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BIG MOM Pirates' Strategic Battle
About ten miles away on the frozen seascape, the fleet of the BIG MOM Pirates was entirely trapped in ice.
The pirates and Homies present couldn't help but tremble in fear as they felt the intense tremors on the ice surface and heard the thunderous sounds from the distance. Their scalps tingled with dread.
"Sigh!"
Suddenly, there was a flash of lightning.
In front of Charlotte Perospero, the eldest son and general of the Charlotte family, a tall figure materialized.
"Brother Perospero!"
"Hehehe~, Smoothie, you've returned. Is everything going according to plan?" Perospero asked, with undisguised envy in his eyes as he observed Smoothie, a Logia-type user of the Thunder-Thunder Fruit, her body crackling with electricity.
"Although there are some deviations from our plan, overall everything is proceeding well..." Smoothie's expression was solemn as she reported directly to Perospero: "Brother Perospero, those cunning Marines, to counter Charlotte Wilhelm's Devil Fruit transfer ability, didn't position all their troops on the battleships..."
"The Marine troop carriers, hidden beneath the sea using coating technology and escorted by submarine forces the entire time, have been quietly following behind the main fleet and have already begun landing operations. We must prepare for battle immediately!"
"Their forces, totaling more than 30,000 soldiers, are climbing onto the frozen surface created by Aokiji's Ice-Ice Fruit from both the left and right flanks, and are moving to surround us. We can't simply wait here for defeat."
Her surveillance network had detected that the enemy's carriers had split into two groups, landing from different directions. Following the guidance of Aokiji's vivre card, they were encircling the pirates' position.
Even without knowing all the battle details, Smoothie wasn't overly flustered. She unhesitatingly chose the optimal combat strategy.
What would follow would undoubtedly be an intense battle.
"Is that so?"
"They're truly cunning..."
"However, tens of thousands of Marines were already swallowed up at once, and even Fleet Admiral Sengoku with his Buddha power has been captured by Wilhelm. No matter their numbers, they can't match our BIG MOM Pirates!"
"The advantage is ours!"
The other Charlotte family commanders heard Smoothie's information through their Den Den Mushi communication links.
They sneered confidently, one after another.
In terms of troop strength, they originally had nearly double the forces of the Marines.
A total of more than 90,000 "individuals"—almost reaching 100,000.
For Charlotte Linlin, possessor of the Paramecia-type Soul-Soul Fruit, the strength of her Homie Legion was as vast as she needed it to be.
In the waters of Totto Land, across thirty or so scattered islands, millions or even tens of millions of "civilians" continuously provided "soul energy." If not for keeping a portion of souls in reserve for potential battle use, Charlotte Linlin could have created even more Homie legions.
Of course, since the massive Homie army was mass-produced by Charlotte Linlin, the combat effectiveness of individual Homie soldiers was generally lower than that of the brave Marine fighters.
The BIG MOM Pirates' actual human pirate force numbered only about ten thousand.
Strictly speaking, compared to the Marines' assembled elite force of 50,000, the BIG MOM Pirates were at a disadvantage.
But Wilhelm had used his extraordinary ability to transfer all tens of thousands of troops from the Marine expedition fleet at once, gradually reversing the advantage between the two sides.
"Hehehe~, a coated ship hiding at the sea bottom with reserve troops on the battleship, trying to conceal themselves and attack us from three directions? These Marine fellows aren't so simple after all..."
Without doubt, the Marines' initial tactic had been to prepare a three-pronged attack to encircle and destroy the BIG MOM pirate group.
Although Wilhelm's overwhelming ability had disrupted their plan, a force of more than 30,000 attacking from the left and right wings still posed an extreme threat to the BIG MOM Pirates.
Without hesitation, licking his lips with his long tongue, Perospero decisively announced: "In this case, we'll leave a small force to block the enemy on the left..."
"Gather all remaining personnel—we'll take the offensive and prioritize destroying the enemies on the right wing!"
The strategic eldest son of the Charlotte family issued orders through his Den Den Mushi to the "Minister of Fruits" Compote, the eldest daughter of the Charlotte family who was just one year younger than him but possessed outstanding strength:
"Compote, as Minister of Fruits, you'll lead 30,000 Homies of the Legion. Salvage as many naval cannons as possible, establish a defensive line, and halt the Marines attacking from the left!"
"All remaining personnel will deploy with priority to engage the Marines on the right!"
Smoothie added from beside him: "Sister Compote, to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, I'll send another 100 Pacifista-type Homies to support you."
As she spoke, she suddenly said to Compote: "But there's one strategy I want to try first. It might eliminate most of the Marines. If it fails, I'll leave it to you and the others, Sister Compote."
"Hohoho~, I'm really looking forward to seeing that!"
On the "Fruit" pirate battleship not far from Queen Mama Chanter, the "Minister of Fruit" Compote responded with spirited laughter.
The eldest daughter of the Charlotte family wore a transparent bowl resembling a fruit platter on her head. She had cyan curly hair, purple lipstick, and wore a light pink frilly dress. She was tall and plump, like a miniature version of BIG MOM "Charlotte Linlin."
A long sword hung at her waist, marking her as a formidable swordsman.
Aboard the Ark Maxim above:
"Is the war finally about to begin?" Armand, Custard, Bothers, and Mies Olibe couldn't help but look solemn yet battle-ready with high spirits.
"Hehehe~ Is there finally a place for me to shine?" Gecko Moria grinned excitedly.
It would be too dull to merely watch such a grand spectacle.
Having just joined Charlotte Wilhelm's crew, he needed to prove himself somehow.
Moria didn't believe he was much inferior to Shiryu of the Rain and the others.
"From now on, I'll give it my all!" Pato the "Civet Cat" clenched his fists tightly, his expression filled with determination.
As another special life form with the rare Zoan-type Mythical Beast Devil Fruit, he felt that his upcoming performance, even if not comparable to Feathered Serpent Kur and Miyamoto Musashi, shouldn't be far behind.
"Right now, we're still too weak... We can only assist Lord Wilhelm by constantly fighting and improving our own strength!" Rob Lucci stated in a deep voice.
"Then I must work hard!"
The nineteen-year-old Yamato, standing two meters tall, clenched her fists tightly.
She carried a weapon that shone with silver light, covered not with sharp spikes but with blunt hemispherical protrusions—a mace radiating indescribable heroism.
It was a weapon specially crafted for her by Dr. Hawkins, made of shape-memory alloy infused with sea stone, rendering it virtually indestructible.
She donned a ghost-like Prajna mask, giving her a fearsome appearance.
"No matter what happens, I will follow the great wizard Wilhelm without wavering!"
Wearing a red training outfit, Boa Hancock, with her beautiful face, tall figure, and unbelievably perfect curves, was equally determined.
She exuded an amazing charm that made it impossible for people to look away from her.