Chapter 240: Set Sail

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The skies over Marineford were clear and blue, but piercing sirens wailed without end. 

Squads of grim-faced, tense Marines stepped aboard warships in quick succession. The enormous ships lined up in neat formations and sailed out of the inner bay. 

There was no mistaking it—this was a full-scale pre-battle deployment. Elite forces were being sent to the New World.

"I heard two-thirds of the Vice Admirals have been mobilized!"

"Even the two remaining Admirals at HQ have been dispatched!"

"The mission is to head to the New World—but what exactly happened over there?"

Whispers of tension filled the air as seasoned Marines exchanged hushed words. 

Even though many of them had survived the Marineford War, they could feel the chilling pressure in the atmosphere this time—it was different.

At the docks, two figures stepped onto the last warship side by side. "Both of us leaving... Won't Marine HQ be left vulnerable?" Kizaru asked, squinting.

"No," Crocodile exhaled. "Fleet Admiral Arashi already made preparations. He's left behind a new force."

From another ship nearby, seven figures slowly disembarked—tall, composed, and powerful. 

"Who are they?" Kizaru asked, puzzled.

"The Seraphim. The latest project from the Science Division," Crocodile replied flatly.

"I didn't even know about them," Kizaru muttered in disbelief. As the Science Division's supreme commander, this came as a shock.

"They're the Fleet Admiral's secret weapon," Crocodile added. "They come from Skypiea. With them, Marineford will be safe."

"Their aura... terrifying. Reminds me of the Seven Warlords," 

Kizaru murmured, eyes locked on the towering figure leading the group, about seventeen or eighteen in appearance, six meters tall, with dark skin and flames rising from the back of his head.

Strangely, his face bore an uncanny resemblance to Arashi's—around 70–80% similar.

"Codename: Zeus. The prototype Seraphim, was made with Arashi's genes. The others, I assume, were modeled after the Warlords," Crocodile said.

Though he had never seen the Seraphim in combat, their mere presence gave off overwhelming pressure. 

Compared to the Pacifista, they were more advanced and far stronger. 

As the fleet slowly pulled away from the harbor, the Seraphim squad quietly entered Marineford and disappeared from view.

"We should focus on how we'll handle the war ahead," Crocodile said, taking a drag of his cigar. "After all, we're going up against Kaido."

Kizaru, despite his usual aloofness, seemed unworried. "If the Fleet Admiral made the call, then I'm sure Arashi already has a plan."

Crocodile remained silent. He couldn't grasp Arashi's intentions this time. Judging by the strength of both sides in the New World, this decision seemed reckless. The risks were enormous.

Two days passed.

In the vast, churning waters of the New World, the ocean rolled under stormy skies. 

Thunder rumbled, lightning danced across the clouds, and the sea below looked like an endless abyss.

A pirate ship flew a skull-and-crossbones flag as it cautiously navigated the turbulent waves.

"BOOM!" Thunder roared as blue lightning struck the ocean, spraying mist into the air. Screams echoed from the pirate ship.

Suddenly, a neat row of black dots silently emerged from beneath the surface of the sea.

"Whooooosh!" Wind howled, waves crashed, and within seconds, more rows of black dots surfaced. One after another, in dense formations, they rose into view.

Under the dim sky, a faint rainbow-colored film shimmered around them. 

Then, as they sailed forward a few dozen meters, a crackling sound broke the silence—shzzzz! 

The colored films shattered, revealing an entire fleet of warships, arranged in a sweeping arc, slicing through the waves. Their white anchor flags fluttered violently in the wind.

"Northeast! Six o'clock!"

"Pirate ship spotted!"

The sudden call triggered immediate reactions across the warships. Within five seconds, another voice rang out:

"Admiral Crocodile's orders! Left wing warships 023 to 035, fire a full salvo and eliminate the target pirate ship!"

"Repeat! 023 to 035, fire to eliminate the target!"

The loud command echoed across the sea.

"Warship 023, acknowledged!"

"025 ready!"

"032 ready!"

"035 loaded and aiming!"

The warships adjusted their turrets, all aiming at the pirate ship a few hundred meters away. On the pirate ship, panic spread like wildfire.

"The Marines!! Oh god, it's the Marines!"

"There are so many ships! We can't see the end of the fleet!"

"We're doomed! We ran into a full Marine force!"

"Damn it! What are they doing here in the New World? Are they crazy?!"

"This is our pirate paradise!"

Their chaotic shouting filled the air. But on the Marine side, silence reigned. The dark barrels of hundreds of cannons locked onto their target.

Each warship carried about 20 to 30 light cannons. In total, over 300 cannons were aimed at one ship.

Then—

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

Thunder in the sky and cannonfire from the sea merged into one overwhelming blast. Shells screamed through the air, striking the pirate ship with devastating force.

"It's over!!"

"Abandon ship!!"

"No use—we'll die if we jump in this storm!"

"We'll die if we stay too!"

Screams of fear and despair echoed just before the cannons hit.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

Over 300 shells struck the ship dead-on. Flames erupted, consuming the vessel as it split apart.

"CRACK!" Lightning tore down from the clouds like giant tendrils, striking the burning wreck.

"A disaster-level storm…No matter how many years pass, this sea never changes," Kizaru murmured, staring at the bolts of lightning forming a grid in the sky.

Pirates are everywhere. Even in the open sea, you're bound to run into them," Crocodile said, eyes fixed on the sinking debris.

"Consider it a blood offering before our battle with Kaido," Kizaru said calmly.

The massive Marine fleet sailed forward, careful even in strength, because this volatile region could end even seasoned warriors. 

History had seen many Marines fall to the New World's fury.

Two hours later, the storm clouds suddenly cleared, and sunlight burst through. From gloom to brightness in a flash—the weather flipped entirely.

In just minutes, the temperature soared to nearly forty degrees Celsius.

"This is why the Marines never wanted to launch a full-scale assault into this region," Kizaru sighed.

Marines without enough strength would only die here. They'd be more of a burden than a help.

"We follow the Fleet Admiral's orders. Head for Dressrosa first," Crocodile said, exhaling smoke.

Three days later, the Marine fleet arrived at Dressrosa. Nearly a hundred warships docked in rows, leaving the entire kingdom stunned.

"The main force has arrived," Kuzan said as he pushed open the door.

Arashi raised his head and gave a calm nod. "Then let's move out."

He didn't waste a second. Grabbing his coat from the hanger, he threw it over his shoulders and strode out of the room.

"Only ten thousand elites... and we're facing two Yonko who've ruled the New World for years. Is that enough?" Kuzan asked as he followed closely behind.

"Kuzan," Arashi said softly, "this is a battle of elites. Numbers won't win this war."

Before Kuzan could respond, Arashi smiled slightly. "In this battle, the Admirals are the key to victory."

Kuzan froze. In that moment, he understood.

The Marines were still new to this sea. Their lower ranks were vulnerable. But when it came to top-tier combatants, they held the upper hand.

That meant the Admirals would carry the weight of the war, likely taking on enemies by the dozens, or even alone against thousands.

"If the full force of Marine HQ still can't bring down two Yonko…" Arashi paused mid-sentence. Kuzan didn't need him to finish. His expression darkened.

As they left the palace, they saw Marines rushing toward the harbor.

Bullet and Fujitora approached from the other side. The Admirals gathered without a word. 

Half an hour later, the Thunder slowly left the harbor.

Aboard the lead ship were Buggy, Rosinante, and Guina, while the other Admirals—Moria and Bartholomew Kuma—led separate Marine divisions. 

The Donquixote Family, under Doflamingo, had also been forcibly conscripted into the war. 

Their ship now flew the Marine flag, and every member of the family wore an expression of deep resentment and unease.

Under countless watchful eyes, the enormous Marine fleet slowly departed from the Dressrosa port and eventually disappeared beyond the horizon. 

...

From that moment, the world erupted. The explosive news spread like wildfire.

"What did you say? The Marines assembled a massive force in Dressrosa, and then vanished?"

"A major war! This will be another world-shaking battle!"

"Who's the target?"

"Who else could it be? Only the recent Paramount War could compare to such a large-scale military operation!"

"It has to be one of the Yonko ruling the seas! This Arashi is too aggressive—he'll bring disaster to the Marines!"

"No... I think he's the most courageous Fleet Admiral in history. If he wins this war, the Marines' prestige will surpass every previous era!"

"But the sea will descend into chaos!"

"Marines and pirates will form opposing camps—for one final war. This will be the first of its kind!"

"Does Fleet Admiral Arashi aim to become the legendary Marine hero who ends the pirate era?"

The world buzzed with speculation, voices rising everywhere over the Marines' sudden and massive deployment.

...

Meanwhile, in the Holy Land, Mariejois, the atmosphere inside the Grand Chamber was dark and suffocating. It felt as though even the air had frozen in place.

"That man... is a madman!"

"Just because one squad fell into Wano Country, he's launching a full-scale war. What exactly is he planning?" an elder growled in fury.

"Perhaps what we should consider is this—if the Marines, under his command, actually win this war... what kind of world will we be left with?" Topman Warcury said coldly.

The other four Elders' expressions darkened instantly. They had also imagined the consequences of a Marine victory.

"Arashi's reputation would reach unprecedented heights. The strength of the Marines would become deeply rooted in the public's mind," another murmured.

"Looking at his recent actions in Fish-Man Island and Dressrosa, it's clear—this man is far from content with the status quo."

"He may be trying to reshape the entire world order!"

The low, heavy words made the tension in the chamber grow thicker. "He's already touched the limits of what we can tolerate."

"It's time we made a decision!" Saint Jaygarcia Saturn said sharply.

"If we allow him to continue unchecked, the future tides will spiral beyond our control!"

Saint Marcus Mars lifted his head, expression grim. "Then what do you propose?"

"It's time we act," Warcury said.

"We head to Wano. The Marines' strength must be curbed. Even if we can't eliminate Arashi directly, the power in his hands must remain under our control!"

His icy tone made the other four elders visibly uneasy. "You mean...?" one began.

Warcury took a deep breath and slowly stood. "Even if it costs us everything, the Marines must never be allowed to escape our authority."

"If I do not return from this mission—" he paused, then added, "Inform Lord Imu to activate the experimental weapon. Erase Wano from the face of the world."

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