Chapter 329: The Marines Invade, the War Begins!
SPLASH!
White spray exploded continuously in front of the full-speed warship. Akainu, a cigar in his mouth, stood alone at the prow, his gaze cold as he stared at the distant horizon.
"Reporting, Admiral Sakazuki!" a communications officer ran up. "We've just received a report from the forward surveillance ship. The main force of the Whitebeard Pirates is still in their original location. They haven't noticed our movements!"
"Good," Akainu exhaled a puff of smoke. "Continue surveillance and report any new developments to me immediately." Kong was holding down the fort at Headquarters and managing the overall situation, so he was the commander-in-chief of the frontline forces!
"Yes, Admiral!"
Watching the officer leave, Akainu turned around, squinting in the sea breeze, and looked at the mighty fleet behind him. To wipe out the Whitebeard Pirates in one fell swoop… Marine Headquarters had mobilized its full strength for this operation. Over a thousand officers of Captain rank and above were deployed, along with over fifty large warships. In terms of troop strength, they had gathered over fifty thousand elite soldiers! And this was after the impact of the recent negative press. Otherwise, the number could easily have exceeded one hundred thousand!
Fifty thousand elite troops! Just like in the past 800 years, Marine Headquarters was still the strongest force on the sea, bar none! Even the Whitebeard Pirates would be utterly crushed in the face of such military might!
"Senior Sakazuki," a deep voice came from behind. "Greenbull" Aramaki, his "Justice" coat draped over his shoulders, lazily strolled over, a stalk of grass in his mouth. "I heard the scale of this operation is unprecedented. Besides us Marines, even the mysterious Holy Knights, and even the Five Elders, are all mobilized? Tsk, is it really necessary to make such a big fuss over just one Whitebeard?"
"That old man was dominating the seas when you were still a child. It's normal that you don't know how terrifying that kind of monster is," Akainu shook his head slightly and said in a deep voice. "Underestimating the enemy isn't a bad thing in spirit, but remember one thing well. The goal of this campaign is to win quickly, within a day. There is no room for error! Aramaki, do you remember your assigned task?"
"Ah, of course," Greenbull laughed. "I'll team up with you, Senior, to suppress Whitebeard so he can't help his subordinates. As for the division commanders, they'll be handled by the Vice Admirals, the Warlords, and Admiral Borsalino."
It had been mentioned in the strategy meeting at Headquarters, and he remembered it clearly. Specifically, the veteran Vice Admirals and the Warlords would face off against the commander-level powerhouses, while Kizaru would act as a mobile force, moving across the battlefield to provide support. Once the commanders were dealt with, Kizaru would join the siege on Whitebeard. With three Admirals working together, even Whitebeard wouldn't last long.
"So I don't see any need for those high-and-mighty lords to get involved," Greenbull shrugged. "With the strength of our Marine Headquarters alone, we can completely defeat Whitebeard…"
"Borsalino isn't here," Akainu interrupted coldly.
"Huh?" Greenbull's eyes widened in surprise. "Hey, hey, you're joking, right, Mr. Sakazuki? How can that be… I saw Senior Borsalino board the ship with us when we left Headquarters."
"He received a secret order from the Five Elders at the last minute and was transferred," Akainu frowned. "He left the main force to carry out another mission. As for the details… hmph, I don't know, and I can't figure it out."
The World Government's sudden change of plans was strange. They hadn't even informed Headquarters in advance, keeping both Kizaru and him in the dark. The Marine fleet had already entered the New World, and war was imminent. Why transfer Kizaru away at a time like this? What for?
"However, the Five Elders personally promised me over the phone that after we engage the Whitebeard Pirates, they will send an Admiral-level fighter to assist us. That should barely fill the gap left by Borsalino."
"Oh?" Greenbull spat out the grass stalk and raised an eyebrow with interest. "An Admiral-level fighter… even for the World Government, there are only a few of those. Senior, who is coming?"
"They didn't tell me," Akainu said indifferently. "But since it's a promise, they probably won't try to fool us with some nobody. Let's just settle down and proceed according to the original plan."
"That's true," Greenbull nodded. He was about to ask something else when—
BOOM!
Suddenly, a massive geyser erupted from the sea in the distance, and a strangely shaped, colossal pirate ship burst through the waves! No, not just one! At almost the same time, four other super-large pirate ships, identical except for their colors, also leaped out of the sea, lining up in front of them. Their distinctive white whale shape was instantly recognizable. And in the center, protected by these four giant ships, was undoubtedly—
"It's the Moby Dick of the Whitebeard Pirates! Enemy attack! Enemy attack!!!" the lookout in the crow's nest screamed in terror.
"Whitebeard's ships? Why are they here?!" Greenbull's face changed drastically. "Hey, hey, something's wrong. We've only been in the New World for four or five hours. We're still far from Whitebeard's core territory. Dammit, has our intelligence been leaked?"
"Don't panic!" Akainu shouted. His eyes were fixed on the approaching pirate ship, a savage grin spreading across his face. "They're just in time! Aren't they? Saves me the trouble of looking for them! Hmph, pass the order! All ships to battle stations! Aim at the Moby Dick and—FIRE!!!"
With Akainu's command, dozens of warships quickly prepared for battle. In the next moment, they all raised their cannons towards the five white whale ships.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
The deafening roar of cannon fire instantly echoed across the sea! However, just as the overwhelming barrage was about to hit the Moby Dick…
"GURARARARARA!!!" A hearty laugh came from the rear of the deck. "Marines, how could I let your cannonballs…"
A figure far larger than an ordinary human leaped to the prow, clenched his right fist, and slammed it into the air in front of him! "…hurt my beloved sons!"
CRACK!
Like a mirror shattering, a terrifying shockwave swept out! All the incoming cannonballs exploded in mid-air, turning into countless fragments that sank into the sea. The remaining shockwave raged towards the Marine fleet like a hurricane! The monstrous waves it created rocked most of the warships violently. Soldiers on the decks lost their footing and cried out in alarm, and several ships at the front nearly capsized.
"OOOHHHH! As expected of Pops!"
"Are you scared, Marines?!"
Cheers erupted from the decks of the white whale ships, morale soaring.
"Whitebeard!!!" Akainu's pupils shrank as he looked up at the giant man standing at the prow with his bisento. Is this the destructive power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit? With a casual strike, he could neutralize the Marines' firepower advantage at sea!
"All hands, brace yourselves!" he shouted. "Adjust formation! Prepare for boarding!"
"Gurararara… You brat, if I recall correctly, your name is Sakazuki, right?" Whitebeard stood at the prow, looking down at the distant Akainu. His gaze shifted to the empty sleeve, and he grinned. "It seems the lesson that Shane kid taught you in the North Blue wasn't enough…"
"You lost an arm, and you still dare to run wild in my territory? You Marines really don't learn!"
These words were like a slap in the face to Akainu! His face instantly darkened, veins bulging on his forehead. His remaining left arm instantly transformed into magma.
"I'll settle the score with Shane sooner or later. As for you, Whitebeard, a mere relic of the old era…" Akainu said coldly. "A man with one foot in the grave shouldn't talk so big in front of me!"
"Meteor Volcano!!!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Countless magma fists shot into the sky, dyeing it crimson, and then rained down rapidly, like the end of the world!
"Gurararara, magma brat, is that all you've got?" Whitebeard looked up at the scene, unconcerned. Laughing, he set aside his Murakumogiri for a moment, drew his left fist back to its limit, and punched the sky!
"Heaven and Earth Shake!"
With a shout, the atmosphere shattered wherever the punch passed, and the magma fists were pulverized before they could even get close! It was Akainu's signature move, but the effect was no different from the cannonballs earlier.
"If I were a few years older, I wouldn't be able to pull off this move so easily," Whitebeard gripped his Murakumogiri again and laughed. "Hey, Marine brats, if you were smart, you would have waited another ten or twenty years before messing with me!"
"Hmph, just an appetizer! Don't get cocky, Whitebeard!" Akainu snorted. His figure vanished, and he used Moonwalk to ascend into the air. At the same time, he barked an order behind him, "Aramaki, remember Plan B? It's up to you!"
The old man was clearly in better shape than they had expected. Forcing the fleet to push through on the open sea would leave them vulnerable to the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, risking the destruction of ships and loss of life. This was probably why he had left his territory to ambush them here! For the Marines, a sea battle was not an option! They had to change the terrain and force the battle onto land!
"Ah, got it!" Greenbull's expression was serious. Without hesitation, he bent down and slammed his hands onto the deck, roaring, "Forest-Forest: Deep Forest Emergence!"
RUMBLE—
Countless thick green vines burst from his body, spreading in all directions at an astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, these vines not only entangled the bottoms of the Marine warships, stabilizing them like land, but also completely covered the sea for several kilometers around, forming a massive green vegetation.
And Greenbull himself, under the cover of the vines, had transformed into a green blur, charging straight at Whitebeard! "A mere remnant of the old era, how dare you be so arrogant!" he roared. His right arm completely transformed into wood, becoming a sharp giant spear coated in black Armament Haki, aimed straight at Whitebeard's chest!
"Gurararara… a Marine rookie? Big talk!" Whitebeard laughed. Facing Greenbull's surprise attack, he simply swung his Murakumogiri lightly.
CRACK!
The atmosphere shattered! A terrifying tremor wave erupted like a tide. Before Greenbull's wooden spear could touch Whitebeard, it was snapped in two by the force!
BOOM!
Greenbull was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing into the cabin of a warship behind him and causing a massive explosion!
"Aramaki!" Akainu was stunned for a moment, then turned and roared, "Who gave you permission to act on your own?!" He could have chosen to fight Whitebeard alone first, confident he wouldn't be at a disadvantage. But Greenbull's strength was slightly lacking. Being knocked away in a single exchange like this was a disgrace to the Marines! This guy… he was fine in other aspects, but his personality was just too sloppy, lacking any military discipline!
As soon as Akainu finished speaking, Greenbull burst through the wall of the ship below, leaping up on vines. A huge crack ran from his left ear to his shoulder, revealing the wood grain inside. But with a deep breath, the crack healed instantly with a series of cracks.
"Hiss, that really hurt…" Greenbull wiped away the blood and grinned savagely. "I didn't expect him to be that strong. As expected of the monster once called the 'World's Strongest Man.' But Senior Sakazuki, no need to worry about me. This level of damage won't hurt me!" The powerful regenerative ability granted by the Forest-Forest Fruit was no joke! Especially under the midday sun!
I can't get through to this guy… Akainu frowned and said no more. He gave Greenbull a look, and the two of them split up, attacking from different directions, and in the next instant, they attacked simultaneously!
"Hound Blaze!"
"Forest-Forest: Strangling Vines!"
Magma hounds and countless Haki-coated vines wove a net, attacking Whitebeard from both sides!
"Gurararara! Two at once? Now that's more like it!" Whitebeard laughed heartily. He slammed his Murakumogiri into the deck, his muscles bulging, and punched with both fists at the incoming attacks!
BOOM! BOOM!
The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit collided with magma and forest! A terrifying shockwave swept across the battlefield. The sea was torn open by the aftershock, creating a massive abyss, and even the clouds in the sky were scattered!
"Marco!" Whitebeard shouted.
"Got it, Pops!" Marco, in his phoenix form, shot into the sky as a blue firebird, laughing as he dived towards the Marine fleet. "Time to go, brothers! The two Marine Admirals are tied up by Pops. It's our turn to crush the Marines!"
"Here we go!"
"Wait for us, Marco!"
The commanders on the Moby Dick couldn't hold back any longer and leaped off the deck! More than a dozen imposing figures streaked across the sea like meteors, heading straight for the Marine fleet!
"That's… First Division Commander, Marco the Phoenix!"
"And Fifth Division Commander, Vista the Flower Sword!"
"Diamond Jozu too!"
"Dammit, there are so many commanders with bounties in the billions! And the rest aren't pushovers either!"
Panic broke out among the Marines. Although they were elites, many of the younger ones had never participated in such a massive battle, let alone seen so many world-famous pirates at once!
"What are you panicking for!" Vice Admiral Doberman shouted. "There are only a dozen of them! Have you forgotten that we have fifty thousand men?!"
"That's right!"
"Nothing to worry about! Charge with me! Surround these pirates!"
"Surround?" Marco, in the sky, seemed to hear this and smiled. "You're right. But unfortunately, we're the ones surrounding you."
Hmm? Doberman's face changed. As if sensing something, he looked into the distance. Sure enough! At some point, countless black dots had appeared on the horizon in all directions, rapidly growing larger. A glance revealed forty-three pirate ships of various shapes, sailing at full speed!
"Pops! We're here!"
"Squard and the Maelstrom Spider Pirates are here to help!"
"Roar! Little Oars Jr. and the whole crew are here too!"
"Wi-hahaha, you can't start without us!"
Forty-three captains stood at the prows of their ships, shouting, each ship packed with men. They surrounded the Marine fleet from all sides. Upon reaching the wooden ground created by Greenbull, they jumped off their ships, drew their weapons, and charged with a roar. Their momentum was fierce, and in the blink of an eye, they had counter-encircled the Marine fleet. Their total force was tens of thousands strong, no less than the Marine Headquarters!
"It's Whitebeard's allied pirate crews!" Doberman stood on the rocking warship, his face grim. "Dammit, every single one of them is here…" This wasn't something that could be done in two or three days! It meant their intelligence had been leaked long ago! Dammit, Headquarters' operation was supposed to be top secret. Even the Warlords only found out who the enemy was just now. Why…
"It's your turn, Warlords!" Doberman turned and roared. "What are you waiting for?! Didn't we agree that you would deal with these commanders and pirate captains together?!"
"Kishishishishi, what's the rush…" A sinister laugh echoed, and Gecko Moria's massive body emerged from the shadows. "I'll keep my end of the bargain, of course. I just didn't expect our opponent to be the Whitebeard Pirates. Hmm? Is that an Ancient Giant? A descendant of the legendary Oars… Hey, that guy's corpse is mine. No problem, right?"
"No one's fighting you for it," a cold voice said from the side. Dracule Mihawk, with his broad black blade on his back, walked past Moria to the front.
"Dracule Mihawk…" In the sky, Marco, whose expression hadn't changed when he saw Moria, suddenly looked grave when he saw Mihawk. "What a surprise. Even a guy like you was called here!"
"Sorry, this wasn't my idea," Mihawk replied flatly. Then he looked at the Den Den Mushi in his hand and said expressionlessly, "Fleet Admiral Kong, I don't recall you telling me over the phone that I'd be fighting Whitebeard. Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
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