No one spoke. The expressions of the Marine officers in the conference hall were as blank as ever.
It was clear that they would not be comforted by Rorschach's dry speech about winning the war.
Rorschach also hadn't expected to use one sentence to make everyone feel fired up and full of energy.
He just didn't want to see the courageous ones be influenced by the cowardly ones next to them and lose their determination to face the war.
Fear is contagious.
Rorschach calmly pointed at Shiki's face and asked, "I imagine many people have this question in their minds. Why was Shiki able to convince Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, and Wang Zhi to form an alliance with him?"
The Marine officers below who were listening looked at each other, all seeing the same confusion in the other's eyes.
Indeed, from the very beginning, many people had this question.
After all, as the rulers of the New World, Kaido and Charlotte Linlin were already at odds with each other.
It was a common occurrence for their pirate fleets to clash in the waters of the New World.
There was no need to mention Wang Zhi, who had been madly expanding his forces in the waters of Rocky Port for many years, devouring islands and pirate crews of all sizes, and challenging Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido from time to time, all in an attempt to seize the throne of the fourth Emperor of the Sea.
If it weren't for Shanks the Red-Haired suddenly appearing and achieving a record in his battle with Kaido that the other rulers of the New World had to acknowledge...
And if he hadn't crushed Wang Zhi's pirate crew with an overwhelming advantage in their battle...
The position of the fourth Emperor of the Sea in the New World would have probably fallen to Wang Zhi sooner or later.
Although Shiki was powerful and had the past of a legendary great pirate, he was also getting old. No matter how great his reputation was, he couldn't just show up and make three great pirates at the pinnacle of the world coexist peacefully.
Only the older, veteran Vice Admirals like Doberman had a vague guess as to the reason.
Looking at the confused eyes below, Rorschach said, "Because these four old geezers in the photo came from the same pirate crew decades ago and were companions for many years."
"What? Are you kidding me? Shiki, Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, and Wang Zhi all came from the same pirate crew?"
Rorschach's words instantly caused an uproar in the entire conference hall.
The faces of most of the Marine officers showed disbelief.
Rorschach didn't answer and continued to drop bombs, making the officers present dizzy and their faces even more horrified.
"Not only did the four of them come from the same pirate crew, but Whitebeard, the deceased Captain John, and the great pirate Silver Axe, as well as many other old geezers who have disappeared from the sea, were all members of that pirate crew."
"How is that possible? Who could have such great power to have Whitebeard, Shiki, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido all serving under him?"
An officer, clearly not believing it, questioned.
"It's true."
Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke, quieting the uproar in the hall. "Everything Rorschach said is true."
"It's actually true? How have we never heard of such a thing?" someone asked in confusion.
"Because the facts are too shocking and beyond the comprehension of many people. And widespread dissemination could have a negative effect, such as facilitating the current situation."
Rorschach's mouth curled into a sneer as he tapped the blackboard with his knuckles.
"In short, more than thirty years ago, a man named Rocks gathered 99% of the great pirates in the world under his banner. The Rocks Pirates he founded once ruled the entire New World, and their power was so great that they could rival the World Government. Even Roger, who later became the Pirate King, had to survive in their shadow in the early days."
"At the peak of the Rocks Pirates, no one in the entire New World dared to oppose them. His ambition also swelled to the point of wanting to destroy the Marines and the World Government and become the King of the World himself!"
Rorschach raised his voice, looking at the holding-their-breath Marine officers below, and said in a deep voice, "However! Such a terrifying man, such a horrifying force, was defeated by the brave Marine soldiers led by Vice Admiral Garp on an island in the West Blue on that day 33 years ago!"
"Vice Admiral Garp..." The young Marine officers' breathing became heavy, their eyes filled with excitement and admiration.
Many of them had joined the Marines precisely because they had heard the heroic deeds of Marine Hero Garp since they were young.
Those stories of fighting pirates and saving civilians made everyone's blood boil.
Rorschach's voice continued to rise. Pushed by the airflow and thunder, it resonated like a deafening rumble in everyone's ears.
"And at that time, we Marines didn't have Admiral Aokiji! We didn't have Admiral Kizaru! And we didn't have Admiral Akainu!"
"But even so, even if the pirates outnumbered us by ten or a hundred times, we would still win the battle!"
"Do you know why?"
The thunderous voice even traveled out of the conference hall, echoing over the square of Marineford, reaching the Fleet Admiral's office at the top of the fortress, and reaching the ears of Sengoku, Kizaru, Aokiji, Garp, and others.
The few who were discussing countermeasures all stopped what they were doing and listened.
"Because our beliefs are different from those of the pirates!"
"The things pirates do are selfish. For their own greed and enjoyment, they can wantonly burn, kill, and loot, building their happiness on the suffering of others."
"Even those pirates who claim to be free and think they have never done anything evil, the freedom they aspire to is, for the most part, a lawless freedom."
"Take the Roger Pirates for example. Roger, the Pirate King who was once known for his righteousness and mercy, once destroyed a country just because someone mocked his crewmates a few times!"
"But we Marines are different!"
Rorschach clenched his fist, his voice like a thunderclap, making the faces of the young Marine officers turn red. They felt their blood boiling, wishing they could tear open their chests and drink the blood of their enemies.
"From the chaotic and dark old era to the so-called Great Pirate Era where pirates ran rampant, tens of thousands of brave Marine soldiers rushed into the most dangerous battlefields, one after another, to protect this world and countless civilians from the swords and guns of pirates!"
"Go and look at the countless gravestones in the Marineford Martyrs' Cemetery! Those monuments, forged from flesh and blood, are a testament to the bravery and fearlessness of us Marines!"
"No one knows better than us Marines how powerful the enemy is.
But we will never be afraid of power!
Whether our enemies are Rocks, Roger, Whitebeard, or Shiki, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin.
They will always be met with our flesh, blood, and swords!
Emperors of the Sea? Rulers of the sea? Laughable!
Our swords and the cannon fire of our warships will make them understand who the true rulers of this sea are!"
Rorschach clenched his fist and punched the blackboard behind him, which had the image of the four pirates on it. The blackboard, along with the thick wall, was shattered.
"For justice! Let's take them down!"
Then, under Vice Admiral Tsuru's gaze, in the huge conference hall, Marine officers with flushed faces roared and kicked over the chairs in front of them, clenched their fists, and let out a thunderous roar.
"For justice! Let's take them down!"
Even the officers who knew how powerful Shiki and Kaido were all stood up and raised their arms in unison.
Rorschach also raised his arm.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, Momonga, Onigumo, Doberman, everyone, all raised their hands in a salute.
"For justice! We fight!"
In the crowd, Hibari's face was flushed with excitement, and she stared blankly at the young man on the high platform.
As expected of Brother Rorschach, he could always use the most simple and straightforward words to inspire people and boost morale.
At this moment, not only in the conference hall, but the loud roars of the Marine officers also echoed in the square outside, causing the Marine officers who were leading their soldiers in formation to draw the swords from their waists and point them at the sky.
"For justice! Let's take down the pirates!"
The thunderous roar made all of Marineford boil.
At the top of the fortress, Sengoku kicked Garp, who was about to roar out loud. A relieved smile appeared on his old face.
"That boy Rorschach really has some skills. His speech made even me feel a little fired up. Hahaha, the morale is high, the morale is high!"
With that, he threw down the paper and pen in his hands, stood up, and strode out of the office.
"In that case, let's proceed with the first step of the plan. Send a vanguard to the New World to help Sakazuki hold G-1 Branch. Kuzan, Borsalino, let's go. You two will be going first."
"Ara la la, I'll have to be a little serious this time." Kuzan's mouth curled into a slight smile. He felt a long-lost surge of excitement stimulating his cold chest.
This feeling was not bad.
Kizaru pouted. "Rorschach is too scary. With just a few words, he turned our sagging morale around. As expected of my disciple."
"Hmph! Your disciple? What, can he also shoot out your unreliable Yasakani no Magatama? He's clearly my disciple!" Garp snorted, pulled his head out of the wall, and was the first to rush out, picking his nose.
In the square, when Rorschach stepped out from the bottom of the fortress, he was met with neatly arranged Marine formations.
Marine soldiers with determined expressions and no fear stood proudly, looking straight ahead, as if waiting for an inspection.
The pure white cloaks of justice fluttered in the wind, turning the square into a white ocean.
Several tall figures leaped directly from the top of the more than two-hundred-meter-high fortress, landing heavily in front of the formations.
Sengoku's tall and burly figure strode forward, with Garp, Kizaru, and Aokiji following closely behind. Their large cloaks of justice fluttered in the wind.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
The voices of the Marine soldiers echoed like thunder, making the air above Marineford tremble.
Sengoku came in front of Rorschach and the others, scanned the proud Marine soldiers in the square, and a gratified smile appeared on his face.
But soon, he wiped the smile from his face and said in a sorrowful tone:
"Soldiers! The New World Pirate Alliance, led by Shiki the Golden Lion, has officially declared war on us Marines. I am here to share some very sad news. Not long ago, our G-5, G-17, and G-21 Marine branches in the New World lost contact."
Sengoku's hoarse and powerful voice echoed over the square, making countless Marine soldiers fall silent.
The officers clenched their fists.
"They were all brave and fearless Marine soldiers. We will not forget them. This world will remember them.
Since Shiki, Kaido, and Charlotte Linlin are so determined to bring bloodshed and chaos to this world, let us Marines show them what the price of doing so is.
We will use their blood to comfort the souls of our fallen Marine soldiers!
We will use our swords and cannon fire to tell them that the New World is not a pirate's paradise!
We will bring back the bones of our comrades and bury them in the Marineford cemetery, bringing their souls back home!
Rear Admiral Rorschach! Step forward!"
Sengoku shouted.
"Yes!"
Rorschach took a step forward, saluted, his face solemn.
"To buy time for the main force to gather, I need you to lead a vanguard to the New World G-1 Branch with the fastest possible speed. Under the attacks of the pirate coalition, you will assist Akainu, hold the fortress, and hold on until the main force arrives. Can you do it?"
Rorschach saluted again and said loudly, "I guarantee the completion of the mission!"
"Very good!"
Sengoku nodded, pointing to Garp, Kizaru, and Aokiji, who were smiling. "From now on, Garp, Kizaru, and Aokiji will be under your command. You will be the supreme commander of this vanguard!"
"Huh? Me?" Rorschach's eyes widened. He pointed at his nose and said in surprise, "You want me to command Admiral Kizaru, Admiral Aokiji, and Vice Admiral Garp? Isn't that a little inappropriate?"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. You just command boldly. I believe you can fully utilize their abilities. Also, this is only temporary command. Once the main force arrives, your command will be revoked, and I will take over."
Sengoku said, looking at Hibari and Enel. "You two stay here."
"Huh?" Hibari was stunned, looking confused. "Why? I want to go and fight with Brother Rorschach too..."
"No. Your ranks are too low. If you want to go, you will have to wait until the main force has gathered."
Sengoku's face was stern, which made Hibari bite her lip and stand back on the side.
Rorschach glanced at her and said nothing.
He understood Sengoku's concerns.
As the first wave of support, they would have to bear several times the pressure and danger of the main force.
The New World was too dangerous now. Sengoku would not put all his eggs in one basket.
Outstanding seeds like Hibari and Enel, who had yet to fully grow, definitely needed to be protected.
"There's no time to lose. You all should depart first. The situation in the New World is already starting to get out of control. Sakazuki is under a lot of pressure."
Sengoku said in a deep voice.
Rorschach nodded, stomped his foot, and rose into the air, flying towards the Unicorn, which was moored in the inner bay.
Behind him, Marine officers with murderous expressions followed suit, using Geppo to rise into the air.
"Hahahaha! Rorschach, I heard your warship can fly. I've never been on a flying warship before. I'll get to see something new this time."
Garp arrived after Rorschach, the air exploding with a rumble as he stomped his foot. With a speed second only to Rorschach and Kizaru, he landed on the deck of the Unicorn.
Rorschach didn't answer. After all the Marine officers who were part of the vanguard had boarded the ship, he pressed the side wing button on the inner wall of the ship's rail. Under the gaze of countless Marine soldiers in the square, the Unicorn's side wings unfolded. He then quickly walked into the cabin and pressed the button to control the Ga-chan (Wind Shells).
As the Ga-chan switch was turned on, the massive Unicorn immediately began to hum and vibrate.
Thousands of powerful Ga-chan installed on the bottom of the hull and the underside of the wings opened their valves and began to spew out strong winds.
On the sea below, the water churned and surged.
The powerful thrust had a subtle tendency to push this massive warship off the sea.
Then, under the gaze of countless Marine soldiers in the square and the shocked gaze of many Marine officers on the deck, Rorschach tore off his jacket, threw it to Kuzan, who was standing next to him, and his body grew rapidly. In an instant, he turned into a麒麟獣人 (Kirin Beastman) eight meters tall. He spread his two massive, tendon-covered arms and grabbed at the void.
"Rise!"
As he grabbed, the air within a thousand-meter radius turned into a powerful, solid stream of air, gathering from all directions. It rose from the sea, as if it had become an invisible large hand, pushing heavily against the bottom of the Unicorn's hull.
"Boom!"
At the bottom of the Unicorn, the sea surface within a radius of several hundred meters shattered, turning into a spray of water droplets. The entire inner bay's seawater fluctuated violently because of it.
The massive Unicorn instantly broke free from the sea's grasp. Under the gaze of countless people on Marineford Island, it rose straight into the sky like a seagull soaring with its wings spread, charging towards the New World with an unstoppable momentum.
(I originally wrote this chapter to be quite passionate, but then Oda went and did something crazy, introducing a plot point where an Emperor of the Sea could destroy a country in three years, making the justice upheld by some of the older generation in the Marines look completely clownish. However, I shouldn't be too bothered by it, as this is a fanfiction, and the goal is to take down the Celestial Dragons anyway. Just because Rocks fought the Celestial Dragons doesn't mean he was a good person. As Doflamingo said, many times, there is no such thing as good and evil. It all depends on one's personal convictions and position. Also.)
(End of Chapter)
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