For nearly a month, the World Government's army continued to gather in the Golden Sea. Their numbers swelled past one hundred thousand elite troops, reinforced further by newly appointed Vice Admirals, visible combat forces, and a number of powerful warriors concealed in the shadows.
On the other side, Jaya Island assembled a force of thirty thousand. Although their numbers were smaller, the pirates of the New World were far more ferocious, and in individual combat they often held the advantage. Because of this, neither side lacked momentum or fighting spirit.
The scale of this war had already surpassed that of the future Paramount War.
Whether measured by numbers or by the caliber of fighters involved, this was unprecedented.
The winds shifted and the clouds churned as a massive storm gathered over the Golden Sea. Dark clouds rolled in like an omen, carrying with them the weight of inevitable conflict.
Compared to the probing clashes of the past month, this was no longer a skirmish. The true war was about to erupt.
At this level of power, war no longer hinged on clever tricks alone. Strength would determine everything. Schemes still existed, but neither side would allow the other to exploit them easily.
Having suffered a devastating blow earlier, the Marines exercised extreme caution. Reconnaissance units were dispatched in large numbers, patrolling constantly.
By now, both sides had clearly defined each other's spheres of influence. The moment anyone crossed that invisible boundary, they would be discovered.
"Move out. We will be the ones to ignite this war."
Redyat stood at the forefront, his purple robe fluttering in the wind. His tone carried a calm confidence, yet beneath it lay a sharp edge of killing intent.
As the appointed commander of Jaya Island's combined forces, his authority was unquestioned. His strength alone justified the role, and the captains of the great pirate crews had already given their approval. Kronos, though powerful, was better suited as a frontline combatant rather than a strategist, and he himself understood this clearly.
With orders finalized and responsibilities assigned, the scattered forces of Jaya Island had been forged into a unified whole. Their coordination now allowed them to unleash far greater power than before.
The moment Redyat gave the command, the entire island sprang into motion.
Half of their forces set sail. Pirate ships and seized Marine warships departed in waves, splitting into three separate routes as they advanced toward the distant sea.
They intended to go all out, pushing the World Government's allied forces as far away from their defensive line as possible.
War was never decided in a single clash. Both sides understood this. The World Government had no intention of revealing its trump cards early, reserving them for the decisive moment when Jaya Island itself would be attacked. If exposed too soon, those hidden advantages would lose their impact.
The Golden Sea itself had already been encircled. The territories of both sides formed two vast rings, like concentric circles tightening around each other.
At Base Zero, Army Admiral Vulture sat at the head of the command table. Since this was a full-scale war, a single commander was necessary. As the majority of forces belonged to the Army, leadership naturally fell to him.
To his side sat Admiral Kuzan and Admiral Freda, both silent observers. Not far away, the Army Admiral known as Violent Bear appeared visibly dissatisfied, hinting at the internal struggles that had taken place before this decision was made.
In the end, Vulture had secured command.
Just then, a Den Den Mushi rang sharply, cutting through the heavy atmosphere.
Every officer present stiffened. This call came from the front line. If it had reached them, then the enemy had already made contact.
"Report. Jaya Island forces have launched an attack. The front line has been breached. Immediate support from high-level combatants is required."
The voice on the other end was strained, filled with urgency.
"How many are there?" Vulture asked, his brow tightening.
"A large force. Dozens of warships and pirate vessels. At least half of their strength is advancing. Lemor, Shiryu of the Rain, Thunder Titan Kronos, and—"
The transmission cut off abruptly.
Silence fell over the room.
Everyone understood what that meant.
The reconnaissance unit had been wiped out.
"They are trying to seize the initiative," Vulture muttered, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Very well. If they wish to fight, we will meet them head-on and drive them back."
Orders were issued immediately.
Across the Golden Sea, the war machine of the World Government roared to life. Fleets that had lain dormant now surged forward like awakening beasts, ready to bare their fangs.
Dark clouds gathered overhead, and an unnatural gloom spread across the battlefield. It was as if the sheer intensity of the coming conflict had begun to warp the weather itself.
Rain began to fall.
Waves surged violently, crashing against the hulls of warships. Even so, the massive Marine vessels held steady, cutting through the storm.
From the opposite direction, pirate ships advanced in formation. Their flags flew proudly, planted even upon captured Marine warships, a sight that filled the Marines with rage and humiliation.
The Jaya Island fleet split into three primary forces, led by Kronos, King, and Katakuri.
In response, the World Government deployed three corresponding fleets, each commanded by an Admiral.
Thus, three main battlefields were formed.
At the same time, smaller units slipped away from the main clashes, attempting to bypass enemy lines and strike at the rear. Both sides had reached the same conclusion, and the result was a chaotic web of engagements spreading across the Golden Sea.
Lightning tore through the sky, followed by a deafening thunderclap.
The war had begun.
Across the world, countless eyes turned toward this battlefield. Compared to the Swordsmanship Tournament, this conflict carried far greater weight.
At the same time, war erupted in the New World. Two Yonko, along with numerous pirate crews, pressed heavily against the Marines. Even with Garp present, the outcome remained uncertain.
Sengoku had already made preparations to deploy Zephyr.
The situation was unstable on every front.
Meanwhile, Morgans worked tirelessly to broadcast the war to the world. Reporter birds filled the skies, capturing footage from every major battlefield.
Sea battles and land battles unfolded simultaneously. Small islands scattered across the Golden Sea became strategic points, each one representing control over its surrounding waters.
These islands, insignificant in times of peace, had now become vital strongholds.
Rain poured relentlessly as clashes erupted across every front. Blood stained both sea and land, its scent drawing in sea beasts and even Sea Kings.
War revealed its brutality without restraint.
Yet alongside that brutality, it also displayed overwhelming power.
On the main battlefields, the fighting intensified rapidly.
In the skies, Kronos clashed with Admiral Freda, their battle sending shockwaves through the clouds.
Elsewhere, the sea itself had been frozen solid, forming a vast battlefield where pirates and government forces slaughtered each other without pause.
At the center of one such battlefield, King and Gar fought side by side against Kuzan.
Flames burned fiercely around them, countering the freezing power of Kuzan's ability. Gar no longer concealed his Devil Fruit, unleashing the full force of his Rage Fruit to enhance his strength.
Even so, he refrained from combining it with his Moon Lion form, knowing the immense toll it would take on his stamina.
Together, the two matched Kuzan, even gaining a slight advantage for a time.
On another battlefield, Katakuri faced Army Admiral Violent Bear, with Marco supporting him.
The island beneath them had already been reduced to ruins.
Violent Bear, in his hybrid form, displayed monstrous strength and resilience. His awakened abilities made him a terrifying opponent, and the battle reached a complete stalemate.
Across the surrounding sea, cannon fire roared as ships collided and boarding parties clashed in brutal close combat.
Blades rang, gunfire echoed, and men fell without pause.
War, once begun, was not easily stopped.
The World Government had committed nearly all of its available forces to this battlefield. Aside from a few top figures, their strongest assets were already present in the Golden Sea.
Even after suffering heavy losses, they continued to replenish their ranks with new fighters and Devil Fruit users.
This was the true scale of their power.
Because Jaya Island had struck first, the fighting initially took place within territory controlled by the World Government. Despite this, the government forces quickly stabilized their lines and began to push back.
The three main battlefields consumed half of Jaya Island's strength, while smaller engagements spread across the remaining forces. Only a fraction remained behind to guard the island itself.
Although Jaya Island appeared to hold its ground, this balance was fragile.
Victory was far from assured.
Redyat understood this clearly.
To him, the true key to victory did not lie in the main battlefields, where powerhouses were locked in stalemate, but in the countless smaller engagements scattered across the sea.
Those battles would decide the overall attrition.
Quietly, he began to weave his strategy.
In one such battlefield, Enel led a force of three hundred men to seize a small stronghold defended by five hundred soldiers.
"Golden Pole Enel is here! Inform the captain!"
The shout echoed across the battlefield.
Enel's expression darkened instantly.
"I hate that name."
Rage surged within him as he charged forward, his staff smashing through the defensive lines with overwhelming force.
Each strike sent Marines flying, leaving craters in the ground.
Soon, a Marine captain stepped forward to block him.
"Surrender, Enel."
Enel only sneered.
"You think too highly of yourself."
In an instant, he closed the distance and struck.
The captain was sent flying but quickly recovered, having protected himself with Armament Haki.
The two faced each other once more.
Enel's eyes gleamed with excitement.
He did not use his Devil Fruit. Following Redyat's instructions, he kept it hidden, forcing the enemy to underestimate him and gradually escalate their response.
This was both a strategy and a form of training.
Enel wanted to grow stronger through battle, to awaken his own Armament Haki.
With a confident grin, he tightened his grip on his weapon.
As long as he succeeded, even a Vice Admiral would not be beyond his reach.