Finally.
Under the direct orders of the Five Elders,
the Marine Headquarters moved swiftly.
First, Garp was transferred to the G1 Branch in the New World, replacing Aokiji, who was recalled.
Second, the fleet led by Akainu ceased its pursuit near the seas of Baltigo and was redirected. It would now act as the vanguard heading toward the East Blue.
Part of their mission was to establish a blockade at the Calm Belt.
Another part of their forces would head toward Reverse Mountain to seal off its entrance.
The World Government wasn't in a rush to suppress the Kingdom of Arkado.
After all, the nobles there were already beyond saving.
Whether they crushed the rebellion now or later made little difference.
What truly mattered was cutting off the Revolutionary Army's escape routes from the East Blue.
Akainu's vanguard fleet had one purpose: make sure the revolutionaries couldn't flee.
Following close behind was a joint suppression fleet composed of Marine HQ and World Government forces, which would serve as the main force for dealing with the Arkado Kingdom's uprising.
This fleet consisted of over 500 ships and more than 80,000 elite troops.
Essentially, it mirrored the scale of the forces deployed during the Paramount War in the original story.
While the rebels in the Arkado Kingdom may have numbered in the hundreds of thousands, most were untrained civilians.
Their combat ability paled in comparison to the Marines' elite troops.
Not to mention—the Marines had many powerful fighters, even top-tier ones.
There was no way ordinary people could resist them.
According to the operation timeline:
Akainu's vanguard would reach the East Blue in 12 days.
The joint suppression fleet would follow, arriving in 20 days.
That meant—time was running out for Luo Lan.
---
Top Floor, Jun Lin's Building.
Inside the executive conference room...
"The situation has been fully explained. Now let's go over the mission assignments."
"Ian, you and Baby 5 will depart immediately on the Danaan. Your mission is to harass Akainu's vanguard and the incoming joint suppression fleet. Your goal is to slow their advance."
"Remember—keep your distance and use intimidation strikes only."
Luo Lan gave the first command.
Technically, battleships could perform the task, but against a Marine Admiral, slow ships wouldn't escape alive.
However, pairing the Danaan with Baby 5 was ideal:
High speed, submersion ability, and the option to surface and launch long-range missile strikes—
Akainu would be spitting blood in frustration.
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
Ian responded loudly and left to find Baby 5 right away.
"Viola, you'll go with the airship into East Blue to monitor all Revolutionary Army movements—especially keeping close tabs on Dragon's location. Watch him like a hawk!"
After Ian left, Luo Lan turned to Viola.
This time, he wasn't just aiming to clash with the Marines and the World Government.
He planned to strike the Revolutionary Army too.
You cause chaos, grab the spoils, and think you can just run?
Think again.
That said, catching the Revolutionary Army—especially Dragon—was no easy task.
Even the World Government had tried and failed many times, always left seething as he slipped away.
To truly trap them, he needed to track them relentlessly.
And now that Dragon had made a public appearance, not even trying to hide—
it was the best chance.
Viola was perfect for the job.
The airship's radar could track ships, and her Glare-Glare Fruit ability could track people.
"Understood. I'll leave immediately."
Viola nodded and exited the room.
"Sister Gion, what's the training status of the First Fleet? How much combat effectiveness can they deliver?"
"Time's been tight," Gion (Momousagi) replied after thinking it over.
"Especially since many of the warships just entered service. All things considered, I'd estimate about 80% combat capability at this point."
Honestly, that surprised Luo Lan.
Some of the ships had only been in service for ten days, most under a month.
He'd have been satisfied with 60–70% effectiveness.
80%? That was impressive.
"Keep pushing the training. You've got at most 20 days before you're deployed.
And this will likely be the largest naval battle in decades."
"Understood."
Momousagi nodded and sat down.
But Luo Lan could see a hint of complexity in her eyes.
Naturally so—because this time, her enemy was the Navy itself.
Yes, the suppression fleet also included World Government troops.
But over 80% of it was made up of Marines.
If she wasn't conflicted, that would be strange.
Still, Luo Lan wasn't worried about her loyalty.
After all... the Jun Lin's Building had its own mysterious influence.
Momousagi's loyalty to both Jun Lin—and to Luo Lan personally—was already maxed out.
It was a kind of subconscious suggestion that didn't alter her personality, so she'd still have mixed feelings about the Navy.
After that, Luo Lan turned to Hina.
"Sister Hina, in 20 days the Second Fleet is expected to receive 6 battleships and 12 destroyers. While that's not a full fleet, it's a critical force. The problem is—"
"There's no time to train your troops!"
"So starting today, gather your people and temporarily train on the First Fleet's ships."
"I have only one requirement:
Once the Second Fleet's new ships arrive, your people must immediately be able to board and operate them!"
"If the First Fleet's mission is to engage Akainu's vanguard and the joint Marine–World Government fleet, then your Second Fleet's mission is to deal with the Revolutionary Army's fleet!"
Luo Lan knew this was a heavy demand.
But with such limited time and such high stakes—he had no choice.
"Don't worry. Hina will make it happen!"
Hina stood and responded confidently.
"Next, let's talk about top-tier combat power. Besides Zoro and Ace, everyone—including the Three Admirals—will accompany the First Fleet."
"As for Zoro and Ace, they'll come with me to the Second Fleet.
Their mission: defeat and capture the Revolutionary Army's commanders—especially Dragon."
"Lastly, the island-level propulsion system is already preheating. It'll be fully activated in one hour."
"Rhodes Island..."
"...is going home."
---
After arranging everything,
Luo Lan returned to his office and pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
Brrr... Brrr...
"Ahem, this is the World Econ—"
"Cut it out, Morgans. It's me."
"Oh? Luo Lan! Got another big scoop for me?"
"I do. One that will reshape the entire world order. But—I'm not giving it to you."
"Wha—?! We've worked together so many times! Luo Lan, don't burn your bridges now!"
Morgans panicked. He knew Luo Lan's scoops could prop up an entire news empire.
If he handed those stories to a rival outlet,
the World Economy News could be blown off the map overnight.
"Relax. I just want to change things up a little."
"Say... Morgans—"
"You ever considered getting into livestreaming?"
---
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