"Boom! Boom! Boom!!!"
Countless artillery shells rained down, instantly igniting the flames of war. The media reporters stationed on the shore became the Marines' primary targets.
To conceal their true intentions, the Marines indiscriminately bombarded other areas as well, as if launching a Buster Call.
"Evacuate the wounded!"
"Medics, get the injured out of here!"
"Intercept those shells!"
Without needing orders, the Hoenn Navy immediately sprang into action for rescue operations. However, they underestimated the reporters' unyielding determination.
"I'm not leaving!!!"
Many reporters took cover behind rocks, fearlessly continuing to film, pushing their professionalism to the limit.
This was the scoop of a lifetime!
For them, this might be the one and only opportunity in their careers. If they captured it, their future credentials would shine brighter than ever.
They refused to leave—no matter what!
"Are these idiots insane?!"
Speed cursed in frustration as she swiftly drew her bow, firing a volley of arrows that precisely intercepted the incoming shells.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Flames erupted in the sky like blooming flowers.
"Incredible!"
"So cool! As expected of a Pirate with a bounty over 300 million!"
"Idiot! Lady Speed is now a Vice Admiral of the Hoenn Navy, not a Pirate!"
The reporters hiding behind cover eagerly aimed their cameras at Speed, snapping shot after shot. Capturing clear images of a top-tier fighter in action up close would surely earn them praise from their editors.
More and more Hoenn warships arrived on the scene.
"Ice Age!"
Suddenly, the sea froze over on a massive scale!
The Marine Headquarters' fleet was trapped in the ice, unable to advance. Only the cannons from the foremost warships could still reach the shore.
Their firepower was severely restricted.
"The ocean... it's frozen!"
"This power—it's Admiral Aokiji!"
"The rumors were true!"
"Damn it! Why did Admiral Aokiji join the Hoenn Government?!"
As they gazed at the frozen sea, the Marines' morale wavered. Among the former Three Admirals, Aokiji had been the most considerate toward his subordinates, earning the highest respect among ordinary Marines.
The thought of fighting against Admiral Aokiji drained the will to fight from many Marines. They couldn't understand how things had come to this.
"Bastards!"
Smoker's rage burned at its peak.
His fury was directed not only at Aokiji's defection but also at the World Government. In this war, he saw not a shred of justice.
But the order to attack soon came.
"All Marines, advance on land!"
Vice Admiral Dogman took command, ordering the Marines to launch a ground assault. With the ice as footing, they only needed to charge forward.
"Move out! Attack!"
"Ooooh!!!"
Led by their officers, waves of Marines leaped from their warships, charging toward the Hoenn fleet.
Ten Vice Admirals led the charge—most of them newly recruited during the draft, with only two or three familiar faces among them.
And ten Pacifistas!
Total forces: 30,000!
"Let's meet them head-on!"
Hoenn's officers stepped forward one after another.
This time, Hoenn had mobilized over 20,000 troops—not far behind the enemy's numbers. Moreover, this was the first large-scale external war since the Hoenn Government's founding.
Though slightly outnumbered, their morale was sky-high—ten times that of the Marine Headquarters. Their faith in the Hoenn Government's ideals, coupled with the righteousness of this war, fueled their spirits.
They absolutely could not lose to these hypocritical Marines!
"Charge!"
Drake leaped onto the sea surface, transforming directly into a massive Allosaurus, roaring as he charged toward the Marine Headquarters forces.
The once-confused look in his eyes was now filled with unwavering determination.
He hadn't forgotten his identity, nor did he wish to fight against his former comrades. But he wasn't a fool either—he could distinguish right from wrong.
In this war, the Hoenn Navy stood on the side of justice.
Thus, he would fight with everything he had!
"ROOOOAR!!!"
The ferocious beast's roar shook the battlefield!
"It's Drake!"
Kujaku, Grus, and other Sword members paled at the sight of the Allosaurus leading the charge.
Even if he was on an undercover mission, did he have to go this hard?!
"Stop him!"
Without hesitation, the Sword members rushed toward Drake. Among the Marines, only they and the Fleet Admiral knew Drake's true identity as a spy—the other officers wouldn't hold back.
"Stand down, Drake!"
"Kujaku! Grus!"
Instead of slowing, Drake grew even more frenzied at the sight of his comrades, baring his fangs as he lunged to bite!
"Try and stop me!"
"What?!"
The two dodged to either side, shocked that Drake would attack them without mercy.
CRUNCH!
The ice where they'd stood was shattered by his razor-sharp teeth.
"Drake's really trying to kill us!"
Grus seethed.
Though they didn't understand what had happened, they now had to make a choice—if they didn't fight with the mindset of facing an enemy, Drake would slaughter them all.
"Move aside!"
Several giants appeared on the battlefield, swinging massive weapons to sweep through the Marine ranks. The leader, with his distinctive lion-like mane, stood out immediately.
"That's... Vice Admiral Saul!"
Some veterans recognized him.
Compared to humans, giants could live up to 300 years. Even after two decades, Saul's appearance hadn't changed at all.
The supposedly deceased giant Vice Admiral now stood among the Hoenn forces!
"And the Knight of the Sea, Jimbei—he's joined the Hoenn Government too!"
Jimbei had arrived as well.
For the sake of Fish-Man Island, he had willingly drunk the Subordinate Wine and was now assigned as a Vice Admiral in the Hoenn Navy, simultaneously leading the underwater assault unit.
"Don't retreat! Attack!"
Red King, Tsucha, Guillotine, and other newly promoted Marine Vice Admirals also pushed forward, taking the front lines.
Reverse Mountain, coastline.
"Is this the Marine way?"
Faced with Gurd's accusation, Aramaki and Fujitora had no rebuttal, their hearts equally heavy with fury.
But no matter how angry they were, as Marine Headquarters Admirals, they had their own principles to uphold. They couldn't simply change sides.
"Words are meaningless now!"
Aramaki's arm extended, transforming into a massive wooden limb that smashed into the ground as his body swelled in size.
In moments, a colossal treant stood before them.
"Brother Gurd!"
Aramaki looked down at him.
"War isn't about debate—justice alone changes nothing. Only victory matters!"
"True enough."
Gurd nodded slowly.
He hadn't expected to sway the two Admirals just by holding the moral high ground—this wasn't child's play.
Those who rose to their ranks were all iron-willed individuals, long accustomed to the world's darkness.
Clear waters breed no fish.
Even the Hoenn Government couldn't claim to be without blemish. For the two Admirals, what difference did it make compared to the World Government?
There were plenty who shouted slogans loudly.
Take the Revolutionary Army for example. After building their reputation over twenty years, they appeared more righteous than the Hoenn Government in the eyes of the people. Yet few strong individuals actually joined their ranks.
To truly convince others, besides having superior ideals and systems to the World Government, one needed strength capable of rivaling them.
Otherwise, it was all empty talk!
Gurd turned to Fujitora.
"This old man must get serious too!"
Fujitora drew his cane sword, raising it solemnly before his sightless eyes.
Though blind, his heart saw clearly.
He harbored deep hatred for the Celestial Dragons' rule. His purpose in joining the Marines had always been to break this corrupt system.
Now he wanted to know - did this man before him truly possess the capability to challenge the "gods" in the heavens?
That would require more than just justice.
Blades flashed as purple rings of light shot skyward!
"Ara ara~"
Handsome guy arrived on the battlefield, ice crystals rapidly spreading across the ground.
"Such excitement here! Let me join in too!"
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