Multiverse Mastermind: Starting in Naruto-Chapter 554 - 450: This Island Was Never Meant for Crocodile
On Enies Lobby.
Aokiji stood at the port with Uehara Naraku, watching a battleship slowly dock at the port, his gaze fixed on the tall man on the prow of the ship.
Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, Sakazuki, codenamed Akainu.
This admiral, ordered by Marshal Sengoku to ambush Crocodile alongside Admiral Aokiji, had finally arrived at Enies Lobby.
This admiral was wearing a Navy justice cape and a dark red suit with a rose pinned to his chest, looking like he was on a blind date.
After Akainu arrived at Enies Lobby, he glanced down at Aokiji at the port, frowned, and said coldly, "Hmph, even one Crocodile can’t be taken down, and you need this old man to come and act together..."
"..."
Aokiji scratched his head helplessly.
If it weren’t for Uehara Naraku’s manipulation during the war to subdue Crocodile in Alabasta, Aokiji would have already captured that guy and locked him in the Great Prison under the sea!
In that situation, everything in Alabasta was under Uehara Naraku’s control, not even the Three Great Admirals of the Navy Headquarters gathered could do anything.
Aokiji didn’t bother to respond to Akainu’s provocation and kindly reminded him, "Well... you can go back at any time."
It’s better if you leave immediately.
If you leave too late, it may be too late.
"Admiral Akainu..."
On the side, Uehara Naraku interrupted Aokiji, his face lighting up with excitement as if he were a little fan of Akainu’s: "If Admiral Akainu had acted at that time, he would definitely have captured Crocodile!"
"Hmm?"
Akainu slightly frowned, showing evident displeasure on his face when looking at Uehara Naraku, not a hint of joy at Uehara’s praise.
Akainu glanced at Uehara Naraku but didn’t acknowledge him.
Akainu turned his gaze to Aokiji and spoke coldly, "Is this little guy the undercover next to Crocodile, the bait for our ambush on Crocodile this time?"
"Well... probably... just like that..."
Aokiji’s expression turned slightly complicated.
Honestly, it felt like Akainu is really in for it. Uehara Naraku is incredibly petty. He just initiated conversation with Akainu, and Akainu ignored him...
That grudge...
Was formed just after meeting.
Akainu’s gaze remained indifferent as he looked at Uehara Naraku. At last, he was willing to say a word to Uehara Naraku, and he spoke coldly, "Hmm, Major Uehara Naraku, do you have the resolve to sacrifice for justice?"
"Of course!"
Uehara Naraku’s face turned serious as he spoke in a deep voice, "To fully embody the Navy’s justice and eradicate the evil in this world, no matter the cost!"
This was surely what Akainu loved to hear.
Even though Uehara said it with his words...
He would surely jot it down secretly in his mind.
The first thing, Akainu didn’t even ask him anything after meeting him; the second thing, even after he initiated the conversation, Akainu didn’t respond; the third thing, right after meeting each other, this damned Akainu wanted to sacrifice him in the battle to capture Crocodile...
Really...
Living far too comfortably!
These admirals of the Navy Headquarters, one more relaxed than the other!
It’s the vast ocean, full of dangers. How could these admirals be so relaxed?
Akainu did not know Uehara Naraku’s inward complaints; he just displayed a slight satisfaction on his face after hearing Uehara Naraku’s words.
This admiral gazed at the excitement on Uehara Naraku’s face and slowly nodded, considering it as a compliment to this Navy major.
"Not bad."
For Akainu, such praise was quite rare.
Although Akainu is a Logia-Type: Mag-Mag Fruit ability user, his heart is colder than Aokiji’s, and it’s quite rare for him to speak a word of praise.
Of course, this also served as the final appeasement.
Because during the encirclement of a fellow Logia ability user, Crocodile, the likelihood of Uehara Naraku, with the bit of strength he possesses, becoming a casualty on the battlefield is very high.
Akainu had already prepared to sacrifice Uehara Naraku.
"..."
Uehara Naraku blushed with embarrassment.
At this moment, Uehara Naraku seemed completely unaware that the admiral before him planned to sacrifice him; he merely appeared as a little fan admiring Akainu.
Aokiji watched this scene, speechless.
This guy’s acting was truly superb. If Aokiji didn’t know some of Uehara Naraku’s bottom line, knowing what Uehara Naraku planned to do to Akainu next, he probably would have believed it!
Akainu really thought Uehara Naraku was just a Navy Major!
"So what we have to do next is wait?"
Admiral Akainu looked down at Aokiji and Uehara Naraku and spoke in a deep voice, "This old man cannot waste too much time here; many pirates are flooding into the New World lately..."
"No."
Uehara Naraku shook his head and spoke seriously, "According to our intelligence, Crocodile should be near a deserted island northeast of Enies Lobby, which is the most suitable location, ready to move to Enies Lobby or Shampodi Archipelago at any time..."
Aokiji leisurely said, "Actually, we could just stay here and wait for Crocodile to come and attack Enies Lobby..."
"What about the dignity of the Navy and the World Government!"
Akainu’s voice cut off Aokiji’s words sullenly, his expression ugly as he said, "Since we have his information, let’s quickly get over there and capture Crocodile!"
Aokiji: "..."
This really seems like a death wish...
No matter how you try to stop it, you just can’t!
And Uehara Naraku’s gaze was also becoming increasingly dangerous. Aokiji felt that if he continued speaking, something bad might happen...
Forget it, let Akainu court death himself.
At this time, Kakuzu, one of the invited Seven Warlords of the Sea, had not yet arrived at Enies Lobby, but Aokiji suggested not to act jointly with this Warlord.
Coincidentally, Akainu also didn’t like the Seven Warlords of the Sea meddling in Navy pirate capture missions.
Especially since Kakuzu had just obtained his position amongst the Seven Warlords of the Sea and had already begun assassinating the noble kings wanted by the Dark World.
Two Navy Admirals...
No matter how you calculate, they should absolutely be able to capture Crocodile!
Once the personnel were decided, Aokiji simply boarded Akainu’s battleship and discussed the ambush against Crocodile on his ship.
Worried about alerting the enemy, Aokiji suggested they not bring too many ordinary Navy soldiers to avoid arousing Crocodile’s suspicion.
Akainu naturally had no reason to argue, especially since this was a battle amongst the strong, bringing ordinary Navy soldiers wouldn’t be of much use. Though Akainu didn’t mind sacrifices, it didn’t mean he would waste Navy lives in vain...
"Uehara Naraku, Major."
Akainu sat in the conference room near the harbor, glanced at Uehara Naraku sitting in the corner, and spoke coldly, "If you can determine Crocodile’s location, you can also stay at Enies Lobby to avoid danger..."
"..."
Aokiji remained silent for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "I think it would be better to bring him along, his safety is the top priority, the CP Department is still watching him..."
"Hmm..."
Akainu tapped his fingers on the table and nodded slowly, loudly saying, "Adjutant, quickly make preparations! We will set out immediately; I only have three days, and it cannot be wasted!"
"Yes!"
The port of Enies Lobby.
Akainu and Aokiji, the two Navy Admirals, boarded the same battleship. Besides the essential hundred Navy soldiers, only Aokiji, Akainu, and an additional Uehara Naraku were on board.
Now they were opting to take the initiative against Crocodile.
Along the way.
There was a bit of discord between Akainu and Aokiji.
As long as they were on a ship together, they looked at each other with slight distaste.
Akainu was in a bad mood, luckily there was Uehara Naraku, this Navy Major seemed to understand him well.
Akainu wanted to take Uehara Naraku under his wing, this little guy supported his way of handling justice, worthy to be sent for training at the Navy school.
Traveling with the current was faster than going against it. Before Crocodile could return from the Shampodi Archipelago to this deserted island, Uehara Naraku and company had already reached the island following the Grand Line’s currents.
Evidently...
There were no traces of Crocodile here yet.
Not even signs of any ships stopping around this deserted island.
"Hey, the intelligence was too off!"
Akainu, with a cigar in his mouth, couldn’t help but say, "Your intelligence and inferences are completely wrong, wasting my time in vain!"
Akainu gazed at Uehara Naraku and angrily scolded, "I initially thought you were someone with potential, but now you’ve even got basic intelligence wrong. Do you know what wasting the time of two Admirals of the Navy Headquarters means?"
"...I’m... I’m sorry..."
Uehara Naraku recoiled to the ship’s railing, slowly focusing his gaze on Aokiji next to Akainu, "Admiral Aokiji, I’ve accidentally wasted your time. What should we do?"
"Oops..."
Aokiji couldn’t help scratching his head, sighing softly, "Aside from forgiving you, what else can I do?"
"Hmm?"
Akainu frowned slightly.
What’s with this Navy Major, speaking to Aokiji like that?
Though Akainu indeed couldn’t stand Aokiji’s laziness, Aokiji was nonetheless an Admiral of the Navy Headquarters, representing the Navy’s dignity!
Moreover, Uehara Naraku’s tone was a bit lazy! That’s totally not an apologetic attitude!
Aokiji’s attitude was even more problematic!
"..."
Akainu’s face was practically laden with black lines, he tightly clenched his fist suddenly, "Aokiji, Uehara Naraku, can you both be a bit more serious?"
"Alright... Admiral Akainu, there’s something I want to tell you."
Uehara Naraku turned his gaze toward the small island, slowly spread his palms, calmly saying, "Actually, this island was never meant for Crocodile..."
