The Forsaken Legion—
This special unit is mainly composed of Forsaken individuals infected with the Crystal Demon virus, plus many experienced Alabasta veterans to compensate for the Forsaken's lack of combat experience.
As for individual combat power.
Without exaggerating, the Forsaken are even enough to match seasoned Fish-Man fighters!
…
When the Forsaken Legion was first formed, Hocka, unable to contain his curiosity, took the initiative to spar with the Forsaken Legion's soldiers.
Hocka, nicknamed "The Ranger," had already obtained the title of a Shichibukai at that time.
Although, according to him, it was entirely thanks to the push from the Four Seas Alliance and Mr. Rowan, everyone knew that the World Government was not something the Four Seas Alliance or Ryan Rowan could easily manipulate.
Hocka's smooth recognition as one of the Shichibukai by the World Government was greatly related to his actual combat strength.
This Fish-Man warrior appeared somewhat honest and simple, and was also very kind and rational, causing many people to forget one crucial thing.
Forget what?
They forgot that "The Ranger" Hocka was a tough guy who fought his way out of the sacred Mary Geoise on the Red Line alongside the "Fish-Man Hero" Fisher Tiger!
Being naturally gentle did not mean he lacked the ability to resist.
When necessary, he was fully capable of unleashing incredible power to crush any enemy in his path!
This is "The Ranger" Hocka!
Yet even this Hocka, after fighting one of the Forsaken, couldn't help but fall silent.
He couldn't evaluate the "actual combat power" of the "Forsaken."
…
"Ah… how should I describe it?"
Facing repeated questions, Hocka helplessly scratched his head.
Finally, Hocka answered:
"If we're talking purely about combat skill, the Forsaken shouldn't be any different from an ordinary person."
Ordinary person?
This answer naturally left the onlookers utterly bewildered.
Why would he say that?
They were clearly a group of incredibly powerful-looking individuals. Did Hocka see even the Forsaken as no different from ordinary people?
Of course not, Hocka wasn't that arrogant.
Hocka then revealed the key point to everyone with his subsequent words.
"Combat ability is not the entirety of a fight; it's just one part of a battle, and can only influence a small portion of the outcome."
"Imagine, having an ordinary person fight a giant bear, what would the result be?"
The answer was simple, undoubtedly a defeat!
"Yes, that ordinary person would be doomed to lose."
"And for their opponents, the Forsaken in front of them are like that 'brown bear'!"
These words sparked much discussion among the crowd.
Hocka looked down at his hands, clenched his fists, and recalled the difficult battle that had just occurred.
Then, he continued slowly:
"A 'giant bear' doesn't need any combat techniques."
"Even the most clumsy 'giant bear' could never lose to an unarmed ordinary human."
"A 'giant bear' doesn't need to master boxing, kicking, or other complex techniques."
"Their strength, their stamina, their physique alone is enough to defeat the enemy before them!"
Hocka sighed deeply as he said this.
"Forsaken who have prepared for battle are a group of terrifying 'giant bears' like this…"
His statement naturally drew gasps of amazement from the crowd.
They had never imagined that the true source of the Forsaken Legion's power lay here!
However, as everyone was marveling, Crocodile, who had been idly listening, suddenly interjected.
"Don't treat humans like 'animals,' Fish-Man."
"Hmm?"
Hocka noticed Crocodile's presence and felt his point was valid, quickly apologizing, "Ah, sorry, I shouldn't have compared people to animals…"
"No, that's not what I mean. Have you ever considered a possibility…"
Crocodile, smoking his cigar, slowly said:
"Human beings can 'learn' things like combat techniques…"
…
Clang… clang… clang…
The solid crystal-laden feet of the Forsaken Legion scraped against the ground.
They slowly descended from the balloon octopus airship, stepping onto solid ground.
About a hundred people.
They were the entire Forsaken Legion participating in this campaign, some were young and middle-aged men from the Aden Kingdom who volunteered for training and combat, and others were from the Aden Kingdom's royal army.
A mere hundred people.
In terms of numbers, they were certainly insufficient, but the incredibly strong sense of presence they emitted made it impossible for others to ignore them!
Without a doubt, they were a group of top-tier warriors!
"Oh… it's the mobile unit!"
The soldiers guarding the Fish-Man village saw this, and their tense emotions gradually eased.
As Cobra had said earlier, everyone who remained in Alabasta to participate in this battle had made their resolve and had their unique responsibilities.
If the guards of the Fish-Man village had rushed out to "reinforce" when the Beasts Pirates attacked, the Fish-Man village would now be undefended in the face of the Big Mom Pirates!
Only by staying here could they stop Big Mom's advance!
At the same time, the aerial support troops from the Four Seas Alliance had not gone to support the port city of Rapeseed, but had come to the Fish-Man village.
"Prepare to meet the enemy!"
Cobra gave the order, and everyone got ready.
However, seeing this, the members of the Big Mom Pirates aboard the Queen Mama Chanter couldn't help but grin and burst into laughter.
Many of them were pirates with bounties over 100 million, individuals who were feared in the first half of the Grand Line.
But now, in this ordinary country, someone actually intended to use a national army to block their advance?!
How ridiculous!
Were they underestimating them too much?
Charlotte Perospero, the eldest son of the Charlotte Family, a user of the lick-lick fruit with a bounty of 700 million Berries, grinned.
"Hehehehe, it seems keeping some people behind in Whole Cake Island to prevent Kaido from luring the enemy away was the right decision…"
"There's no one decent in this country!"
"Besides, even that 'Desert Croc' wouldn't be able to stop us!"
"Mother, let me take care of them all!"
Perospero laughed, and with a mighty swing, unleashed a wave of candy!
This was one of the abilities of the lick-lick fruit, capable of trapping people to death with syrup!
But in the next second, the presence emanating from the Forsaken Legion suddenly grew several times stronger.
Hiruluk gave the order.
"Forsaken Legion, battle stations!"
Crystals began to rise.
The Legion, march!