Across the Red Line, at the starting point of the Grand Line's first half, a massive marine armada was converging in the waters surrounding the seven maritime routes.
These warships patrolled between the Twin Capes and the seven starting islands with predatory precision. Although the Grand Line's entrance appeared as a narrow strip of sea on navigational charts, the actual area encompassed vast expanses of ocean. Even the Marine's assembled forces couldn't achieve complete coverage, individual warships resembled scattered seeds across the endless blue expanse.
Even with sufficient numbers, comprehensive surveillance remained logistically impossible.
Furthermore, considering the God Slayer's demonstrated capabilities, coupled with their previous failed attempts to capture him, the Marine had adopted this distributed deployment rather than concentrating all forces at Reverse Mountain itself.
Massing too many ships would create tactical rigidity, making rapid response impossible if the God Slayer attempted to escape.
The optimal strategy focused on defending the entrances to the seven routes. The Grand Line's unique environment created natural advantages, without a proper compass, navigation became treacherous for those who strayed from established paths.
While this posed minimal challenge to the Hell Pirates given their capabilities, reaching the Sabaody Archipelago and the New World required following designated routes for efficiency. Deviation would trap them in the Grand Line's first half for extended periods, exposing them to relentless marine pursuit and protracted warfare.
Such circumstances would clearly disadvantage the Hell Pirates.
While Fleet Admiral Sengoku served as the operation's official commander, Chief of Staff Tsuru functioned as its true strategic architect.
At this moment, every marine vessel bustled with purposeful activity.
Countless soldiers moved across the decks with disciplined urgency, some preparing for imminent battle, others maintaining communication with government agencies, ensuring constant intelligence flow.
In the command center of the fleet's flagship, three pillars of the Marine's older generation had gathered: Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Chief of Staff Tsuru. Their vessel occupied the formation's strategic center, positioned directly opposite Reverse Mountain's exit according to maritime charts.
The three Admirals, Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji, had also arrived, each stationed near one of the seven route starting islands, commanding equivalent battlefield sectors. They were supported by numerous Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters, including Admiral candidates Momousagi and Chaton.
Several of the Seven Warlords of the Sea had answered the call as well.
Deploying such overwhelming force practically constituted full-scale warfare. Even confronting one of the Four Emperors would likely require similar commitment, though with greater emphasis on rank-and-file combatants. Currently, the Marine had assembled nearly thirty thousand soldiers, while intelligence suggested the Hell Pirates numbered fewer than one thousand members.
By any tactical assessment, victory appeared inevitable.
Their extensive high-level preparations reflected concerns beyond the Hell Pirates themselves.
Such massive deployment confirmed Tsuru's predictions about Oboro's strategy!
"As expected," Sengoku observed, hanging up his Den Den Mushi after concluding communication with Aokiji. He turned toward Tsuru, who remained absorbed in studying nautical charts.
"The Four Emperors are moving. Kaido is personally leading the charge."
"The Beast Pirates' fleet has arrived... near the second route."
"Remarkably swift," Tsuru replied with characteristic calm.
"How restless they are... Hahahaha! It's been ages since the seas have been this lively!" Garp laughed heartily from his position nearby.
"You still have the nerve to laugh?!" Sengoku's expression darkened. "We received word hours ago of Revolutionary Army activity... Your good son!"
Garp remained unmoved, picking his nose with casual indifference.
"..."
Sengoku's eye twitched with frustration.
"Red-Haired Shanks and Whitebeard are definitely in the New World, and their stance has been made clear, they won't interfere. But Big Mom's forces are probably arriving soon. These pirates react with incredible speed. The God Slayer didn't rush to enter the Grand Line immediately, allowing these troublemakers to mobilize. We originally assumed that after the East Blue incident and their failure to recruit the God Slayer, the two Emperors understood his intentions clearly. He simply wanted to fight alone. Even if he entered the Grand Line this time, they would observe from the sidelines. There was no need to continue pursuing him. Any future moves would wait until the God Slayer reached the New World. If he failed and we captured him, that would prove his limitations... All reputation is temporary and eventually fades."
The two Emperors, the Revolutionary Army, and numerous underground forces lurking throughout the Grand Line had all converged.
The Emperors and Revolutionary Army demanded special attention as the most formidable threats.
"However, revealing his abilities this time has made Kaido and Charlotte Linlin unable to remain passive," Tsuru continued with analytical precision. "At least superficially, whoever obtains the 'God Slayer' will undoubtedly possess the power to overturn the current balance. The Four Emperors' structure could be shattered. This possibility holds fatal attraction for individuals like Kaido and Charlotte Linlin."
"The same applies to other maritime giants."
"We're both familiar with Whitebeard's character. Shanks is considered the most unique among the four."
"Shanks appeared in the East Blue, but not for the God Slayer..."
"Therefore, based on everything the Hell Pirates accomplished in the North Blue, especially regarding 'divine power', I predicted he would take this approach," Tsuru said calmly, crossing her arms.
"Using himself as bait to attract bigger fish."
She glanced at Garp. "Though I didn't anticipate the Revolutionary Army's involvement."
"Hahahahahaha!" Garp rubbed his head, feigning ignorance.
"Kaido and Big Mom rushed here hastily with very limited manpower. We can hold them off while besieging the Hell Pirates," Sengoku mused, stepping forward to tap several markers on the chart. "They're afraid to advance too deeply. They'll probably act cautiously. With so few forces, pushing too far into enemy territory would endanger themselves. While the God Slayer holds value for them, it's insufficient to justify self-sacrifice."
"As long as we capture Oboro, both will evacuate quickly."
"As for the remaining forces, I believe..."
Sengoku stopped mid-sentence, noticing something troubling in his colleague's expression.
"You're correct. Arriving so quickly, Kaido and Big Mom must have been incredibly hasty and ill-prepared, regardless of their methods," Tsuru acknowledged, rubbing her chin thoughtfully before suddenly adding, "But have you considered that all of this was intentional on the God Slayer's part?"
"What do you mean?" Sengoku caught the implication.
"I've told you before, this individual possesses extraordinary cunning. Unlike Roger, who appeared foolishly wise, he simply commands an exceptional intellect. His North Blue activities clearly demonstrate strategic mastery. It appears he's intentionally luring all forces here, creating chaos to facilitate breakthrough of our blockade."
"After the Sabaody incident, conventional wisdom suggested the God Slayer would seek refuge with the Four Emperors, his only viable escape. But he chose otherwise. The subsequent East Blue incident clarified his stance: regardless of difficulty, he won't ally with the Emperors. Even creating the Hell Pirates signals clear ambition."
"Kaido and Charlotte Linlin will definitely act, and action means casualties. He wants to use us to weaken both Emperors' foundations while opening opportunities for his own challenge. This strategy hurts us and all forces coveting his power. Currently, everyone focuses on his abilities, assuming he revealed them to gain outside assistance. In reality, his true purpose is making us 'kill each other.' Such warfare inevitably diminishes everyone's strength."
Tsuru's analysis carried cold logic.
"What you suggest is certainly possible, but it doesn't make logical sense," Sengoku replied with growing alarm. "If this represents his motivation, does he expect the Hell Pirates to escape unscathed? They themselves will suffer casualties, and they face the greatest danger."
"They can't escape. The God Slayer finally assembled such a team in the North Blue. They might be annihilated by us, and even he might not survive."
"What if the pirates he appeared to recruit so diligently in the North Blue are expendable? He deliberately created credentials after becoming a pirate captain, just for show, to deceive us..."
"He wants these people to die to achieve his goals. From the beginning, these pirates were never true Hell Pirates members. The Hell Pirates he envisions are different. These people are sacrifices prepared long ago. Does this make sense?"
"Entering the Grand Line this time against us is a death sentence! I expected him to display greater power and recruit more forces, not just a few hundred. Even if he's confident about escaping us, that applies only to himself. As a pirate captain, if he truly cared about his companions or considered them genuine crew members, would he let them sacrifice meaninglessly? Only two explanations exist."
"First, he's absolutely cold-blooded and selfish, completely lacking humanity, wanting these subordinates to die creating his escape opportunity."
"Or these people were abandoned from the start, mere ingredients for this war, intensifying our conflict."
Seeing Sengoku's expression grow complicated, Tsuru continued slowly, "Of course, these are merely my speculations and judgments. They may not be accurate."
"If that's the case, it's definitely not the first option."
"If he were selfish enough, the Cunning Fox who follows him, now the Hell Pirates' Night Walker, would have disappeared long ago. Therefore, I can confirm he's not selfish. Some unimportant people simply must yield to his plans."
"Though different from Roger, he's a truly ambitious hero."
"A true pirate," Tsuru concluded.
This observation silenced even Garp.