Thirty nautical miles from Amazon Lily, ten warships were swiftly sailing.
On the central command ship, Kuzan stared at the sea ahead, his expression carrying a trace of gravity.
Behind him were Vice Admirals like Onigumo and Momonga.
This fleet composition made it clear that the scale of this attack launched by the World Government against Amazon Lily already exceeded the standard for a typical Buster Call.
Originally, making such a big show of destroying a nation not considered very strong should have been a relatively easy task for Kuzan and the others.
However, at this moment, there was no trace of ease on their faces; instead, they all looked very serious.
Just then, a messenger hurried to the front of Kuzan and the others, saluted, and reported respectfully: "Report! Sirs, we are currently thirty nautical miles from Amazon Lily. Estimated time of arrival is within one hour!"
"Understood. Dismissed!" Kuzan waved his hand, but the gravity on his face deepened.
He turned to look at the Navy Vice Admirals behind him and said solemnly, "This mission to Amazon Lily isn't just about punishing the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock. It's also to prove to the world that our Navy is still the strongest force on these seas, the embodiment of justice that cannot be violated! Understood?"
"Understood!" the Vice Admirals responded in unison.
Finally, Kuzan took a deep breath and added, "I also know the concerns in everyone's hearts. But our Navy has no way back. So, even if we encounter powerful resistance, this operation absolutely cannot fail!"
"Yes!" Onigumo, Momonga, and the others responded gravely.
Subsequently, the five dispersed, boarding the other surrounding warships. The ten warships officially began to form an encirclement, heading straight for Amazon Lily!
Before long, they felt the mist ahead gradually disperse, and the vague outline of the island was now close at hand.
Half an hour later, the ten warships directly surrounded Amazon Lily.
Then, Kuzan dialed the Den Den Mushi connecting him to Fleet Admiral Sengoku: "Fleet Admiral, we have arrived at Amazon Lily. Do we confirm launching the Buster Call?"
In fact, an ordinary Buster Call wouldn't require a Navy Admiral to lead it personally, nor would it require direct confirmation from the Fleet Admiral. But this operation was clearly not ordinary.
The reason was that Amazon Lily was facing this sanction because of its connection to the Ninja Association. The Empress's announcement to participate in the Ninja Association's World Congress was a blatant provocation against the World Government.
And the Ninja Association happened to be the very force the World Government currently feared!
If they truly launched the sanction against Amazon Lily, they had to be prepared for a fierce counterattack from the Ninja Association!
Sengoku naturally also understood the heavy burden on Kuzan and the others. However, he knew even more the resolve of the World Government's upper echelons.
Faced with such provocation from the Ninja Association, if they did nothing, they would truly become a laughingstock in the eyes of the entire world!
Therefore, he finally said in a deep voice, "Commence the attack! Wipe Amazon Lily from the seas!"
"Yes, Sir!"
After receiving the confirmed order, Kuzan's expression immediately turned resolute.
A soldier's nature is to obey. Even if the path ahead leads to certain death, once the order is given, they must charge forward without regard for their own safety!
Then, Kuzan picked up another Den Den Mushi and formally issued the order to the fleet: "All units, hear my command! All warships, enter combat status! Train guns on Amazon Lily! Continue closing in! Prepare to bombard!"
"Yes, Admiral!"
All the Marines on the warships immediately sprang into action. All gun ports aimed at Amazon Lily as the ships continued moving towards the island.
"Open fire!"
Then—
As soon as Amazon Lily entered the fleet's firing range, Kuzan finally gave the order to bombard.
Boom! Boom! Boom!...
Shells shot out from the various gun ports of the fleet, flying straight towards Amazon Lily.
Under normal circumstances, the Marines on the fleet would surely be in high spirits, waiting to see the enemy fall.
But at this moment, the soldiers on all ten warships held their breath, their hearts tense.
The critical moment had arrived!
This bombardment would reveal whether the Ninja Association had come to Amazon Lily's aid. It would show just how difficult this operation would be.
Clearly, they were hoping the Ninja Association wouldn't appear, allowing them to complete this mission smoothly.
As for the Ninja Association's wrath later, or a direct clash with the Navy, that would be a problem for the World Government to handle.
But if the Ninja Association appeared now, not only might they fail their mission, but they could also be in serious trouble.
In fact, those feeling tense weren't limited to the Navy side. The people on Amazon Lily were equally on edge.
How could they fail to notice the Navy's aggressive approach?
In fact, ever since the Empress issued that declaration, they had anticipated such a scenario and had even prepared to fight the Navy to the death.
However, the Empress stubbornly told them their sacrifice wouldn't be necessary. The Ninja Association would definitely come to deal with the Navy for them!
The people of Amazon Lily could see that their Empress, Boa Hancock, was gambling!
She was betting whether her beauty and the sincerity she expressed could win her Lín Xuán's recognition!
She believed that as long as Lín Xuán recognized her, the Ninja Association would naturally intervene and resolve this crisis for them.
But now, the Navy's bombardment had begun, and there wasn't even a shadow of anyone from the Ninja Association. Did they really still have any hope of survival?
"Snake Princess, Amazon Lily will be buried because of your willfulness!" Granny Nyon, holding her snake staff, stared angrily at Boa Hancock.
Boa Hancock's two sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold, both felt deeply ashamed and regretful, blaming themselves for not being able to dissuade their older sister.
If Amazon Lily was destroyed, they would be the greatest sinners!
Only Boa Hancock remained steadfast, insisting, "This queen believes Lín Xuán will definitely come!"
Just as her words fell, the shells fired from the warships had already reached the air above Amazon Lily, seemingly about to shatter the entire island!
Everyone on Amazon Lily turned ashen, already waiting for death.
But at that very moment—
"It seems I'm not late."
A voice unexpectedly reached everyone's ears, causing their bodies to jolt violently!
The Empress suddenly looked up into the sky, only to see a figure wrapped in golden light appear!
A brilliant smile instantly bloomed on her face, because the figure in the air was none other than the one she had been waiting for—Lín Xuán!
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T/N:
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