Even after hearing that explanation, everyone on the ship still wore expressions of disbelief.
They had been adventuring on the sea for so long, yet they had never heard of pirates making a deal with the World Government, much less successfully obtaining this much intelligence.
One could only imagine that the price Shanks had paid must have been enormous.
Thinking of this, their expressions became somewhat heavy, and they silently reached out to pat Shanks on the shoulder.
However, they were thinking too much.
In truth, Shanks had obtained these things directly from the Five Elders without paying any price.
The Five Elders' request was also very simple.
They wanted Shanks, a man with tremendous prestige among pirates, to spread this information.
As long as the pirates of the New World felt hope, they would naturally fight the Marines to the death.
At that time, once this news spread among the Marines, their morale would also decline.
The Marines currently had no ability to produce their own blood. As long as their offensive suffered setbacks, their enormous forces would naturally begin to disappear.
When that time came, Raleigh, having lost the support of the Marines' strength, would completely fail before Imu, the master of the Empty Throne, no matter how powerful his personal strength was.
Beckman could not help saying excitedly, "Shanks, with these documents, we can absolutely make the Marines taste defeat."
The waters of the New World were unpredictable. Even highly skilled navigators could only follow the Log Pose and move from island to island, but with this sea chart, pirates could bypass those islands.
Originally, under Shanks' command, the pirates had only known how to withstand the Marines' artillery attacks while searching for a chance to strike back.
But now things were different.
With this sea chart, they could abandon those islands and focus on attacking the Marines' supply lines and the sea areas where their defenses were weaker.
After all, large-scale warfare was a contest of intelligence.
Shanks nodded proudly, then spoke with heroic confidence.
"That is exactly what I think, brothers."
"As long as we thoroughly study these maps, we can change the current situation where we are only being beaten. The Marines still do not understand the change on our side."
"We must seize this chance and let the Marines see our true strength."
At this moment, several feasible plans had already appeared in Shanks' mind.
What he had to do now was repeatedly simulate these plans, then explain them to the pirate captains who had gathered here.
Yasopp suddenly spoke.
"Then what about tonight's operation? Those pirate captains are all unruly bastards. If we suddenly cancel it, they will definitely be dissatisfied."
Shanks laughed.
"It's fine, Yasopp. I have already considered the problem you mentioned."
"The timing will not change, but the target will."
"Right now, the Marines' greatest concern is not their top combatants, nor their low-ranking soldiers, but the huge amount of supplies they consume every day. So tonight, our target will be their supply center—the Falkland Islands, guarded by Bullet."
The reason for choosing the Falkland Islands was simple.
First, this place was an important Marine supply transfer station.
It held a large amount of supplies. Attacking it would bring the greatest return.
Second was Douglas Bullet himself.
Although he had once been Shanks' crewmate on the same ship, the moment Bullet crippled Yasopp, the two sides had already become mortal enemies who would never rest until one of them was dead.
Moreover, Bullet had already become the sharpest spear under Marine Fleet Admiral Raleigh. Although he did not hold the title of Admiral, everyone knew that Bullet's strength had already reached Admiral level.
Killing him would cut off one of Raleigh's most powerful arms to the greatest extent.
Beckman nodded and took a hard drag on the cigar at the corner of his mouth.
"Bullet must die."
"Borsalino is not that much of a threat to us, but Bullet is a battle maniac. We absolutely cannot allow him to keep living."
Just like that, when night fell, more than a dozen pirate ships of all shapes and sizes left the harbor fully loaded with elite pirates.
They plunged straight into the pitch-black night.
Red-Haired Shanks stood on the dragon figurehead of the deck, his eyes fixed tightly on the island ahead as its outline gradually became clear.
As they drew closer and closer, the anger in his chest burned hotter.
Red-Haired Shanks was naturally not a kind person either. His kindness was only directed toward those close to him.
Toward ordinary civilians and Marines, he would never feel the slightest sympathy.
"Captain, those pirate captains are asking to speak with you. They want to know why the attack route does not match the actual plan."
Beckman emerged from the darkness with a cigar in his mouth.
After Shanks saw the outline of the island, he said, "Tell them we discovered a Marine transport base filled with weapons and resources. After taking the island, we only want thirty percent. They can split the rest among themselves. Whoever grabs more gets more."
Shanks understood the nature of pirates very well.
Talking to them about strategic objectives or strategic meaning was useless.
How many pirates had high intelligence? Only benefits could ignite their enthusiasm to the greatest degree.
Beckman passed Shanks' words to the pirate captains.
Although the sudden change of target caused dissatisfaction among them, the moment they heard Shanks' terms for dividing the spoils, greedy expressions appeared on their faces.
While the Marine soldiers were sleeping soundly, Beckman and Yasopp silently shot down the Marines on duty.
For two powerful men at the level of an Emperor's right hand to infiltrate an island without top-tier combat strength was far too easy.
Only after Beckman sent the signal did Shanks lead the remaining fleet into the harbor.
"Our time is limited. After daybreak, no matter how much we have seized, we must leave."
Shanks gave a simple warning to the hungry pirates behind him.
After all, with the greed of pirates, saying too much to them was a waste of effort. It would be better to hurry and search for Bullett's location.
"Boys, charge for me!"
"Hahaha, it is all mine! Boys, move everything onto the ships!"
There were also many supplies piled up at the harbor. The moment the pirates saw them, hungry looks appeared on their faces.
Pirates were poor.
Because they never produced anything and lived only by robbing.
Money came quickly and disappeared just as quickly.
Most pirates were not as glamorous as others imagined, so their desire for supplies had sunk deep into their bones.
While the pirates were frantically moving supplies, the huge commotion at the harbor finally drew the attention of the Marine soldiers. One after another, they rushed out of the barracks with weapons in hand.
When they saw the chaotic figures at the harbor, all of them froze in shock.
However, the strict training of the Marines allowed them to react immediately. One by one, they formed up according to their usual units.
They understood clearly that since the supplies had already been moved and destroyed, they could not allow these pirates to leave safely.
Very quickly, the Marine formation completed its assembly. Under the leadership of their commanding captains and rear admirals, they slowly began surrounding the pirates who had fallen into madness.
In the night wind, the members of the Red Hair Pirates collectively hid in a dark corner, watching the Marines move.
Beckman's low voice sounded.
"As expected of the Marines. With this level of combat quality, no wonder it is so hard for us to win."
Even Red-Haired Shanks could not help nodding.
Among pirates, the law of the jungle had always prevailed.
They worshiped absolute personal strength, and every pirate who could obtain the title of Emperor was a powerful fighter through and through.
But middle- and low-level pirates were all reckless brutes who only knew how to charge. Before the Marines, they had almost no combat ability.
It was fine if they were in a familiar situation, but otherwise…
"Lucky Roux, Bonk Punch, you two lead the pirates and tie these Marines down."
"Take as many supplies as you can. Burn whatever cannot be taken."
"We will keep waiting for Bullet to appear."
"Yes, Captain."
Lucky Roux and Bonk Punch agreed, then quickly left.
...
In truth, inside the Marine base on the Falkland Islands, Bullet had already received the news.
He simply had no intention of showing himself for the time being.
Although the supplies here were important, Bullet instinctively sensed that something was wrong.
Why had the pirates been able to bypass the defensive line and accurately locate this transfer station where the supplies were stored?
One had to know that even within the Marines, very few people knew the location of this island.
The officers who knew would not be lower than Vice Admiral level.
Most Marine Vice Admirals did not know the location of this island either.
But now, pirates had appeared on this island in large numbers. Clearly, someone had leaked information to the pirates.
Out of caution, Bullet dialed Raleigh's Den Den Mushi at New Marineford.
"That is the situation, Raleigh-sama. I suggest thoroughly investigating the Marine officers and soldiers who know about this matter."
After hearing Bullet's words, Raleigh only thought briefly before understanding who was behind this.
"Do not worry, Bullet. I know who the people behind this are."
"Their target is not just the Marines' supplies. I estimate they are also coming for you."
"This time, the Red Hair Pirates have probably moved out in full force."
"Protect yourself. I have already notified Admiral Borsalino to go support you."
After hearing this, a savage grin appeared on Bullet's face.
Originally, he had not known who had launched this attack, but now he understood from Raleigh's words.
The Red Hair Pirates had come to avenge Yasopp.
If he had not called Raleigh, perhaps he really would have appeared on the battlefield.
With the strength of every member of the Red Hair Pirates, even if Bullet survived, there was a high chance he would be crippled. Of course, the greater possibility was that he would become a corpse.
...
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office at New Marineford, after hanging up the call with Bullet, Raleigh summoned every member of the Staff Office to the meeting room.
Half an hour later, Raleigh stood before the enormous sand table, looking down at the positions of the islands across the New World as he spoke.
"Everyone, I called you here so late because a problem has appeared with the Red Hair Pirates in the New World."
"Our defensive chain has been found by the pirates, and they are currently attacking our supply transfer point."
"Of course, this matter does not require everyone here to take responsibility. I called you here for only one reason: carry out the Marines' redeployment in the shortest time possible and re-plan the supply transport routes."
The moment Raleigh finished speaking, the people below erupted into discussion.
The reason was simple.
The Marines' transport routes had been painstakingly simulated by them until their hair almost fell out.
For those routes to be found by a group of savage pirates in such a short time was truly humiliating.
"Fleet Admiral Raleigh, is there a problem inside our own ranks? Otherwise, it is impossible for those pirates to see through our plan."
A younger staff officer raised his hand and shouted loudly.
He was truly unwilling to accept it, because this island's location had been a proposal he had spent a very long time calculating.
Now that it had been found by pirates, it was a humiliation to him.
"Charles Martin, don't cause trouble. The most important thing now is to propose a new plan."
Tsuru glanced at Charles Martin as he stood up and spoke.
Although no one wanted something like this to happen, once it had truly happened, they could only quickly proceed according to another plan.
Raleigh looked toward Tsuru and nodded respectfully.
As expected, when facing something like this, they still needed an experienced veteran to stabilize the situation and keep everything functioning normally.
"Then I will not disturb Vice Admiral Tsuru and the staff officers' work."
After nodding, Raleigh left the meeting room.
What Charles Martin said did actually make sense.
There must be people within the Marines secretly sending intelligence to the World Government.
These people may have been World Government agents from the very beginning.
But this matter could not be raised publicly, much less openly investigated.
Investigating wartime officers like this would only sharply increase their rebellious emotions, so Raleigh did not accept Charles Martin's suggestion.
In addition, Raleigh had also thought this matter through.
The World Government had officially begun interfering in the war between the Marines and pirates. In the coming days, the Marines would face even more violent storms.
...
Fortunately, what Shanks did not know was that his ally, Charlotte Linlin, had already become completely isolated.
She could no longer provide him with any more help.
After a battle against Zephyr and Issho, Charlotte Linlin had been ambushed by Garp due to carelessness.
Even Charlotte Linlin's solid defense could not withstand the combined attacks of three Admiral-level fighters.
Fortunately, Charlotte Linlin's monstrous strength came into play.
Under her mad outburst, she forcibly escaped from the three Admirals.
The price was that she lost her right hand forever.
At this moment, Charlotte Linlin, now left with only one arm, was rushing back to Whole Cake Island.
She needed treatment.
But as Charlotte Linlin drew closer and closer to Whole Cake Island, she suddenly discovered that the island was completely silent.
There was not even the slightest movement.
Her Observation Haki swept across the island, and Charlotte Linlin's entire body nearly exploded.
She had never imagined that there would no longer be a single living thing on Whole Cake Island.
Everywhere were corpses bleeding from all seven orifices. Among them were many ministers of Totto Land and children of the Charlotte Family.
But now, all of them were dead.
"Linlin, you arrived a little late."
As Charlotte Linlin recklessly erupted with her Conqueror's Haki, two figures she knew exceptionally well walked out from the palace.
Charlotte Linlin roared through gritted teeth.
"Newgate! Shiki!"
"Was it you who destroyed my Totto Land?!"