With the simultaneous attacks from numerous notorious pirates in the New World, the entire South Sea has plunged into unprecedented turmoil and chaos, much like the West Sea over twenty years ago, where war and slaughter followed the pirates wherever they went.
Some kingdoms initially thought that the pirates from the New World were merely there to plunder and would leave afterward, but no one expected these pirates to actually intend to occupy their kingdoms! This led to even fiercer resistance from those kingdoms, but the power of the nations in the South Sea was already weak; how could they possibly withstand the invasions of those pirate crews?
There were also some clever nations that, upon realizing the chaos engulfing the South Sea, chose to surrender outright, raising the pirate flag and agreeing to pay tribute to the pirates each year, much like the tribute states to the World Government.
This aligned perfectly with the goals of the pirate crews in the New World; they had no interest in managing or developing kingdoms, but were much more inclined to collect protection fees.
As a result, more and more kingdoms began to adopt this method, reducing unnecessary sacrifices, while the pirate crews of the New World were more than happy to accept, as they could acquire treasures without the need for war, and naturally, they did not wish for their subordinate crews to suffer losses.
"The South Sea, those damned pirates are attacking the South Sea, and they plan to permanently occupy the territory of the South Sea. We absolutely cannot let them succeed!"
"Immediately dispatch the combat personnel we prepared earlier to the South Sea; we must drive those pirates out of the South Sea!"
As the numerous pirate crews from the New World launched their attacks on the South Sea, the Five Elders received intelligence from the South Sea.
What infuriated them the most was that those damned pirates actually intended to occupy the South Sea, which was nothing short of brazenly snatching food from the mouth of the World Government! Under such circumstances, how could the Five Elders not be enraged? They immediately ordered the Navy, Army, World Government members, and Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) to rush to the South Sea at full speed.
Among the many warships, there was one that stood out, as its main members were pirates, or rather, Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea)! Currently, there were only six Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea): Heavenly Yaksha: Doflamingo; King of the Underworld Warehouse: Artel McClane; Sand Crocodile: Crocodile; Hawkeye Mihawk; Gekko Moria.
Among these, Artel McClane had consumed the Mythical Zoan Eight-Headed Serpent, also known as Li Yuan. After spending half a year with Gai Nie, Hawkeye had embarked on a different journey, ultimately becoming a Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) just as in the original story.
"Fufufufu, it seems that as Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea), this is our first gathering. I wonder if the upcoming war will see fewer of us!"
The six Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) sat around a round table, the atmosphere unusually quiet, until Doflamingo's classic laughter broke the eerie silence. As expected of the Heavenly Yaksha, he immediately launched a mocking remark.
"Hee hee hee, you should take care of yourself. Hanging the Infinite Pirates' flag while now helping the World Government deal with the Infinite Pirates. Who knows, when Li Yuan sees you, he might just slice you down with a single sword."
Gekko Moria immediately scoffed.
To him, Doflamingo's behavior was a classic example of being a fence-sitter, the type of person he despised the most.
"You, a defeated subordinate of Kaido, are no different. Last time you escaped, but this time, Kaido's club might just finish you off in one blow."
Doflamingo was not foolish enough to help the World Government deal with the Infinite Pirates; after all, there were so many pirate crews in the New World. Why should he bother with the Infinite Pirates? He could just find a densely populated area to lay low.
"Clown, are you looking for death?"
Doflamingo's words instantly enraged Gekko Moria, as it was a matter of his humiliation!
Shadows around him had unknowingly spread out, almost touching Doflamingo's shadow.
"Clown, if you don't speak, no one will think you're mute!"
Crocodile, who had been defeated by Kaido, now cast a dark look at Doflamingo. If it weren't for the current situation, he would have already given Doflamingo a Desert Treasure Sword.
"Fufufufu, if you all want to die, I don't mind sending you on your way."
Doflamingo lightly moved his fingers, instantly severing the approaching sands and shadows.
Although he believed he was not as strong as those great pirates, or even as formidable as Esdeath, as a fellow Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea), he did not think he was inferior to these losers!
"You can fight all you want, but don't destroy this warship; otherwise, I'll throw you all into the sea!"
Just as Doflamingo, Gekko Moria, and Crocodile were at each other's throats, Artel McClane looked at them with a calm expression, though the cold aura in his gaze resembled that of a venomous snake, as if he were eyeing prey, making Doflamingo and the others quite uncomfortable.
"Hahahahaha, you sea trash, if you dare to damage our Navy's warship, I'll throw you all beneath the sea."
"Don't think that your Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) status will earn you any favors under my fist!"
However, just as the Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) grew increasingly arrogant and were about to make a move, Garp walked over with a hearty laugh.
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In an instant, the six Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) tensed up, for that was the strongest marine, Garp, the man who had withstood the sword of the world's strongest man, Li Yuan, for several days before being defeated; he was not someone they could touch.
Among the six, only Hawkeye wanted to test Garp's fists to see how they could withstand Li Yuan's sword, but that thought was merely a passing fancy; if a fight broke out here, he might really be thrown into the sea.
"If you don't believe me, feel free to try; my fists haven't hit anyone in a long time!"
Seeing the Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) silent, Garp turned to leave. He had only come to intimidate these pirates to prevent them from capsizing the warship.
Perhaps Garp's interference had suppressed their earlier bravado; now, the Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea) had lost their anger and could not stir up trouble.
"Garp is impressive; he managed to settle things without lifting a finger. Even calling them trash, they didn't dare to retort!"
After Garp returned to another warship, Kuzan approached with a grin, holding a bag of donuts.
Previously, Admiral Sengoku had wanted to assign this glorious task to Aokiji, but Aokiji had immediately passed it on to Garp without a second thought.
If he had gone, that warship might have already been frozen into an ice sculpture; after all, his newly acquired title as an admiral was not as effective as Garp's.
"Hahahahaha, Kuzan, you really know how to play it smart!"
Upon seeing the donuts, Garp snatched one and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Garp, has anyone been assigned to deal with Li Yuan for this operation?"
Aokiji curiously inquired. Although Sengoku was the overall commander, in reality, it was the Five Elders and Vice Admiral Tsuru who were in charge, as Sengoku would be on the battlefield and wouldn't have time to command.
Moreover, the Five Elders and Vice Admiral Tsuru had not disclosed who their opponents would be for this operation; that had already been decided long ago, but they just hadn't informed them.
"Hahahahahaha, don't worry, we won't let you youngsters deal with Li Yuan. If you go, you'll just be delivering food."
"Someone will naturally hold Li Yuan back; you just focus on dealing with the others."
"Also, I remind you, aside from Li Yuan, don't go looking for Golden Lion or Whitebeard; those two are not easy to deal with."
Garp said while munching on his donut.
"Don't worry, Garp; I won't seek out trouble."
Aokiji knew his own capabilities and wouldn't go looking for a fight with those immensely powerful pirates.
"Big news, big news! The pirate crews of the New World are finally unwilling to remain confined to their territory and are set to break out, aiming to occupy the South Sea. Are they planning to turn the South Sea into another pirate paradise?"
"The World Government and the Navy will launch a full-scale assault. In the upcoming battle between the pirates and the World Government, will the World Government face another defeat like before?"
"A new round of brutal warfare is about to begin; who will emerge as the victor?"
"The harsh realities of the South Sea cannot be ignored!"
Li Yuan, aboard the Hades Pluto ship, looked with interest at the newspaper released by the World Economic Journal. Morgans was becoming increasingly audacious.
"Captain, the Red-Eyed Princess and the others have already occupied most of the territory belonging to our Infinite Pirates."
"According to the previous plan, the territory closest to Reverse Mountain has been attacked but not occupied; it has been left vacant."
"Other pirate crews, even the fastest Flying Pirates, still have a third of their area unoccupied."
Koya reported all relevant events from the past three days to Li Yuan.
Three days had passed since the pirate crews from the New World entered the South Sea, and the Infinite Pirates had swept through all forces and kingdoms like a hot knife through butter, with no force or kingdom able to stop their advance.
The vacant area was where the World Government and the Navy would likely arrive next, so there was no need to occupy it now; they just needed to gather valuable items first.
"Since they have completed their tasks, let them all head towards the Hades Pluto ship; the final battle is about to commence!"
Li Yuan put down the newspaper and said.
He then began calling Golden Lion and the others, urging them to speed up their progress, or even if they hadn't fully occupied their territories, to gather together. The World Government would not give them time to occupy all the territories in the South Sea! After receiving Li Yuan's call, the other pirate crews began to rush over.
Golden Lion and his crew brought all their members except those needed to guard their positions.
After all, they knew that if they couldn't defeat the World Government, then the territories they had occupied in the South Sea would be meaningless, and everything would have to be abandoned.
It was better to muster all their strength to defeat the World Government and completely occupy the South Sea.
The Marx Sea was the area connecting the South Sea to the Grand Line, where all the fleets of the Infinite Pirates gathered. Three hundred pirate ships were neatly arranged on the sea, their cannons presenting an endless threat.
The fleets of the World Government and the Navy arrived at the Marx Sea, with warships and vessels sailing in, at least six hundred ships visible at a glance, with more fleets continuously arriving from behind.
To deal with the pirates of the New World, the World Government had truly invested heavily this time, deploying all the strength they had restored over the years! Meanwhile, the pirate crews from the New World, under the leadership of their respective captains, also arrived in this sea area.
In the Marx Sea, the fleets of pirates and the World Government faced each other, separated by more than ten nautical miles, neither side making the first move.
This sea area had no islands, which meant they were about to engage in naval combat!
"We must crush the World Government at the fastest speed, not giving them a chance to delay; otherwise, dragging it out will be very unfavorable for us pirates!"
"All fleets of the Infinite Pirates, heed my command! Advance forward, and upon reaching range, open fire and destroy all ships ahead!"
Li Yuan shouted loudly.
As Li Yuan's words fell, over three hundred ships of the Infinite Pirates immediately set sail, pushing straight ahead.
"Jie hahahaha, my little ones, prepare the cannons and show the Navy what a devastating barrage from the sky looks like!"
Seeing the Infinite Pirates move, Golden Lion also used his abilities to lead numerous fleets toward the Navy.
"Ugh, war is upon us! Beasts Pirates, charge with me!"
"Gu la la la la, kids, you need to protect yourselves; we are going too!"
"Mommy, mommy, everyone follow me, but don't rush to the front; we are not the main force!"
"Hahahahaha, it's been a long time since I've slaughtered the Navy; I'm itching for a fight, let's go!"
As the Infinite Pirates and Flying Pirates charged ahead, the remaining pirate crews followed closely behind the two major pirate crews!
"All hands, heed my command! Set sail immediately, and upon reaching cannon range, stop and open fire, set off!"
Sengoku's booming voice rang out, and all ships on the World Government's side began to move as well.
The combined fleets of both sides exceeded one thousand ships, with a total of over two million people. Such a massive naval battle had not occurred even during the Rocks era; in recent decades, this was the only time such a large-scale naval battle had taken place! The grand Marx Sea battle was on the verge of erupting as the two sides drew closer!