This operation to conquer Elbaf would be completely led by Marine elites.
Learning from the failure at Sphinx, the Marine side decided to first conduct a decapitation strike on Giant King Harald. As long as they successfully captured Giant King Harald, their losses at Elbaf would be minimized.
As long as they used the citizens as leverage, Giant King Harald would have no choice but to submit to them.
It would be even more impossible for him to flee without fighting.
Then they would use this to set a trap, luring the White Wolf Pirates to come to the rescue.
This was an open scheme!
If the White Wolf Pirates came, they would step right into their trap.
If they did not come, it would also dampen the White Wolf Pirates' current arrogance and deter other restless pirates.
Ultimately, the World Government and Marines, possessing more Admiral-level powerhouses, had absolute initiative.
And there was only one White Wolf Silas.
He could not be in multiple places at once.
Uncertain about the relationship between the White Wolf Pirates and the giant nation Elbaf, the Marine high command's goal was to conquer Elbaf while Silas was not there.
By then, whether Silas came or not, they would be in an invincible position.
After all, even the Marines did not want to see two Admiral-level powerhouses working together.
Divide and conquer was the best response.
Marine Headquarters Prison.
A giant nearly twenty meters tall was wrapped in chains all over his body. He looked at his former colleague with disbelieving eyes, unable to believe that overnight he had gone from Marine Vice Admiral to prisoner.
"Kong, tell me why?"
"Sorry, Lopez. After this is over, I will personally come apologize to you."
A flash of sympathy crossed Kong's eyes as he looked at his friend.
But this was an order from the World Government's highest authority, the Five Elders. Resisting orders at this time would mean opposing the World Government and their Marines.
Lopez was a giant born in Elbaf.
Because of the bridge Mother Carmel had built between humans and giants, young Lopez had chosen to understand the world by becoming a Marine Vice Admiral after going to sea.
Twenty years had passed since then.
Over these twenty years, he had enjoyed courtesy from within the Marines and witnessed the corruption of human kingdoms, but he never imagined that one day he would be betrayed by colleagues who had once fought alongside him.
But from Kong and the Marine high command's perspective, this was the only way to protect Lopez.
Otherwise, with Lopez's position as Marine Vice Admiral, once he learned the Marines were preparing to attack Elbaf, he would definitely risk everything to report back.
Then Lopez would be completely on the Marines' opposing side.
If destroying Elbaf was beneficial to maintaining order, then even if he would be resented by his friend later, he would still do it.
He would not be confused anymore.
Having comrades die in battle beside him once was enough.
Moreover, they were not planning to destroy Elbaf, just to better govern Elbaf and let Elbaf's giants better utilize their own strength.
Previously, they had chosen gentle methods to deal with Elbaf, but this transformation was too slow. With giants' lifespans, making them realize their mistakes would take at least decades or centuries.
During this time, there would be a continuous stream of giants going to sea to become pirates.
Causing more destruction.
So they could only artificially accelerate this process, even if it meant some sacrifices.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Rona slammed her palm on Fleet Admiral Elephant Yama's desk, asking angrily, "Why, right after experiencing the Sphinx incident, are we immediately launching war against Elbaf? That is the nation of giants! Just the powerful giants equivalent to great pirates alone, you cannot count them on two hands. Not to mention Giant King Harald. I have seen that guy before. That giant's strength definitely will not be inferior to ours!"
"Can you win?"
"I can, but..."
With a strong person's pride, Rona disdained lying about such matters.
Giant King Harald was indeed strong.
But that massive body was full of openings for a top-tier swordswoman like her. She was known for agility and high damage output, which perfectly countered strength-type fighters like Giant King Harald.
"If you add Kong, if you two can take down Harald within a day, this war will be our victory. And Kong will use this achievement to wash away his previous shame. He will succeed Sebastes as the new Admiral!"
Elephant Yama's tone left Rona no room for maneuvering.
"Many people will die."
But Rona still emphasized, "Elbaf is not the White Wolf Pirates. Even if Kong and I can take down Giant King Harald, our Marine elites will suffer heavy losses."
"Is it worth it?"
Yes, was it worth it?
Even Elephant Yama himself could not answer this question.
But this was not his order.
It was the Five Elders' order.
An order from the World Government's highest authority.
"Follow orders!"
Elephant Yama could only display his authority as Fleet Admiral.
"Right now, I am the Fleet Admiral!"
"Hmph!"
Rona stormed out.
You will regret this!
Rona originally wanted to say this, but thinking about it, something felt off.
She had the feeling that if she said it, she would become the scapegoat.
New World.
The Black Pearl had been sailing at sea for half a month. Without needing to dock at any islands, the journey from Sphinx to Elbaf took about a month.
Rocks and Newgate were sparring.
Although his physical techniques were not as strong as Rocks's, after mastering Armament Haki, Newgate gradually gained the ability to fight back against Rocks.
Newgate had always worked very hard.
Because whether it was Rocks or Ripley, both had earned their own bounties in the Sphinx battle and were no longer unknown pirates.
Only he, because of his weak strength, could only hide during that battle.
Next time, I definitely want to help everyone!
With this thought, Newgate subjected himself to brutal training every day.
Until Silas spoke up.
"Alright, do not work so hard. Relax when it is time to relax. Balance work and rest. When you relax, you might have new insights."
Silas's words were not without basis.
The first time he awakened Observation Haki was during sage time after his first experience.
With his mind emptied, Silas's first thought after awakening Observation Haki was that bad women really did taste good!
But bad women were ultimately bad women, cheating both money and body.
Now, in the blink of an eye, nearly fifty years had passed.
Not dwelling on old memories, Silas and Ripley were fishing. Sensing fish movements through fishing was also a way to promote Observation Haki awakening.
Suddenly, the fishing rod in Silas's hand moved, and his eyes immediately lit up.
A fish had taken the bait!
With his powerful arm strength, Silas had no intention of playing tug-of-war with the fish.
He pulled hard on the rod.
Then Silas saw a piece of white underwear, styled somewhat like the loincloths worn by samurai from Wano Country, but much more delicate.
Women's underwear?
While Silas was stunned, the "big fish" had already been pulled up by him.
It was not a fish.
But a drowning woman!?