Chapter 131: Two-Front War – Akainu’s Humiliation

A full-scale battle erupted between both sides. Hachinosu's strategic importance was undeniable; its stable climate and calm waters made it a vital hub for the underworld.

Every faction watched closely, wondering how far this clash would escalate. Would the Emperors themselves step in?

When Wang Zhi ruled the island, his influence was immense, it took two Admirals to topple him. Even Blackbeard only became an Emperor by defeating Wang Zhi, and even then, he needed help from Law and Koby.

Now, with the island up for grabs, it had become a prime target.

And with the fragments of the floating island Blackbeard had brought, Hachinosu's landmass had expanded, making it even more desirable.

"Thatch and Rakuyo have already gone to support the front. Should we send more reinforcements?" Marco asked.

"No rush. It's just Queen, and they can handle it."

Roy wasn't worried. If those two couldn't deal with mere Calamities, their Devil Fruits were wasted on them.

"But we could send more." Marco pressed.

"Your intel's lagging. Look at this." Roy handed him a sheet of paper.

"Charlotte Linlin's side…"

"I sent Vista and the others there," Roy said.

"Damn it! Did she ally with Kaido?" Marco asked, alarmed.

"Doubt it. But since neither Emperor is personally involved, this stays a fight between officers. Keep an eye on Shanks. If he makes a move, tell me."

"Understood."

The Whitebeard Pirates' expansion was encroaching on both the Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates' territories.

Resource wars always played out like this.

The New World wasn't infinite. Land, wealth, power, it was all limited. And as the Whitebeard Pirates grew stronger, their ambitions clashed with the other Emperors.

Under Roy's leadership, they had expanded into islands once considered Big Mom's backyard.

Originally, the Whitebeard Pirates were fairly laid-back. Expansion wasn't their style.

But with the introduction of the sea train system, commerce had boomed. More trade meant more demand and more demand required more resources. It was only a matter of time before conflict with the other Emperors arose.

The weak are meat; the strong eat.

That was the law of the world.

With the Whitebeard Pirates now dominant, expansion was inevitable. And since Big Mom and Kaido had both been humbled by Roy, neither dared confront him directly.

So instead, they fought through their officers.

Roy understood their game. If he stepped in, Kaido would retaliate not at Hachinosu, but likely somewhere else.

This was a controlled conflict, one where the Emperors stayed back while their subordinates settled things.

Battles broke out not only at Hachinosu but also on other islands.

Vista, along with Haruta and Speed Jiru, were sent to another battlefield, facing off against Smoothie, Cracker, and others from Big Mom's crew.

"Reporting to the Fleet Admiral: the Beasts and Big Mom Pirates have launched simultaneous assaults on the Whitebeard Pirates. The battles are between top officers only, no sightings of their Captains or their top Commanders."

In the Marine HQ, Akainu was fuming as the latest intel came in. Two sudden wars? The Navy had been completely blindsided.

They had just finished killing Wang Zhi and were expecting their show of force to shake the seas. But now, three Emperor crews were active and fighting like mad.

A direct slap to the Marines.

Akainu felt humiliated. Getting reprimanded by the Five Elders was one thing, but moving the HQ to the New World and failing to intimidate anyone? It was infuriating.

None of the Emperors took the Marines seriously.

"I'm going to Mary Geoise," Akainu growled, getting up with clenched fists.

Just as he moved toward the door, someone was already waiting there.

"It's useless. Remember what I told you? You won't get the chance. The orders will come soon," said Sengoku, leaning against the door.

"Sengoku-san!" The officers inside all stood and saluted respectfully.

"These little scuffles between the Emperors aren't worth worrying about. Didn't you notice? None of their top commanders are fighting. Katakuri, King, and Marco are all staying out of it. That means they're keeping the war limited. Let the pirates bleed each other out," Sengoku said.

"I'm the Fleet Admiral now. You're retired," Akainu retorted angrily.

"Yes, I retired. But I'm still an inspector of the Navy. I'm just advising you. If the Navy moves in now, you might face all three Emperor crews together. Are you prepared for that?" Sengoku said calmly.

Akainu fell silent.

The Emperors might be ignoring the Marines for now, but if they made a move, both warring sides would immediately pull in their full forces, and their Captains.

What was happening now was a restrained conflict. It was still manageable. And knowing the World Government, they'd never allow a full-scale deployment.

Sure enough, a communications officer ran in.

"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, urgent dispatch from the World Government!"

Akainu snatched it and read it; his hand erupted in magma, incinerating the document in fury.

"Hmph!!"

Sengoku shook his head. 'This is just the beginning.'

Akainu had always been a blade on the battlefield, never resting.

But making him Fleet Admiral had been a mistake. Beyond sheer combat strength, Akainu lacked the depth to navigate complex strategy.

To him, destroying all enemies was the only answer; no need to think further.

But the World Government thought a lot further. They nurtured pirates to justify their own power. The Four Emperors? They were crowned by the government itself.

Letting four pirates grow powerful wasn't a mistake; it was intentional, to make the world obedient through fear.

"Look how terrifying the pirates are!"

People who had never even seen Whitebeard feared him because the government painted him as a monster.

In truth, Whitebeard and Roger never hurt innocent civilians. Yet they had the highest bounties in the world. Why?

Because fear was useful.

Only those living in the New World knew: as long as you obeyed the Emperors, they wouldn't pillage or slaughter indiscriminately.

Pirates actually understood sustainable rule better than the World Government did.

In contrast, the World Government endlessly extorted them, "protection fees" dressed up in moral righteousness.

Like a cult: Pay, or suffer.

And the pirates the government-supported? They were the real threat.

The Navy, meanwhile, had long decayed. Only a few bases were still worth anything; most of the others were rotting from the inside out.

.....

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