The three men in the command room were acutely aware of the immense impact this battle would have. The Marines had already lost the New World, but they absolutely could not be completely driven out. If they were, it would be incredibly difficult for them to ever set foot in these seas again.
Furthermore, this battle would undoubtedly be watched by the entire world. If they were defeated, the prestige of the Marines, and by extension the World Government, would be dragged through the mud. They would lose the trust of the people to a significant degree. This would be an incalculable loss.
Right at that moment, the Five Elders were sitting in Mary Geoise, overseeing the battle via a Video Den Den Mushi. The pressure on Kong and the others was immense.
"Tsuru, you will remain on Mid-Chain Island. Keep an eye on our rear and don't let any pirate crews circle around behind us," Kong instructed the Vice Admiral.
"Don't worry," Tsuru said, her expression resolute. "No one will attack you from the rear."
"Good. With you guarding Mid-Chain Island, I can rest easy," Kong said, having absolute faith in her.
"Sengoku, let's go. The battlefield at the First Round Archipelago needs us." Kong stood up. They were facing far too many powerful opponents in this great war. Even though they both held the rank of Fleet Admiral, they had no choice but to personally take to the battlefield.
Outside the Mid-Chain Supply Island, aside from the ten warships left to stand guard, all other vessels set off for the First Round Archipelago to establish their lines and prepare for battle.
Out on the sea, a continuous line of pirate ships surged toward the Mid-Chain Supply Island. High in the sky, two shadows flew at incredible speed: one was a colossal, gray-brown giant eagle, and the other was a divine bird wreathed in blue flames.
They were Little Oars Jr. and Marco the Phoenix. Both possessed the ability to fly and were responsible for scouting the Marines' movements.
In addition to the two of them, flocks of seagulls circled high in the sky in other directions. These were no ordinary seagulls; they were animal scouts trained by the Marines, each carrying a Video Den Den Mushi around its neck to monitor the pirates' movements.
Both sides were trying to ascertain the other's troop deployment.
Little Oars Jr. flew into the pirate fleet, transformed back into his human form, and landed on the deck of the Sky God.
"Bege, I got a clear look," Oars said. "The Marines have set up a defensive line at the First Round Archipelago, just in front of the Mid-Chain Supply Island. They're probably planning to have the final showdown there."
"The First Round Archipelago?" Bege nodded slightly. "They certainly wouldn't let the battle take place on their main supply island. The First Round has Mid-Chain at its back; it's a good choice for a battlefield."
Just then, Marco the Phoenix descended from the sky, landing on the deck and reverting to his true form. He said, "Captain Bege, my pops says he wants to face the Marines head-on at the First Round Archipelago. What do you think?"
Bege replied coolly, "I have no objections. It doesn't matter to me where we fight. Since the Marines have already set the stage, it would be a shame to disappoint them by not showing up."
"Good. I'll go inform the others," Marco said. He transformed back into a phoenix, leaped into the air, and flew toward the other pirate ships.
Buru buru buru...
A Den Den Mushi in the castle within Bege's body began to ring. He saw that it was Shanks's personal transponder snail.
He took it out, answered the call, and said with a laugh, "Hey, Shanks, where have you run off to? You're actually missing an event this big. Be careful, or people will start talking."
Shanks's somber voice came through the Den Den Mushi. "Bege, you know me. I don't like these kinds of wars. I just want to be a free pirate; I don't want to cause needless slaughter."
Shanks was heavily influenced by Roger. He had no grand ambition to conquer the world; he only wanted to roam and explore the seas freely. That was why, even now, he didn't hold much territory.
"Alright, I know what kind of man you are. I'm not blaming you for not pulling your weight," Bege chuckled. "So, why'd you call?"
"I want to persuade you to withdraw from this war," Shanks's voice turned serious.
Bege's brow furrowed. "Tell me why," he said in a low voice. "I won't agree unless you have a good enough reason."
"The New World can't be handed over to pirates," Shanks said. "Most of the pirates in the New World are too dangerous. If it falls into their hands, countless people will be persecuted. It will lead to innumerable tragedies and unimaginably terrible consequences. As long as the Marines are still in the New World, the pirates have to restrain themselves to some degree. Bege, you should understand this."
"Mm. Is that your only reason?" Bege asked calmly.
"Is that not enough?" Shanks's voice was tinged with gloom.
"Not enough," Bege replied flatly. Shanks fell silent for a long moment. Bege continued, "Shanks, why don't you understand yet? In the current situation, the Marines' withdrawal from the New World is inevitable. Even if I don't participate, that fact won't change. After this battle, whether the Marines pull out completely or manage to hold on to a small piece of territory, it will no longer affect the overall situation. The New World will ultimately become a world of pirates."
"I've told you about the concept of the Five Emperors before. After this battle, the New World will descend into a pirate civil war. The pirate crews with the qualifications to become Emperors will rise by defeating all challengers. All of this is already unavoidable."
Seeing that the Den Den Mushi remained silent, Bege spoke again. "If you truly care about the lives of the innocent in the New World, then you should take on the responsibility of protecting them. Go and conquer a territory, and guard them through this chaotic era. I'm no man of justice, but you should know about the territories under my command. Compared to the era of the Fear Pirates, everyone there has hope, has something to strive for. In these chaotic times, I have at least given them hope and safety."
"If all you want is to be a free pirate, then you have no right to ask me to withdraw from this war."
"Shanks, the Great Pirate Era that Captain Roger started is a purposeful, massive vortex. Everyone born on these seas will be drawn into it. The capable will raise their flags, the incapable will be swept along by the current, those with conviction will forge ahead, and those at the top will be walking on thin ice. No one is exempt. In the sea of the Great Pirate Era, there are no 'free' pirates."
"I asked too much of you, Bege," Shanks said after a long silence.
"Shanks, you should be able to understand what I'm saying. Think about it," Bege said, then hung up the phone.
On the other end of the line, the core officers of the Red-Haired Pirates were gathered together. They had heard every word Bege had said.
Benn Beckman took a drag from his cigarette, glanced at the silent Shanks, and said coolly, "Shanks, just as I thought, right? 'Demon Dragon' is an ambitious man. There was no way he was going to pull out of this war."
He paused, then continued in a low voice, "But his insight is as sharp as ever. He's already seen through to the final outcome of this conflict."
"After this great war, the Marines will lose the New World. The pirates will then fight over the territory the Marines leave behind. That will be another world-shaking, chaotic war. Big fish will eat small fish, and eventually, great pirate crews who rule over vast territories will be born. It's obvious that the current Yonko-class crews have the greatest chance of winning, gaining even more territory after the war, gathering more pirates under their banners, and growing even more powerful, thus becoming the so-called 'Five Emperors'."