Uchiha's personal opinion

Although the Four Emperors of the New World, having acquired ship-mounted heavy cannons and new external armor, maintained some restraint while eager to try their luck, Admiral Sakazuki, stationed in the New World, could no longer contain himself.

Sakazuki's strong sense of justice wouldn't allow him to stand idly by while the pirates' increasingly brazen provocations continued—the pirates were now even daring to retaliate against the Navy's warships; this was unacceptable!

Therefore, without obtaining Fleet Admiral Sengoku's consent, Sakazuki immediately assembled his fleet according to his usual approach, wiping out several small and medium-sized pirate crews in one fell swoop and inflicting a significant blow on the Yonko's forces.

This includes the pirate ships under Shanks and Charlotte's command.

Even so, Shanks and Charlotte showed extreme restraint and leniency, not only stopping their subordinates from requesting to fight, but also voluntarily reducing the forces distributed on the periphery to avoid the overwhelming naval advance.

While Whitebeard and Kaido looked down on the two men's foolish actions, they adhered to the pirate principle of "I won't fight if my friend dies," and since Sakazuki's fleet hadn't yet reached their territory, they didn't react excessively. They simply distributed some of the newly acquired heavy cannons and instructed their subordinates to be careful when they went out in the near future.

However, things often don't go as planned.

Not long after, two battles occurred that enraged both Whitebeard and Kaido.

First, X Drake of the Beasts Pirates was ambushed by the Navy led by Sakazuki during a raid and suffered a crushing defeat. Not only were all of his ships lost and he fled in disarray, but even the heavy cannons that had just been distributed were captured by the Navy before they could even be fired.

Sakazuki then immediately set sail, loading the captured heavy cannons onto a Navy warship and launching a long-range attack on a part of the Whitebeard Pirates who were torturing people in a certain sea area, killing one of Whitebeard's adopted sons!

This wasn't just difficult to provoke; it was to touch the raw nerves of two pirate kings!

"Raise the black flag! Assemble the ships! Set sail in seven days to attack the navy!"

Without even needing Minato Namikaze's subtle provocation, Kaido, who had exploded like a lit powder keg, immediately issued a declaration of war.

Subsequently, Whitebeard also issued a war threat and began to gather his crew. Although he did not make any harsh statements like Kaido, the thoroughness of his pre-battle preparations was even greater than that of the Beasts Pirates.

Even Shanks and Charlotte, who had previously backed down slightly, no longer showed weakness. Instead, they jointly issued a declaration condemning the Navy's sinister intentions in disrupting the balance of power among the three major forces in the New World, and calling on all pirate crews to form an alliance to demonstrate against the unjust and tyrannical Navy.

As for Minato Namikaze, he felt that the situation was changing so fast that it was dazzling and overwhelming, and he deeply sighed that man proposes, God disposes.

Judging from the current situation in the New World, Minato Namikaze probably doesn't need to worry at all. These ambitious pirates will eventually annex each other and, under the influence of uncontrollable collective forces, end up in a situation where they are at war with the Navy on all fronts.

"The situation in the new world is not just good, it's excellent!"

"The pseudo-world government's rule is based on the military deterrence of the navy, and its tyrannical and oppressive policies have alienated the people. In addition, the common people have no chance to rise above their station under the oppression of the nobles, so they can only turn to the sea for survival. As a result, the pirate force is growing stronger and stronger. Over time, the resistance forces are growing stronger and stronger, while the navy's power is being eroded day by day, leading to its demise!"

"However, as a violent group, pirates may be a way out for some powerful but frustrated individuals, but they are ultimately unpopular. Even if they can defeat the Navy and destroy the World Government, they will inevitably be unable to establish a stable and long-term ruling regime, which is exactly what we excel at!"

Based on his observations and experiences during his travels across the islands of the New World, visiting the territories ruled by various powers, Minato Namikaze compiled these experiences into a research report and sent it back to his temporary headquarters on Don Island via telegram.

In addition, Minato Namikaze proposed that the headquarters increase its military output in order to further disrupt the balance of power between pirates and the navy, and encourage the overconfident pirates to take "further steps"!

Minato Namikaze aptly termed this policy '****'.

……

"Akainu! Your actions have disrupted all the plans!"

During a meeting at the Naval Headquarters, Sengoku was the first to attack Sakazuki, who was fighting and winning battles all over the New World.

"Do you expect me to just stand by and watch pirates run rampant and plunder countries?!"

Sakazuki retorted without backing down, "Are you still in the Navy? Where is your sense of justice?"

"You're so weak, you're simply unfit to be the Fleet Admiral!"

"presumptuous!"

Enraged, Sengoku slammed his fist into the table in front of him, shattering it to pieces. Meanwhile, on the other side, Sakazuki showed no sign of backing down, maintaining his aggressive demeanor.

Kizaru, who had just recovered from his serious injuries, sat beside Sengoku, still looking as languid as ever, simply brushing away the wood chips that had splashed onto his coat with his right hand.

Meanwhile, the other naval officers on the other line held their breath and lowered their heads, afraid of disturbing the two lords who were engaged in a battle of wits.

"Sakazuki, watch your words..."

After a long silence, Vice Admiral Garp, who was stationed in Loguetown in the East Blue, said quietly, "The Navy today can no longer withstand any turmoil."

"As you said, the navy cannot withstand turmoil, but it also cannot afford to drag this out any longer..."

Sakazuki softened his tone and said in a seemingly sincere manner, "As you know, the weapons of those survivors have already appeared in the hands of various pirate crews in the New World, and we have made no progress in cracking the captured heavy cannons..."

"But we shouldn't provoke Whitebeard and the others so quickly..."

Lieutenant General Tsuru then said, "The large-scale conscription has just begun, and we haven't had time to replenish our troops yet."

What is the current situation in the East China Sea?

Sakassky countered with a question.

"It's relatively stable. According to CP0 intelligence, the remnants are busy playing tricks in the Republic's elections, so there isn't much military pressure for the time being."

"That's what Lieutenant General Garp said."

"But the new world has already become one!"

Sakazuki turned his attention back to Sengoku: "Your Excellency Fleet Admiral, with the gradual disappearance of the Calm Belt, the so-called Grand Line will cease to exist, and the pirates who were originally bound to a certain sea area by geographical factors are now reveling!"

"As members of the Navy, we must stand up and uphold justice!"

"You agree, right, Marshal of the Warring States..."

Feeling confident that he had seized control of the meeting, Sakazuki concluded his remarks with a sarcastic remark and then, in front of everyone, smugly crossed his legs.

Helpless, Zhan Guo sighed and rubbed his forehead, not even in the mood to refute.

As the Fleet Admiral, he was all too aware of the Navy's current predicament.

As a powerful figure who has fought countless times against pirates in the New World, he is very clear about the strength of the Four Emperors and their subordinates.

But as the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes.

While Sakazuki is indeed a rare and sharp blade, Sengoku forgot that Akainu is more likely to become a cursed sword that is too sharp and may even backfire on him!

Sakazuki's solo departure this time was not simply a matter of thoroughly angering the Four Emperors...

"At this point, there's no point in pursuing the matter any further."

Sakazuki's arch-rival, fellow Admiral Kuzan, broke the silence: "The problem is, how will the Navy deal with the remnants of the East Blue, the siege of Impel Down, and the impending grand alliance of pirates from the New World?"

This is also the issue that the other naval officers and generals attending the meeting are most concerned about.

The naval officers and officers, especially those stationed in various branches, immediately took notice.

Although they dared not speak out in rebuttal, the naval officers who served as the heads of various branch bases actually harbored some resentment towards Sakazuki.

Especially the bases scattered across the world, whose strength is relatively weak, would be the first to be hit in the event of a full-scale war; although there are radicals among them who do not think that Sakazuki did anything wrong, this does not prevent them from complaining about the bad consequences of his reckless behavior.

Therefore, although Sakazuki appeared to be triumphant and Sengoku seemed disappointed, the naval officers actually supported the steady and shrewd Sengoku.

"The only way to solve this problem is to fight it quickly!"

Ignoring the fact that the question was raised by his arch-enemy, Sakazuki immediately chimed in, shouting, "Pirates on the Grand Line of the New World are constantly spreading towards the North Blue and the West Blue. The Navy's top priority now is to concentrate its forces to strike at the rampant forces led by the Four Emperors. Only in this way can we achieve the greatest deterrent effect, and only in this way can we confidently send troops to the four seas to carry out a siege!"

"The idea of ​​a quick victory is absolutely unacceptable!"

Kuzan immediately retorted, "We're not just fighting pirates, you need to understand that!"

"Those survivors are the greatest enemy of the Navy and even the World Government!"

"Foolish and ignorant!"

Sakazuki scoffed!

"Brainless idiot!"

Kuzan also retorted with a sarcastic remark.

After a battle of wits, the other lower-ranking naval officers remained composed, while Vice Admirals Garp, Tsuru, and others showed displeasure.

"...Have you finished fighting amongst yourselves?"

"Warring States period," he said slowly.

No one said a word.

Sakazuki noticed the displeasure of the other lieutenant generals participating in the meeting via video link, so he did not continue to provoke them.

"I'm starting to understand it more and more..."

Sengoku sighed, "The Navy's greatest threat has never been pirates..."

The naval officers immediately held their breath.

"It lies with everyone at headquarters!"

His words shocked everyone present!

"If the headquarters is corrupt, the branches will be corrupt, and then the whole country will be in ruins!"

The Warring States period angrily rebuked, "What a juncture! And you're still fighting amongst yourselves!"

"Do you have to wait until the combined forces of pirates and survivors break through Reverse Mountain and besiege Marineford before you can unite?"

"But we can't let this drag on any longer!"

Sakazuki still maintains his view: "If we continue to allow pirates to acquire military equipment, the fall of the New World is only a matter of time."

"The navy has sealed off all the smuggling tunnels underwater in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise! ​​In addition, the merman forces of the Ryugu Kingdom are also enforcing martial law!"

Sengoku said impatiently, "The remnant people's channels for exporting military equipment have been completely blocked!"

"And... Akainu, you're not the only one working at headquarters!"

"But the pirates have more and more heavy cannons at their disposal, and it looks like their dilapidated ships are about to be fitted with bulletproof armor!"

Sakazuki remained unconvinced.

"That can only mean that the survivors had other means!"

Sengoku, growing increasingly agitated, scolded, "You don't actually believe that underwater tunnel can transport so much military equipment!"

Sakazuki was left speechless by the rebuttal.

"The recruits from the new world will stay directly at the G1 branch..."

After catching his breath, Sengoku made a decision that surprised everyone: "In addition, we must strike at the Four Emperors' forces as soon as possible. Besides that, we should also stir up internal conflicts among them. Now that we have new weapons, the pirates will probably be even more efficient at killing each other..."

Why are you all staring at me?!

Seeing all the attendees staring blankly at him on the screen, Zhan Guo's anger grew: "What's done is done, is there any way out?!"

Everyone thought it made sense.

Now that Sakazuki has stirred up the Four Emperors, it's impossible to just let things go. So the only way to deal with this is to fight back with all our might and sow discord among the already divided pirates. There is no other way.

"We might be able to win over the Seven Warlords of the Sea."