Simulation: Starting from Under One Person

"I think you should be aware of how big the difference is between a tsunami and a wave."

"No matter how big the gap is, I will go to save Ace." Seemingly not understanding Crocodile's taunt, Luffy's expression was firm, and his attitude remained unchanged.

"嘁~"

Crocodile grimaced unhappily: "That's why I hate you, Straw Hat Boy."

"Knowing the vast difference in skill level, you still dare to provoke me, even to the point of fighting, as if you know no fear. You're courting death, Straw Hat Boy!"

"How will we know if we can succeed if we don't try?!" Luffy retorted.

"Ha! Some things, you can know the outcome without even trying." Crocodile showed considerable disdain for Luffy's words.

Back then, he was fearless, until he thought Whitebeard was insignificant and could be replaced. Then Whitebeard broke his mentality, and he hid in the Kingdom of Alabasta looking for some legendary ancient warship.

"You can't know the result without trying. It's like cooking; you won't know if it's good or not until you taste it yourself."

Luffy persisted in his own ideas and tried to prove himself right.

"While I understand what you mean, I still have to say, what kind of example did you give?!"

Crocodile muttered to himself, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed that he had argued with the Straw Hat Pirates.

"I don't want to argue with you, let's make a bet!"

Crocodile's gaze suddenly sharpened: "I'll bet you and your crew, without the Whitebeard Pirates's base, whether you can rescue Fire Fist Ace."

"So? Dare to bet?!"

Upon hearing this, not only the Straw Hat Pirates, but everyone else also turned around, waiting for Luffy's answer.

This is something so interesting, we can't miss it!

After all, recuperating in the infirmary is quite boring.

The daily fun is guessing whether the Straw Hat crew will successfully escape, and when they will be caught...

Of course, listening to the Straw Hat Pirates discuss their escape plan is also a form of entertainment to pass the time, and sometimes these people even come up with some bad ideas.

Today's program was just too exciting, so no one dared to interrupt and no one spoke.

"No gambling!"

Luffy's answer was quite decisive: "I won't gamble with my crewmates' lives."

Crocodile: "…………" All your usual reckless behavior is gambling with your life!

Crocodile was speechless. He wanted to complain about the Straw Hat Pirates, but he knew that if he did, the Straw Hat Pirates would definitely refute him with a bunch of nonsensical and unreasonable arguments.

but……

That was his original thought, but he couldn't resist.

"But your usual behavior is actually gambling, gambling with your life..."

"Isn't this what men of the sea are like..."

Luffy's question left Crocodile speechless.

To be fair, pirates are indeed those kinds of people; they gamble from the moment they set sail...

After a short pause, Luffy suddenly said, "...Crocodile, I remember you used to be a Shichibukai, so...do you know anything about Marineford?"

Upon hearing this, the other members of the Straw Hat crew looked surprised. How could Luffy have made such a connection? Did he actually use his brain?

but……

Luffy's thinking, no matter how he tries, is generally unreliable.

"Naval Headquarters, huh..."

Crocodile pursed his lips; he didn't particularly like the place and didn't know much about Marineford.

However, I have a fairly good understanding of some basic information.

Out of consideration for the months they had been fighting together, Crocodile revealed some basic information about Marineford and the navy's arrangements, adding at the end:

"...By the way, with your current strength, you're basically high-level cannon fodder in this war."

"Yes, thank you." Luffy didn't mind Crocodile's taunts and instead thanked him sincerely.

"嘁~"

Crocodile pursed his lips; he wasn't quite used to Luffy being so polite.

the other side……

Kaido is contacting Queen the Plague, who is staying on Onigashima. If Queen is on Onigashima, he can take the island and leave.

Unfortunately, he wasn't there. The Beasts Pirates would have to rely on a ship to leave Wano Country...

With the Beasts Pirates taking action at this opportune moment, it's hard for other forces not to have ulterior motives.

Then a balance maintainer stepped in and blocked the Beasts Pirates' fleet in the New World.

Upon hearing this news, Kaido, enraged, immediately transformed into a dragon and flew towards the New World.

Accompanying him, besides Fang Rui, was a group of old-era pirates who had recently escaped from Impel Down.

These people wanted to see what the youngest of the Four Emperors was capable of.

Chapter 289 Shanks Gives Up the Struggle

A new world, a certain sea area.

The Beasts Pirates' fleet was intercepted here.

"Redhead, what do you want to do?!"

Standing on the bow, Plague Quinn gazed at the distant two-masted sailing ship, his tone sharp yet weak, giving the impression of lacking confidence.

"I was bored, so I came to chat with you."

Shanks had no interest in knowing the details of what the Beasts Pirates were planning; his goal was to maintain the fragile balance, and the Beasts Pirates' current actions were disrupting that balance...

So he had to stop the Beasts Pirates.

"Want to chat with me? Who would believe that!"

Queen muttered to himself, pondering: Shanks hasn't made a move yet; his purpose must be to stop the fleet.

Thinking this, Quinn instructed, "Notify any ship to move forward."

"Yes." A pirate took out a Den Den Mushi and contacted the people on other pirate ships to relay Queen's orders.

A moment later, a pirate ship raised its sails and sailed forward.

next second...

A slash tore through the sea, splitting the ship in two, and the pirates on board fell into the sea amid screams.

Seeing the slash with enough power to slice through a ship, Quinn thought to himself, "Just as I expected."

His guess was correct; Shanks did indeed intend to stop the Beasts Pirates here.

Knowing Shanks's purpose but having no solution, Quinn decides to give up.

Anyway, I have no way to solve this problem, and continuing to rack my brains will only make me feel frustrated, so...

"Give me a bucket of red bean soup!"

Quinn lay on a folding chair, a parasol shielding him from the sun, and said with a contented expression.

"Yes."

The remaining pirates obeyed orders, and continued as before unless otherwise instructed.

While the two Yonko pirate crews were locked in a stalemate, many well-informed forces had already received the news.

"The Beasts Pirates? What is Kaido planning?!"

In Fleet Admiral's office at Marineford, Marine Headquarters, Akainu Sakazuki slammed his fist on the coffee table. His right hand, slightly red, radiated intense heat, scorching the surface, and wisps of white smoke rose from it...

Kuzan Aokiji threw a puff of cold air at Sakazuki's right hand, eliminating the fire hazard as he muttered, "Probably just here to join the fun!"

The others in the room agreed with Kuzan's statement, which is quite likely...

"How scary~" Kizaru Borsalino trimmed his nails and pouted, saying, "Kaido has already left Alabasta. Judging from his hurried appearance, the reason must be because the Beasts Pirates were intercepted by Shanks..."

"In addition, other forces entrenched in Alabasta also left one after another..."

"I imagine there must be some purpose behind it."

As the fastest person on the move, Borsalino is the best candidate to monitor Kaido. Not only is it convenient for him to transmit information, but he can also ensure a high chance of escaping when surrounded by multiple people.

After Kaido left, Borsalino did not stay in Alabasta any longer, but returned directly to Marineford to report the information he had gathered.

"Hmph! Let him come if he dares. I don't mind putting in the effort to deal with those who collude with pirates."

Sakazuki's tone remained arrogant, as if to say: the Four Emperors are nothing to fear.

To be fair, with the Navy's strength, defeating one of the Four Emperors wouldn't be a problem.

Fighting two Yonko at the same time, the Navy is not guaranteed to win, nor is it guaranteed to lose.

but……

The public execution was broadcast live in its entirety; there was no victory, and for the navy, it was tantamount to a loss.

therefore……

"Borsalino, go to Impel Down, Impel Down, and talk to Magellan."

"Sure!" Borsalino said he had no problem running errands.

“And I…” Sengoku raised his head and looked at a certain spot on the wall, his gaze seemingly penetrating the wall as he stared at a particular place, “I’m preparing to go to Mary Geoise.”

Everyone understood what the Warring States meant: due to the increased risks, more troops were needed.

The Navy couldn't possibly spare all its forces for Marineford, and besides... marines who didn't meet the minimum skill level weren't even qualified to be cannon fodder, and...

The battlefield is only so big; it can't hold too many people...

One hundred thousand people may not be the limit, but it is close to it.

and so……