"The Giant Army!"
At the New Marine Headquarters, Sengoku, who had officially become the Fleet Admiral, rubbed his forehead, which was covered in cold sweat. "More than twenty countries have been attacked in a short period of time. In each country, there have been about ten giants, bringing the total number to over two hundred!"
Two hundred people! What did this mean? The Marine Headquarters' giant Vice Admirals combined only numbered a little over a dozen! And that was after years of accumulation! Perhaps they were nothing in front of true powerhouses, but a qualified giant warrior was an invincible force on the battlefield. Each one was a powerful fighting force!
"Even the Giant Soldier Pirates, who once wreaked havoc on the seas, were nowhere near this scale!"
On the couch opposite him, Great Staff Officer Tsuru also had a solemn expression. "It's hard to imagine what Roa did in Elbaf. What on earth did that unruly but relatively peaceful Harald give him such a force for!"
"Roa and his Calamity Company are getting stronger every single minute!"
Sengoku wiped the sweat from his forehead, his tone filled with a panic and unease that he himself didn't notice. "I don't even dare to imagine what the future will look like."
"At least there's some good news," Vice Admiral Tsuru said with a bitter smile. "The more powerful Roa becomes, the more wary the monsters of the New World will be of him. Their internal strife may not have to wait too long."
"…"
Sengoku was silent. Did they really have to rely on the internal strife of pirates to deal with Roa? How pathetic.
"Thinking any more about it is meaningless," Sengoku shook his head powerlessly after a long silence. "The most important thing now is to restore the Marines' strength." The actions of the Pirate Alliance had caused too much damage to the Marines. The Marine bases in the New World were all destroyed, and the number of officers who died in battle was in the tens of thousands, including a large number of high-ranking officers. Not to mention that Marineford was also destroyed afterward, and the Fleet Admiral was killed on the spot. The Marines were severely weakened. Especially after Sengoku was promoted to Fleet Admiral, the position of Admiral was now vacant!
"Let Zephyr temporarily take back the Admiral title. Also, that bastard Garp, he can't be so willful this time." Sengoku sighed. "Even if it's just a nominal Admiral, it doesn't matter."
Vice Admiral Tsuru nodded softly. The public execution of the Fleet Admiral by pirates had been a huge blow to the Marines' prestige. The Marines did indeed need to find a way to boost morale and restore their prestige.
"That's not enough," Sengoku continued. "The deception can't last for too long. The truth will be revealed sooner or later. Before that, we must have the power to restore people's confidence in the sea!"
"I think we should launch a large-scale conscription!"
In a certain sea area of the New World, a pirate ship was sailing quietly.
"No way!" Roger held his daughter in one hand and a newspaper in the other. "That kid Roa actually formed a giant army! The newspaper says the total number is over two hundred!"
"Huh? So Elbaf really cooperated with the Calamity Company?" Jabba's face was full of disappointment. "I was planning to retire in Elbaf later!"
"Retire? You're thinking a bit too far ahead, aren't you?" Rayleigh, who was quietly wiping his beloved sword, said with a laugh. "We've only found one stone. We're still three short of the Final Island."
At this, everyone on the deck couldn't help but look a little down. Even after circumnavigating the world again, they still hadn't found a second Road Poneglyph. It was only after returning to the New World that they got some clues about the second stone. At this rate, would Captain Roger's body really last until the day they found the Final Island?
"Hahahaha! Why is everyone so glum?" Roger laughed. "Haven't we already found the location of the second stone? As long as we get the stone that Charlotte Linlin has, our goal will be halfway complete, won't it?"
"But Roger," Rayleigh sheathed his sword, and his expression and tone became very serious. "The New World is different now. The Charlotte Family has allied with the other monsters. If we go and steal her stone, what awaits us might be the pursuit of the Pirate Alliance! Their combined power is probably not much inferior to the Rocks Pirates of the past! And their influence is overwhelmingly stronger!"
Hearing their Vice Captain say this, everyone's expressions became very serious. Even they, facing all the monsters of the New World, would never have a chance of winning.
"Hahahaha! The future will take care of itself! We'll let our future selves deal with our future problems!" Roger laughed nonchalantly.
"Captain! You're so unreliable!"
"Hahahaha!"
The large ship gradually sailed into the distance. The monstrous waves raised by the monsters had not yet subsided, and a new storm was already brewing.
In the New World, Sphinx. Whitebeard was also looking at the newspaper. His face was full of gloom.
"The son of the Giant King Harald, the Prince of Elbaf, plus a giant army of this scale," Marco's voice beside him was still full of disbelief. "What kind of agreement did Roa make with Elbaf? Am I really not dreaming?"
Whitebeard just sighed silently. He also couldn't figure out how Roa had done it. That was Harald, who had even rejected Rocks!
Marco said worriedly, "Old man, Roa and his crew haven't shown up. I'm afraid…" He didn't finish his sentence, but Whitebeard knew what he meant.
Roa had already dealt with Elbaf. So next, he would probably want to deal with the other key country in this sea area! Where could it be? Who could it be? Of course, it was Sphinx! Of course, it was their Whitebeard Pirates! Others might fear the Whitebeard Pirates, but that definitely didn't include Roa. That brat was a madman!
"Old man, what should we do next?" Marco's face was full of worry. "Should we fight Roa and his crew?" The Calamity Company's power was already unquestionable, and now Roa had a giant army under his command. Although it might hurt morale to say this, if they really went to war with the current Calamity Company, the result would probably not be good.
"…"
Whitebeard was silent.
Yes, what should I do next?
He couldn't even bear to think about what would happen to his beloved children for the sake of this country. Even if he could match Roa, facing the ever-expanding Calamity Company, his still-immature children would probably be no match. They were already at a disadvantage in the previous battle, not to mention that Roa now had even more power! If they really went to war, he didn't know how many of his children would die. But if they chose to flee, what would happen to his homeland at Roa's hands? He knew what kind of person Roa was. His only reason for taking over these countries was to enjoy people's suffering. This country had no value to most ambitious people, but Roa was different. He would only be more interested in tormenting this country.
Hoo— Whitebeard finally let out a long sigh of relief. He looked up at his anxious son in front of him. "Marco, you and the others should leave this place for now."
"Old man?" Marco instantly bristled. "What are you saying? Do you really want to face Roa and his crew alone? No! Absolutely not! Where in the world do children flee and leave their father to face a strong enemy alone!"
"I'm not asking, Marco," Whitebeard said seriously. "This is an order from the Captain! Take everyone and leave now!"
Sphinx was his homeland. He was the only one who couldn't let go of this country! He already felt guilty for making his children stay in this country with him for almost a year. How could he let them risk their lives for a country that had nothing to do with them? Whitebeard loved his children deeply, so he was absolutely unwilling to let them be in danger for nothing.
"Old man!" Marco's voice was high-pitched. "I can't accept this! No one will be able to accept this! How can we let you fight alone!"
And against a monster like Roa?
Then, the intense emotions on Marco's face suddenly froze, because he saw that his most respected old man's face was now filled with pain.
"Old man—"
"Marco," Whitebeard's voice was very slow, but the pain in his tone was like a heavy hammer hitting Marco's heart. "Do you want me to beg you?"
"…"
Marco gritted his teeth. He, of course, knew what his old man was thinking. He was thinking that they, his children, had no need to fight the Calamity Company for this country. This was a problem he had brought upon himself.
But!
"Old man!" Marco roared hoarsely. "Shouldn't a family face all difficulties together?! Have you never considered us as your true family?!"
"…"
Whitebeard's pupils constricted, and he was speechless for a moment.
"That's right! Old man!" A voice also came from behind. "We are a family! Isn't it only natural to fight for your family?" The other members of the pirate crew quickly approached. Whitebeard looked back and saw an unyielding determination on all of their faces. Battle-hardened as he was, Whitebeard's eyes couldn't help but turn a little red.
"You brats, are you deliberately disobeying my orders?"
"Right now, there is no Captain and crew, only a father and his children," Marco said. "Old man, let us fight alongside you!"
"That's right! We will absolutely not leave!"
"Old man, you can't think of leaving us behind!"
"Even if we die, we will follow behind you!"
Whitebeard took a deep breath and then let out a long sigh. "My children have grown up and now have their own thoughts."
"Then, my beloved children, let's face this strong enemy together this time!"
"Yes! Old man!"
Their resolve was united.
Then, Whitebeard went to see the king of this country.
"It will be difficult to defeat the Calamity Company, so I will try my best to negotiate with Roa to make him understand that taking this island would be more trouble than it's worth! So, no matter what he does, you must not compromise with him until he achieves his goal!"
The worried king's confidence was restored after seeing Whitebeard's resolute face, and he also nodded solemnly. "Okay, I understand, Newgate. I'm leaving everything to you!"
However, what neither Whitebeard nor the king expected was that in a certain corner of this country, a group of people were also conspiring.
"They're coming! Lord Roa is finally coming! The despicable Whitebeard Pirates and the Royal army have become vigilant, so this can't be a lie!"
"This is great! Lord Roa is coming, and so is freedom! Lord Roa is coming, and so is prosperity!"
"We have to do something as well! We can't just wait for Lord Roa to change this country!"
"You're the leader. You led us in the past to revolt against the corrupt Royal family. Just tell us what to do now!"
"I do have an idea!"
Then, the entire country fell into a state of eager anticipation. This eagerness finally stopped a few days later, because on the sea, huge snails were approaching.
"They're finally here!"
At the Whitebeard Pirates' base on the island, Whitebeard finished the wine in his cup and stood up, leaning on his bisento. In front of him, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates were silent, their eyes filled with determination.
"Children! Let's go to battle!"
"Oh!"
At the same time, on the sea. On the head of a giant snail, Roa smiled as he looked at the island in the distance.
"So they've decided to stay and fight us to the death, huh?"
"So who are the enemies, anyway?"
Behind him, Loki held his kanabo and looked doubtful. He used his height advantage to look into the distance and said, "Is there really some kind of amazing guy in a place this rundown?" If it was worth Roa making a trip himself, it couldn't be some weakling, right? Otherwise, he could have just sent a giant squad, just like with the other countries.
"Don't worry, you'll see them soon. Don't be too surprised when you do." Roa just said with a smile.
Loki pouted unhappily. What was with the suspense? But, did Roa mean that the person they were about to meet was someone he knew? He didn't know many people from the outside world. Most of them were members of the Rocks Pirates!
So!
"Hahahaha!" Loki suddenly laughed strangely. Wasn't it also fun for former comrades to kill each other?
Roa had the snails stop in the outer sea. Only the snails carrying them gradually approached the island. There were no obstacles along the way, and they smoothly arrived on the island's beach.
"Oh, are they already waiting for us?"
Roa looked up, gazing at the gentle slope ahead on the coast. On this slope, the Whitebeard Pirates were gathered. Whitebeard, whom he hadn't seen in almost a year, was standing with his bisento and looking down at them.
"Hmm?" Loki's head suddenly darted forward. He carefully looked at Whitebeard, and then he said in surprise, "It's this guy?"
Of course, he knew Whitebeard. The first time Rocks went to visit his father in Elbaf, this guy went with him! He was one of the original members of the Rocks Pirates!
"He's a monster." Roa said with a smile. "Are you ready?"
"Hahahaha! I've been waiting for this!" Loki was eager to fight. "A former subordinate of Rocks! Let this great man see his strength!"
Behind him, Bullet, King, Dylen, Teach, Moriah, Doflamingo, Bege, Enel, and other officers had also gathered. Coupled with the two solemn-looking giants, Dorry and Brogy, and the four Calamity Knights, it was a star-studded lineup.
"Roa!"
A roar suddenly exploded like thunder. Whitebeard's mustache fluttered with the invisible air currents. At the same time, the ground shook furiously, and the sea in the distance was constantly churning with waves.
"Get out of this country!"
"Whoa! What is that?!" Loki was very surprised by the earth-shaking motion. "What is that? An earthquake?"
Roa just raised the corners of his mouth. "I'll give those words back to you, Whitebeard. Get out of my territory!"