137. Let's Start, War!

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In the New World, dominated by the Four Emperors, the seas operate under unspoken rules—dark lines that define boundaries and buffer zones. These areas act as no-man's-lands, separating the immense territories ruled by the Emperors.

Between these territories, vast stretches of sea serve as neutral zones, potential battlegrounds where conflicts between emperors might erupt. These regions remain silent, devoid of ships or activity. Even the residents of nearby islands and towns flee far away, seeking refuge from the looming threat of war.

Amid this tense backdrop, the New World's press dares to report on such monumental conflicts, broadcasting news and even video footage from the desolate seas at great risk.

The BIG MOM Pirates, led by Charlotte Linlin, sailed out of the Totto Land territory in a grand display of might. Yet, their progress halted upon reaching the Maya Sea—a buffer zone between their domain and that of the Flying Admiral.

Their hesitation wasn't without reason. Katakuri had glimpsed the future using his Observation Haki. Standing at the head of her children, Charlotte Linlin's figure dominated the deck, her gaze fixed intently on the distant horizon.

The tranquil sea seemed to sense the arrival of something dreadful. The water stirred, building wave after wave, as if foreshadowing the storm to come.

Katakuri, standing near his mother, tilted his head upward, his sharp eyes glowing with an red light. He stared at the thick clouds gathering in the distance, his voice cutting through the tension.

"Mama, the Flying Admiral's fleet is here."

None among the crew doubted his words. The deck of the Queen Mama Chanter fell silent as every gaze turned toward the horizon.

A faint whistling noise filled the air.

Suddenly, the dense cloud cover above split apart, as if struck by an invisible force. Sunlight pierced through in scattered beams, illuminating the waters below. From the rift in the clouds, a massive shadow emerged—an enormous ship.

And it wasn't alone.

One after another, dark silhouettes appeared on the horizon. A second ship, then a third, then a fourth—until the sky itself seemed consumed by the presence of a colossal fleet. Over a dozen warships, resembling steel-armored behemoths, approached with an oppressive aura that could be felt even across kilometers of open sea.

As they drew closer, the full scale of the Flying General's Grand Fleet revealed itself—a display of Wanokuni's military power, unveiled to the world at last.

The crew aboard the Queen Mama Chanter tensed. Weapons were gripped tightly as the pirates prepared for battle. Eyes burned with a mix of fear and determination as they watched the fleet advance.

"Wanokuni… has forces like this?!"

Even Charlotte Linlin couldn't suppress a flicker of surprise. Her thoughts turned the glory of Shiki.

The current Alex emanated an oppressive aura that far surpassed even the Golden Lion.

Yet, it wasn't just Alex's presence that unsettled Charlotte Linlin—it was the military might he commanded.

From Kaido, she had learned that back in the year 1504 of the Sea Circle Calendar, Wanokuni had been home to a population of a million people. However, after years of conflict, the nation's population had dwindled to fewer than 40,000.

Now, with her keen Observation Haki, Charlotte Linlin estimated Alex had brought a force of nearly 100,000 soldiers to this battlefield.

Her own total combat power of 140,000, but most were the Homies created from her Soul-Soul Fruit.

In less than nine years, under Alex's rule, Wanokuni's military strength had risen to rival, if not surpass, Totto Land's forces, which had taken her over two decades to build.

One by one, the enormous flying fleet began to make its presence known. Beyond the main ship and the aerial battleships armed with long-range weaponry, several massive steel behemoths descended to the sea. Their landing sent waves surging more than ten meters high, signaling the start of a clash unlike any other.

In the skies above, flags bearing the black and white insignias of Alex's new empire fluttered proudly in the wind.

At the forefront, Alex stood on the main ship, flanked by his court officers and elite warriors. Behind him, countless soldiers, each armed and radiating an indomitable fighting spirit, awaited his command.

It was a confrontation between two of the Four Emperors.

One side commanded the skies; the other, the seas.

Alex's forces gazed down from above, while Charlotte Linlin's pirates looked up in defiance.

The overwhelming scale of the Wanokuni fleet left the Big Mom Pirates reeling. Those already wary of Alex now trembled in the face of his vast, advanced fleet. Many struggled to stay steady on the deck of the Queen Mama Chanter, their confidence shaken.

Charlotte Linlin rose abruptly from her throne, her enormous figure radiating raw power.

"What a spectacle! Mamamama…It seems you're ready for an endless battle with me, little Shogun!"

Even as the oppressive strength of Alex's forces bore down on her, Charlotte Linlin refused to falter.

"This is a new era, is it?" Alex said with a smirk, gazing down at her. "Then it's time for relics of the old age—like you, stuck in slums and having children—to be left behind."

Charlotte Linlin's laughter grew louder, her defiance only fueled by his insult. "Don't think for a moment that catching me off guard once means you've already won! I've survived battles far more fearsome than this when you were just a brat playing in the mud!"

"Zeus! Prometheus! Napoleon!"

Responding to her call, her three Homies fused, forming her strongest weapon: a blazing greatsword.

Still unsatisfied, Charlotte Linlin sacrificed several years of her own life, amplifying her strength even further. With her soul energy infusing her giant form, her power reached terrifying new heights.

She wasn't holding anything back. This was a battle for life and death, and she intended to settle it decisively. As long as she could defeat Alex, she could recover her loss of years—whether through pure gold, human gigantification experiments, or Wanokuni's resources.

After her alliance with Kaido, there was no need to conserve her power. Everything was on the line.

"Let's go to war!"

Charlotte Linlin's oppressive aura swept across the battlefield. Standing atop her thundercloud, she glared ferociously at the massive flying fleet before her.