In New Marineford.
Giant warships were assembled at the port.
Elite soldiers from major branch bases were gathering at Headquarters.
Marines with any insight knew that an unprecedented war was about to begin.
Meanwhile, inside a humble residence within the massive base, the three great figures of the Navy had convened.
"So, Sensei Zephyr,"
Aokiji, a Marine Headquarters Admiral with curly black hair, broke the silence. "This should be a good opportunity."
"The World Government is the source of all chaos, and the pirates gathered by Roa are the very embodiment of chaos!"
Beside Aokiji, Akainu, wearing a Marine cap, had a profoundly dark look in his eyes. "Perhaps this time we can let the dogs fight each other until both sides are badly hurt. After all, hasn't that guy Roa gained the power to break the immortal body?"
"Speaking of that,"
Aokiji squinted. "How exactly did that guy Roa do it?"
Since learning that the God's Knights and the Five Elders possessed the immortal body, they had felt a headache coming on.
How could they possibly win against a group of unkillable enemies?
"We can try to figure that out during this war."
Zephyr, the Chief Instructor of Marine Headquarters, spoke slowly. "The power to break the immortal body is necessary if we want to overthrow the World Government."
"We can also try to let the pirates and the Celestial Dragons' forces wear each other down, but the prerequisite must be ensuring that we can ultimately eliminate the pirates!"
"No matter how corrupt and degenerate the World Government is, it still largely maintains order among the Affiliated Kingdoms. But pirates only bring chaos!"
"Of course!"
Aokiji and Akainu both nodded heavily.
The reason the Navy supported the World Government was because of the existence of the Affiliated Kingdoms.
The numerous Affiliated Kingdoms could be said to represent mainstream human society.
It was painful for many Marines, however, that the non-Affiliated Kingdoms were essentially excluded from mainstream society. An ideology even circulated within the Affiliated Kingdoms that residents of non-Affiliated Kingdoms had no human rights, and this belief was widely accepted.
Regardless, the World Government and the Navy did protect these acknowledged "humans."
Almost simultaneously, in the Fleet Admiral's office on the top floor of the Headquarters building.
"Will that guy Zephyr cause trouble this time?"
Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, complained while rubbing his forehead. "If they mess things up again at a time like this, I can hardly imagine the consequences."
"Sengoku,"
Across from him, Tsuru, a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral holding a cup of tea, looked at her old friend and spoke slowly. "When did you start doubting that Zephyr would intentionally undermine justice?"
The Fleet Admiral's body stiffened, then he gave a wry smile, shaking his head repeatedly. "My apologies, Tsuru. Perhaps Roa and his crew are putting too much pressure on me."
"I have never doubted Zephyr's commitment to justice, but..."
He paused. "Justice has always had a stance, and Zephyr's—"
The rest of the sentence didn't need to be spoken.
Vice Admiral Tsuru also remained silent.
For the past twenty years, there had been conflict between the radical faction of the Navy led by Zephyr and the conservative faction represented by Sengoku.
Especially since the radicals Sakazuki (Akainu) and Kuzan (Aokiji) became Admirals a few years ago, the radical faction's power grew significantly, almost reaching the point of competing equally with Sengoku.
The Navy faced the risk of splitting. There had already been many incidents where personnel from the two factions performed the same mission, only for problems to arise due to their differences.
Both sides' commitment to justice was unquestionable, but the Justice they practiced was not the same.
"Zephyr's hatred for pirates is beyond doubt," Tsuru said. "Especially Roa; Zephyr despises him."
"I hope everything goes smoothly."
Sengoku's smile improved slightly.
The former comrades, due to ideological differences, had indeed drifted apart.
Sengoku knew very well that Zephyr had become dangerous.
Not only did they resist the Warlord System and oppose compromising with pirates in the New World, but they even had reservations about the World Government itself—
As a long-time friend, Sengoku had always pretended not to notice.
Because he didn't know what to do either.
Zephyr had always been the most outstanding Marine; no one could find any fault in him.
So, for now, they would just let it be.
"Officers and soldiers from every base in the New World are urgently evacuating. The tragedy of that year must never be repeated. Also, call-up orders have been sent to all the Warlords,"
Sengoku changed the subject. "I just don't know how many will respond."
With Wang Zhi and Silver Axe killed, only five Warlords remained.
Out of the five, Captain John was certain to participate.
The decision lay with the remaining four.
Hawkeye and Crocodile were relatively predictable, but Sengoku was unsure about Moria and Jinbe, as Moria was a former executive of the Calamity Company, and Jinbe was a former partner of Roa's.
"At this point,"
Vice Admiral Tsuru said calmly. "The strength of the Warlords won't play a crucial role anyway."
The forces that the two sides were about to assemble would be overly exaggerated.
Knock, knock, knock!
Just then, the office door was knocked, the sound urgent.
"Come in."
Sengoku immediately straightened his face.
A panting communications soldier rushed in. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku! The Whitebeard Pirates are making contact with the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"What?"
In a certain sea area of the New World.
Two ships were gradually approaching each other.
Both ships were equally famous.
Because they were the flagships of two Pirate Emperors!
On the larger Moby Dick, a massive figure leaped across the gap.
"Be careful! Cowards, step back!"
On the deck of the Red Force, which had a red dragon figurehead, Yasopp, the Straw Hat Pirates' sniper with brown dreadlocks, shouted at the top of his lungs. "A formidable monster is coming!"
Hearing this, the pirates on deck couldn't help but retreat a few steps.
The man with the red nose even hid directly behind the mast.
Benn Beckman, the First Mate, watched and couldn't help but chuckle. "Buggy, you're a veteran of the crew. Few people in the pirate group are stronger than you, so why are you more cowardly than the rookies?"
"What am I supposed to do!"
Buggy carefully peeked out. "That's because that monster is coming!"
Because the man who landed on the deck with a dull thud was—
"Whitebeard! Hahaha! I never thought you'd pay a visit!"
Steady footsteps were accompanied by laughter.
Whitebeard, who no longer had his handsome golden long hair and wore a black bandana, lowered his head slightly, looking at the man approaching him.
Casually tossing a bottle of sake he brought with him, Whitebeard picked up a bottle himself. He took a gulp and said with a laugh, "Gurararara! Seeing your face brings up bad memories, Straw Hat Brat."
"Hahahaha! Is that so? I'm sorry to hear that!"
Shanks, one of the Emperors of the New World, naturally knew what the man in front of him was talking about. He just took the sake, opened it, and took a drink. Then, licking his lips, he said with surprise, "This sake is excellent!"
"It's sake from my home country, Sphinx,"
Whitebeard's smile widened; he seemed pleased by Shanks' praise. "That country doesn't produce much grain, and even less for brewing, so every bottle is carefully made."
"Is that right? That sounds wonderful."
Shanks nodded with a smile, then asked, "So, Whitebeard, why did you make a special trip here?"
"For Roa,"
Whitebeard slammed his bisento onto the deck, his expression finally becoming a little serious. "Since that fellow returned, the balance of the New World has been broken!"
"This sea area we are in was his territory twenty-five years ago. Do you think he will just let it go?"
"Now he is probably meeting up with Golden Lion and the others. A storm that will sweep across the entire New World is coming. Straw Hat Brat, what have you decided to do?"
"So,"
Shanks raised an eyebrow. "Whitebeard, are you here to ask us to join forces against Roa and his crew?"
Whitebeard replied, "You also know what this sea area will go through if that brat makes a comeback."
Although the people of Sphinx had betrayed him once, Whitebeard was not a petty man.
After the Calamity Company vanished, he returned to that country, bringing peace and tranquility with him.
"The World Government will never ignore them. Perhaps we can seize this opportunity."
Shanks pondered Whitebeard's words, then smiled and spoke. "It's not that simple, Whitebeard. If Roa is truly taking action, he must have something up his sleeve."
That man, like him, understood the full truth of the world.
Roa, who knew the true power of the World Government, would never act blindly.
Moreover, while Roa was dangerous, the Celestial Dragons, led by Im, were the world's greatest enemy.
Now that Roa and his crew were likely to start a war with the Government, how could they stand in their way?
Let them fight.
"I'm sorry,"
He said with a smile. "I refuse your request. I am not ready to go to war with Roa."
Whitebeard's eyes instantly darkened.
If that's the case...
The meeting between the two Pirate Emperors shook the World Government.
Meanwhile, in the Grand Line.
This was the desert kingdom, Alabasta.
The city of miracles, Rainbase.
Crocodile surveyed the Marine in front of him. "So, you want me to go and fight those monsters, Roa and his crew?"
"A war is not guaranteed,"
The officer sent by Marine Headquarters said calmly. "It is merely a precaution."
"Kwahahaha! A fine precaution indeed!"
Crocodile laughed heartily.
Given Roa's level of madness, it would be strange if he didn't seek massive revenge upon his return.
And when he gathered the monsters of the New World once more, the World Government would certainly not stand idly by.
War was definitely coming.
But, going to fight Roa and his crew...
"Alright!"
Crocodile agreed with delight.
A battle that was destined to fundamentally change the world—wouldn't it be a waste not to join the fun?
In a desolate island in the Grand Line, a Marine battleship was docked by the shore.
The Marine officer who came to deliver the call-up order was sweating profusely. He barely dared to look at the man sitting on a piece of reef, deep in thought.
This man, who had a pitch-black great sword resting beside him and hawk-like piercing eyes, was once known as the Marine Hunter long ago.
He was a super-dangerous individual who would destroy a Marine base just on a whim.
"Roa, you say?"
Hawkeye Mihawk's lips curved slightly. "That man is indeed a swordsman, isn't he?"
"Now I have a reason to go."
On Fish-Man Island.
In a sunny coral forest.
"I don't know what to do now."
Jinbe said, looking troubled. "If I refuse the Government's summons, I'll lose the Warlord title, and the Government might retaliate against Fish-Man Island."
"But if I agree, that vengeful guy Roa will certainly not spare us once he is free."
"Hahahaha!"
A man whose hair had completely turned white sat beside him, laughing heartily. "Yes, what should you do? What a dilemma!"
"Mr. Yama, don't just laugh. I came to you for advice!"
"Hahaha, in that case,"
Mr. Yama, wearing small sunglasses, smiled at Jinbe. "How about waiting for the result from Tiger before deciding?"
"Alas, that's the only way..."
This was the Calm Belt, the border between the West Blue and the New World.
On the flat, waveless sea, a huge ship, as massive as an island, was slowly moving forward.
Inside an ancient castle in the center of the island.
Bulu bulu bulu.
The Transponder Snail was ringing.
Moria merely stared at it, not picking up.
"Moria-sama,"
The woman with pink twin tails asked cautiously. "That Transponder Snail should be the World Government contacting you. Is it okay not to answer?"
Moria didn't speak.
He just took a deep breath, then let it out.
Then he said faintly, "Perona, we have no choice."
Returning to the present.
The New World.
"Oh! Elbaf! It's been a long time!"
Roa stood on the bow of the giant ship, shading his eyes as he looked at the island getting closer.
It was basically unchanged from twenty years ago. The enormous Treasure Tree Eve still towered over the land.
Behind him, Loki was shouting orders at the top of his lungs. "Sunstones ready! We'll charge straight up to the Sunlit World! Then we'll deal with that bastard old man in one go!"
"Oh!!"
The nearly three hundred giants of the Giant Warrior Pirates roared in unison.
They had endured twenty years of humiliation.
For the first five years, they occasionally managed to return to Elbaf.
But after they retreated with the Calamity Company to the moon, their homeland truly became just a memory.
Then, five years ago, they returned to the Blue Sea with Loki, only to find Elbaf completely unrecognizable.
They had launched multiple attacks with Loki to reclaim the country, but each time they failed.
Harald, in his demonic form, was simply too strong, and he commanded an army of demonic giants.
But now, it was fine!
Roa was here. Harald was dead!
Roa was here. Elbaf was free!
"Hmm?"
Roa suddenly frowned.
Something was wrong.
Meanwhile, Dorry and Brogy had already used the Sunstone to draw a giant rainbow.
As always, the mechanism was completely incomprehensible, but the rainbow stretched from the sea surface all the way up to the second canopy of the Treasure Tree Eve.
The giant ships traveled upward along this rainbow.
"Zehahaha! Isn't this marvelous!"
Teach laughed heartily.
His crew of shady characters were also somewhat astonished.
Elbaf was indeed a very mysterious and fantastical place for most people in the world.
The end of the rainbow bridge was outside Olst Castle, where Harald resided.
Loki's plan was to strike directly at the heart, getting rid of the most damnable old man first!
As the ships sailed down the rainbow, the Giant warriors gripped their weapons, faces filled with killing intent.
Though the giants turned into demons were their kin, even their family or friends, they absolutely could not show any mercy for the sake of their country!
Before they figured out how to undo the demonic transformation, their only option was to kill!
The ships hadn't even fully docked when Loki impatiently leaped off the ship, landing directly outside the castle.
"Bastard old man! Get out here and die!"
He slammed his iron hammer down. A bolt of lightning was suddenly summoned, crashing down onto the castle ahead.
The massive column of lightning blasted a huge hole in the castle, triggering a violent explosion that utterly destroyed the entire structure from the inside.
But.
"What?"
Loki's demon-like eyes widened in confusion. "The bastard old man isn't here? Where did he run off to?"
With the bastard old man's strength, if he were here, how could he have allowed his castle to be destroyed so easily?
"The entire Elbaf doesn't have Harald's presence, Loki,"
Roa spoke then. "He doesn't seem to be in this country."
"No way?"
Loki turned around, his face a mix of shock and anger.
His greatest wish now was to kill the bastard old man and prevent the Giant race from being disgraced any further.
And now that the Boss who could finally end all this had arrived, the bastard old man was gone?
"Also,"
Roa slightly turned his head to look at the other side. "Something doesn't feel right."
The ground suddenly began to shake.
A deep, continuous sound of footsteps boomed like distant thunder.
Loki subconsciously turned his head, and then his demonic eyes trembled abruptly.
"Zehaha... what is that!"
Teach was utterly dumbfounded.
A vast expanse of shadow was rapidly approaching, like a black cloud crawling on the ground!
They were Giants, a dense, countless horde of extra-large Giants.
There were men and women, mostly elderly.
Most importantly, they all had demonic wings, horns, and sharp fangs.
"We will kill you!!"
They shouted. "Trample everyone!"
"The Rumbling has begun?"
Roa raised an eyebrow.
-----------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------
I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon HongMengZi