Chapter 83: Prelude to War!
New World — Somewhere at sea
Dozens of top-class Marine warships sailed in perfect formation.
Even after the unprecedented catastrophe at Marineford, even with Headquarters in ruins and elite forces decimated, the Marines still possessed overwhelming might.
The three Admirals were still standing.
Their deterrence remained absolute.
"Admiral Kizaru, with your speed you could easily catch the traitors, right?!"
After two full days of pursuit, Momousagi's fleet hadn't taken a single serious hit.
Many officers found it strange.
Kizaru could wipe them out alone if he wanted to.
Yet he hadn't moved once.
"Ooh Are the new generation of Marines already ignoring an Admiral candidate? How scary"
Kizaru glanced lazily at the questioning lieutenant.
Momousagi was strong — swordsmanship and physical skill near the very top.
All she lacked was a monster Devil Fruit to officially sit at the Admiral table.
That gap still made her his inferior.
The real reason he held back?
One name.
Douglas D. Rok.
Even now, weeks after the Summit War, the memory of that black blade slashing toward him across half of Marineford still made his hair stand on end.
He had to flash tens of thousands of meters to survive.
If possible, Kizaru wanted zero future contact with that kid.
But only he was free right now.
So chasing Momousagi fell to him.
Of course, Momousagi herself wasn't the real target.
A single deserter Admiral candidate didn't warrant this fleet.
"Admiral Kizaru! Call from Headquarters!"
A communications officer ran up with a Den Den Mushi.
Kizaru's mouth twisted.
Here we go.
"Borsalino. You haven't lost them, have you?"
"Zephyr has openly sent rebellion letters to every branch in his name. Intelligence confirms Rok is heading to his location right now."
"War begins today. Wipe out Momousagi's fleet immediately. Send a message.** I want to see who dares side with Zephyr and that brat!"
Akainu's voice dripped with venom and excitement.
He had eaten the biggest loss at Marineford.
The World Government knew exactly who to put in charge of this operation — not Sengoku, but Akainu.
Half the Marines were already leaning toward him for the Fleet Admiral seat.
"Already? And Teacher Zephyr really teamed up with Rok… What a scary combo~"
Kizaru's tone was unreadable.
"Cut the chatter, Borsalino. Do it now. The Marines need a victory to wash away the shame!"
Click. Call ended.
"Guess we're doing this. How troublesome~"
Kizaru gave the order.
Full speed ahead.
All ships — open fire.
The other side of the sea
Momousagi's fleeing fleet
"Report! The Marine fleet has begun all-out bombardment! Admiral Kizaru himself has not moved yet!"
Former Rear Admiral Alice — now fully healed by Rok's perfect potion, not even a scar left — delivered the update.
She and most of G-9's elite had abandoned the Marines.
They were heading to rendezvous with Zephyr-sensei and Rok.
They no longer served the old navy.
They fought for a new order.
"So the Marines' trap finally springs."
"Heh… Fleet Admiral Sengoku would never imagine that his final operation before retirement will push the Marines into an even deeper abyss."
Momousagi stepped onto the deck, eyes ice-cold as she stared at the approaching fleet.
As one of Rok's core confidants, she knew parts of the plan.
The Marines thought their encirclement was flawless.
In reality?
Every move the World Government and Headquarters made was already completely seen through by Rok.
Every detail matched his predictions perfectly.
Even Momousagi found it eerie.
This operation was supposed to be top secret.
How did Rok know everything?
Surely Aokiji didn't leak it… right?
His position at HQ was already shaky before the Fleet Admiral vote even began.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
No more time to think.
Shells exploded closer and closer.
"Alice! Order full counter-battery fire! Fight while retreating toward the planned sea zone!"
"Send a message to Teacher Zephyr — Tell him and Rok: The war has begun!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Cannon fire lit up the sea.
Days after the Summit War, a new war — initiated by Marine Headquarters itself — officially ignited!
At the same moment,
Government and Marine forces appeared near Zephyr's supply island and in the Calm Belt around Amazon Lily.
Three-front war.
Force Rok to split his attention.
Destroy the alliance before it formed.
And thousands of meters above the clouds,
Rok stood atop a thundercloud, overlooking the entire battlefield.
A cold smile curved his lips.
"After today's battle…"
"The Neo Marines will change the world."
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