"Report, enemy vessels approaching!"
On the Marine's flagship, Fleet Admiral Sengoku commanded from the center of the deck with unwavering authority. Chief of Staff Tsuru stood to his left while Hero Garp occupied the position to his right, their combined presence representing the Marine's most formidable tactical leadership.
A communications officer approached at full sprint and delivered a crisp salute as the night breeze sent their justice cloaks billowing dramatically against the darkness.
Even Garp's usually casual demeanor had transformed into grim focus as the weight of this unprecedented confrontation settled over them all.
"Even after causing such chaos throughout the North Blue, he's still technically just a rookie pirate... What audacity!" Sengoku muttered, his voice carrying decades of accumulated authority. "I assumed the Hell Pirates would locate some hidden passage after crossing the Red Line, perhaps emerging onto a different route to avoid direct confrontation. Anyone with basic tactical sense would understand that advancing straight ahead means facing our full blockade."
"A flanking approach would have been infinitely safer."
"Here they come," Garp declared, crossing his muscular arms as his experienced gaze swept across the moonlit waters ahead.
"Execute Operation Crimson Dawn, all ships advance!" Sengoku commanded with ice-cold determination.
"Yes, sir!"
Almost immediately after the Marine began their coordinated assault, urgent communications erupted from the command center behind the three legendary officers. Dozens of Den Den Mushi began ringing simultaneously, their metallic voices overlapping in chaotic symphony.
"Fleet Admiral... Admiral Aokiji reports that the Beast Pirates are crossing through his patrol sector and advancing toward our position. He's attempting to intercept them," announced a sweating communications officer who had burst through the cabin doors.
"Fleet Admiral... the Big Mom Pirates have emerged on Route Six!"
"Fleet Admiral... one of our patrol fleets has lost all communications, we cannot establish contact!"
"Fleet Admiral..."
Sengoku's battle order had served as a catalyst, triggering an avalanche of complications throughout their carefully planned operation. Every major power in the world seemed to be converging on their position simultaneously.
"Leave the coordination to me," Tsuru declared, glancing meaningfully at Sengoku before turning to handle these mounting "complications" with her characteristic efficiency. She had absolute confidence in their combat abilities against the Hell Pirates themselves.
While uncertainty gnawed at her regarding the God Slayer's true intentions, the battle had already commenced, there was no time for second-guessing their strategy now. Whatever Oboro was planning, they had committed to this path and would see it through to completion.
Meanwhile, the Hell Pirates' three-ship formation charged forward through the turbulent waves with reckless determination! Though some pirates harbored natural fear of the overwhelming marine force ahead, the genetically enhanced Germa soldiers demonstrated their true value by advancing to the front lines without hesitation. Their fearless example ignited fighting spirit throughout the pirate crews aboard the main vessel.
On any battlefield, regardless of enemy strength, a lone individual charging forward would inevitably falter and retreat. But a group of warriors supporting each other created something entirely different, a force that could defy impossible odds through collective courage.
Leadership in battle proved invaluable... once one person stepped forward, others invariably followed.
Dolan, Yuri, and the other core members prepared themselves for combat as the opposing fleets drew closer, battle-ready tension crackling through the air like electricity.
Rob Lucci even considered how to construct a convincing performance. He assumed the Marine had identified his true allegiance... but the deception had to appear absolutely authentic.
Dolan's tactical approach remained refreshingly simple: stay close to their captain at all costs, never leaving Oboro's immediate vicinity. That positioning offered his best chance of survival in the coming chaos.
He wasn't foolish enough to charge ahead independently...
BOOM!
Suddenly, brilliant explosions erupted across the sea like premature fireworks, followed by the thunderous roar of cannons and detonations that illuminated the night sky. Several marine vessels had apparently turned their guns on their own fleet, unleashing devastating close-range bombardments against fellow Marine ships.
The Hell Pirates hadn't even engaged the enemy yet, and already the Marine was experiencing mysterious internal warfare.
What was happening?
Multiple crew members stared in bewildered amazement.
Even Monkey D. Oboro smiled with knowing appreciation.
While they couldn't identify who was responsible for this sabotage, it clearly involved someone with powerful connections and deep hostility toward both the Marine and World Government. Successfully infiltrating marine ranks required resources and planning that exceeded ordinary capabilities.
The Revolutionary Army?
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Before anyone could investigate further, a barrage of artillery shells came screaming toward their position.
In moments, the sea became a churning maelstrom as both fleets found themselves within optimal firing range. The Hell Pirates' three vessels responded with their own continuous bombardment while their skilled helmsmen constantly adjusted course, frantically spinning their wheels to dodge incoming projectiles through pure seamanship.
Simultaneously, several pirates abandoned the main ships under cover of darkness, using small boats to attempt infiltration of the nearest warships.
The previously calm ocean suddenly transformed into a cauldron of boiling violence. Artillery thunder, explosive flashes, pirate battle cries, and the whistle of bullets through air combined into a symphony of absolute chaos.
"Why?"
As Hell Pirates members began implementing their assault plans, Rob Lucci couldn't help but study Oboro with growing confusion.
Why... didn't the Hell Pirates have any coordinated battle strategy?
Given the crew's chaotic personalities and their preference for individual combat over organized tactics, Lucci could understand why Oboro might avoid complex operational planning. These pirates simply weren't suited for disciplined command structures and fought better when allowed to follow their natural instincts.
Therefore, Oboro had issued no detailed subsequent orders.
However, even chaotic pirates typically required strong leadership to guide them through major battles, just as they needed captains to provide direction...
Rather than recklessly engaging in what appeared to be a hopeless conflict.
Up to this point, Oboro hadn't provided them with any tactical guidance whatsoever.
More critically, Lucci understood Oboro's atmospheric manipulation abilities... With the God Slayer's power, he could easily enable the pirates to "fly through the air," completely negating the inherent disadvantages of marine warfare. Once the distance closed sufficiently, Oboro could simply have the pirates "drop" directly onto enemy warships rather than risking casualties in this chaotic bombardment.
This approach would be equivalent to sending these pirates to meaningless deaths.
Why was the God Slayer choosing this path?
Just as Lucci pondered this mystery, his expression shifted dramatically. He and six other core members were simultaneously enveloped by controlled air currents, lifted into the night sky alongside Oboro. But their trajectory wasn't toward the Marine... instead, they were heading back toward the Red Line they had recently crossed.
This movement puzzled not only Lucci, but also Dolan and Yuri.
The battle had barely begun and remained far from decided, why were they retreating?
Once a marine engagement of this magnitude commenced, the scene became so chaotic that most Hell Pirates members didn't even notice their departure.
"Captain... aren't we going to fight?" Kaka asked, studying Oboro's serene expression as the seven of them streaked through the mist.
"Can we win? This is a battle with no possibility of victory..." Oboro's lips curved into an enigmatic smile.
"Huh?" Kaka remained confused.
"Our role is merely a catalyst... They are the true protagonists of this drama, and this stage was prepared specifically for them," Oboro explained softly.
They?
Lucci maintained his impassive facade, though this development matched his expectations perfectly.
The God Slayer had alternative objectives.
The so-called "they" simply referred to the various factions drawn to this massive confrontation.
"When the King first established the Hell Pirates, he made it clear that our crew would be elite rather than numerous... In other words, those individuals were destined to perish at sea from the moment they were recruited," Dom, Oboro's most trusted and unwavering subordinate, suddenly interjected.
Clearly, he possessed inside knowledge about their captain's true plans.
"Any updates from the advance team?" Oboro inquired, directing his attention toward Dom.
"Yes... the Celestial Dragons have reached the East Blue," Dom replied with a predatory sneer.
East Blue? Celestial Dragons?
Hearing these words, Rob Lucci's composure instantly cracked.
"Only one Vice Admiral from Marine Headquarters is accompanying them," Dom continued, his disturbing smile and tone making Lucci's throat constrict as his pupils dilated with alarm.
"Those arrogant bastards... they still haven't learned to modify their destructive habits. They love making grandiose spectacles of everything they do... We've already taught them a lesson, yet they persist in their foolishness! Haha... They just can't resist sailing around the world, bullying member nations under the pretense of 'official inspections,' savoring the superiority that comes with absolute power and privilege. A year ago, they announced their intention to visit the Goa Kingdom in the East Blue... I thought the Sabaody incident would have educated them."
Dom's grin widened with anticipation. "But then again, a year ago, the outside world wasn't familiar with our capabilities... Besides, the East Blue has always been considered the safest sea in the world... It's no surprise they chose that destination."
"Excellent! Another target worth eliminating," Oboro declared with obvious satisfaction upon hearing Dom's explanation.
"You seem a bit... overenthusiastic..." someone observed.
"Can't help it... Just thinking about them makes me want to fight," Dom replied, licking his lips with visible bloodlust.
His current demeanor was completely different from his behavior during the Sabaody Archipelago incident.
It's over!
This is catastrophic... What a meaningless marine battle.
What New World ambitions... What Hell Pirates supremacy.
From the very beginning, the God Slayer had targeted the Celestial Dragons.
Everything else, no matter how elaborate and grand the preparations, was merely an elaborate deception!
Who could have predicted this connection to events from a year ago?
Who could have linked the current marine blockade to the smokescreen created by the Hell Pirates?
"We need to find a way to alert headquarters..." Lucci thought desperately, his face suddenly pale.
"What's wrong?" At that precise moment, whether by chance or design, Oboro's gaze swept over to him.
Lucci's back erupted in cold perspiration.
"...Nothing," he managed to say with forced calm.