Throughout the journey, the Marines aboard the warships remained utterly silent.
The White Wolf Pirates attacked Sabaody Archipelago.
Mariejois was assaulted.
Slaves were liberated.
If this were an ordinary pirate crew, they might not understand, but with the White Wolf Pirates, everything seemed reasonable.
As the strongest pirate crew of an era, if the White Wolf Pirates did not cause trouble, how would that highlight the Marines' purpose?
Even Kong's defeat was within their expectations.
After all, Kong losing to Silas was not a first or second occurrence. Even three top fighters at Elbaf could not capture Silas.
So Kong being unable to beat Silas was quite normal, right?
Moreover, this battle included two long-missing Giant Warrior Pirates captains who had been feared and renowned decades ago.
So current Marines had gradually grown accustomed to failing against the White Wolf Pirates. Including this time, just driving away the White Wolf Pirates to let the World Council proceed normally would count as success!
The Marines never imagined the one who attacked Mariejois was not the White Wolf Pirates they had envisioned.
But their beloved Admiral Crimson Snake!
So many Marines' first reaction upon hearing the news was disbelief, thinking the White Wolf Pirates had somehow deceived intelligence agents.
How could Admiral Crimson Snake possibly attack Mariejois?
Portman Nisen, leading this support mission, remained utterly silent.
He thought of Elephant Yama.
Upon hearing Rona had attacked Mariejois, Elephant Yama seemed to age several years instantly, even his presence becoming unstable.
So with such a major incident, Elephant Yama should have personally acted.
But ultimately, he led the mission instead.
Portman thought Elephant Yama probably regretted it.
Regretted sending Rona to Mariejois, making her do unwanted tasks while knowing she rejected Celestial Dragons.
But both he and Elephant Yama understood Rona's Mariejois attack could not be spontaneous.
The White Wolf Pirates.
Giant King Harald.
Even long-missing giant pirates like Dorry and Brogy had been found. This operation could not be impulsive.
It was definitely premeditated.
Just the White Wolf Pirates side equaled three top fighters. Adding Rona, Portman dared not imagine what would have happened if Silas had truly attacked Marine Headquarters when passing Whirlpool Waters days ago.
Could they really have resisted?
Even now, Portman Nisen felt the situation was dire.
Kong was severely wounded in defeat.
Though Ortega was not seriously injured, his battle with Silas had consumed considerable stamina. Definitely not at peak condition.
On the White Wolf Pirates' side, Portman Nisen's gaze was profound.
"Only Rona and those two Giant Warrior Pirates captains?"
Silas and Giant King Harald might be dealing with government forces.
Though Marines were the World Government's largest military organization, as Marine Chief of Staff and former Admiral, Portman knew the World Government's foundation exceeded Marine capabilities.
Even while protecting member nation kings, if Silas and the Giant King wanted to block World Government forces, they would still pay a price.
Perhaps this was an opportunity?
Portman Nisen's warship was very close to Red Port, where Rona's group was located. Though his Armament Haki had weakened with age, his Observation Haki had actually improved.
Their side had him and Ortega.
The White Wolf Pirates had only Rona and two Giant Warrior Pirates captains.
And from their auras, Rona and the two captains were not in good condition.
Two against three. Advantage us!
Portman Nisen also saw Tsuru aboard the White Wolf Pirates' ship. Seeing Tsuru successfully infiltrate the White Wolf Pirates surprised him, but seemed reasonable upon reflection.
After all, the White Wolf Pirates happened to be liberating Sabaody Archipelago slaves.
They had coincidentally encountered each other.
Even if they could not completely eliminate the White Wolf Pirates this time, Tsuru could become their planted nail in the White Wolf Pirates.
However, the White Wolf Pirates had probably overextended.
If they had not provoked the World Government or Celestial Dragons, with their current combat power, even Marines could not handle them.
But the White Wolf Pirates had killed Celestial Dragons.
Even the Celestial Dragons' direct Holy Knights had acted.
Perhaps this time, they could completely eliminate the White Wolf Pirates without sacrificing Tsuru.
However, just as they prepared to attack, a tremendous sound came from the sky.
A massive figure fell from above.
BOOM!!!
Giant King Harald's body crashed heavily to the ground. As thick smoke cleared, it revealed Harald's body, nearly half turned to charcoal.
"Cough cough!"
Harald spat up a mouthful of blood.
Falling from 10,000 meters had not harmed him much, but the attack before falling had nearly killed him.
What could make him so wretched certainly was not Glinton.
"Everyone retreat!"
Harald shouted loudly.
"Do not worry about Silas. He will find his own escape!"
Thinking of the black lightning that suddenly flew from Pangaea Castle while fighting Glinton, Harald's eyes held deep wariness and worry.
This time they might have truly overextended!
Earlier, consistently using hit-and-run tactics against Stephens and Saint Lucas, Silas was not rushing to fight them directly.
As long as he was faster than them, they were the anxious ones, not him. They could not abandon Holy Land Celestial Dragons to deal with others.
This time, Silas had grasped their weakness.
But just then, a voice suppressing rage suddenly rang out.
"Lucas, is this all thy capability?"
Not only Saint Lucas heard this voice. Even Silas did.
The moment he heard it, Silas's mental alarms rang loudly.
Then he saw extremely terrifying Conqueror's Haki gathering above Pangaea Castle. Saint Lucas and Stephens' failure to capture Silas had exhausted Imu's patience within Pangaea Castle.
Perhaps Imu did not want personal exposure.
But no self-exposure was needed. Just gathering Conqueror's Haki.
In the sky, black-red lightning split in two.
One struck toward Harald.
One toward Silas.
Due to sufficient distance, even this terrifying Conqueror's Haki, after dozens of kilometers of weakening, only knocked Harald from Mariejois.
But Silas's situation was different.
Too close.
Dozens of kilometers seemed instantaneous.
Though Silas tried desperately to dodge, the black lightning seemed to have eyes.
Striking him directly.
With Stephens and Saint Lucas pursuing behind, Silas had no chance to actively resist.
BOOM!!
Blood spewed from Silas's mouth.
Instantly, Silas's awakened werewolf form forcibly reverted to ordinary human form.
"What!?"
Stephens and Saint Lucas would not miss this opportunity.
Both their attacks struck Silas simultaneously!
BOOM!!!