I collect everything in the One Piece world.

He could almost see the towering flames, hear the deafening roar of cannons and desperate cries, see "The Collector" Morsen and Nico Robin turn to ashes in the gunfire, and see himself holding the report, receiving the appreciation and reward of the Five Elders.

Kalifa stood behind Spandam, gazing at the naval fleet that exuded an aura of iron-bloodedness and destruction. The fear and unease she had felt due to the deaths of Lucci and the others dissipated somewhat.

No matter how bizarrely powerful "Collector" Blackmosen may be, his individual strength is ultimately insignificant in the face of such a fleet and a saturation bombardment capable of covering every inch of the island.

No matter how strong he is, can he be stronger than ten warships firing their main guns simultaneously? Can he be stronger than tens of thousands of elite naval soldiers? Can he be stronger than the absolute will of the World Government?

Kalifa silently thought to herself, trying to use the overwhelming momentum of the fleet to dispel the lingering chill in her heart.

However, for some reason, when she thought of those life cards that had turned to ashes, her heart, which had just calmed down a little, involuntarily became anxious again.

Can it really be solved so easily?

It should be... okay...

Chapter 148, On the Eve of Chaos

The water city of seven was broken up in an unusual commotion as usual in the early morning.

It wasn't the whistle of the ship from Blue, nor the sound of hammers from the shipyard, but the piercing beeping of the city hall's emergency broadcast.

Mayor Iceberg's voice was heavy and hoarse, yet exceptionally clear, echoing throughout Water Seven via the city's loudspeaker Den Den Mushi.

"...Repeat, this is not a drill. We have received urgent intelligence that a powerful, unidentified, and potentially malicious unknown pirate crew is rapidly approaching Water Seven."

"To ensure the safety of all citizens' lives and property, I, Espagu, Mayor of Water Seven and President of Carrera Corporation, hereby issue a Level 1 Emergency Evacuation Order!"

"From this moment forward, all citizens who are not in essential positions are requested to evacuate Water Seven in an orderly and rapid manner through Piers 1, 3, and 5, under the guidance of City Hall staff and the Carrera fleet, carrying necessary personal belongings and a small amount of food, and proceed to the surrounding islands or designated refuge areas."

"Carrera will mobilize all available transport ships to provide free transportation services, with priority given to the elderly, women, and children!"

"Repeat, this is not a drill! All citizens, please remain calm, follow instructions, help each other, and evacuate as quickly as possible! This is for your safety! Please trust the government, we will definitely..."

The broadcast repeated itself over and over, the urgent yet sincere words like a bucket of ice water poured over the heads of the people of the Seven Waters City who had just woken up from their dreams.

At first, there was bewilderment and confusion, followed by whispers, and then panic began to spread rapidly.

"A pirate crew? The highest threat level? What kind of pirate crew could make Mayor Iceberg so nervous?"

"I don't know! I've never heard of it!"

"Could it be... a big shot from the New World?"

"Stop guessing! Go home and pack your things! The announcement said it's not a drill!"

"But... what about my shop? I just received my new stock!"

"Is your life more important or your money? Let's go!"

On the streets, people poured out of their homes, their faces filled with surprise, fear, and reluctance.

Some people rushed to the dock with their families, carrying large and small bags; some stood in front of their own shops, hesitating as they looked at the dazzling array of goods; and some even rushed to the city hall, excitedly wanting to ask for clarification, only to be stopped outside by Carrera company boatmen and temporarily organized militiamen who were maintaining order.

"Mayor! What exactly happened? What kind of pirate crew is so powerful? Where is the Navy? Isn't the Navy doing anything about it?"

"We need a definite answer! We can't just leave home without knowing why!"

"Yes! My ancestors have lived here for generations!"

Iceberg stood by the window of the city hall office, his face pale and his eyes shadowed.

He listened to the commotion downstairs and watched the crowds gradually gather at the distant dock, beginning to show signs of congestion and chaos. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh.

Self-blame, helplessness, and other complex emotions intertwined in my heart.

He knew that the pirates' reasons were full of loopholes, and that they would cause panic and doubt, but he had no choice.

He couldn't utter the words "Buster Order," as that would only trigger even greater and more utter despair.

"Mayor, Piers 1 and 3 are almost full, and the queues are starting to shove! A boat at Pier 5 has capsized slightly due to overloading, and rescue operations are underway!" A foreman, covered in sweat, rushed in to report.

"Have Paulie and Thaleston take men to maintain order! Send more guide ships! Tell everyone not to push, we will get everyone away as quickly as possible!" Iceberg immediately gave the order, his voice hoarse but firm.

The vice presidents and senior foremen around him also looked grim, but they all gritted their teeth and persevered.

They temporarily filled the work vacuum left by Kalifa's disappearance, and they have been extremely busy these past two days.

“All of Carrera’s available ships have been moved to the dock! But the capacity is still not enough! And many of the shipwrights’ families are also…” another vice president said bitterly.

Iceberg closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew this was just the beginning; evacuating an entire city was no easy task.

Time, that's what they lack most right now.

Spandam and his naval fleet could appear on the sea surface at any moment.

“I’ll figure something out!” He opened his eyes, which were bloodshot. “Also, send someone to inform the residents of the backstreet area, especially the elderly, the infirm, and those with mobility issues, that Carrera’s ships will detour to the small dock to pick them up.”

"Also, tell everyone that if they really can't or don't want to leave... then try to gather in sturdy buildings, underground warehouses, or waterway shelters."

He knew this was the worst-case scenario; whether these places could hold out once the artillery fire began was another matter entirely.

Just then, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and Franky's tall figure rushed in. He was still wrapped in many bandages, but he looked much better, though his face was ashen.

"You idiot iceberg!" Franky roared. "It's chaos outside! Lots of my stupid underlings are panicking and coming to ask me what's going on! It's super troublesome!"

"What exactly did you tell the citizens? They don't believe in any of that bullshit pirate crew!"

Iceberg gave a wry smile: "Frankie, that's all I can say. You know the consequences of telling the truth without me having to explain them."

Franky scratched his pompadour in frustration: "I sent Zambai and the others to help maintain order, but we're simply not enough!"

"And..." he lowered his voice, a flash of anger in his eyes, "there seem to be some unfamiliar faces sneaking in at the docks, acting suspiciously, as if they're asking about something, and deliberately creating chaos! I suspect they were sent by that bastard Spandam!"

Iceberg felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this. Sure enough, those lackeys wouldn't stand idly by while they evacuated the crowd.

He had previously considered whether he should give up resisting and sacrifice himself to save the people of Water City.

But after thinking about it carefully, I realized that my idea was a bit too naive.

The most important bargaining chip, the blueprints for Hades, is gone, so Spandam certainly won't listen to him.

Now it seems that this was indeed the case. Perhaps for the sake of secrecy, or to prevent any risk of leaks about Hades, Spandam's target was the entire Water Seven.

"Arrest those you can, and drive those you can't catch to avoid causing bigger riots. Our primary task is to get more people out of the area."

"Got it!" Franky spat, turned around and rushed out again, shouting as he ran, "Men! Follow me to the docks! Let's see who dares to cause trouble! Let them taste the iron fist of a man!"

Watching Franky's retreating figure, Iceberg felt a little more at ease. Although Franky was often unreliable, he could at least keep things in order in the current chaotic situation.

He turned his gaze back to the window. The horizon where the sea met the sky remained calm, but that calm was like the last illusion before a storm, oppressive and suffocating.

The evacuation bells have already rung, and the shadow of destruction is quietly approaching with each passing second.

Chapter 149, Pre-Battle Preparations: Who Will Destroy Whom Is Still Uncertain

Inside the Frankie House, the atmosphere was completely different from the growing panic outside; it was unusually orderly, even carrying a strange calm before battle.

Chopper was standing in front of a makeshift workbench, intently mixing various ointments.

"Strong hemostatic powder, the proportion of Dictamnus dasycarpus extract needs to be increased..." he muttered to himself as he divided the ground medicine into small packets.

"Burn spray, primarily composed of aloe vera and icefield moss, for pain relief and anti-inflammation..."

Chopper not only prepared medicine for external injuries, but also made corresponding medicines for possible situations.

This was the first line of defense he could build for his comrades in the face of a potentially devastating attack, as the ship's doctor.

Bakara was sitting obediently on a high stool, her eyes half-closed, constantly activating her Luck Fruit ability.

Mosen stood beside her, and whenever Bakara's ability was activated, a special energy would be drawn in and collected by him, forming special "lucky stickers".

This is the buff he prepared for his companions. In addition, there are some offensive stickers that he usually collects, as well as some blank stickers that can be actively collected.

Unfortunately, he hasn't figured out the collection feature yet, otherwise his stickers would be even more versatile.

Robin sat quietly by the window, holding a cup of long-cold black tea, while several magical arms flipped through the documents on the table and organized them.

The most important thing is the information on the several vice admirals from the Navy Headquarters who might be deployed, as well as their corresponding abilities. She must ensure that her partners know their information immediately upon seeing them, including but not limited to their weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Nami sat at a large table not far from her, on which was a map of Water Seven with detailed markings of the hidden underground waterways.

At the same time, she was also playing with a strange special sticker in her hand, on which was drawn a cartoon-shaped submarine.

These are stickers that Mosen gave her. Inside is a piece of Frankie's wildly imaginative work from many years ago: an experimental submarine that is not large in size but has an exceptionally sturdy structure and incorporates many of Frankie's whimsical ideas.

"Captain, are you sure this thing will work?" Nami shook the sticker in her hand with some skepticism.

She hadn't forgotten the many bizarre masterpieces Franky had introduced to everyone these past few days, which made her very skeptical about whether this seemingly normal submarine was reliable at all.

"Frankie has inspected the core structure. The power system is very powerful, and the materials are definitely strong enough."

“Most importantly,” Mosen walked over and pointed to a winding passage marked with a red line on the map, “it’s the right size to pass through this hidden waterway.”

“Remember, your mission is not to fight, Nami.” Morsen looked into her eyes, his tone clear and serious: “Your mission is to take this sticker and wait in this waterway before the battle begins.”

"If... I mean if our plans go awry, or if the situation deteriorates to the point where we have to evacuate immediately, we will get there as soon as possible."

"At that time, we'll need you to meet us in time and then lead us away quickly."

Upon hearing this, Nami's hand tightened slightly, gripping the sticker tightly. This was their last resort; she held the key to the entire group's ultimate escape.

“Leave it to me, Captain.” Nami carefully put the sticker away, her gaze returning to the map. “I’ll be waiting at the waterway entrance, and I won’t leave no matter what happens.”

"I believe you!" Mosen nodded, and then began to plan his own battle strategy.

Nami's mission only represented their last resort, but in addition, Morsen had a series of plans for direct confrontation.

For example, by fully activating his Devil Fruit ability, he could collect all the first few rounds of fire when the naval fleet began firing simultaneously.

That's right, he's not collecting just one or two shells, but all of them, because he plans to retaliate in kind by reflecting all the collected artillery fire back at the enemy, thereby destroying a large number of warships and rendering the so-called 10,000 elite naval soldiers incapable of fighting.

After all, during the Buster Call, the biggest threat, besides the five elite lieutenant generals of headquarters, was the saturation artillery fire from the warships.

In some respects, saturation firepower was even more effective than five elite naval vice admirals.

For example, to truly and completely destroy an island, even if five vice admirals killed from morning till night until their hands were sore, they might not be able to kill it all, but artillery fire only needs to be carried out round after round.

Therefore, the role of the vice admiral is basically to fill in the gaps and make up for any shortcomings. For example, in this operation, Mosen was responsible for finding and fixing these shortcomings.

Mosen was well-prepared for this; five vice admirals—just thinking about it made him excited.

Whether it was collecting artillery or going head-to-head with a naval vice admiral, it was an unprecedented challenge for him.

After all, it goes without saying that such a large-scale collection, and the subsequent high-intensity battles, will inevitably place extremely high demands on his stamina and control over his Devil Fruit abilities.