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"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Countless shells bombarded the ground, instantly drawing the curtain on the war. The media reporters on the shore became the Marines' primary target.
To cover their tracks, the Marines indiscriminately bombed other areas as well, as if they had launched a Buster Call.
"Quick, save them!"
"Medical team, take the injured away!"
"Intercept the cannonballs!"
Without needing orders, the Hoenn Marines immediately launched rescue operations, yet they underestimated the tenacious will of the reporters.
"I'm not leaving!"
Many reporters hid behind rocks, continuing to film fearlessly, demonstrating their professionalism to the extreme.
Breaking news!
In their careers as reporters, this was their only, and possibly last, opportunity. If they seized it, their future resumes would be incredibly brilliant.
No, they absolutely wouldn't leave!
"Are these bastards crazy?!"
Speed cursed angrily, seeing the flying cannonballs. She immediately drew her bow and arrow, and a dozen arrows accurately intercepted the cannonballs.
"Boom boom boom!"
Clusters of flames exploded in the air.
"So powerful!"
"So cool! As expected of a great pirate with a bounty over 300 million!"
"Idiot, Vice Admiral Speed is now a Vice Admiral of the Hoenn Marines, not a pirate!"
The reporters hiding behind them aimed their cameras at Speed, excitedly taking continuous shots. Being able to capture clear close-up photos of a powerful individual in action would surely earn them praise from their editor-in-chief back at the office.
More and more Hoenn Government warships arrived.
"Ice Age!"
Suddenly, the sea froze over a large area!
The Marine Headquarters fleet was frozen on the sea, unable to advance. Only the firepower from the foremost warships could reach the shore.
Their overall firepower was greatly restricted.
"The sea is frozen!"
"This ability... it's Admiral Kuzan!"
"The rumors are true!"
"Damn it, why did Admiral Kuzan join the Hoenn Government?!"
Looking at the frozen sea, the hearts of the Marine soldiers wavered. Among the original three Admirals, Kuzan was the Admiral with the most considerate personality toward his subordinates, and his prestige among ordinary Marine soldiers was the highest.
Thinking of having to fight against Admiral Kuzan, many Marine soldiers completely lost their will to fight, unable to understand why things had turned out this way.
"Bastard!"
Smoker's rage was at its peak.
On one hand, it was due to Kuzan's betrayal, and on the other, it was his anger toward the World Government. In this war, he saw no trace of justice.
But the order to attack soon came.
"All Marine soldiers, land!"
Vice Admiral Doberman took over command, ordering all Marine soldiers to land and engage in combat. With the ice as a foothold, the Marine soldiers only needed to charge.
"Go, attack!"
"Ooh ooh ooh!"
Led by their officers, dense ranks of Marine soldiers jumped off the warships and charged toward the Hoenn Government fleet.
Ten Vice Admirals led the charge, most of whom were new Vice Admirals recruited through the large-scale conscription, with only two or three familiar faces.
And ten Pacifista!
Total force: thirty thousand men!
"Let's meet them in battle too!"
The officers of the Hoenn Government appeared one after another.
This time, the Hoenn Government deployed over twenty thousand troops, not much fewer than the enemy. Moreover, this was the first large-scale foreign war since the Hoenn Government's establishment.
Although slightly disadvantaged in terms of numbers, their morale was soaring, ten times that of Marine Headquarters. Besides their trust in the Hoenn Government's ideals, there was also the righteousness of this war!
They absolutely couldn't lose to the hypocritical Marines!
"Attack!"
Drake jumped onto the sea, instantly transforming into a giant Allosaurus, roaring as he charged toward Marine Headquarters.
His once confused eyes were now incredibly resolute.
He hadn't forgotten his identity, nor did he want to be an enemy of his former comrades, but he wasn't a fool either. He could distinguish between good and bad.
In this war, the Hoenn Marines were the side of justice.
Therefore, he would fight with all his might!
"Awooo!"
The roar of a fierce beast echoed across the battlefield!
"It's Drake!"
Kujaku, Grus, and other SWORD members looked at the Allosaurus leading the charge, their expressions turning ugly.
Even if they had an undercover mission, there was no need to fight so desperately!
"Stop him!"
Without hesitation, the SWORD members confronted Drake. Only they and the Fleet Admiral in the Marines knew about Drake's undercover identity.
Other officers would not hold back.
"Stop, Drake!"
"Kujaku, Grus!"
Drake looked at his colleagues, but instead of slowing down, he became even more violent, opening his maw and biting down!
"Try to stop me!"
"What?!"
Their faces changed drastically, and they immediately dodged to the sides, clearly not expecting Drake to attack so mercilessly.
"Crunch!"
The ice where they had just been standing was bitten through by sharp teeth.
"Drake really wants to kill us!"
Grus was enraged.
Although they didn't know what was happening, they had to make a decision now. If they didn't fight with the mindset of treating him as an enemy, Drake would kill them all.
"Get out of the way!"
Several Giant race members appeared on the battlefield, swinging their massive weapons to sweep away the Marines. The leading Giant had lion's mane-like hair, which was quite striking.
"That's... Vice Admiral Saul!"
Some veterans recognized Saul.
Compared to humans, the Giant race can live up to three hundred years. Even after twenty years, Saul's appearance hadn't changed at all.
The Giant Vice Admiral, who had long been presumed dead, now appeared in the Hoenn Government ranks!
"And Jinbe the First Son of the Sea, he also joined the Hoenn Government!"
Jinbe also appeared.
For Fish-Man Island, he voluntarily drank the subordinate's sake. He was now assigned as a Vice Admiral in the Hoenn Marines, and also served as the captain of the underwater assault unit.
"Don't back down! Attack!"
Red King, Tsucha, Guillotine, and other new Marine Vice Admirals also began to exert their strength, charging to the forefront of the battle line.
Reverse Mountain, coast.
"Is this the Marines' way?"
Facing Daichi's questioning, Aramaki and Fujitora couldn't utter a single word of defense, their hearts similarly suppressed with anger.
But no matter how angry they were, as Admirals of Marine Headquarters, they had their own stance and couldn't easily change it.
"Nothing you say matters now!"
Aramaki's arm extended, transforming into a massive wooden arm that slammed into the ground, then his body also swelled and grew larger.
In an instant, a giant treant appeared.
"Daichi!"
Aramaki looked down at Daichi.
"War isn't a quarrel. Whose justice is greater changes nothing. Only victory and defeat are most important!"
"Indeed."
Daichi slowly nodded.
He didn't expect to gain a slight advantage in "righteousness" and make the two Marine Headquarters Admirals cease hostilities and reconcile. This wasn't child's play.
Those who reached their position were all individuals of unwavering will, long accustomed to the dark side of the world.
Water that is too clear has no fish.
Even the Hoenn Government couldn't be without flaws. To the two Admirals, what difference could it make compared to the World Government?
There were plenty of people who shouted loud slogans.
Just like the Revolutionary Army, which had accumulated twenty years of reputation, to the common people, the Revolutionary Army was more just than the Hoenn Government.
However, very few strong individuals joined the Revolutionary Army.
If he truly wanted to convince the other party, besides having superior ideals and systems than the World Government, he also needed to demonstrate strength capable of contending with the World Government.
Otherwise, everything would be empty talk!
Daichi looked at Fujitora.
"This old man also needs to get serious!"
Fujitora drew his cane sword, raising it to his eyes with a solemn expression.
Although he was blind, his heart was not.
He deeply detested the rule of the Celestial Dragons, and his purpose in joining the Marines was to break the corrupt system.
He now desperately wanted to know if the man before him truly had the ability to challenge the "gods" in the sky.
That required more than just justice.
Sword light flashed, and purple light rings soared into the sky!
"Arararara!"
Kuzan also arrived on the battlefield, and ice crystals rapidly spread across the land.
"It's so lively here, let me join in too!"