Chapter 458: Target – Impel Down
Charlotte could already imagine Shiki's reaction when he showed up.
He would definitely be moved to tears.
A smile gradually spread across Charlotte's face, growing more and more unrestrained.
"Is Dad going crazy?"
Caesar whispered to Tesla while eyeing his father's strange expression.
Bang!
"Ow!"
A hardened ashtray, coated in Armament Haki, came flying down and smacked Caesar on the head.
"You little brat, you think I can't hear you?"
Charlotte glared at Caesar.
Caesar immediately covered his head and lowered it, not daring to say a word.
"This time, I've called everyone here for a very important mission," Charlotte said as he looked around at the group.
Barrett and the others straightened up instantly.
Caesar even stood tall and pounded his chest.
"Dad, just say the word! Whether it's the Whitebeard Pirates or Big Mom Pirates, your son will charge in first!"
He shouted with pride and loyalty, drawing amused looks from everyone.
Even Charlotte almost laughed in frustration.
This guy really is such a drama king.
"Sit down," Charlotte ordered with a glance.
"This time, our target isn't the Whitebeard Pirates or the Big Mom Pirates."
Charlotte shook his head.
"So… the Navy then? But shouldn't we think twice about that?"
Caesar hesitated.
But upon seeing Charlotte's darkening expression, he quickly changed his tune.
"Don't worry, Dad! Even if it's the Navy, I'll be the first to attack!"
Charlotte continued to stare silently at Caesar's overexcited face.
That calm stare alone sent shivers down Caesar's spine. Cold sweat broke out on his back.
"…Can I finish my sentence now?"
Charlotte said lightly.
"Yes, yes! Please go on!"
Caesar nodded rapidly.
Beside him, Esdeath reached over and pressed him down into his seat.
"This time, it's not the Navy either."
Charlotte shot Caesar a glare, silencing any further interruptions.
He was seriously starting to wonder if this brat was getting too full of himself lately.
Like he was about to rebel or something.
"Our target is the world's strongest prison—the supposedly unbreakable Impel Down. We're going there to rescue Golden Lion Shiki and Red Count Patrick Redfield."
Charlotte looked around to gauge the others' reactions.
The veteran officers like Carter were shocked.
Barrett and Esdeath fell into deep thought.
Caesar and his younger siblings, however, looked indifferent.
Charlotte sighed inwardly.
Clearly, more training is needed.
"For this operation, only a few will accompany me: Barrett, Esdeath, Caesar, Tesla, and the kids Klein and Slude. Carter, Ralph, and Paul Isaac will stay behind to guard the New World."
Charlotte turned his gaze to the two young ones sitting at the end—Klein and Slude—about ten years old.
The moment their names were called, the two blinked in confusion.
It was clear they hadn't been paying attention at all.
Charlotte sighed again.
They were still kids—no need to take it to heart.
So he repeated himself.
Clap!
"Don't worry, Dad! I've mastered the Door-Door Fruit! I can instantly reach any point on this island. I won't be a burden!"
Klein said excitedly.
Next to him, Slude's cheeks flushed.
"Me too!"
Charlotte nodded in approval. That much, at least, made him proud.
His kids were all talented—their only weakness was immaturity.
But that would come with age.
"Alright. This meeting is over. The mission details are strictly confidential. Not a word must leak—understood?"
Charlotte's fierce gaze swept the room, lingering for a moment on his children.
"Yes!"
The senior officers and Barrett responded seriously.
The younger ones nodded nervously.
"Good."
Charlotte was satisfied.
"The ones I mentioned—prepare. We move tomorrow."
With that, the meeting ended.
Preparations for the secret operation began immediately.
The Rockefeller Pirates' actions were quiet.
But the sudden gathering of top officers didn't go unnoticed.
Especially not by the Navy, the Whitebeard Pirates, and the Big Mom Pirates.
Everyone speculated what Rockefeller Charlotte might be planning.
---
New World, second half
"Father, the Rockefeller Pirates are making a move. It seems significant,"
Marco reported, holding intelligence from Carmél Island.
That island was the Rockefeller Pirates' base, and Charlotte had been stationed there for years.
Carmél Island had long since become riddled with spies.
Every major power had agents there.
Even the smallest movements would be reported instantly.
Whitebeard looked at Marco's concerned expression and understood what he was worried about.
It was the rising tension between the three major pirate crews in recent months.
It wasn't just Big Mom and the Rockefellers—his own forces had been attacked too.
And all clues pointed to Big Mom and Charlotte.
Whitebeard knew something was off, but many of his men didn't think that way.
They clamored for war with the other two major powers.
After all, being part of the crew of the "Strongest Man in the World" had inflated their egos.
Whitebeard had been the one to forcibly suppress these calls for war.
But doing so had cost him some prestige.
Some crew members grumbled behind his back.
But to Whitebeard, no reputation was worth more than his sons' lives.
He looked down at the intel in his hands, a rare flicker of worry in his eyes.
He truly feared that Charlotte would act impulsively and trigger a war.
And if that happened, he'd have no choice but to respond.
He wasn't afraid.
But he was afraid of losing his children in a meaningless battle.
He knew all too well: if war broke out between the Whitebeard and Rockefeller Pirates, it would be to the death.
Even if Whitebeard won, it would be a pyrrhic victory.
"Keep close watch on the Rockefeller Pirates. Report any unusual movement. If Charlotte dares to start a war with us—he'll find we're not pushovers."
A flash of cold determination passed through Whitebeard's eyes.
"Yes, sir!"
Marco bowed and went to gather more intel.
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