Guarding the interior of Spring Queen Island were the direct military forces of the World Government and the units led by Kong, the Commander-in-Chief of the World Government.
Aside from the Government's knight orders led by the Holy Cross Knights, former Marines and current Government experts like Momousagi, Chaton, and Shirokitsune were also stationed here.
Boom! Boom-boom-boom!Roar!
The massive sounds of impact constantly battered the city walls. Even with walls dozens of meters high acting as a shield, Momousagi and the others could still feel the intense shockwaves hitting them wave after wave.
"Gyaaaah!"
A raspy, unique shriek echoed, a sound so distinct that anyone who heard it once would never forget it.
"That voice..." Shirokitsune, whose greatcoat sleeves were a deep purple, frowned. "Gecko Moria of the Seven Warlords? Has he been taken out?"
Momousagi leaned against a now-abandoned residential building, her brows knit tight. Her eyes, which had been closed, finally snapped open as she looked toward Kong, who was sitting on a chair not far away.
"Reporting! When do we deploy?" she demanded.
Kong replied solemnly, "We deploy when the time is right."
"But I can sense through Observation Haki that the Marines are at a disadvantage!" Momousagi shouted in frustration.
"Momousagi, if you don't mind, I could go for you..." Chaton chimed in with his usual thick-skinned persistence, but before he could finish, Momousagi shut him down with two words: "Beat it."
"Alucard possesses immortality; he cannot be killed while in his immortal state."
Kong's stern expression remained unchanged. "We must wait for the others to force him out of that state before we strike. This will undoubtedly cost many lives, but to erase the greatest threat to the Marines and the Government since their inception, we will pay any price!"
"Then why aren't they moving? Are they just for show?"
Momousagi pointed angrily toward the inner city. In the distance, one could see the Government's direct Knight Orders stationed deep within, men clad in white robes emblazoned with the World Government's cross-star symbol.
Despite being one of the primary combat forces for this war, they had positioned themselves incredibly far back since the start of the battle.
This fact filled many soldiers, especially those like Momousagi who already held a dim view of the Government, with righteous indignation.
"Momousagi, we are at war. If you have grievances, wait until the war is over to air them."
Seeing that Momousagi's words were causing the atmosphere to grow tense, Kong quickly barked a reprimand. If infighting broke out among their own while the battle was still raging, it would be a disaster.
Momousagi realized the sensitivity of the timing. Her brow twitched as she turned her face away, falling silent.
"But if the World Government wins, they won't care one bit about the people who died," a voice whispered into Momousagi's ear. She turned to see Shirokitsune.
Momousagi had no retort. The atmosphere of the entire army could best be described by two words: "Deathly Silence."
Most of them were originally Marines who had been transferred to Mariejois to serve the Government, but many still held deep affection for the Navy, especially those like Momousagi, soldiers who had their own ideals and refused to be mere puppets of the Government.
Whoosh—
Just then, Admiral Fujitora, standing atop a levitating rock, flew over the city wall and descended before Kong, Momousagi, and the others.
"Issho-san?" Momousagi said in surprise.
Issho nodded to her before walking up to Kong. "The Marines are struggling. Commander-in-Chief, please order reinforcements."
Kong frowned. "The Marines have nearly a hundred thousand men, yet they can't even force Alucard out of his immortal state?"
With that level of military power, Kong felt it would have been enough to handle even Roger twenty-three years ago. Against Alucard, even if they couldn't kill him, they should at least be able to push him to a corner and force him to deactivate his immortality, right?
"Alucard's power has far exceeded our imagination. Please, order reinforcements," Issho repeated.
Seeing Kong's furrowed brow and his hesitation to give the order, Issho understood. He turned to walk deeper into the city. As he passed Kong, he said, "Since the Commander-in-Chief's position makes things 'inconvenient,' I shall go myself."
Kong was startled. He looked askance at the Admiral. "Fujitora, do you realize what you're saying?"
"It is merely a request for troop support. Surely those gentlemen in the Government won't kill an old man like me?" Issho left those words behind and continued walking toward the heart of the city without looking back.
"But you won't be able to keep your footing in the Marines after this," Kong warned.
"...To change this world, I am willing to soil my hands, and even my soul."
Watching Issho's retreating figure, Kong felt a faint sense of foreboding but allowed him to leave.
Issho hadn't walked even two miles when a figure blocked his path. The two met in a rather dim alleyway.
"Oh... Vice Admiral Shirokitsune. May I ask what business you have with me?" Issho asked, his voice low as he stopped.
"Issho-san, your eyes may be blind, but your heart is not," Shirokitsune said.
Issho tilted his head slightly. Shirokitsune continued, "If I'm not mistaken, you plan to rebel against the Government, don't you? Are there others in the Marines who share your thoughts?"
Issho was genuinely surprised. Had his words just now been that obvious?
"I am one of them."
Shirokitsune saw through Issho's shock and explained without hesitation, "They say people with the same thoughts resonate easily. It seems to be true."
"Is that so... Vice Admiral Shirokitsune also... May I ask when you first had such thoughts?"
"Twenty-three years ago."
Shirokitsune's words were stunning. Even Issho fell silent in surprise.
Twenty-three years ago was the year Pirate King Roger was executed, and the same year Shirokitsune joined the Marines. Even back then, she had...
"Even if you go, you won't change the minds of those 'official masters.' We should cooperate."
Shirokitsune walked up to Issho's side and whispered, "Tell me about your experiences in Alabasta. I know you must have uncovered a great deal of insider information there."
Issho organized his thoughts for a moment and nodded. "Very well. But time is limited, so I shall keep it brief."