Chapter 334: Where Is Kizaru? The Five Elders Appear!
A Mythical Zoan? What was this old man talking about?
But Angewomon wasn't interested in correcting him. She looked up at the sky, her brow furrowed. "According to our intelligence, that should be the case. If they didn't have powerful reinforcements, the Marines would have retreated long ago. But those old men should have shown up by now. It's strange…"
"Gurararara! Who knows? Maybe those cowards realized they couldn't win and abandoned these Marines!" Whitebeard laughed. "Speaking of which, I'm more surprised by the Curtain Call. Only a few top officers came? Hey, little girl, where are the rest? They can't all be waiting at home, can they?"
This was truly baffling. After all, judging by Shane's past actions, he had never shown mercy to his enemies, always rooting them out completely. Last time, he had even led tens of thousands of men on an expedition to the North Blue. Now that Marine Headquarters was invading the New World, it was a rare opportunity to deal them a heavy blow. It didn't make sense to only bring a few people.
"Aren't the fifty thousand members of the Whitebeard Pirates enough?" Angewomon said coldly. "Besides, with Marine Headquarters out in full force, unable to provide support to their New World bases, don't you think this is the perfect time to drive the Marines out of the New World completely?"
Hmm? Whitebeard realized something. "Hey, hey, little girl, do you mean to say…"
"At this point, there's no harm in telling you," Angewomon said impassively. "The forces of the Curtain Call's Combat Corps, led by Shiryu of the Rain, Smoker, Nojiko, and other officers, have split into six groups to simultaneously attack bases G-5, G-13, G-14, and others."
"Calculating the time, they should be about done by now."
"As for the G-1 Base, which has the strongest forces, since we happened to run into their main fleet on our way here, Lord Shane dealt with them in passing."
Whitebeard was shocked. So that was why Shane had descended from the sky, saying he had been delayed by an unexpected encounter? The Curtain Call had really done something big!
The Marine bases on the Grand Line, all starting with 'G', were "Great" bases with strong military power, far surpassing the ordinary bases in the four seas. Their ranks were equivalent to Headquarters. And the seven bases in the New World, serving as the front line against the Yonko, were especially important! Almost every New World base was guarded by at least two Vice Admirals and garrisoned by thousands, sometimes tens of thousands, of troops. And they could coordinate with Headquarters and support each other at any time! Even Whitebeard had been unable to do anything about these thorns in his side, forced to let them remain on the edge of his territory.
But now… these seven bases were gone?! That meant… all the foundations and layouts Marine Headquarters had built in the New World over the years had vanished in an instant!!!
Whitebeard recovered from his shock, steadied himself, and couldn't help but laugh. "Gurararara! What ambition! It seems I still underestimated that kid!"
Just then, the Den Den Mushi in his coat rang urgently.
Purupurupuru, purupurupuru~~!
"Hmm?" Whitebeard answered, confused. Why would anyone call him at a time like this?
"Pops!" On the other end, the anxious voice of Izo, the Sixteenth Division Commander who had stayed behind to guard their territory, came through. "It's bad! Our scouts have spotted Kizaru! That guy didn't move with the main Marine force after entering the New World. He's heading alone towards Sphinx Island!"
Whitebeard's smile froze. Where is he heading? Sphinx Island?! Anger surged in his chest. That was his hometown, the holy land he was willing to spend all his savings and his life protecting! Besides his sons, nothing was more important to him than maintaining the peace and tranquility of that place.
A mere Kizaru… how dare he!
"Pops! What do we do?" Izo was clearly panicked. "The only commanders left here are me and Kingdew. Hiss, this is really troublesome… Should the two of us go over there first and check the situation…"
"No!" Whitebeard shouted, cutting Izo off. "Don't be stupid, you foolish son! Even the two of you together are no match for Kizaru! Going there would be throwing your lives away! Don't go!"
"But Pops…"
"Don't worry. The Curtain Call has made their move. The battle here is decided. I'm going there immediately!"
Whitebeard hung up and turned to Angewomon, his voice grave. "Tell that kid Shane that I have to leave for a while! I'm leaving this to you guys. No problem, right?"
Angewomon was taken aback. Before she could nod, Whitebeard looked up and roared, "Marco!"
Marco was nearby, having just defeated a Marine Vice Admiral. Hearing Pops's voice, he didn't hesitate to transform into a blue firebird and fly over.
"To Sphinx!" Whitebeard grabbed Marco's wing, and his massive body was easily lifted into the sky by the phoenix.
"Sphinx?" Marco was momentarily confused.
"I'll explain on the way! We have to hurry!" Whitebeard said, looking back at Shane. Sengoku was still being pummeled, and his occasional counterattacks failed to cause any substantial damage to Shane. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before a winner was decided. Once Shane was free, the Marines would face a total rout.
"Gurararara… Kid, I owe you one!" Whitebeard laughed in Shane's direction, then shouted, "Go!"
We can make it! The location of this sea area was not far from Sphinx. With Marco's flying speed, they could definitely make it!
"Yes, Pops!"
BOOM!
The phoenix's wings erupted with blinding blue flames. Sonic booms exploded as man and bird streaked across the sky like a meteor, heading straight for Sphinx Island!
Above the battlefield.
Shane grinned as he threw a punch, knocking the Demonic Buddha Sengoku back over a hundred meters. As he landed, he caught a glimpse of the blue flame disappearing into the horizon out of the corner of his eye. He raised an eyebrow.
That was… Marco taking Whitebeard away? What was going on now?
Shane frowned. Seeing Angewomon flying towards him, he was about to ask her what happened, but just then, a deafening explosion came from the distance!
RUMBLE—
The entire sea shook violently, and massive waves shot into the sky!
"Hey! What's happening?!" Everyone on the battlefield stopped, staring in shock at the source of the explosion.
Four bolts of purple-black lightning struck down in the center of the battlefield. Thick teleportation circle patterns spread out, and black mist filled the air, darkening the entire sea!
"So they're finally here…" Angewomon snorted, stopping in her tracks. Her eight wings spread wide, and holy light instantly dispelled the surrounding gloom. She looked up at the four figures gradually materializing.
It was the four Elders!
Garling, at the front, had a sinister look on his face. He glanced around and said flatly, "Quite lively. Well, with two Yonko crews and tens of thousands of Marines, how could it not be?"
"This is good," Warcury took a step forward. "We can wipe out all you pirates in one go, saving us…"
Nusjuro drew his cursed sword, Kitetsu, expressionless, and finished coldly, "…the trouble!"