If, upon learning about the rough scale of their own forces, Sakazuki and the two Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals had only felt hesitant—
then after discovering the exact deployment planned by the Five Elders, even a diehard loyalist like Sakazuki could no longer hold back his frustration.
According to the Five Elders' plan, everyone participating in the defense of the Holy Land would be divided into four lines of defense, each meant to resist the invaders layer by layer.
The first line—the so-called "Holy Land Guard Legion" led by Kong—was basically cannon fodder. Their job was to intercept the fleet of the Cosmic Dark Matter Pirates and, once the pirates landed, delay them and wear down their strength as much as possible.
Next came the second line, made up of hastily conscripted slaves and the original guards of Mary Geoise. They would defend the starting and ending stations of the Bubble Lifts, tasked with eliminating any pirates who managed to break through the first line and tried to enter Mary Geoise.
The "reserve army" Kong had mentioned earlier referred to these slaves and guards stationed at the Bubble Lift's base in the Red Port.
Obviously, the Five Elders never expected this ragtag bunch to make any real difference—Kong himself practically saw them as filler troops meant to plug holes when things got dire.
However, the slaves assigned to the top of the Bubble Lift—the terminal at the peak of the Red Line, ten thousand meters above sea level—were another story. These had been carefully selected: battle-hardened gladiators from the arenas and members of various powerful races, including giants.
Whether it was the gladiators seasoned by countless battles or the unique races once prized by the Celestial Dragons, their combat power was formidable.
Stationing them at the Bubble Lift's upper terminal served two purposes:
First, to ambush any pirates who made it to Mary Geoise, catching them off guard.
Second, to prevent those same gladiators and slaves from having the chance to cooperate—or even rebel—alongside the pirates.
Behind the second line was the third, formed by the Holy Army and the World Government's ground forces. The Five Elders placed high hopes on this layer of defense—even the CP agents, who were supposed to protect the Celestial Dragons directly, were reassigned to reinforce this line.
As for what lay beyond the third defense line, not even Kong had clearance to know. He only knew that the Divine Knights and CP0 would not be taking part in the third line's battles.
In other words, there were even stricter defenses beyond that point. Such a fortress-like formation was enough to make any force attempting to conquer Mary Geoise sink into despair.
However, for those unfortunate enough to be tasked with defending the first line—facing the Cosmic Dark Matter Pirates in their full glory—it was hard to "appreciate" the Five Elders' so-called strategy.
Neither Kong, who had to command the front lines, nor the newly arrived Sakazuki felt particularly understanding of their superiors' "good intentions."
"This is just… if—if the line gets breached, we won't even have the chance to retreat, will we?"
Doberman asked cautiously. If the enemy were merely the Beasts Pirates or Big Mom's crew, the current defenses would already be more than enough.
But the Cosmic Dark Matter Pirates were a different beast altogether—at least equivalent to two Yonko crews combined, plus over a hundred thousand pirates from the New World. Even Marineford at the height of the Summit War would've struggled to stand against them.
And above those two Yonko-level factions was a monster who could suppress both Yonko single-handedly. The situation was utterly hopeless.
Onigumo's brows furrowed deeply. Both Vice Admirals were more than willing to die for justice—but to be pre-assigned to what was essentially a suicide position before the battle even began?
Even their loyalty to the World Government couldn't stop the unease creeping into their hearts.
"You didn't raise an objection to the Five Elders' orders, did you, Fleet Admiral Kong?!"
Sakazuki growled, clearly displeased. In his eyes, if he had been the one receiving those orders, he would've argued his case before the Five Elders until they changed their minds.
If this battle was fought exactly according to their plan, there'd be no rebuilding the Marines afterward. Hell—Sakazuki wasn't even confident he himself could survive the onslaught of the Cosmic Dark Matter Pirates until the war's end.
"Are you questioning the wisdom of the Five Elders, Sakazuki?!"
Steel Bone Kong's tone became sharp and commanding.
He was well aware that the Five Elders' deployment was unreasonable — but as someone who had already betrayed the Navy and secretly sided with another faction, there was no way the former Fleet Admiral would openly remind the Five Elders of their mistake.
Even if others raised questions, Kong could simply suppress them in the name of "preserving the dignity of the Five Elders."
If necessary, he could even take it a step further — accuse them of disloyalty toward the Five Elders and the World Government.
The furious Sakazuki had a whole string of arguments ready, but they were all choked back down by Steel Bone Kong's sheer pressure.
Normally, he would have had more than enough confidence to challenge such a clearly flawed battle deployment.
But now, he had something to ask of the Five Elders — the chance to succeed as Fleet Admiral when the Navy was rebuilt in the future.
If he questioned their orders at this moment, the Five Elders might remember it and make him pay later.
In that case, not only would the Fleet Admiral's seat be out of reach, he'd be lucky if they didn't sabotage his career altogether.
"…No," Sakazuki answered through gritted teeth. "I will obey all orders from the Five Elders!"
His face was dark as iron. Compared to being suspected of disloyalty and losing his only chance at the Fleet Admiral's position, risking his life against pirates was actually the safer option.
With his strength, as long as he wasn't attacked by two Yonko at once, escaping with his life wouldn't be difficult.
"Good. And what about you two?"
Steel Bone Kong slowly nodded, his knife-sharp gaze landing on Doberman and Onigumo.
"Of course, we'll obey as well!"
Doberman and Onigumo were startled by Kong's piercing look and quickly responded, terrified that even a moment's hesitation would make them seem like they were questioning the Five Elders.
At that moment, the two Vice Admirals suddenly found themselves missing Kizaru.
If it had been Kizaru instead of Sakazuki, he would have stood up to the Five Elders without hesitation.
There was no way he would have obeyed such an obviously flawed command.
But since Sakazuki had already chosen to back down, his subordinates could only lower their heads as well.
"Then the task of commanding headquarters' defenses will be left to you. Sakazuki, you'll assist me in preventing any possible decapitation strike by the enemy…"
Seeing that Sakazuki and the other two had chosen to obey, Steel Bone Kong didn't push the matter further.
Instead, he began arranging the defense plan — within the boundaries of the Five Elders' orders — doing everything he could to make the deployment at least somewhat practical.
According to Kizaru's instructions, when the Holy Land Defense Battle began, Steel Bone Kong must not betray the World Government immediately.
He was to hold his position until the very end — exhausting both the Government's and the pirates' forces as much as possible — ideally forcing them into mutual destruction.
After all, in the new world that Kizaru envisioned, there was no place left for pirates to exist.
Sakazuki, who had been suspicious at first, gradually began to set aside his doubts about Steel Bone Kong.
He even started reflecting on himself — maybe he hadn't been loyal enough to the Five Elders and the World Government.
Otherwise, why would he have instinctively questioned their decision?
Just as Steel Bone Kong finished issuing his orders, the Den Den Mushi on the command desk suddenly began ringing.
Anyone with access to this direct line to Command Headquarters had to be someone of extreme importance — either a key defense post from the first defensive line, or the Five Elders themselves.
Since the Cosmic Dark Matter Pirates hadn't attacked yet, it was obviously the latter.
"What are your orders, Saint Warcury?"
Steel Bone Kong took the receiver from his subordinate, took a deep breath, and spoke with an expression of deep respect.
Given his seniority, Kong normally wouldn't need to show such exaggerated deference.
But Kizaru's plan was now in its final phase — and at this point, Steel Bone Kong couldn't afford even the smallest slip-up.
"Send Sakazuki to Mary Geoise immediately," said Saint Warcury flatly.
"Make sure the Red Port's cannons are repaired as soon as possible. I don't want the pirates arriving before the defenses are ready!"
Saint Warcury didn't notice anything strange about Kong's tone.
After all, the Five Elders had long grown accustomed to being treated with such servile reverence.
If anything, people like Kizaru — who dared to speak to them so casually — were extremely rare.
In fact, in all the seas of the world, the only person who had ever openly defied the Five Elders and lived to tell the tale…
was the rebellious Fleet Admiral Kizaru himself.
"Yes, sir! I understand!"
Steel Bone Kong nodded in acknowledgment. Saint Warcury hadn't said how soon "as quickly as possible" was supposed to be, clearly not caring if a few dozen laborers dropped dead from exhaustion in the process.
Having received the summons from the Five Elders, Sakazuki didn't dare show the slightest neglect. He soon boarded a bubble lift and made his way to Mary Geoise.
Compared to Red Port—which had already turned into something of a massive construction site—Mary Geoise hadn't added many new fortifications. Even so, its defensive power was clearly superior.
Just the dozen or so giant gladiators and slaves stationed there would be enough to give any invading force a nightmare, not to mention those few individuals whose very presence made even Sakazuki feel a trace of danger.
Among them were not a few who had once earned great fame across the seas—but the slave collars around their necks were proof that their fates were no longer their own.
Whatever promises the World Government had made them, those once half-dead slaves were now wide-eyed and feverish, looking ready to hurl themselves at any enemy who dared to set foot in Mary Geoise.
Sakazuki's arrival via bubble pod inevitably drew attention. Fortunately, the CP agents guiding him made sure he wasn't mistaken for an intruder, and he passed smoothly through the second and third defensive rings.
Unfortunately, beyond the third line of defense stood the World Government's main headquarters, and Sakazuki didn't get to see how the rest was arranged.
He had no time to dwell on that anyway—the Five Elders were already assembled, waiting for his audience.
°°°
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