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Whether it was World or Red the Aloof, both of their defeats had ties that couldn't be separated from the World Government.
World was stabbed in the back after his defeat; that blade came from CP0 at the time.
As for Redfield, his brutal battle with Kong only happened because he fell for the Government's "lure the tiger from the mountain" strategy and got surrounded by their army.
In other words, while it was the Marines who physically fought them...
The true culprits, without a doubt, were the ones behind the plans: the Five Elder Stars (Gorōsei).
The ones in the Holy Land, Mary Geoise!
"Then what should I do?"
Jinbe knew he owed a debt to the Marines. After all, Shirahoshi had gravely injured Aokiji, and if Fish-Man Island hadn't already been destroyed, the hatred between humans and Fish-Men would've exploded into full-blown war.
"I'll have Smoker from the nearby base come to support you," Akainu said. "Compared to those two monsters, a Poneglyph is nothing."
"After that, stay stationed at G-11 to reinforce the front lines. Be on guard for Kaido or others trying to take advantage of the chaos. If this fight becomes the trigger for a full-scale war, we'll need a strong foothold."
The enemy was fully prepared, and they themselves were down a major combatant, Aokiji, while people like Orrick and others circled like wolves. Even Akainu couldn't hide the worry in his heart.
As Jinbe's intel came in, the Marine war machine began to operate at full throttle.
The transportation network Rowen had proposed finally proved its worth; distant Marine bases used Sea Trains and cargo ships to rush toward HQ at maximum speed.
A chilling aura of imminent bloodshed swept across the seas. As many factions noticed the Marines' sudden mobilization, they quickly quieted down, trembling in fear.
"Another war?!"
When gods fight, mortals suffer. And in the current Marine-dominated era, these petty sea emperors had nothing but fear and complaints.
But their grievances meant nothing to the Marines.
One by one, Marine officers and soldiers crossed the Red Line, boarded their battleships, and set off into the sea in total silence, disappearing into the waves of the New World.
The overwhelming smell of war spread like wildfire across the New World, and even the howling winds seemed filled with dread. The iron resolve and military might of the Marines made pirates' guts twist in terror.
New World – Unknown Seas
After crossing the seas managed by the G-11 branch, aboard a massive ship, World and his group also noticed the shift in momentum.
"It's been decades, but Marine control over the New World… really has grown so much stronger," Redfield said quietly, holding his glass of red wine. A faint smile played on his sinister face.
"If they keep expanding like this, someday even the New World will be like Paradise, with Marine branches occupying every corner."
"That's only because those fools were useless!" World snorted coldly. "Roger's defeat I can understand, his body was already failing. Gold Lion was just being stupid, thinking the Marines were made of clay, attacking Marine Headquarters alone and refusing to retreat even in defeat."
"But I really didn't expect even Whitebeard to lose."
As someone from that era, World was well aware of Whitebeard's terrifying strength. They had clashed many times, and he always came out on the losing end.
"Yeah… that's true." Redfield stroked his chin, lost in the past.
"I still remember those fists of his. I really thought he would be the Pirate King...
But in the end, it was that sickly guy Roger who made it. Hard to know what to even say about that."
"Still, for someone his age to go out in a blazing final battle just a couple years ago… kinda admirable, isn't it?"
"Hmm? Are you mocking me now?!" World puffed his mustache and glared at him.
Unlike Redfield, who had regained his youth, World was still in his old body, a peer and rival of Whitebeard from the same era, and now… very old.
Redfield looked away after a brief silence.
"I was talking about him. What's it got to do with you?"
"Then can you at least look me in the eye when you say that, asshole?!"
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻)
Sensing World's rising anger, Redfield sighed and changed the subject.
Talking to people really isn't my strong suit…
"By the way, World…"
"Hmm?"
"Are you really okay with just being Orrick's hired gun?"
World fell silent.
Redfield continued: "Since you gave me a lift, I'll give you a friendly reminder, That man has never truly believed you'll succeed. You must have found out about their plans to go to war with the Marines… You know what his true aim is, don't you?"
If Orrick was backing something he knew would fail, throwing money at it like water…
It's obviously not just charity.
The Marines not knowing that he was connected with World was a huge blunder!
Now that World had appeared openly to draw the Marines' attention, what he would do, or could do, was a whole different story.
And as the "bait," World's fate was easy to predict.
After a long moment of contemplation, World pulled out a cigar and lit it.
"Your nonsense… is a bit much, Red."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Redfield didn't get angry.
His innate Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) allowed him to read people's thoughts, and at a deeper level, even their memories.
Right now, he knew exactly what World was thinking.
Looking at World's deeply wrinkled face, Redfield slightly smiled:
"So that's it. You also know I'm just talking nonsense."
"Exactly!"
Suddenly, World's eyes snapped wide open, his whole body radiating killing intent.
"I should've died 30 years ago. Lose and die, that's the law of the Sea. I have nothing to say about that!"
"But I can't swallow this bitter grudge!"
"For the past 30 years, I have been constantly reliving that day, the day of shame!"
"Do you know what it feels like to be betrayed by the comrades you trusted? At first, I even thought he had the wrong man, no anger, just disbelief."
"When I finally understood why he did it, it was already too late."
Kā cā!
At this, World furiously crushed the armrest of the sofa, his face dark as ink.
"If I don't vent this anger, I will never rest in peace!"
"So what if I'm just Orrick's gun?"
"Without Orrick's help, I would have done the same."
The atmosphere turned heavy with his words.
Redfield slightly glanced sideways, noticing a small old man hiding in the doorway with only half his sleeve visible, then pretended not to see him and raised his wine glass.
"In that case, I can only wish you luck, World."
"Tch, you're the last one who should say that, Red!"
World picked up the wine glass on the table and clinked it with Redfield's before downing it in one gulp.
…
New World, G-1 Marine Base.
"If I'm right, they've probably discovered us… So I've got good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
In the temporary command room of the base, Rowen, the overall commander for this battle, leaned over the war table and scanned the room.
"Give me the good news first. I like good news."
Kizaru, lying on a distant chair trimming his nails, spoke.
Rowen nodded after looking at him.
"Alright! The good news is that the scale of this war is something everyone can breathe easier about… World's ships have only penetrated into the interior lands, and there's no other movement offshore. This means their military power isn't enough to wage full-scale war against the Marines, it's just the personal actions of Redfield and World."
Hearing this, everyone relaxed on the spot.
They had been fearing this might be the spark that ignited a true large-scale war. Though conflict was imminent, waiting for war was always nerve-wracking.
"So… what's the bad news?"
Chaton asked, puffing on a cigar.
"The same reason!"
Rowen continued: "Despite lacking the strength for full war with the Marines, they're still pushing forward. This means they have some trump cards, definitely enough to cause us trouble."
"Don't forget these two are old relics who probably never planned on living through this revenge."
"So…"
Rowen looked sideways.
"What about that giant cannon? Have we confirmed the details?"
"Confirmed, Admiral!"
Dante saluted solemnly, then reported:
"According to the investigation, the giant cannon comes from an unnamed island deep in the New World. After escaping prison, World occupied it to recover, then built this cannon."
"According to calculations by the Scientific Force, as long as that cannon reaches the minimum required muzzle velocity, combined with World's Devil Fruit ability, it can hit any target within 20,000 meters exactly. Even the sky island would be blasted to pieces with one shot."
Making an artillery shell 7 to 8 meters in diameter shoot out at 100 times the speed of a normal cannonball, and increasing its weight by 100 times, the resulting impact would be comparable to a meteorite strike!
"Sounds… even scarier than an Ancient Weapon. What a terrifying guy."
Kizaru pursed his lips with a serious expression.
It was proven that the most terrifying thing in this world was always people. Without other backing, even Ancient Weapons might not stand a chance.
"This is the worst news!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Rowen drummed his fingers on the table, snapping everyone to attention.
"Where do you think he'll aim that cannon?"
Considering their route, everyone gasped.
"Holy Land Mary Geoise!"
(End of chapter)