Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

"That's true. Even if it's just slightly changing this era, it's already a positive thing."

Upon hearing this, Dragon couldn't help but become optimistic, and once again showed a hearty laugh just like Vice Admiral Garp's.

Yann shook his head helplessly, his heart not nearly as optimistic as Dorrag had imagined.

Although the "Island Commune Project" was hidden under the "Distributor Cooperation Plan" that the "Lean Trading Company" had proactively revealed to the World Government, on the surface everything appeared to be merely a change made based on commercial activities.

If the shocking news of the Red-Haired Pirates declaring war on the Beasts Pirates to seize the title of "Emperor of the Sea" were to emerge, the World Government and the Navy would easily overlook this seemingly insignificant matter.

But the fear is that the World Government might become suspicious and investigate further. Once the World Government gathers enough intelligence and organizes it, Yan has no doubt that there are wise people within the World Government who can see through the mystery.

In the past, the reason why Yann and the Revolutionary Army were able to get along so well with the World Government was twofold: firstly, they were hidden in the shadows, and secondly, there was a completely unequal information gap between the two sides.

Once the advantages of these two factors disappear, it will easily attract the attention of world governments.

"call……"

Yaen let out a soft breath and then spoke.

"Take everything with caution. I've also prepared several alternative plans to deal with unforeseen circumstances, which you can refer to when the time comes."

“I understand,” Dragon said.

Afterwards, Dragon asked Arn for more details about the "Island Commune Project" and then hurriedly hung up the Den Den Mushi.

Meanwhile, Yann remained in his fishing posture, but his gaze remained unsettled for a long time.

[Chapter 476. The War Is About to Begin!]

Several days later, as the eyes of the entire ocean were focused on the impending conflict between the Red-Haired Pirates and the Beasts Pirates, and even newspapers began publishing various reports related to it, a small announcement appeared in an inconspicuous corner.

"You went up there, didn't you notice anything unusual?"

Ya'en held the newspaper, seemingly casually glancing at it, but his gaze was subtly focused on the announcement related to the "Lian Chamber of Commerce" and "distributor cooperation."

"So, Brother Yan, which side do you think has a better chance of winning?"

Borsalino sat down directly next to Yann, his tall body sinking comfortably into the soft sofa, and asked.

Yarne tossed the newspaper he was holding toward the coffee table in front of him and said lazily, "Justice will prevail!"

As if he had heard some key phrase, Kuzan, who was sleeping with an eye mask on and sitting opposite Yann, mumbled something in his sleep: "That's right, justice will prevail."

After speaking, Kuzan lifted his blindfold and looked around at his surroundings, his eyes showing a hint of confusion and bewilderment.

It seems... this isn't the time to shout slogans.

"boom!"

On the other side of the office, a loud slamming sound rang out as Marshal Sengoku shouted, "Enough! I called you here for important business!"

Borsalino adjusted his sunglasses and said, "Weren't we supposed to be here for tea today?"

“Polsalino, it seems you’ve been living too comfortably. It’s necessary to switch you with Sakazuki and have you take charge of defense at the G-1 branch,” said Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Borsalino sank deeper into the sofa and said with a forced smile.

"Marshal is joking. I have no desire to face those monsters in the New World Seas. I am better suited to stay in the peaceful Marineford."

"Humph!"

Fleet Admiral Sengoku snorted coldly, then dialed the Den Den Mushi next to him, roaring, "Garp, you bastard, how much longer until you get here?"

"Alright, alright, what's the rush?"

A loud, gruff voice rang out from outside the office door.

"boom!"

The office door was kicked open with a bang, and Vice Admiral Garp, holding a rice cracker and a donut in each hand, strode in and sat down next to Kuzan as if they were old friends.

"Want some?" Vice Admiral Garp gestured to Kuzan with the donuts and rice crackers in his hand.

Among the three admirals of the Navy, Kuzan, as Vice Admiral Garp's former subordinate, has the best personal relationship with him.

Kuzan raised his eyebrows in the direction of Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Vice Admiral Garp looked in the direction Kuzan indicated and immediately noticed that Fleet Admiral Sengoku's face had turned completely gloomy, as if it were the eve of a storm.

The next moment, the words spoken by the Warring States Marshal caused a slight change in the expressions of everyone present.

"War is about to begin!"

Borsalino straightened his back slightly as he slumped into the sofa, and Kuzan pushed his blindfold up. Vice Admiral Garp stopped his incessant "smacking" and Yann paused as he poured himself some tea.

"Have you decided to make a move, Sengoku?" Vice Admiral Garp asked seriously.

Those present, as the true high command of the navy, not only possessed extremely high authority, but each of them, though seemingly nonchalant every day, was actually well aware of the changes within the navy.

During this period, the navy appeared calm and showed no inclination to mobilize on a large scale in the "New World" waters, but Fleet Admiral Sengoku was secretly drawing elite naval personnel from Marineford and various local branches.

This matter could not be kept secret from the real high command of the navy.

The high-ranking naval officers present almost all sensed Fleet Admiral Sengoku's inclination, but they were unsure whether this was part of his preliminary preparations or a sign of his indecisiveness.

Faced with Vice Admiral Garp's question, Fleet Admiral Sengoku nodded with a resolute look in his eyes.

"Wow, this is quite an extraordinary decision! They've already given up on the New World Seas, are they going to launch a counterattack this time?"

Borsalino spoke with a somewhat lewd expression, his nonchalant attitude making one wonder if he was being sarcastic or just making a casual remark.

Kuzan, however, revealed a serious expression on his icy face and began to speak.

"This decision is actually good. The pirates in the New World are too rampant and arrogant. Deterrence alone is not enough; occasional actions are also necessary."

However, as Yann nodded repeatedly in agreement, he suddenly realized that everyone present was looking at him, as if they were waiting for Yann to make a real statement.

……

Ya'en.

Arn's lips twitched slightly as he realized that the combat force in this office was the main force that Marshal Sengoku intended to deploy. He spoke in a slightly weaker voice.

"Um, I get seasick, it's an old problem of mine, so is it possible for me to apply to be stationed at Marineford?"

"There's no need to worry about that. I'll be here in Marineford the whole time."

"And you, who sneak out to fish every day, get seasick?" the Warring States Marshal said.

“Kong and Ying are still too young. With their mother unable to be by their side, we can’t let them lose their father’s care at such a young age,” Ya’en said, finding another reason.

"You can go without worry. They still have Grandpa's love for them," Marshal Zhanguo corrected him expressionlessly.

Immediately, Yann couldn't help but curse inwardly.

I've already arranged six powerful fighters for you, old man. With proper deployment, that would be enough to achieve the predetermined strategic goals. Why do you insist on pushing your own son to the front lines? Are you afraid that if you survive, you'll take your place?

“I’m still young and inexperienced. I can’t handle such important plans and operations. It would be better to let Uncle Garp, this senior, take charge of the overall situation,” Yann said advocatively.

Upon hearing this rare and respectful address from Yann, Vice Admiral Garp couldn't help but grin, revealing a satisfied expression.

However, the Warring States Marshal said calmly.

"It is precisely because you have the least combat experience and the fewest combat achievements compared to your predecessors that you must participate in this, otherwise it will be difficult for others to believe in you as a naval hero in the future."

……

Ya'en.

What I least want at this stage is for the rest of the navy to have too much faith in me.

If I were to truly reach the level of influence that Zephyr possessed, potentially enough to sway the stances of most naval officers, the World Government might decide to eliminate me for the sake of stability.

However, looking at Marshal Sengoku's unchanging expression, it was clear that there was no room for negotiation.

“Alright then, I’ll try my best and not hold you back,” Yann said.

[Chapter 477. The Location of the War]

"So……"

Marshal Zhan Guo nodded with some satisfaction, then hung a nautical chart of the new world's seas on the wall and spoke.

"According to intelligence personnel, the Beasts Pirates have not yet taken any major action against the Red-Haired Pirates' declaration of war, and Kaido of the Beasts has been staying in Wano Country."

"In addition, the Red-Haired Pirates have officially begun to approach Wano Country, and their current location is probably in this sea area."

"Given the Red-Haired Pirates' route and the Beasts Pirates' habit of dealing with challengers, the final point of conflict will likely be this uninhabited island in the northwest of Wano Country."

The Sengoku commander paused, then pointed to an uninhabited island in the sea near Wano Country and introduced it.

"This island is a primeval forest environment, inhabited by a large number of ferocious wild animals. The terrain is generally flat, and the area is approximately five thousand square kilometers..."

Immediately, the Warring States Marshal gave a very detailed account of the various intelligence reports about the planned battlefield, even summarizing the ocean currents around the uninhabited island.

As Yan listened to the intelligence recounted by Marshal Sengoku, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. 'It seems the old man is as cautious as ever; he's prepared so much in advance?'

Furthermore, a considerable portion of the intelligence collected by the Sengoku period marshal was beyond the verification capabilities of the revolutionary army, demonstrating that the intelligence capabilities retained by the navy were not to be underestimated.

"As the Red-Haired Pirates declared war on the Beasts Pirates, and as the Red-Haired Pirates continued to approach Wano Country, various pirate crews belonging to the Beasts Pirates began to engage in battle with the Red-Haired Pirates, testing their qualifications to challenge Kaido of the Beasts."

"During this process, 'Red-Haired' Shanks, as the captain, did not make a move; it was only the ship's officers who swiftly and decisively eliminated all those who stood in his way."

"Very strong!"

The Warring States Marshal's voice was clearly somewhat solemn as he spoke.

"Based on the General Staff's analysis of the combat strength demonstrated by the Red-Haired Pirates' officers, it has been surprisingly discovered that the average combat strength of the Red-Haired Pirates' officers is extremely high, and the final battle with the Beasts Pirates is likely to be quite astonishing!"

After a pause, Fleet Admiral Sengoku straightened his back, looked at the core naval forces before him, and began to speak.

"We cannot allow the sea to continue in this chaotic state, nor can we allow the emergence of a fourth 'Sea Emperor.' We must annihilate him!"

"Therefore, the arrangement is as follows..."

……

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, in the "Between of Powers," six years have passed, and the Five Elders, whose appearances have hardly changed, are holding a meeting.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku has made up his mind to actively participate in this war, with the expected goal of annihilating the 'Beasts Pirates' and the 'Red-Haired Pirates' in one fell swoop," the Five Elders with curly hair said.

The other four Elders had already heard about this matter and had discussed it several times beforehand.

“In that case, let the Navy take action. If we can successfully eliminate the Beasts Pirates, that would be quite good. Kaido has been controlling the source of Seastone for too long; it’s about time he gave it back,” the blond Five Elders agreed.

The other five elders nodded slightly in agreement.

Wano Country is a powerful nation located in the "New World" sea area, the latter half of the Grand Line, since that incident eight hundred years ago.

Fearing retribution from the World Government, Wano Country closed itself off from the world. By taking advantage of its unique and treacherous terrain and its powerful military strength, Wano Country severed most of its channels of communication with the outside world, leaving the World Government helpless against it.