At Kodo Island, the base camp of the Red-Haired Pirates, an extremely fierce—and even tragic—battle was raging for the Red-Haired Pirates.
Meanwhile, in the sea area roughly 500 kilometers away from Kodo Island, dozens of Marine warships were on their way.
This was already the maximum speed the Marine Headquarters' warships could reach. Of course, the Gorosei and other high-ranking Celestial Dragons had been urging them nonstop. In the end, all their pressure narrowed down to a single order from the Gorosei: Marine must accelerate, enter the battle, and complete the plan!
There was only one goal—completely defeat the alliance of the three Yonko and capture or even directly kill Elior.
However, this so-called goal was merely a superficial order. Even Akainu, the Fleet Admiral, did not know that the Gorosei's true purpose was to save Shanks. That was the highest priority, yet Marine Headquarters was not aware of this hidden mission.
After all, the Gorosei and the others could not lose face by openly ordering the Marines to rescue a Yonko. In this world, countless people wished for the Yonko to be crushed. For the Marines to be told to rescue Shanks — who was himself a massive pirate — would be a direct blow to the dignity of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons.
Shanks' secret identity as the descendant of a high-ranking Celestial Dragon had long been hidden. Although that Celestial Dragon had passed away long ago, it did not erase the fact that Shanks carried that bloodline. With Shanks' strength and potential, if he were ever to return to Mary Geoise, he would immediately regain his status as a high-ranking Celestial Dragon, complete with all its privileges.
Long ago, the high-ranking Celestial Dragon who fathered him grew dissatisfied with the rule of the Celestial Dragons. After the God Valley incident, he entrusted the young red-haired boy to Roger, whom he believed to be a good man.
Roger possessed a charisma capable of influencing even young Celestial Dragons.
If Akainu and the others learned that this operation was secretly meant to rescue a Celestial Dragon—specifically the red-haired one—they would probably cough up blood in anger. It would also intensify the internal conflict between Marine Headquarters and the World Government. Even though the Marines were technically subordinate to the Government, Marine had grown powerful.
At this moment, the fleet continued heading toward Kodo Island at full speed. Soon, they would arrive. When they did, they would defeat all the Yonko, capture or kill them—especially Elior!
Today's Marine had fewer than 80,000 troops, over 20,000 less than the 100,000 deployed in the Marineford war. However, they were far more elite, and their high-level combat forces had expanded greatly. Overall, they were stronger than during the war at Marineford.
Every Marine capable of fighting was here.
One could imagine what kind of lineup this was.
During the Marineford war, only a handful of top-level Marines fought initially. Legends like Sengoku and Garp only joined the battle later.
But this time, the Marines had three newly-appointed Admiral-level combatants, as well as the former Admiral Zephyr, who had been inactive for a long time. On top of that, many powerful fighters from the World Military Draft had joined the Marines.
The death of his beloved disciple, Aokiji, had left Zephyr unable to move on. His hatred for Elior was immeasurable. Naturally, the same was true for Garp.
This Marine lineup—not in number, but in overall combat ability—surpassed even Marineford. Akainu, Garp, and Zefa had all come filled with burning anger. No matter the cost, they would completely defeat Elior and his allies.
Especially Elior—he must die.
As for Impel Down, there would be no place left for Elior.
After Elior had infiltrated Impel Down twice and caused its downfall twice, even if he were captured, he would never be imprisoned again. He would be executed immediately.
"We're almost there. I wonder if the battle is already taking place on that island?"
Tsuru replied, "As expected, it's Kodo Island. It's Shanks' home base. With his personality, once he learned that the Three-Yonko Alliance led by Elior was coming for him, Shanks wouldn't run. He would only wait on that island for a life-or-death battle."
Putting aside his status as a pirate, Shanks was undeniably a real man. A real man doesn't run—just like Whitebeard, who had no scars on his back.
"So the war should have already begun, but I wonder how it's progressing?"
Ryokugyu asked. Everyone was curious about the current situation. If the battle had fully erupted, it would be unimaginably terrifying.
This war involved all four Yonko of the New World. And the Red-Haired Pirates were facing a coalition of three Yonko led by Elior.
"I feel the Red-Haired Pirates are almost wiped out—or maybe they already have been. A force of that level… even the Red-Haired Pirates can't handle that. This isn't even the same league of combat power! The Revolutionary Army isn't much weaker than the Red-Haired Pirates either. That man is truly…"
It was Gion speaking. At the end, when she mentioned "that man", her beautiful eyes shone with admiration and deep affection.
"Perhaps," Fujitora said solemnly with a quiet smile.
Although the annihilation of the Red-Haired Pirates would normally be a major victory for the Marines and the world, in this situation, it might not be a good thing.
It would be helpful only if Shanks' side had severely weakened Elior's alliance. If not, it would be disastrous.
Even though Marine was prepared to suppress the world's strongest villains at any cost, they still hoped to accomplish their mission while minimizing losses.
"Damn Elior! Every dark event happening now is connected to that man!"
Akainu cursed, steam erupting from his body and warping the surrounding air.
Killing Elior with his own hands had become Akainu's greatest ambition. Only by destroying Elior could he prove the validity of his "absolute justice."
"Shanks… don't let anything happen to you!"
On the warship's bow, Mihawk gazed at the vast sea ahead, unease filling his heart. Shanks was his only friend — someone beyond even a confidant.
Of course, neither Marine nor Mihawk knew that the Red-Haired Pirates were already on the brink of destruction.
As one of the Yonko, the red-haired swordsman who reached the top of the world with his overwhelming Haki, martial arts, and swordsmanship was about to face a devastating end.