"What an incredible battle."
Momousagi brushed her hair back, the sea breeze blowing strands around her face, and couldn't help but sigh.
"If nothing unexpected happens, this operation should wipe out all the pirates in the first half of the Grand Line in one decisive sweep."
"We also have firm control over the entrances to the Four Seas and the Grand Line," she continued.
"Once we've eliminated our immediate concerns, we can shift all our focus to the New World."
Carlos nodded slightly.
"You're right. But remember, the situation in the New World is much more complicated and dangerous. Use this time to organize teams and gather intelligence immediately."
"As you command," Momousagi replied.
Ain, noticing the confused and disappointed soldiers below, asked with concern, "Marshal Carlos, what about the remaining 120,000 soldiers?"
Carlos thought for a moment.
"Create a combat power ranking based on the results of this selection. We'll divide them into various ranks."
"Each sailor will have one opportunity per month to challenge the rank directly above them."
"Additionally, after this operation concludes, we'll establish a ranking based on combat merit."
"These two rankings will be publicly displayed, and the combined score will determine future promotions."
As a purely military organization, there was no room for personal biases here. Strength and merit were the only paths to better treatment.
Carlos added, "By the way, Hawkeye shouldn't stay idle. Assign him as the swordsmanship instructor to train the sailors."
Momousagi hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Hawkeye—Dracule Mihawk—was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the greatest swordsman in the world. He was incredibly proud and arrogant. There's no way he would agree to something like that!
Carlos, sensing her hesitation, smiled.
"Tell him that in return, he'll have the opportunity to spar with me once a month."
"Knowing him, he won't be able to resist."
This time, both Momousagi and Ain exchanged speechless glances. It wasn't sparring—more like him getting beaten.
Both felt a moment of silence for Hawkeye.
"But that's not all," Carlos continued. "I'm also planning to make the training methods of the Marine's Six Styles and Haki public."
The warriors of Amazon Lily, after all, could master Armament Haki, and so could the Marines.
Momousagi and Ain's expressions shifted instantly. They understood the serious implications of such a decision and quickly moved to dissuade him.
"Isn't this too risky? If the Marine's Six Styles and Haki become widespread, what if..."
Carlos waved his hand, cutting her off.
"I understand your concerns, but you're only worried it might leak."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing. Don't forget, the Marines stand for justice, and the people are on our side."
While Carlos' actions seemed aimed at strengthening the Marines, there was a deeper purpose.
By doing this, whether facing pirates or... the World Government, people would have the power to protect themselves.
Perhaps, one day in the future...
As a symbol of justice, the Marines might use this growing force to change the world completely...
Five days had passed since the Marine fleet set sail.
On an island not far from Enies Lobby, the air was thick with smoke, and the town was engulfed in flames. The streets were littered with debris, collapsed houses, and broken limbs—a scene of utter devastation.
Clearly, a fierce battle had just occurred.
Shocked civilians cautiously peeked out from their homes.
Nearly a thousand pirate corpses lay neatly arranged on both sides of the pier.
Just an hour ago, a pirate crew called "Bloody Rose" had led thousands of pirates into the town, looting, killing, and destroying everything in their path.
After receiving desperate calls for help, Akainu, who had been nearby, led a Marine fleet to respond immediately.
As soon as the two sides met, a fierce battle erupted.
The pirate captain, with a bounty of 210 million beli, was killed by Akainu in a single move.
Marine morale soared.
Just a few minutes into the battle, the highly motivated Marine soldiers managed to defeat nearly a thousand pirates in one decisive strike.
Seeing this, the remaining pirates—thousands in number—quickly gave up their resistance.
It was understandable. After all, their opponent was a Marine Admiral. No one could stand up to him.
Moreover, the Marines were unusually brave, their eyes gleaming at the pirates as if they were treasure chests.
Rather than fighting these lunatics, the pirates would rather surrender.
Under the watchful eyes of countless civilians, the Marines began cleaning up the battlefield.
Not long after, Akainu's adjutant approached him.
"Sir, after counting, we've confirmed that 981 pirates were killed in this battle. The gold and silver treasures we've collected are roughly estimated to be worth around 150 million beli. Additionally, we've found a Devil Fruit."
"Hm? Another Devil Fruit after the Paramecia Barrier Fruit?" Akainu asked, mildly surprised.
"That's right. After checking the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, we've identified it as the Logia Snow-Snow Fruit!"
Akainu was genuinely surprised this time. After a moment of contemplation, he gave his command in a deep, steady voice.
"Send the Devil Fruit to headquarters. As for the gold and silver, distribute it to the soldiers on the spot."
A Devil Fruit, especially a rare Logia-type, was a strategic resource. In the right hands, it could produce another powerful Marine.
As for pocketing the loot?
Akainu never entertained the idea. First, he had no interest in it. Second, every fleet had personnel in charge of records, making it impossible to hide such things even if he wanted to.
The adjutant then turned his gaze to the tied-up pirates nearby, looking conflicted.
"What should we do with the prisoners, sir? All our warships are already full, and we don't have space to take them aboard..."
During the five-day campaign, they had accumulated a significant number of prisoners.
Akainu's eyes turned cold as he gave his response.
"Execute them on the spot. Hang their bodies at the port for everyone to see—let them understand the consequences of becoming pirates."
"Yes, sir!"
Under Akainu's orders, the pirates were executed one by one, their bodies hung from the masts at the dock.
Their expressions varied, ranging from rage to despair. Cries for mercy and curses filled the air, making the once-quiet and desolate port suddenly chaotic.
Akainu observed all this without a flicker of emotion.
Pirates weren't worthy of pity. They had chosen this path and should have been mentally prepared for such an end.
Only through such a severe display could they strike fear into these lawless criminals.
The treasures, worth 150 million beli, were distributed among the Marines, whose morale soared amid cheers. With renewed vigor, they continued their advance towards Water 7.
Meanwhile, the fleet led by Green Bull encountered several pirate crews in the 1.9 area.
With the power of his Sensen Fruit, Green Bull obliterated the enemy forces in a single face-to-face encounter.
However, unlike Akainu, he didn't execute the pirates on the spot.
Instead, he summoned countless plants, draining the pirates dry and imprisoning them in a living, botanical prison.
As a newly promoted Marine Admiral, Green Bull needed these prisoners to prove his worth.
In contrast to Akainu and Green Bull, Fujitora approached things differently.
In a war-torn town filled with smoke, groups of sailors could be seen carrying logs, walking back and forth amidst the clanging of construction work.
Thousands of civilians and soldiers were busy repairing houses, hammers in hand.
Fujitora sat on a large stone, holding his cane sword, wearing a helpless expression.
Despite being a Marine Admiral, he carried neither the authority nor the airs of a superior officer.
And for good reason—countless civilians had enthusiastically signed up to join the Marines and were now flocking to him, almost overwhelming him with their eagerness...
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