Uchiha's personal opinion

"This happened so suddenly, it's very difficult!"

Minato Namikaze was outspoken.

"It is precisely because it is difficult that we need to strive for it."

Whitebeard still refused to give up.

Being belligerent and being mindless are two completely different things. Although Whitebeard has always been proud of his strength, after so many years of dominating the seas, he still understands the principle of "the righteous gain many supporters, while the unrighteous lose few."

In particular, the 'remnants of the Great Kingdom' who control the first half of the Grand Line can play an important role in the war, whether it is their powerful military force or their advanced ships and heavy artillery.

Moreover, for every additional cannonball fired by the remnant fleet, the Whitebeard Pirates would shed one less drop of blood. So why not?

"All I can promise is that the fleet besieging the Sabaody Archipelago will launch an offensive, but anything beyond that is beyond my control."

After much hesitation, Minato Namikaze decided to grant Whitebeard's request for part of the money.

"After this is accomplished, the waters under the Whitebeard Pirates' control will pay tribute to His Majesty the Kingdom..."

Whitebeard also readily agreed, and at the same time, empty promises began to be thrown at him.

"We'll talk about that later..."

Minato Namikaze simply laughed it off and didn't take it seriously.

After all, Charlotte Linlin had made a similar promise before, but she has already changed her mind before even conquering Mary Geoise.

"Then I look forward to meeting Your Majesty at the summit of the Holy Land, Mary Geoise!"

After saying those nice words, Whitebeard hung up the Den Den Mushi communication immediately.

"Really..."

Minato Namikaze shook his head and began instructing Yahiko to send telegrams to the First and Second Armies, who were confronting the Navy on the outskirts of the Sabaody Archipelago, to launch a coordinated offensive.

……

On a newly built platform in the plaza of the Navy G1 branch base, Ace was chained with heavy Seastone equipment and firmly bound to a bronze pillar.

At his feet were piles of specially made igniters and extremely high-temperature fuel, all necessary means to ensure that a Devil Fruit user was burned to death.

A beaming Marshall D. Teach changed into a navy uniform without shoulder insignia, knelt on one knee before Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and accepted the title and credentials of the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea,' thus completing his transformation!

Of course, in terms of power, the newly formed Shichibukai, Marshall D. Teach, is undoubtedly the weakest. After all, none of his trusted subordinates are known where they are hiding, and they haven't had a chance to join him yet. Moreover, he doesn't even own a single boat!

But none of this diminished Marshall D. Teach's flushed face, trembling hands, and overflowing excitement!

After all, after such a tumultuous period of ups and downs, he once again employed all the acting skills he had used during his time with the Whitebeard Pirates, including feigning deafness and harmlessness.

Unfortunately, all of this was like throwing a flirtatious glance at a blind man; Sengoku and his three generals were completely unmoved by it.

After bestowing the title, Sengoku waved for Marshall D. Teach to step down, and stood alone on the high platform. Meanwhile, the live broadcast footage circled back and forth in the base square, broadcasting the grand naval display without any attempt to conceal it.

Now that things have come to this, both the navy and the pirates are completely on the line, with no room for retreat.

This was precisely the "general trend" that the Warring States period painstakingly promoted, a trend that would determine the future direction of the entire world!

"Your Excellency Marshal!"

A naval captain rushed up to the platform and reported in a low voice: "Boa Hancock's fleet has engaged the remnant fleet outside the Sabaody Archipelago, but has been repelled after a round of artillery fire..."

"Tell her that only by entering the Sabaody Archipelago can her forces be considered a successful reinforcement; otherwise, she will not be spared afterward!"

Sengoku said expressionlessly, "And what about Donquixote Doflamingo?"

"The unit has arrived at the G3 branch port for resupply, but claims that in order to avoid the Whitebeard fleet's advance, it has decided to directly attack the Yonko's anchorage..."

The naval captain said in a low voice.

"Not allowed!"

Sengoku refused as expected: "Inform the G3 branch to expel him immediately, and demand that Donquixote Doflamingo arrive at headquarters waters within three hours!"

"As ordered!"

The naval captain left immediately after reporting the news.

Just then, looking out from the high platform, more than a dozen sails bearing the Whitebeard Pirates' emblem appeared on the horizon!

"A ship directly under the command of the Whitebeard Pirates!"

The Warring States period was greatly relieved.

Become!

As for the forty-three vassal pirate crews under his command, as well as Kaido and Charlotte Linlin's fleet, they have not yet arrived!

"All units, assemble immediately!"

Without hesitation, the Warring States period issued the order: "Go to war!"

"Hoohoo!"

The 100,000 naval personnel gathered at the G1 branch issued a resounding shout!

Chapter 554 The Beginning of the Most Intense Conflict!

"navy……"

Whitebeard, standing at the bow of the flagship Moby Dick, observed the bustling port of the Navy's G1 branch through his binoculars, his expression remarkably calm.

He harbored no illusions about this battle.

Whether it's the forty-three vassal pirate crews, Kaido and Big Mom's fleet, or even the fleet of the remnants on the other side of the Red Line, they are all just additional additions to him. What will truly determine the course of the war is the first battle with the Navy that will take place next!

If he could defeat the elite G1 branch on his own, the world order would inevitably turn into a pack of wolves devouring a tiger. Without him even lifting a finger, various powerful figures would rise up to devour the remnants of the World Government and the Navy! And no matter how much the Whitebeard Pirates suffered in battle, they could always rally after the war, attracting a multitude of heroes, and it would be only natural that they would become the Pirate King of the new era.

But if I end up in a stalemate with the Navy, then I'll have to continue to be on equal footing with Kaido of the Beasts Pirates and Charlotte Linlin of the Big Mom Pirates, who will be fighting tomorrow. To be honest, it would be better to just submit to the kingdom of the remnants in exchange for peace or join the Republic Alliance for a more comfortable life.

If we lose... then it's pointless, since losing means death anyway, and there's nothing else!

"This battle—"

As the ships accelerated and the G1 Marine Branch drew ever closer, Whitebeard raised his supreme grade sword, 'Murakumogiri,' and pointed it diagonally at the advancing fleet ahead, shouting, "Advance is the only option! Victory is the only option! Defeat is not an option! You must live to enjoy the glory of the war!"

"Victory!"

The Whitebeard Pirates erupted in cheers that echoed through the clouds!

Just then, a few scattered pirate ship sails appeared on the sea behind them—Whitebeard's vassal pirate crew had arrived!

……

"Seriously, how come these pirates are so efficient!"

On the naval warship, Sakazuki peered through his binoculars at the Whitebeard Pirates and their affiliated pirate crews, muttering under his breath, "And what about those fish-man spies? How come they didn't even report something this big? Have they been eating too much fodder and gone mad?!"

"They might have been wiped out before we could even report it, after all, Whitebeard's men were no ordinary people."

Standing beside him, Kizaru said calmly, "Besides, we're not the only ones who can block signals with horned Den Den Mushi..."

"Humph!"

Sakazuki snorted coldly, glanced at Sengoku and Kuzan on the other warship, and said nothing more.

To be honest, his feelings were quite complicated.

Judging from the current situation, Sengoku, who is leading the navy towards 'independence and autonomy', clearly has Kuzan as his successor to the position of marshal.

As for myself...

Sakazuki then glanced at Kizaru, the 'lackey of the Marshal', who was standing beside him.

This is really annoying!

……

"Gion, Kake, Tsuru!"

Sengoku named three people in one go.

The three people standing behind him stepped forward in unison.

"Each of you take fifteen of your own warships, bypass Whitebeard's direct fleet, and engage those rabble!"

Sengoku pointed to the forty-three vassal pirate groups in the distance and said.

The so-called main fleet warships refer to warships that are more or less equipped with a few captured heavy cannons or improved naval guns. The transfer of 45 warships at once is equivalent to withdrawing one-third of the navy's main force.

But this is necessary, even if the fleet is bound to suffer heavy losses in the war.

Otherwise, if nearly 50,000 pirates were to charge in and land, the losses suffered by the Navy would be even more devastating.

"Now, it's our time..."

With a wave of his hand, the Warring States period ordered the battle to begin!

Ice Age!

Kuzan took a deep breath and suddenly unleashed his widest-range attack—

An extremely powerful blast of cold air surged toward the Whitebeard Pirates in front of them, freezing the seawater wherever it went, and stopping the Whitebeard Pirates' offensive almost instantly!

Meanwhile, under his skillful control, a waterway was reserved at the port for Gion and his men to lead their troops around and intercept those vassal pirate groups!

The reason why they did not engage in a warship battle with Whitebeard was because his Tremor-Tremor Fruit was powerful enough to split the sea, cause earthquakes and even tsunamis. A traditional ship-to-ship battle would be utterly futile!

At the very moment the sea froze, Sengoku was the first to leap into battle, followed closely by Sakazuki and Kizaru. All the vice admirals of the headquarters also set out, charging towards the Whitebeard Pirates, who were caught off guard by the sudden turn of events!

As for Kuzan, who froze the entire sea area, he was responsible for overseeing the branch's land operations and conducting 'battlefield maintenance'.

"Watch me personally defeat the enemy!"

After being blocked by ice in the sea, Whitebeard didn't hesitate for long and leaped up to lead the charge.

In any case, he only had a little over 1,600 men under his direct command, so he wouldn't have an advantage in artillery battles.

and so--

"Bah!"

Whitebeard, who had leaped into the air, roared and frantically activated the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to strike the void and shatter the atmosphere. Then he swung his sword forward and slashed, unleashing a terrifying force that shattered the ice surface. At the same time, it stirred up the seawater to form a tsunami that crashed towards Sengoku and his group who were charging towards them!

"...As expected of the man with the strongest Paramecia-type Devil Fruit!"

Sakazuki stepped forward and unleashed a barrage of molten lava punches—