#596 - Chapter 596 Prepare for the Worst - One Piece: Start as a mythical beast, practice to become stronger.

Just then, Whitebeard charged in from the other side of the battlefield, his shockwaves blasting away a large number of enemies.

He turned his head, glancing at Jin-an, seemingly noticing his solemn expression.

Whitebeard grinned, approached with his long blade over his shoulder, and said:

"Hey, Jin-an, you don't look too good. That's not like you."

Jin-an didn't respond immediately, but pointed his sword towards the depths of Pangaea Castle, and said coldly:

"Imu still hasn't shown her face. Don't you find it strange?"

Whitebeard raised his head, narrowed his eyes towards Pangaea Castle, his expression relaxed, but his eyes revealed a hint of caution.

He snorted softly and said:

"It is indeed a bit strange.

But it doesn't matter. No matter what tricks she's playing, when she shows up, this strike of mine will solve her directly."

Whitebeard's words were full of confidence, but Jin-an didn't relax his vigilance.

He knew that this battle wouldn't end with just one or two victories.

Imu's power couldn't be solved by brute force alone.

Not far away, Loki's dragon roar sounded again, his voice shaking the entire battlefield like thunder:

"I don't care who she is, when she comes out, I'll burn her directly!"

Loki's arrogance eased the atmosphere of the battlefield a little, but Jin-an's mood remained heavy.

He said in a low voice:

"Your optimism may be right, but if she has already made thorough preparations, we won't even have a chance to draw our swords."

Whitebeard laughed loudly at these words, and with a fierce wave of his long blade, shattered a charging genetic weapon into pieces.

He looked back at Jin-an, his tone with a bit more heroism:

"Jin-an, don't think too much.

Fighting is just a matter of swords rising and falling.

No matter how strong the opponent, they are still flesh and blood!"

Jin-an glanced at Whitebeard, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, but that smile didn't make anyone feel relaxed.

He said in a low voice:

"I hope so."

Amidst the noise of the battlefield, the depths of Pangaea Castle remained deathly silent.

That area was as if frozen in time, without sound or a trace of fluctuation.

Imu's figure was hidden in the shadows, her gaze coldly watching everything on the battlefield through a mirror.

"Can't even perceive me?"

She chuckled softly, her voice with a hint of playfulness,

"Jin-an, it seems you're not qualified enough to sense my existence."

She slowly turned around and walked towards a door emitting a dark red light.

Behind the door, those ultimate "trump cards" had already begun to awaken, and the smile on the corner of her mouth grew deeper.

"But it's fine… by the time you see me, everything will already be over."

......

The battlefield of Elbaf, the flames of war continued to spread.

The roar of artillery fire and the clash of metal rose and fell on the vast land. Giant warriors and the Neo Marines fought side by side, their tall figures like unshakeable fortresses, firmly guarding the defense line of this land.

Even as the enemies attacked wave after wave, the battle line here remained unyielding.

However, in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere on the battlefield, the guest room of the giants was a scene of peace.

This spacious room was covered with traditional giant war flags, and the air was filled with a faint tea fragrance, forming a sharp contrast with the outside noise.

A specially made giant table occupied the center of the room, covered with snacks and tea sets. At this moment, Sengoku was leisurely picking up a cup of tea and taking a gentle sip.

His wrinkled face wore a calm smile, as if the war before him had nothing to do with him.

"The giants' tea indeed has a different flavor."

Sengoku put down his teacup, reached out and picked up a snack, savoring it carefully.

His usually serious expression seemed incredibly relaxed at this moment, even revealing a hint of enjoyment.

Sitting next to him, Granny Tsuru was cutting a giant pastry with a fork, nodding slightly as she did so:

"Yes, the snacks here are also very good.

It's rare that we have the opportunity to enjoy these things in such a situation."

Opposite them sat Kuma and Kuzan.

Kuma's expression was as calm as ever. He held a teacup, seemingly staring blankly at the leaves floating on the tea.

His tall figure seemed particularly calm, as if the battle outside couldn't disturb him in the slightest.

As for Kuzan, he leaned lazily against the back of his chair, holding a cup of tea in one hand and picking up a snack with the other, taking a casual bite.

His expression was like that of a leisurely vacationer, forming a strange contrast with his usual cold temperament.

"Ah, it's so peaceful."

Kuzan yawned and said lazily,

"I thought Elbaf would be a hell, but it seems that's not the case."

Granny Tsuru glanced at him and said in a faint tone:

"The battlefield is indeed intense, but you should understand the situation here.

The warriors of Elbaf and the Neo Marines are working hard to hold the line. We are sitting here not to 'enjoy ourselves,' but to wait for the real opportunity."

Kuzan raised the corner of his mouth and shrugged his shoulders:

"Of course, of course, I didn't say we were really leisurely.

But, sometimes, drinking a cup of tea and relaxing is quite nice."

Kuma listened to their conversation, never speaking.

He just silently drank his tea, occasionally looking up at the faint smoke of battle coming from outside the window.

His eyes were deep and calm, as if he were thinking about something, or rather, his thoughts had already drifted to a more distant place.

Sengoku seemed to see through his thoughts, put down the teacup in his hand, and said:

"Kuma, are you worried about the situation in Mary Geoise?"

Kuma was slightly stunned, then nodded:

"Yes… Jin-an and the others are facing more troublesome enemies than we expected.

Although I believe in their abilities, Imu won't let us succeed so easily."

Sengoku pondered for a moment and sighed:

"That's right, that Imu is too deeply hidden.

Even we old guys have never really understood her trump cards."

Granny Tsuru said faintly:

"But precisely because of this, we need to split up our forces.

Elbaf is our last barrier. If this place falls, then no matter what Jin-an and the others do in Mary Geoise, it will be meaningless."

Kuzan stretched lazily and said lazily:

"That's true.

But I'm quite envious of them—that Jin-an guy, he's always fighting on the front line, while we can only wait for news in the rear. It's a bit boring."

Sengoku smiled at these words and shook his head:

"Kuzan, it's not that we are waiting for news, but that they need someone to stabilize the situation in the rear.

If we also go to join the fun, that would be a real problem."

Kuzan shrugged his shoulders:

"Okay, okay, you old guys are right.

But, I still hope this tea can be a little colder, it would suit my taste better."

Kuma listened to their conversation, remained silent for a moment, and then said:

"No matter what the result, we must prepare for the worst."

Sengoku looked at him, his eyes with a bit of complexity:

"Kuma, I know your determination.

You have made too many sacrifices. After this war, no matter what the result, I hope you can return to freedom."

A complex emotion flashed in Kuma's eyes, but it quickly returned to calm.