Chapter 129: The Fall of Wang Zhi

The Whitebeard Pirates now had four additional phoenixes, significantly boosting their combat power. However, they hadn't shown off their newfound strength yet.

Meanwhile, the Marines had been flexing their muscles.

After announcing their new headquarters in the New World and introducing two new Admirals, the Navy quickly replenished its forces and launched sweeping operations on islands near the Red Line.

The pirates of the New World were no pushovers, and they fought back fiercely, inflicting heavy casualties on the Marines. In response, the Navy continued to funnel more troops into the New World.

This left the former Marineford, now downgraded to G-1, severely undermanned. Even Sabaody Archipelago, once under tight Marine control, had descended into lawlessness.

G-1 Branch

"Vice Admiral Momonga, we can't spare any forces for Sabaody."

It was hard to believe that the Navy's former headquarters, now the G-1 branch, was left with only a single Vice Admiral in command.

In the past, it had been overseen by an Admiral. Now, stripped of its importance, even Sabaody, the playground of the Celestial Dragons, had become a lawless zone as the Marines withdrew.

"I understand. We still have some Pacifistas. Send them for cleanup when necessary," Momonga replied helplessly.

Besides him, G1 had no real fighting power left, just a few leftover Pacifistas from the World Government.

Almost all the forces had been mobilized to the New World. It was clear the Navy was planning something big.

And sure enough, they were.

"We've confirmed the primary trading hub for these pirates." Sakazuki declared.

Among the gathered officers, Coby, with his distinctive pink hair, stood out. This intelligence had come from his investigations.

"We're talking about a major black market pirate hub. Attacking it won't go unnoticed, it might even attract the attention of an Emperor," said Kizaru.

"Hmph. Let them come. Issho, Aramaki, you'll handle this together." Sakazuki turned to the two new Admirals.

"Leave it to me. I'll wipe out every last pirate," said Aramaki, standing up.

"Not long ago, Roy of the Whitebeard Pirates caused havoc in that area, " Issho noted.

"Even if it's an Emperor, we'll take them down just the same," Aramaki replied coldly.

"Be careful if you encounter that man. His Haki is monstrous." Kizaru warned.

"He's not the target. Your objective is this man." Sakazuki slammed a bounty poster on the table.

It was Wang Zhi.

Coby swallowed nervously. This was the Navy's first major action, sending two admirals, which was enough to challenge an Emperor's crew.

....

Twenty warships set sail from New Marineford. Such a massive mobilization couldn't stay hidden for long.

The world was like a spider's web; any movement sent ripples through the interconnected strands of intelligence. Soon, every major faction knew something was coming.

"Big Bro, we've got intel on the Marines."

Roy was resting. Whitey Bay's belly was getting bigger by the day, and so was her temper. He had to keep her happy.

"What kind of intel?" Roy asked, wearing an apron while cooking sweet and sour ribs, Whitey Bay's craving.

"The two new Admirals have mobilized with 20 warships. Their target is unknown. Only those at the Vice Admiral level seem to know the real objective," Haruta reported.

"Alert everyone. Stay on guard. We can't rule out the possibility they're coming for us," Roy said after thinking.

"Understood."

Haruta went to issue orders. The Whitebeard Pirates needed to mobilize to avoid a surprise attack.

"The Marine's making big moves?" Whitey Bay said, waddling in with her swollen belly.

"Looks like it. The new admirals are probably trying to make a statement. But who their target is, we don't know. An Emperor? Could be us, could be someone else," Roy replied.

"Will they try picking us off one by one?"

"It's not that easy. The Emperors didn't get this far by being weak. Just two admirals won't be enough to take us down. If they target one of the others, we'll just sit back and watch the show," Roy said with a grin.

"Do you think it could be Kaido? I'm worried, our eldest is still with the Beasts Pirates," she said with concern.

"The Beasts Pirates are in Wano. No way the Marines would go there. If they could've taken Wano, the World Government would've done it 800 years ago. Shanks' territory is near Elbaf, too risky

"Then that leaves us and Big Mom," Whitey Bay said.

"Yeah, most likely. They're probably just as on edge as we are," Roy replied with a chuckle.

.......

As expected, Charlotte Linlin was on high alert. Like the Whitebeard Pirates, she mobilized her forces quickly.

"Mama, are the Marines really coming for us?" Daifuku asked nervously.

"Maybe. That's why we need to be ready. All of you, prepare our defenses. If you spot their warships, sink them immediately," Linlin ordered.

"YES, MAMA!"

Her children and subordinates all stood ready.

....

With such a massive Navy operation underway, no pirate crew in the New World was feeling calm.

All of them were on high alert, waiting to see what the Navy would do next.

After five days, news finally arrived.

Pirate Island, Hachinosu, had fallen.

Wang Zhi, former member of the Rocks Pirates, had been killed by the two new Admirals. The island itself was left in ruins.

The newspapers carried the image: Ryokugyu holding Wang Zhi's severed head, Fujitora standing beside him with his sword.

The world was stunned. One of the New World's most notorious pirates was dead.

To ordinary people, this was great news: one less terrifying pirate.

But in the New World, it was clear the Marines wasn't just aiming to kill Wang Zhi.

"Wang Zhi is dead," Whitebeard said, looking at the paper.

"Seems like the Marines' goal was to cut off the underground trade routes," Roy nodded.

"That gonna mess with our black market business?" Whitebeard asked.

"Not really. Wang Zhi going down isn't a big deal. Hachinosu will be taken over again soon enough," Roy replied with a smile.

"Oh? You've already heard something?"

"I sent Jozu to lead a team."

"..."

Whitebeard was speechless. So it was their own people taking over.

"What will you do with that territory?" Whitebeard asked.

"We'll turn it into a trade hub. It's close enough to connect via the sea train. The weather's stable there too. Thanks to the Marines for clearing the way."

"And if the Marines attack?"

"Then we run." Roy grinned.

.....

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