued their orders to the summoned Warlord of the Sea, Bartholomew Kuma.
Armed with Dyna Stones, explosives boasting destructive power comparable to the Ancient Weapons, and coordinated with Kuma's ability, he was to obliterate the base of the Kuja Pirates: New Amazon Lily.
"Understood. However, I wish to know how the Government intends to handle Alucard's wrath once the deed is done."
Kuma's tone remained as placid as ever, as if nothing in this world could move him.
The Gorosei with the handlebar mustache, known for his volatile temperament, immediately wanted to assert his dominance as a supreme ruler. He was about to retort, "Just do your job and don't ask questions."
But before he could speak, the long-white-haired Gorosei raised a hand to stop him. "If you succeed," he said, "we will manipulate the friction between the Immortal Pirates, Beasts Pirates, and Big Mom Pirates, inciting a three-way war. When that happens, Alucard will have no energy left to deal with the Government."
Hearing this, Kuma merely tilted his head slightly, his expression unchanged. After a moment, he rose from his chair. "I shall take my leave."
Once Kuma's massive frame had exited the room, the mustache-wearing Gorosei grunted in dissatisfaction. "Why did you stop me?"
"Pirates are all self-centered trash, but Bartholomew Kuma is the only one who can carry out this specific plan. If being a little polite increases our chances of success, it costs us nothing."
The long-white-haired Gorosei stroked his beard and added, "Next, we wait for the news and prepare for the third phase of the plan."
…
In the office of the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government, Kong.
Kong stood with his arms crossed. Before him stood a man in his early forties wearing a Marine overcoat with brown cuffs. Most striking, however, was the suit beneath his coat—it featured a layer of strange armor.
It wasn't the heavy, full-body plating of ancient times, nor the Greco-Roman style seen in Dressrosa. Rather, it was a form of blood-red protective plating equipped with small air vents.
This was the flight armor created by Dr. Vegapunk.
The man was a former Vice Admiral from Kong's days as Fleet Admiral. Now, he served as the leader of the Air Force: Vice Admiral Yako.
"Once Bartholomew Kuma succeeds, the patrol units will give you the signal," Kong commanded. "At that moment, while Alucard is away, the Air Force will strike Arderay in one fell swoop to retrieve Dr. Vegapunk. Remember, do not get bogged down in combat. Even if Alucard is absent, the Immortal Pirates still possess many formidable members. Retrieving Dr. Vegapunk is your primary objective."
"Understood," Yako replied with a stern expression. "You know as well as I do how vital Dr. Vegapunk is to our Air Force. We must bring him back."
With a final military salute, Yako departed.
Upon entering the Air Force barracks, Yako saw a woman with pale blonde hair, snow-white skin, and a curvaceous figure walking toward him.
She wore the same flight armor designed by Vegapunk, but instead of a suit and coat, she wore a dark red skin-tight suit that perfectly outlined her physique. On her back, she carried a dark red lance-gun that was taller than a grown man.
This woman, appearing no older than twenty-five, was named Aranea Highwind. Hailing from the Niflheim Empire, the "White Water City" in the Grand Line, she was originally a Royal Knight of Niflheim. When Kong ascended to Commander-in-Chief and initiated a global draft, her immense strength was recognized, and she became a member of the first Air Force unit.
She was currently the Captain of the Second Mobile Regiment, a specialist in aerial combat known as the "Female Dragon Knight."
"Aranea, you're supposed to be on guard duty. What are you doing out here?" Yako asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Oh, Commander Yako..." Aranea rubbed her eyes, speaking with a lazy drawl. "I'm a bit tired. Is it so wrong to take a little break?"
"Why is it that every time I come to check on you, you're 'tired'?" Yako said with a forced smile.
Aranea turned her head away, pretending to watch the clouds.
Yako knew that Aranea was highly dissatisfied with many of the Government's actions. As a regimental commander with a rank equivalent to Rear Admiral, she was privy to much of the darkness in Mariejois. Despite her flower-like beauty and carefree attitude, she harbored a deep-seated hatred for evil, especially the nobles of Mariejois. Her constant slacking was her way of refusing to work for those "high and mighty" officials.
"Fine. Our Air Force is about to launch a major operation. You and I will lead the Second Regiment," Yako said, choosing not to press the issue as he had grown accustomed to her ways.
"A major operation?" Aranea yawned. "If it's too much trouble, let the other two regiments handle it. I want to go home for afternoon tea."
"You are the best user of the flight armor in the entire military. You must participate!" Yako's voice was cold and serious. He could overlook her laziness, but never a mission.
Seeing her superior's resolve, Aranea rubbed her temples with an exasperated sigh. "Fine, fine. What's the objective?"
"A surprise attack on Yonko Alucard's stronghold to reclaim the inventor of that armor, Dr. Vegapunk!"
Aranea's pupils shrank. The laziness in her eyes vanished instantly.
…
New Amazon Lily.
Alucard sat in a dimly lit underground chamber beneath the Kuja Palace, a place Hancock had specifically designed for his occasional visits.
"While Yako is the commander of the Air Force, the one who uses my flight armor to its fullest potential is a young woman named Aranea."
From a Den Den Mushi on the table next to Alucard's throne, Dr. Vegapunk's voice drifted through the room. "As we discussed before... make sure you keep Bartholomew Kuma alive."